I don;t understand what we are supposed to do. Dr. B's guidelines say absolutely no caffeine if it interferes with sleep. Well, I sleep fine.....so does that mean I should go to town on lots of coffee? Well, I drink one cup in the morning and my LLMDs have always said that is fine. They said it is only an issue for people who drink it all day long. So what is the truth? Is there any truth? What is Dr. B talking about?! Maybe it just depends on the person.
Posted by nhlymeguy (Member # 30783) on :
I drink a cup in the morning...sometimes I get an iced coffee in the afternoon on a weekend too...It doesn't bother my sleep.
Posted by richedie (Member # 14689) on :
Are you well or still suffering? Some think you have to give it up completely to ever get well.
Posted by stillwater (Member # 30312) on :
My LLMD says one cup of coffee in the morning is fine. I think Dr. B was insisting that people get as much sleep as they could.
A cup of coffee at 6:30 a.m. does not affect my sleep. Only if I have a cup after 2 p.m.
Posted by richedie (Member # 14689) on :
What about issues with yeast? Coffee is acidic and can impact yeast. What about adrenal function impacted by caffeine?
Posted by stillwater (Member # 30312) on :
Lot's of things we eat and drink are acidic.
Adrenal? Hmmm... Not sure. I have secondary Addisons, so I don't make any cortisone. I have to supplement.
Every thing in moderation I was told.
That said, I eat no processed sugar, but I do eat fruit.
I guess it depends on whether a person has yeast issues or not. I haven't had them, so my opinion isn't based on experience or facts.
Posted by nhlymeguy (Member # 30783) on :
I wasn't aware of the yeast implications...I still have symptoms, but the coffee doesn't seem to make anything worse...every now and then the caffeine hits me, but thats it.
Posted by bugabooboo (Member # 7383) on :
I stopped consumption of coffee totally. (After many years of drinking it.)
My LLMD said he couldn't help me if I drank it!
While I was the sickest with neurotoxins at their peak, it truly did increase my symptoms.
That said, now that I'm drinking it again, I have not had headaches like I did.
Connection?
Maybe.
Bug
Posted by richedie (Member # 14689) on :
I decided to stop totally today to see what happens. I might drink some light caffeine tea once in a while.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
I think I drank tea during my treatment. I'm not a coffee drinker.
Posted by chiquita incognita (Member # 30381) on :
There is no hard and fast rule with nutrients, supplements or herbs or foods. It's all about balance.
And balance has to do with individual body chemistry and its responses to it.
coffee does not stimulate the adrenal glands, in my best understanding. Instead, it stimulates the nervous system.
This could be one of the reasons why it would be contra-indicated in lyme (This is not an all-inclusive list). People with nerve shocks, nerve agitation, et al would suffer exacerbations from coffee. Certainly people with heart issues should avoid it completely. Don't forget that the nervous system governs heartbeat and many other body functions, both voluntary and involuntary.
Come to think of it, if coffee is over-stimulating the nervous system and thereafter one gets the "Crash" or drop effect, then the nervous system will not be able to heal from lyme. It will be over-strained. That's at least what I am thinking. I am a layperson, not a doctor.
If you have questions about this you should talk with your doctor. Keep in mind that medicine is not an exact science, it's individualized and professional opinions may vary.
Some things are asymptomatic so I have to make this statement very carefully. So long as your doctor says that there is no danger of anything being asymptomatic or "Silent" then as long as you feel good, my guess is that you are probably fine.
I am not a doctor, and your doctor has the final say. Check this out with him/her.
Posted by desertwind (Member # 25256) on :
I drink 4 oz. of caffinated and 4 oz. of decaf. in the morning w/ a splash of rice dream.
Some days I do 8 oz. full strength and the only problem I get is some low blood sugar issues 2 hours after the full strength. I just eat something and problem fixed. I sleep like a baby....
Never had any problems and I am doing quite well. Worked just fine for my chemisty.
Posted by richedie (Member # 14689) on :
I know Dr. B says no and a friend of mine who got well also stopped drinking coffee. Both of the LLMDs I have seen said one cup at breakfast is fine, but for now I decided to stop and see what happens.
Posted by mojo (Member # 9309) on :
Dr. B says diet non caffenated soda is OK, too, but I don't drink it!
