Ever since I became a complete bag of nerves, I've not been able to drink coffee (just excacerbates my jumpiness).

Once upon a time, the "high" of a cup of coffee was soooooo pleasurable. But now it's not an option.

Minor concern up against all the other s*** we're putting up with! But ...

has anyone experienced the need to go off it and then been able to drink it again years later?

(I miss my fancy soy lattes so.)



Sukie

I've been experiencing the "joys" of peri the past 2 years. Also had problems with drinking coffee too. First tasted and smelled funny, then made me anxious, then caused hot flashes! Now I've been able to drink it again but in much lesser amounts. My docs used to say, "why not give it up since you're having such problems?" My response at the time, "hey, I've lost just about everything else so not giving this up!" haha Guess I'm a little stubborn. Best regards, J. (oh, I'm also supplementing with hrt now during peri)

You're a woman after my own heart, JZZ.

Glad you're able to enjoy one of life's great treats.

Tell me: How is the HRT going for you?

Sukie

I gave up coffee when I was suffering anxiety and panic attacks in peri as well as caffeine from other sources like chocolate. Caffeine could create a sensation that was very similar to the beginnings of a panic attack. I was also sensitive to sharp rises and falls in blood sugar - another reason to give up chocolate.

Now that I don't suffer hormonal anxiety any longer however (I'm supplementing with hormones and dietary supplements and am also now post), I find I can eat chocolate and drink coffee with no ill effects. Prior to giving up in peri, I used to have quite a coffee habit, drinking four or so cups during the course of the day and always relying on it to wake up in the morning. Whilst it no longer has a bad effect on me, I deliberately haven't resumed drinking coffee with that frequency. If I want a coffee when out however, I don't deny myself and don't find it has any ill effects.

Will reply in greater detail later. Have to run to an appointment. Btw - I am Italian and coffee/espresso has been part of my heritage and upbringing. I REFUSE to give it up!!!!!! I have even had friends "smuggle" some coffee to me while in the hospital. Matter of fact. I've told my grown children to have an espresso bar when they bury me someday. lol Hey, we're very hospitable people. Best Regards, J

JZZ,

Your posts today put a smile on my face and much-needed lightness in my heart.

Bless you!

Look forward to hearing more from you.

Sukie

Interactive:

Thank you for sharing your story.

I actually don't drink that much (gives me heart palpitations if I go overboard) but I really miss the social joy of meeting up with a friend and getting that "boost."

I'm so glad that--if I'm anything like you--I will be able to return to a caffeinated life someday!

Sukie

I gave up caffeine, but not coffee, secondary to dry eyes, rising blood pressure and anxiety, and most recently rosacea. I now drink Decaf. I discovered that much of the pleasure I obtained from coffee was psychological. I still can't start my day without a cup or two. It still picks me up and warms me up. I understand that Decaf is not 100% caffeine free so I suppose I might still be getting some of caffeine's benefits without all of the side effects.

Oh yes!Have pretty much had to give up the ole coffee myself . I used to be able to drink coffee in the moring, coffee at night. NEVER ever bothered me or my sleep habits. Now, I am so stinkin' afraid to touch a cup, ever. The odd thing is, I will take an anxiety pill and when I calm down. I have a cup of it, once in awhile. Not everyday like I used to enjoy I am thinking of buying Decaf, not sure if there is any difference in taste?Sure would be worth a try tho!!!I never drank coffee to get that wake me up feeling anyway. I just drank it because I like it?It never seemed to have that effect of waking me up in the morning?
Amber

I LOVE coffee!! I used to drink it a lot, then scaled it back to only in the mornings. During peri I still drank it, but cut it back further to one very PRECIOUS cup in the morning before work. I just couldn't start my day with a cup of the java. It didn't "feel" right.

I am post now, and a BHRT user, and I drink coffee a little more frequently. I still have my one or possibly TWO cups of coffee in the morning before my day begins, and occasionally I might have another cup during the day. The days of having a pot of coffee going all day long are long gone, never to return. But as long as I can enjoy the morning coffee, I am not complaining.

I think I like how it tastes - with cream and sugar of course! - and it is one of those treats in life I won't give up.

Hi ladies - I know your feelings about the coffee. I have never liked coffee, but have always been a real tea fiend. I used to so love a cup or 2 of Bigelow's Constant Comment tea every morning. Since I started peri/meno about a year and a half ago, I've had so many stomach troubles that I have given it up. I really hope that once my BHRT gets straightened out and I'm feeling better that I can go back to it. I really miss it.

Hey Sukie, Glad I could make you smile. But seriously.......my kids really will serve espresso when I go to the great beyond. Yes, I'm currently supplementing with HRT during Peri and it's helped alot. However, my own levels are still quite high at times and exceed the level of the patch. My peri symptoms are at the worst when I have HUGE swings and or drops in the blood levels of Estradiol, along with too much ratio of P to E. Don't want to "high Jack" this topic. You can PM me if you want to talk in more detail. BTW - I am having a HUGE CUP OF COFFEE FOR YOU RIGHT NOW. Best Regards From Your Coffee Buddy, J (ps, going to Italy next week. I'll have the barista froth an extra heart in the foam of my cappacino).

I LOVE my coffee...even during my panic attack season of peri I would still have my one cup....it's more the "routine" of it than the coffee. I did find if I drandkhalf decafe and half regular organic coffee it didn't bother me as much. If you buy the Dark French decafe it's strong enough to taste like "real" coffee. I sometimes wonder if I'm not more sensitive to the chemicals they spray on coffee and the decafe process (lots of chemicals) than I am to the coffee itself. I notice Starbucks really sets me off...

Your stronger than I am.....I just can't (or won't)give it up!

Oars

Coffee is my favorite!!!! I had to all but give it up anymore due to soreness of breasts and exacerbates my anxiety. I have one cup in the early afternoon with my hubby or friends and that is it. I miss it horribly. Maybe I will get to go back to it someday. You have given me hope. Thank you!

Man, I never made the connection til now and I tossed a perfectly good bag of coffee away becaue I thought it had gone bad!!! It tasted funny and I was trying to figure out if it ws the coffee or the creamer, never thinking it was just me. I tossed the creamer first and got new and it still tasted funny so I assumed it was the coffee
I've cut back to one cup in the morning, but I'm not happy about it... I love my coffee and get very cranky and miserable without my caffiene (more so then normal). I've noticed too that my stomach will burn if I drink too much.
Well at least now I knw not to throw anymore away.