When can I drink coffee again?

[[lo...]]

Background: I'm 11 weeks out from abrupt discontinuation of Ativan 0.5mg/day, 6 week duration. I had previously taken Ativan on a daily basis from 2011-2014, and tapered with virtually no adverse symptoms.

 

I didn't expect to go through an acute withdrawal from such a short period + low dose, but I had a couple very bad weeks after stopping. I believe I've mostly returned to normal, except I now find that I am extremely sensitive to caffeine. Even a small amount (from a caffeinated soda, for instance) will instantly send my anxiety through the roof, and I feel like I'm back in the throes all over again for a few hours. There have even been times when I've accidentally consumed caffeine and only realized it after I started having an anxiety attack.

 

Before this, I was a huge lover of coffee, and not being able to drink it has really bummed me out. I was wondering if anyone here could share their own experience with caffeine post-withdrawal, as I've had a hard time finding information about the sudden caffeine sensitivity and its duration.

[[so...]]

If this is all you are experiencing in withdrawal, consider yourself blessed beyond words.

 

Sofa

[[sl...]]

I agreewith sofa. !  But hey now. I'm a coffee lover so I get it but if anyone said hey man. Just lay off coffee and you're golden?  Decaf here I come.  It's a stimulant. Plain and simple. And as much as I love my coffee. My Keurig. And caffeine in general it's not a fair trade. So ask the million dollar question. Caffeine or sanity?  You can still enjoy coffee. It's caffeine that is messing you up.

[[wa...]]

If you are a connoisseur of the flavor of coffee, I'd begin with decaf of your favorite and, if it is the caffeine you miss, add small amount - like a teaspoon -  to your brew to see if you can tolerate it.  It might take another 11 weeks to tolerate a regular cup.  Luckily, there is not a whole lot of redeeming properties to coffee so a break from it is no big deal and can only help your CNS.  W

[[do...]]

I'm a coffee lover as well. I drank it all through my taper and up until 15 months off. I'm finding myself more sensitive to food as I heal, so I switched to tea for a month and then I brew up some half-caff coffee when I need it.

 

Also, you are still early and no doubt your CNS is sensitive. Just try some tea or a coffee substitute for another month and then try a weakened coffee the following month.

 

There's no rule. It's all trial and error.

[[Da...]]

It is funny how different things effect different people. I am with sofa is that is your worst symptom you are doing pretty well, but you were on a low dose for a short amount of time. Unlike me who was on a high dose for a really long time. Anyway when I was taking the pills I would drink really a pot of coffee a day on my own before I left my house. Or later on I would have four or five huge cups of coffee out of my Keurig. I would follow that with sodas all day long. So on top of all the toxins I was putting my body I was consuming a massive amount of caffeine. Sorry I need to make a long story short. So I have mostly been able to have at least one cup of coffee per day and I am still drinking too much soda. Maybe that is the reason for all the anxiety I am complaining about. It is one of those things I just have written off as OK as long as I don't take pills. If your doing so well probably after more time you will be able to have more, start in moderation and then go up from there. Good luck you are doing really well.

[[of...]]

Sofa took the words out of my brain. Word for word

[[so...]]

Off,

 

I don't want to take anything out of your brain you may need, hon.

 

Sofa

[[re...]]

I haven't stopped drinking coffee.  Drank through taper and wd.  I lessened the quantity I inhaled on a daily basis, but, alas, couldn't let it go.

[[lo...]]

Thank you for the replies. I hope I didn't give the impression that my withdrawal has been a breeze, as I'm still experiencing the characteristic peaks and valleys, with good days/weeks and bad ones alike. I think coffee, for me, represents returning to normal in a big way now.

 

Some people suggested decaf, which I've had mixed results with. A cup contains roughly 10mg caffeine, which is still enough to set me off in some cases (for reference, a 12 oz can of Coca-Cola contains around 30mg, and a normal cup of coffee can range from 100-200mg). The sensitivity I'm experiencing can get that severe.