It's his opinion - and he's a SUPER intelligent Lyme Dr. but I dont' agree with him on this one (or the soda)
IMO a little caffiene is OK - if it bothers you in any way you need to give it up. (ie sleep disturbances, etc)
Posted by rmsfnc (Member # 27539) on :
I gave it up. Drank one cup of decaf in the AM. After I stopped meds I had a long vacation weekend with lack of sleep, travel, alcohol and caffeinated coffee. Who know what it was but I spiralled into a small relapse that I started meds again for. Haven't had any coffee since that weekend at all.
Posted by tickled1 (Member # 14257) on :
I think that sleep is just one factor. If the coffee causes a crash that's not good either. Too many ups and downs are a huge strain on our system. I wouldn't stop it cold turkey though. Wean yourself off.
Mojo, I'm surprised Dr. B would say diet soda is ok since it has artificial sweetener in it which I thought was neurotoxic. I don't respond well to artificial sweeteners at all.
I say all of this as I am drining a cup of coffee. God help me. I know I need to stop and will but I am addicted.
Posted by richedie (Member # 14689) on :
I stopped cold turkey. It was easy!
The issues with caffeine is the andrenal glands!
Posted by tickled1 (Member # 14257) on :
I'm going to try again to give it up after reading the link below:
I think those of us with anxiety issues and sleep issues should cut it out. Before I knew what was wrong, caffeine lead me to panic feelings. Adding lots of sugar to your caffeinated drink isn't good.
Posted by Haley (Member # 22008) on :
I have been thinking about cutting out coffee but it is my last pleasurable fun thing to do. I love having my cup of coffee in the morning when driving to work. I've known for a while that it probably will need to go at some point.
I'm curious to see if Richedie comes back --- do you feel better being off of coffee?
Posted by karenl (Member # 17753) on :
I have my coffee and I read it is even good against liver cancer and breast cancer. If your body thinks coffee is good, it is good for you. Everyone is different.
Posted by tickled1 (Member # 14257) on :
I'm going through extreme withdrawal today. It's my first day without coffee. I am about to have a cup b/c I just read again it is better to wean off to avoid withdrawal symptoms.
I am tryng to quit b/c I feel my adrenals are really overwhelmed. I am feeling more and more like I can't tolerate stress at all and feel incredibly overwhelmed most of the time.
Posted by randibear (Member # 11290) on :
never have drank coffee, won't even eat anything with toffee either. just don't like the taste.
it's the soft drinks i hated to give up.
caffeine gives me bad palpitations.
Posted by faithful777 (Member # 22872) on :
For every article that says coffee is bad for you, there is a counter article that says that it has benefits in small quantities. How it affects us with Lyme Disease, a different answer from every doctor.
I have given it up for a year before and saw no difference in my health. I think it is a very individual decision based on what is going on with you. Personally, I drink one cup of espresso in the early am only.
Posted by klutzo (Member # 5701) on :
Someone mentioned coffee being too acidic.If acidity is the issue, try an OTC supplement called Prelief. You can get it at some drugstores and grocery stores or online. It takes the acid out of your food, without stopping your stomach from making acid and all the bad stuff that goes along with that. It is quite affordable and also works miracles if you happen to have interstitial cystitis.
klutzo
Posted by FYRECRACKER (Member # 28568) on :
I've tried to quit coffee, but for those of us that have to work to pay for treatments...it can be beneficial to have a cup in the morning. It keeps me going and makes me happy. being depressed is no bueno.
Plus...it helps make you poo! Errr, at least it does for me
With that said, I can tell it affects my sleep if I drink it past afternoon time.
Posted by FYRECRACKER (Member # 28568) on :
PS. There is replacement coffee drinks that are really quite good if you just like the idea of a hot cup of something that tastes like coffee.
Raja's Cup (single packets)
Dandyblend
Teechino
All of the above are really taste even w/o cream or sugar and they are non acidic. The Raja's Cup even is loaded with antioxidants.
Posted by tickled1 (Member # 14257) on :
Thanks Fyrecracker! I think I'll look into those alternatives as I really enjoy the whole ritual of a morning cup of joe.
You know, I really do depend on it for a BM so I'm worried about the consequences, especially since I am giving it up at the same time as starting cholestyramine which can be constipating. I have slight delayed gastric emptying as well so I'm a little worried.
Posted by MichaelTampa (Member # 24868) on :
What about the coffee enemas? Are these recommended also only at early morning. I am assuming the caffeine is also going to be absorbed from those?
