Caffeine Fiend

I am a caffeine addict. There I’ve admitted I have a problem. And now, halfway through day two of rehab, I’m jonesing for an espresso or something.

This is all comes after discovering my blood pressure is out of whack, and while there isn’t conclusive evidence that caffeine has a negative effect, it couldn’t hurt to cut down. Cut down from what? Glad you asked:

It starts with two to three cups of strong brewed coffee at home before leaving for work, then another cup sitting at my desk, and a caffeinated beverage at lunch, either a coffee, iced tea, or diet soda.

It’s hard to pinpoint how much caffeine that is, so let’s just say it’s a lot.

Now I’ve cut back to one cup in the morning — and folks, this caffeine-free iced passion tea I’m sipping right now ain’t cutting it. That said, I need your help. If this blog stops making sense, becomes unfocused, or shows a decrease in general quality, please contact the Times Union immediately. Those experiencing caffeine withdrawal are said to be:

Irritable, unable to work, nervous, restless, and feeling sleepy, as well as having a headache. In extreme cases, nausea and vomiting has also been reported.

That should go over well at the office, especially if I can’t keep the vomiting in check. Vomiting at work is never a good thing.

27 thoughts on “Caffeine Fiend

  1. Switching to high quality Expresso Decaf seemed to fool my coffee-snob taste buds enough to lower my caffeine intake substantially.

    Since you’re such a fan of all things pooh… My Proctologist cited high caffeine consumption as the likely cause of, well, let’s just say it ain’t good.

    Now if I have 1 cup of normal coffee, I’m totally zoomed out.

  2. Go whole hog…I used to be a caffeine addict. Gave it up more than 10 years ago, and haven’t looked back. I feel much better, every day.

  3. Another former caffine junkie here. Still have a regular coffee now and then. Cut out the sugery highly caffinated soda. Have an ocassional diet. Chocolate gone, too. I feel like poo, and my blood pressure has sky rocketed! Go figure.

    Re: If this blog stops making sense, becomes unfocused, or shows a decrease in general quality, please contact the Times Union immediately……substitute “starts” for “stops”, and I’ll call the TU to find out who’s doing the writing. 😉

    I just don’t understand how anyone keeps a straight face around you. Keep me laughing, Rob.

  4. start blending some reg, and decaf coffees, a little at a time….
    this should ward off the headaches

  5. I don’t trust people who don’t drink coffee….if we stop drinking coffee the terrorists win.

  6. Are you sure you aren’t cutting back for your bladder? You must have been um, going to the bathroom all day with that much liquid.
    I’m a caffeine junkie. Hate coffee, love coca cola. Yum.

  7. Working less than 10 feet away from you as I do Rob, I can personally vouch for the fact that you’ve never vomited at work. Now what you do at home, I obviously can’t attest to that.

  8. Teri: I also drink lots of water — and they gave me some pills for the blood pressure that make you pee — so now I hit the bathroom about 50 times a day.

    Doug: If I come running by your desk a little green in the face, it might be a good idea to take cover.

  9. How ironic, the title of Doug’s blog.

    Rob, I think I took those same pills…days were long. Couldn’t get past a tree or fire plug. (I didn’t work in an office)

  10. I tried to go all-in, but have ended up doing 1-2 cups of half-caff in the AM, and maybe another in the post-lunch groggies. It may have something to do with BP, but in my case, the fact that two of my grandparents and two of my parents had or have it probably means more.

    Life is short, Rob. Don’t deny yourself entirely. It’s not like caffeine is tobacco.

  11. ..Sheesh.. from the postings, it seems ex-java junkies are almost as bad as ex-smokers.

    I can just hear the talk at the school yard now.

    “C’mon Tommy-Just one cup. All the cool kids drink coffee. Don’t ya wanna be one of the ‘in-crowd ?”

  12. Have you tried the ‘5-hour energy’ drinks? They work pretty well, chock full of B vitamins and the caffiene equivalent of 1 cup of coffee. You may want to try it as your “mid-morning” drink.

  13. @13 Rob – Ah, blood pressure. I know some folks with blood pressure problems. I have just the thing to help (its helped them). 🙂 (egads, I did a freaking smiley face at you)

  14. Never could stand the taste…

    But I ain’t giving up tea (though I, mostly, drink decaffeinated on that now), cola or chocolate, particularly the last (not least) on the list. They’ll have to pry it out of my cold, dead hands. Give me chocolate or give me death!

  15. And, heck, with blood pressure. Chocolate is my trank of choice. I’d be way more psycho without chocolate and I think we can all agree I’m psycho enough.

    I do admit though I could feel my blood pressure lower on Wunsapana Farm. Did I finally spell that right without looking?

  16. And too much vitamin A will make your skin turn orange. That doesn’t mean you should stop eating carrots. As the Greeks say: “everything in moderation.”

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