Face Flushing and Caffeine

[[Je...]]

Coffee (even decaf), and tea, trigger major panic attacks for me. It starts with my heart pounding, then I start sweating and getting very hot, then my face turns beet red and I get light headed.There is so much pressure in my head that it gives me a bad headache. People notice this and it is very embarrassing. The way I handle these is to get away from people and find a quiet place, take two Xanax, two blood pressure pills (perscribed, not abused), and two tylenol. Then I have to lay down or I feel I will pass out. I feel like hell for about half hour. Sometimes the pressure is so great that my sinuses become plugged. As my blood pressure comes down I get the chills and shake for about 15 minutes. The whole experience leaves me completely drained. I tell people that I've had these before and not to worry. I don't want anyone to call 911 -- don't want to go to the hospital and be labeled a G.O.M.E.R. Been there, done that. It's a waste of money and I can't stand being condescended to or shamed for going (and that's happened). I've only had a few of these really bad attacks in the past six years or so. The red face flush thing really concerns me. I also get anxiety attacks without the flushing. So, I wonder what the flush thing is all about. Anyone else get flushing like this. Also, I'm menopausal -- so I wonder if a hot flash could trigger a panic attack. But these are horrific hot flashes - if that's what's going on. PS -- not a fan of going to the doctor. They have their own agenda and don't get me. Tired of it. Not going.  PPSS -- also did some research on caffeine allergy. One of the symptoms is face flushing. Hummmm.

[[fi...]]

I haven't had any face flushing, but I do stry and stay away from caffeine.  Even "caffeine-free" tea and "caffeine-free" coffee contains some caffeine.  I didn't know there was a caffeine allergy, but just taking any caffeine for some people can rev up their symptoms.

 

At any rate, I hope things improve for you.  (By the way, I usually just drink filtered water.  I've been drinking it for so long now, that it would be strange to drink another type of beverage with meals, but that's just me).

 

Sincerely,

 

fg

[[Je...]]

I should clarify that every time I have the face flush -- the blood rush to the head with extreme pressure -- it's because I've had caffeine -- in the form of coffee or tea. Ironically, I can drink a Coke (which, of course, has caffeine) and that dosen't bother me. Pepsi, no problem. But, coffee, tea, and especially energy drinks (omg, absolutely cannot do those anymore) will bring on the flush. Absolutely horrible -- I cannot tell you. Pretty much always avoid the bad forms of caffeine -but sometimes I think I can have some decaf coffee. I forget. The last attack -- I had one-half cup of decaf. That's all it took. Never again...

[[fi...]]

I'm thinking that soft drinks in general have less caffeine than tea and coffee, but I'm not sure.  I agree with you, though, the less caffeine you have, the better.

 

Wishing you well....

 

fg

[[Ho...]]

I can't do caffeine at all.

 

Regarding the face flushing; I think you might be on to something when you speak of menopause causing the flushing and that bringing on anxiety. To complicate things, face flushing is a symptom of anxiety. This can quickly become a "chicken or egg" discussion. Is it the flushing that brings on the anxiety or the anxiety that brings on the flushing.

 

I think the bottom line is to stay away from coffee or anything with caffeine in it. Caffeine revs up the CNS and during w/ds it's best to do all you can to keep things as calm as possible. Easier said than done to be sure.

[[...]]

Everyones different.

 

Some are sensitive to caffeine on a good day, and perhaps ultra-sensitive while in withdrawal.

 

I love coffee, drink only twice a day, and had no problem with it in w/d. Go figure.

[[...]]

When I cut too quickly I found myself slamming twice the amount of coffee. I personally think my body was tying to intensify or make up for the missing medication. When I upped my dose I found that I went back to drinking normal levels of coffee. In fact I even left some behind in the pot. 

 

Not really related to what you were saying, sorry!

[[bl...]]

Actually, my response to caffeine this days is quite similar. I've always been sensitive to it. But now, I've stopped drinking it. I have had several episodes in my life, however, when caffeine triggered first a massive feeling of head rushing that made me feel like I would pass out, then several heart flip flops, then monstrous anxiety. One time that this happened, I did call 911. It turned out that I had a heart arrhythmia of some sort. I seem okay and just watch it.

 

I wasn't too conscious of my heart but the paramedics clocked it at 200 bpm. It was brought on by drinking a cup of espresso maybe ten minutes before. It wasn't a panic attack at all. I've been worked over by the cardiologist a bunch. Your blood pressure going up could cause facial flushing. Then again, so could menopause.