Posted by lymie_in_md (Member # 14197) on :
I enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning.
Michael (on coffee enemas) -- A little caffeine might be absorbed. Coffee goes through the stomach and pancreas where it can be broken down and delivered into the blood stream. Coffee enema's travel from the colon through a portal vein through the liver and gall bladder back down through the small intestines, doubt much caffeine is delivered back into the body in that way.
I'm curious if anyone's tried a 5 hour energy enema. We might get some important data from that (it might put a big bounce in your step). Posted by glm1111 (Member # 16556) on :
Call me crazy, but I started drinking strong coffee again (added cinnamon in grounds) and had several beneficial herx-like effects with profuse sweating and felt much better after diarrhea type action like I get when I do salt/c,
The coffee was even more profound. Coffee is said to be the strongest antioxidant we can take(above fruits like blueberries/blackberries) and stimulates HCL production, which kills bacteria...protects the liver.
If you make the stomach too alkaline, it can be counterproductive if you are not producing enough HCL.
Sometimes you have to use your own judgement and research what makes sense. I LOVE the results I am getting from this brew.
Gael
Posted by Garden (Member # 31671) on :
quote:Originally posted by lymie_in_md: I enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning.
Michael (on coffee enemas) -- A little caffeine might be absorbed. Coffee goes through the stomach and pancreas where it can be broken down and delivered into the blood stream. Coffee enema's travel from the colon through a portal vein through the liver and gall bladder back down through the small intestines, doubt much caffeine is delivered back into the body in that way.
I'm curious if anyone's tried a 5 hour energy enema. We might get some important data from that (it might put a big bounce in your step).
Caffeine is definitely absorbed in coffee enemas. My practioner recommended weak coffee for it, and only in the morning, "or else you won't be able to sleep that night." Think about suppositories - colons can certainly absorb!
Posted by lada (Member # 32618) on :
Ha! Well I'm not giving up my morning cup of Joe. I was told it's fine. I don't drink any other caffeine all day. Just a ton of plain water and water with lemon. Just my 2 cents!
Posted by lada (Member # 32618) on :
Ha! Well I'm not giving up my morning cup of Joe. I was told it's fine. I don't drink any other caffeine all day. Just a ton of plain water and water with lemon. Just my 2 cents!
Posted by Garden (Member # 31671) on :
Btw, I totally drink coffee. Drinking some right now.
Read an article on how it increases glutathione in enema form, and research on mice showed it increased when ingested, too.
Besides, I'm working *really* hard on my health and that of my kids. This is a marathon, not a sprint, and if I over-deprive myself, I'm not going to make it.
Posted by lada (Member # 32618) on :
Garden.. You said it girl! Posted by cleo (Member # 6646) on :
I don't understand it either. Coffee is very antibacterial. Plenty of research done on coffee and tea.
I think in a lot of ways it is good and in a lot of ways bad, probably just like anything else someone could consume. For instance, a fruit can be considered good, or healthy for someone, unless of course that someone is allergic to that particular fruit or has candida.
With coffee, it is acidic, and disease thrives in an acidic Ph and it taxes the adrenals. But it has health benefits as well. I guess it depends on the person, and that persons needs/tolerance to any substance can change from day to day!!!
Posted by bcb1200 (Member # 25745) on :
As Burrascano says...coffee is okay provided it doesn't rob you of sleep. If you need sleep / can't sleep..don't drink it. Otherwise ok.
Posted by DoctorLuddite (Member # 13853) on :
Caffeine isn't the only alkaloid in coffee, and whatever of those are absorbed by the intestine will be viewed as toxins to be removed, and that has a metabolic cost. If you are ill with Lyme or whatever, the detox process is already close to or over the limit. That said, caffeine and other alkaloids will spin the certain cytochromes of detoxification a certain way, and generally faster, so it really does depend on how close you are to your metabolic limit. Generally, if a cup of coffee in the AM has you climbing the walls at night, you aren't detoxing caffeine.
Posted by karenl (Member # 17753) on :
I forgot in my post that I only use good organic coffee.
Posted by FYRECRACKER (Member # 28568) on :
Sometimes I can go to sleep right after drinking coffee if its hot coffee. Cold coffee can give me a buzz. Weird
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God help me. I know I need to stop and will but I am addicted.
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