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OCDMD Posts: 928
Senior Member
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I've been a Mountain Dew junkie for about 25 years. Back before I even had my first diagnosed depression or had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, I needed the caffeine to just keep me going. I was drinking a 12 pack a day somedays. My husband and I were live-in houseparents in a group home for delinquent boys. Needless to say a 24-7 job. I tried lots of times to cut back and even stopped drinking it several times. I would always go back to it because as my mania (which I didn't really know was mania)slipped away and I needed to keep that feeling, I'd have to have it again. Since my diagnosis with bipolar disorder, I have decreased the amount that I drink. I just want to stay on the up-side of the manic-depressive cycle. Doesn't usually help but does give me some energy to complete some daily tasks. In May, my regular doctor is doing one of those tests where they track your blood sugars for the past few months. My glucose level was up at my last appt. at the end of last year and she's afraid I might be diabetic. I have cut down to 1 or 2 cans per day now. I guess that is what is taking away my energy and messing up my sleep. Any suggestions on how to get my energy level up without caffeine? Just for today I will be happy. -Al-Anon
A smile of encouragement at the right moment may act like sunlight on a closed-up flower; it may be the turning point for a struggling life. -Author unknown
Bipolar Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Anxiety ...
Lamictal/lamotrigine,Lithium,Klonopin/clonazepam and citalopram
I am not a psychiatrist or a therapist. My suggestions and opinions are from my personal experiences and those of family and friends.
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jennywren  Posts: 3037
Senior Member
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Yes Ocdmd, I need caffine to get me going. Trouble is now addicted to it and get a good headache if I do not have any  Jennywren Seroquel XR, 300mgs
Then 50mgs later on in the evening
to encourage sleep.
250mgs of Lamictal in the morning. Mood Stabilizer
Lithium 250mg at night and 250mgs in the AM.
Three other meds for psychical problems |
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hypnagogic Posts: 1756
Group Leader
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I don't drink coffee - never have. Caffeine has 2 negative impacts on me. One, it only exacerbates my migraines. Second, it wires me and doesn't help when I'm manic. But, I still sneak a Dr. Pepper or a Mr. Pibb every great now and then. Not a psychiatrist (pdoc) nor a therapist...what you read are my thoughts and there you go.
My mind is like lightning...one brilliant flash and it's gone.
Diagnosis: Human
Equetro, Clonazepam, Clonidine, Lamotrigine, Xanax (PRN) |
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Joy75 Posts: 15704
Group Leader
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I think exercise is a good way to get some energy. Try doing that in the morning. It's worth a shot anyway. I'm sorry that your sugar levels were high. That's not good. I hope that they have gone down since you have cut down on the caffeine. You are being healthier if anything. Good job. Joy, 37 years old
Blog:
http://www.joylepley.blogspot.com
Email:
simplyjoyful75@gmail.com
Bipolar type 2 and ADD
300mg Wellbutrin
200mg Lamictal
40mg Viibryd
15mg Abilify
I AM NEITHER A PSYCHIATRIST OR PSYCHOLOGIST. I AM HERE FOR THE SAME REASONS YOU ARE. TO GIVE AND RECEIVE SUPPORT. WHAT I SAY IS PURELY MY OPINION. PLEASE CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR FOR MEDICAL ADVICE.
Bipolar disorder can be a great teacher. Its a challenge, but it can set you up to be able to do almost anything else in your life. Carrie Fisher |
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MBPRLY  Posts: 254
Member
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I'm a caffeine junky, I drink coke, Red Bull, Amp and sometimes Monster and Rockstar. The lemon-aid Amp is tasty!! I try as hard as I can to not drink soda after 6, but I just crave it, so I try drinking sprite and even that, not after 10. But I'm up til between 2 and 5 and on bad insomnia nights, I won't sleep til mid day or that night, LATE. I have an espresso maker and drink that with a vanilla powder mix or a Venti white mocha with 4 shots of espresso. Hi, I'm MBPRLY and I'm caffeineaholic :-P OH, you might want to try Fuze. They are non-caffeinated, low in sugar and carbs and some of them are really good. When I'm on fat trimming cycle for training, I actually stop drinking soda and energy drinks and by Fuze by the case. It's not half bad. Post edited by: MBPRLY, at: 02/29/2012 04:54 PM I woke up this morning thinking I'm not the guy I use to be yesterday, but the guy I want to be tomorrow.
