[_ink_]

Yeah, I have the same feeling about ADHD. I would like to go decaf, I really do. Like higher blood pressure is already enough reason for me for quitting it. But when I don't drink caffeine, I cannot focus on anything anymore. Now I haven't been tested for ADHD so I don't have access to real ADHD meds. But those come with side effects as well, so I might just stay with caffeine.

[theshrike79]

I _had_ to quit caffeine last fall, my blood pressure was so high I could literally feel and hear it. (160/95-ish)

Quitting coffee and energy drinks did it for a while, but my sleep issues continued. I had to switch to caffeine free cola too and then my sleep started improving.

Now my BP has normalised around 125/80...

...But it seems I have been suppressing ADD symptoms with my caffeine intake for years and my brain is going 1000km/h and bouncing around. I sleep well and I'm not tired - but I can't focus for shit.

[tayo42]

Did you quit long enough that you got through the withdrawal?

Caffeine withdrawal is pretty bad, and you'll probably have trouble thinking. The first time I quit cold turkey, I felt dumb. Couldn't think clearly or focus until I got past it.

[zhivota]

I quit caffeine on a regular basis, every few years I'll quit, go a year or two without, then go back on, usually because of something like having to do a lot of international travel where it absolutely helps.

When I quit I do a controlled taper, usually over 3 weeks or so. Currently on a taper now, I'm at 19% of original dose after about 2.5 weeks, and considering pulling the plug completely any day now. I find the hardest part is moving from about 50% original dose to 25%, that's usually where I start to experience the classic headaches and such. I think it's because it's about the window where I start to process all the caffeine out of my body each day, rather than always having some around.

[heelix]

One Christmas, the extended family, most of us caffeine junkies were all at my parent's home. By the second or third day, everyone had headaches and just felt terrible. My brother-in-law wandered into the kitchen to put on a fresh pot of coffee and discovered my Mom was serving everyone decaf. I think the entire clan picked up and headed to the nearest coffee shop within minutes of that discovery.

[_ink_]

How long did it take for you to get past it? TBH I was surprised how bad it is. The first three days I could barely stay awake. No headache though. I managed to do 10 days before giving up. Not sure if that is enough to fully get over it.

[tayo42]

It was a while ago now but I think it was about two weeks.

Coffee crept back into my life though, the most recent time I cut it out I mixed decaf and regular, decreasing the amount of regular until it was fully decaf over a few weeks. It was mostly smooth, except for one or two steps. I think the week around 50 was bad but still no where near doing to abruptly.