Caffeine Headaches

“OK, I admit it. I'm physically addicted to caffeine. I've tried cutting down but the stuff is so hard to avoid.

I don't have some great fear of caffeine hurting me. IMO, it is WAY, WAY down the list of things to worry about.

But....

When I go backpacking it is common for me to get a caffeine-withdrawal headache on day 2. I only recently figured out why I get headaches on some backpacking trips.

Do any of y'all have similar experiences? I'm thinking of carrying caffeine pills to squelch the headaches.”

“I carry a container of instant coffee. I like coffee in the morning and evening meals.”

“I can't stand coffee. My caffeine primarily comes from diet sodas.”

“gotcha....”

“Did you know that you can use certain herbal items to replace the caffeine that you are used to getting from soft drinks? These also contain caffeine and other stronger ingredients.”

“On my thru hike there was no problem with caffeine withdrawl. However, it was heavily on my mind as I hiked into town, as were a glass of milk and bacon and eggs:)”

“1 Viverin (sp?) contains as much caffeine as 2 cups of coffee, and should be harmless enough. Just don't take it before bed ;-)”

“Excedrin has caffeine. How bout hot tea or an instant tea mix?”

“I echo Backslacker's suggestion. Viverin or the cheaper generic form, Stay Awake, will work.

Stomper's also right. Excedrin Migraine contains caffiene, but it's a bit pricey. I take excedrin migraine like it's candy when I have even the slightest headache, sometimes. *rolls eyes*”

“I usually have coffee in the AM at home and at camp. But to replace my usual after lunch coffee, I eat a serving of Clif Shot Blocks with caffeine. I think there are 2 or 3 flavors that include it and 4 or 5 others that don't.”

“Ruby had told me the Jolt caffeinated gum is good.”

“Jolt makes gum now? I only remember the soda.”

“Soap, candy, gum, .... and everything else.

Sunflower seeds, lip balm, ....”

“REI has just about everything available in a caffeinated form. There's gum, candy, GU type stuff (double or even triple caffeinated too.) Our local grocery store even carries caffeinated mints.”

“Dang, I didn't know caffeine was available in so many products. And to think, I've been putting up with these headaches for nothing.....grrrrrr”

“What next.... Caffeinated caffeine!”

“caffeine²”

“The caffeinated Clif Shot Blocks could be caffeine³, _{but I think you'd need to customize them a little.}

Shouldn't be hard, though.  They're pretty squishy ----




last edited: 8/01/07 1:11:53 PM”

“how much caffeine do you usually get per day? what do you drink that has caffeine?

8 oz of diet coke has 30 mg of caffeine compaired to ~150 mg in good drip coffee.

basically if you want to avoid the headaches you need to take a caffeine dose equal the level you regularly consume. so if you drink ~240 mg/day (about 2 32 oz bottles of diet coke) you would need to take two and a half (2.5) 100mg caffeine tablets to maintain your exposure and avoid withdrawl symptoms.

or...

http://www.energyfiend.com/death-by-caffeine/”

“...or chew 3 pieces of Jolt gum during the course of the day, I think.”

“How about chocolate covered espresso beans! They will get you through the mid afternoon doldrums!”

“That's good stuff, Stomper. I chewed them on my thru hike. After awhile they melted into a gooey mess, but I'd just break off a piece and have a go. It was great!”

“Way to go Stomper...I was going to suggest the chocolate coated espresso beans too....they are a tasty way to avoid a caffeine head ache...kinda like a time release cup of coffee....a little bit here, a little bit there and before you know it, you've forgotten all about the morning java!!!”

“Saves fuel, too!

I've heard about these caffeine withdrawal headaches for years, but the only kind I get are when I drink too much coffee.... like 3 or 4 espressos.”