I have heard there are troubles of more than one kind. Some come from ahead and some come from behind. But I've bought a big bat. I'm all ready you see. Now my troubles are going to have troubles with me!
― Dr. Seuss |
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Kittylover Posts: 1332
Senior Member
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I too am a caffine junkie... I have probably two large travel mugs full of coffee in the morning and at least on diet soda ( my addiction is coke zero) one a good day. I try and stop any consumption of caffine after 3 in the afternoon. I have had trouble sleeping in the past and that is just to try and ensure I can fall asleep. I can't function on less than 6 hours and be healthy... Post edited by: Kittylover, at: 02/29/2012 04:57 PM Post edited by: Kittylover, at: 02/29/2012 05:32 PM * When nothing goes right...go left
* Attach your own oxygen mask before assisting others
* Women are not that complicated. How hard is it to tell us
we are pretty and give us chocolate?
* Be kinder than necessary, for everyone is fighting their own battle.
* Worrying doesn't empty tomorrow of its troubles. It empties today of its strength |
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sarahtroy Posts: 12571
Group Leader
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Hello, my name is Sarah and I'm a coffee-holic. My last cup was 3 seconds ago.  lol.  Seriously, my motor runs on black coffee and diet Pepsi.  Doesn't interrupt my sleep. The only thing that effect my mood is not having it.  Bipolar II, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Attacks, Agoraphobia & PTSD; Alcoholic in recovery since 3/21/07.
Aplenzin 522mg; Pristiq 200mg; Lamictal 400mg; Geodon 160mg; Ativan 1mg TID; Deplin 15mg; Xanax PRN; Metoprol 100mg.
"Don't give up 5 minutes before the miracle happens."
"My little dog - a heartbeat at my feet." ~Edith Wharton
"Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle." ~Ian MacLaren (Usually mis-attributed to Plato)
"And the day came when the risk it took to remain tight inside the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom." ~Anais Nin
My support and advice is not a replacement for medical diagnosis, treatment, or professional medical advice. |
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lj80 Posts: 354
Member
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PEPSI, Pepsi, PEPSI, pepsi and wayyyyy more pepsi. I've fought the pepsi battle for years and again I'm going to try to cut back and take it out but I looovveeee my pepsi....oh and chocolat. Used to drink Redbull and alot of the others and took them out completely....it was like a laxative for me. somedays every minute is a battle.....but I can only take it one minute at a time...
250mg Lamictal
50mg Seroquel
500mg Naproxen |
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MBPRLY Posts: 254
Member
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"..it was like a laxative for me." LMFAO.......... I woke up this morning thinking I'm not the guy I use to be yesterday, but the guy I want to be tomorrow.
I have heard there are troubles of more than one kind. Some come from ahead and some come from behind. But I've bought a big bat. I'm all ready you see. Now my troubles are going to have troubles with me!
― Dr. Seuss |
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youngfilly Posts: 3067
VIP Member
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coffee is a laxative for me and lately it makes me really sick, headaches and wanting to throw up. red bull is ok tho I am not a Dr and therefore are not able to provide medical advice, the opinions I express are mine and based on my experiences and should not be taken as anything other than my opinion.
You awake as if from a nightmare to find yourself standing in front of a blank wall, dazed with no idea as to how you got there.
You feel something in your hand. You look down to see you are holding paint brush, you are confused. Out of the corner of your eye you see a table, on that table is some paint. The colours make you feel happy and safe, you look to the other side, and there is another table with paint. The colours are dark and remind you of your nightmare, a chill runs down your spine at the thought of it.
You look back at the canvas and see something you missed before. Now you understand. you chose a colour, and begin to paint.
Above the wall was written,
Your life
*Youngfilly*
Inspiration i found in the shower a few yrs back :) |
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