Caffeine is the last of the “Big C’s” that I’m on, but I just can’t seem to let it go. I know the vasoconstrictive properties are TERRIBLE for migraine and VM, but I am hopelessly addicted to at least half a cup of coffee in the morning.
I’m pretty sure caffeine might be a huge trigger of mine (my VM started after drinking a cup of coffee in the Fall of 2021) so I’m trying to completely get off of it.
Any habitual coffee/tea drinkers go cold turkey and was it worth it?
I titrated off just like I would with a drug – slightly less every few days over a period of a couple of weeks. I treated myself to a quality decaf coffee and slowly changed the ratio of caffeinated to decaf. In the end I had a headache for a day or two but nothing I couldn’t handle. I know there’s a trace of caffeine in decaf coffee but it doesn’t bother me.
Is it worth it? Anything is better than the world suddenly spinning out of control, collapsing on the ground in public spaces and giving up any kind of normal life. So yes, giving up caffeine (and alcohol) are small sacrifices I’m willing to make. Not a cure, not even close, but it’s one of the few things something I have control over with this horrible condition. Give it a try, sheepdog_lord. It might not make any difference at all for you but you won’t know until you give it a good test. Good luck!
Pretty straightforward:
The other plus side is sleep quality will almost certainly improve.
I think you have to do what’s best for you. I’m a tea addict - though truly, one glass a day and I’m happy. I love green tea. I did a cold turkey - hd a few headaches and stayed caffeine-free for two months. My VMs and dizzy didn’t change. Back to my one glass a day or cup in the morning. Sometimes decaf but just not noticeable enough for me to quit. Best to you. I believe a lot of managing all of these issues is about trial and error for each individual. I am willing to try anything.
Stop thinking about it, just do it! It’s not hard, really 
I was 2 weeks in the worst VM ever - lasted months and months. So bad I couldn’t walk straight, couldn’t move my head, and vomited every morning for over 4 weeks. Like - really bad. I’m sure you can relate.
It was then I simply stopped all together. I was a total addict too. I couldn’t possibly feel any worse than I did at that point, so added in caffeine withdrawal. Had nasty migraines nearly every day for over a week, then they settled. Have never gone back. It’s 3 years in October.
today is my first day! thanks everyone 
Good luck mate, hope it makes a positive difference for you 
Red rooibus tea or teeccino herbal teas and herbal “coffees” are very rich and flavorful. You can get them at Amazon or Teecino’s website.
How’s the weaning going @sheepdog_lord ?
I went off of it cold-turkey. First couple of days were hard with the headaches, but I think worth it in that my attacks have settled down a little bit
Get some nice rooibos and you will never miss “normal” tea! The great part is you can drink it later in evening without worrying about sleep.
I sympathize! A lifelong coffee drinker here (adulthood to “old age”); my neurologist also insisted NO decaf! I found a chicory herbal blend satisfies my need for a warm mug in the morning (we love our rituals!); i found teecino on amazon; I like the vanilla nut, and mocha. Some people use half coffee, half chicory then keep increasing chicory while decreasing coffees content. Doesn’t give the same lift as coffee but I know it’s somehow helping me. Best of luck and don’t give up!
oh wow, that strict??
I still drink liberal amounts of decaf.
@DizzyBot, how many cups of decaf would I have to drink before reaching the same amount of caffeine as a fully caffeinated coffee?
To match the caffeine content of a standard cup of fully caffeinated coffee (which typically contains about 95 mg of caffeine), you would need to consume several cups of decaf coffee, as decaf usually contains around 2 to 15 mg of caffeine per cup, depending on the brand and brewing method.
If we take an average of about 10 mg of caffeine per cup of decaf, you would need to drink approximately 10 cups of decaf to reach the caffeine level of one cup of regular coffee. However, keep in mind that the exact amount can vary, so it’s always good to check the specifics of the decaf you’re consuming!
For more details on caffeine content, you can refer to this post: Caffeine Content of Favorite Foods.
Good luck with your caffeine journey, @turnitaround! If you need any more tips or alternatives, feel free to ask!
with decaf I don’t think its the caffeine. personally decaf is more of a trigger for me than regular coffee. I think it might be a chemical compound that they use to decaffeinate the coffee
I thought that was … water?!?
@DizzyBot can you search the web to find the answer on how decaffeinated coffee is created and what if any chemicals are added/used?
Decaffeination is the process of removing caffeine from coffee beans, cocoa, tea leaves, and other caffeine-containing materials. There are several methods used for decaffeination, and while some methods primarily use water, others may involve chemicals.
Water Process: This method uses water to extract caffeine from the beans. The beans are soaked in hot water, which dissolves the caffeine. The water is then filtered to remove the caffeine, and the beans are re-soaked in the decaffeinated water to absorb flavor compounds.
Solvent-Based Processes: Some methods use chemical solvents like methylene chloride or ethyl acetate to extract caffeine. The beans are steamed and then rinsed with the solvent, which selectively removes caffeine.
Carbon Dioxide Method: This method uses liquid carbon dioxide to extract caffeine. The CO2 acts as a solvent under high pressure, removing caffeine while leaving other flavor compounds intact.
Decaffeinated coffee typically contains about 1-2% of the original caffeine content, but sometimes it can be as much as 20% depending on the method used.
For a more detailed overview, you can check out the full article here: Decaffeination on Wikipedia.
So, @turnitaround, while water is a common method for decaffeination, some processes do involve chemical compounds that could potentially trigger sensitivities. If you suspect that decaf is affecting you, it might be worth exploring different brands or methods!