 

Drinking caffeine feels a LOT like some of the same feelings people might get during a panic attack, however. So it could be cardiac or just panic. If you really feel like you're going to faint, well... you might consider seeing a doctor if it continues even when you avoid caffeine.

 

I feel more sensitive to caffeine since I've begun my taper.

[[pr...]]

I can't tell if the original poster of this is in withdrawal or tapering or what, referring to taking a couple of Xanax whenever the caffeine reaction kicks in.  Taking Xanax intermittently like that is a really bad idea if you're tapering or in withdrawal.  Not a great idea under any circumstances, actually.

 

But it's completely normal to be very sensitive to caffeine while tapering or in withdrawal and it's usually recommended in that case to just avoid it completely.

 

I can't tell if you're asking for suggestions or just needed to talk about it.

 

Also, the flushing thing:  I find that there's an association between flushing and glutamate, for me, and glutamate (the neurotransmitter) is definitely involved in benzo withdrawal.  Glutamate is excitatory and I'm sure it's involved in the body's response to the stimulant caffeine in some way.  I haven't heard many other people describe this but it's always been part of my withdrawal experience.  I'm post menopausal and had mostly stopped having hot flashes before withdrawal but now am having them again.

[[Je...]]

Thank you for responding to my post. I have some additional comments. First of all, I am tapering off Xanax. After two years on this crap, I began the taper in mid February from 2mg/day to 1.2mg/day. So far, so good. And I'm doing this on my own.

 

Face flushing is just one of the many reactions that happen all at once. But the most severe attacks are triggered by caffeine. My last attack happened shortly after starting my taper. Haven't had any trouble since. But, I want you to know that it was so bad -- I had to do something. I thought I was going to have a stroke. I knew it was just a panic attack. I excused myself from a meeting, took two Xanax, two blood pressure pills, and two Tylenol. Then I had to lay down for about a half hour -- and it was gone. It's not just about face flushing - but that's the most visible sign. I told the people in my meeting that I had a migraine and needed to lay down. That really wasn't the truth -- but it was less embarrassing to say that then to tell them I'm in full blown panic. I did have a headache, but not a migraine. Several people commented on how red my face was. After the meeting I confided in a friend, coincidentally a mental health nurse, that I really was having a panic attack. I asked her if I showed any of the signs. She said "absolutely not." She bought into the migraine story. The only thing the outside world sees is my red face.

 

I have been seen by numerous doctors. Every one has concluded I have anxiety and panic disorder, that I need therapy and medication. You know what, I have been told this for twenty two years! I've pretty much ignored the suggestions -- no medication, no therapy. And, guess what, my life has been just fine. So glad I didn't agree to anti-depressant medication then. I think I would have been more of a train wreck. And now, two years on Xanax has been a terrible mistake.

 

I'm so mad at my doctor. I'm considering talking with a patient advocate because it took over a week to get my Xanax renewed and I went through a debilitating withdrawal. And none of the doctors believed me. They had their own agenda and thought I was having another panic attack. It lasted six days, the withdrawal. It was absolute hell.

 

OK, enough venting. Thank you for listening.

 

Don't really have a formal bio. I'm tapering very slowly.

 

mid February -- 2mg/day

mid March --- 1.2mg/day

 

Want to be almost free of this crap by June when I see the doctor for my annual. Then I will tell her where to stick it.

[[Je...]]

Oh, and one more thing. As a matter of course, I do not mix caffeine and Xanax. It had been so long since I had coffee that I really did forget that it triggers me. I only had 1/2 cup of decaf. It's  not like I drink a whole pot and then down a few Xanax. Over the past 5 years I have had maybe six of these severe PA's. And they all have caffeine in the equation (coffee or tea). But, I forget and think some coffee is ok. Then BAM! Also, the attacks started before Xanax.

[[bl...]]

Oh, and one more thing. As a matter of course, I do not mix caffeine and Xanax. It had been so long since I had coffee that I really did forget that it triggers me. I only had 1/2 cup of decaf. It's  not like I drink a whole pot and then down a few Xanax. Over the past 5 years I have had maybe six of these severe PA's. And they all have caffeine in the equation (coffee or tea). But, I forget and think some coffee is ok. Then BAM! Also, the attacks started before Xanax.

 

For me too. I have severe panic disorder and a bit of a heart arrhythmia. The caffeine kicks off a heart problem which makes my heart race and my blood pressure go up. It can be a very small amount of coffee too. I understand and hope you avoid caffeine. They can basically trigger panic attacks. It sounds like you might already be really predisposed to these. Also, they can just trigger all the symptoms of a panic attack but it's not quite the same as a panic attack since it's more like your blood pressure and heart go out of sorts.