I know I'm writing a lot today but I'm bored and I have wondered how other ADD/ADHDers react to caffeine. Because I was experiencing panic attack symptoms a while back my doctor told me to cut way back on caffeine and took me off my meds for a while.

This has help so much. But today, I needed a little more caffeine because of my sleepiness. I got a large coffee and drank it in about two hours. I got really jittery, hyper, and my heart rate raced and I started having my panic attack symptoms. I went outside and walked. Even in high heels I was speed walking and literally couldn't slow down. Finally, I wore myself out and took it down to nice jaunt. I had a Coke in the fridge for my break but I don't even want to touch it now because I don't want that feeling again.

But on the other hand my dad says that caffeine makes him focus and calms him down.

So my question is, how does caffeine affect/effect you? And slightly OT, does anyone else get panic attack symptoms while on their meds?

Thanks :)

Caffeine doesn't agree with me, really. The amount in tea doesn't bother me at all but I have to practice moderation otherwise.

I do have a panic disorder but the only attack I've had that was directly med related (as far as my "right" med Dex) was because of caffeine. I am careful to only have caffeine on the weekends now.

I really can't focus without caffeine (the only 'medication' I am currently taking). If I have more than 5 cups a day, I start to feel antsy and jittery. Energy drinks make me jittery, too, so I never drink them.

Once, when we were cramming all night for a fourth-year physics exam, my classmates and I got the bright idea to make coffee with caffeinated water (which was briefly available about 10 years ago, as I recall). That was a bad idea - instant hyper headache.

My peer group's drug of choice in high school (because the popular, alcoholic kids didn't invite us to parties, and the stoners thought we were nerds, and the other ADD kids wouldn't sell us their Ritalin - I don't think we would have snorted anything, anyway) was a 'bonus cup'. 3 tbsps instant coffee, 3 tbsps sugar, and enough water to form a thin sludge. You need someone to dare you to drink it or you will never get it down. Then we would play punk music or wail on each other for an hour or two.

Incidentally, I found out later that 2 of my 3 best friends had already been diagnosed with ADHD, and I was diagnosed with ADD several years later. We were all in gifted classes and we all have degrees and careers now, and we all had parents who were very reluctant to medicate us. My point is, we were all caffeine fiends (I was the worst) by the time we were 16. I think this was an attempt at self-medication. I think it works fairly well to help me focus, but doesn't do much for my impulsivity. The major downside for me is that I don't think all this black coffee is good for my stomach.

Caffeine, like so many other drugs, has to be considered in relation to the individual who is taking it.

As a side note, I'm pretty sure none of us has ever taken a prescription medicine for ADD/ADHD. I only mention this because we are all reasonably successful - 1 geologist, 1 professional musician/producer, and me (professional jack-of-all trades, but I have a few long-term non-work-related projects that I consider a success).

I used to be a coffee junkie and one of my symptoms would be me getting a case of "the shakes" after about 1-2 hours, of course followed by the early afternoon crash. So, one thing I have done is to slowly reduce the amount of coffee I drink. I also started to use other sources to get a energy boost and one of the best things I've found is a type of herbal tea called "Yerba Mate" which is from a type of plant in South America. It provides much of the same effects as coffee but with less caffeine and TONS of anti-oxident power. You ought to check it out. Since switching more to Yerba Mate, I still get that little pick me up but I don't have the afternoon crash/drowsiness that I did with coffee or cokes.

You can usually find yerba mate in health food stores and even cheaper online. I get mine from amigo foods online.

I get really bad headaches without caffeine, since I'm now up to about 12 Diet Pepsi's a day. Don't feel normal without them.

I know I'm addicted, need to ween myself off of them, but they're so darn good and I've got worse vices!

herbal tea called "Yerba Mate"

i have heard of this... but my local coffee shop sells it for like 16 dollars a package. and it's not that big of a package!

on the original note i find i need coffee to help concentrate and clear a little of my brain fog. i work from 3 until 11 am so i tend to be pretty tired, coffee for me is essential. but i can't have more than one cup or else i get gut rot and jittery. sometimes it sucks though because i end up crashing hard and feeling more tired than before i took it in the first place... so in that case i'll just drink some green tea.

Caffeine helps me to focus - for a few minutes anyhow. I have not determined my limit, though can tell you that more than one large iced coffee from Dunkin Donuts will make me hyper, and give me the risk of causing SVT (rapid heart rate, above 150). I can drink energy drinks in moderation - but most of them taste like poo - so I don't bother. I do like the Monster Java - coffee flavored energy drinks. I would be interested in knowing the amounts of caffeine that I injest with these beverages...

I took care of a patient who drank a case (24 - 12 oz cans) daily (occasionally a little less) of Diet Pepsi. She was admitted to the Acute adult Psychiatric Ward because of acute paranioa and panic attacks. These were caused by the excessive caffeine intake (per the doctor there). So, I think that with every individual, the amount that can be tollerated is different - and perhaps you can become accustomed to it (hence my parents 3 pots of coffee a day), but in my opinion, drink it excessively at your own risks.

At Heart

I took care of a patient who drank a case (24 - 12 oz cans) daily (occasionally a little less) of Diet Pepsi. She was admitted to the Acute adult Psychiatric Ward because of acute paranioa and panic attacks. These were caused by the excessive caffeine intake (per the doctor there). So, I think that with every individual, the amount that can be tollerated is different - and perhaps you can become accustomed to it (hence my parents 3 pots of coffee a day), but in my opinion, drink it excessively at your own risks.

Uh oh, I have panic attacks. :eek:

Man, nothing's fun anymore! :rolleyes:

I know, sad isn't it FNCrazy!!!???

I know, sad isn't it FNCrazy!!!???
Yes Ma'am it sure is ;)

Just another little thought... diet colas really make me antsy, although regular Coke or coffee aren't too bad (as long as my total sugar intake isn't too high). I'm not sure if the aspartame has some effect on my brain, or if I just don't like the taste.

The LD-50 (the lethal dose that will kill half of the test subjects) is about 1 coffee (130 mg of caffeine) per kg body weight... just a factoid I remember from 1st-year Biology.

I don't like caffiene, I used to consume it and I would think about the strangest things like people trying to kill me and stuff, it made me feel worse than panicked more like terrorized. I don't know about that drug. I take Desoxyn, ironically that just helps me stay level and helps me think straight, weird considering it is methamphetamine.

My body doesn't function without it. I cut back when I first started meds.

Caffeine may bring you up, only to throw you into the ground with great force. No more ups and downs for me. I'm done with it.

I'd rather be content as I am than swimming in an undertoe grasping for air.

I can't start my day without my red eye java. I have been drinking coffee for years, started when I worked the night shift while attending college.

Caffeine has to be in the mix if I have a migraine or it's unbearable.

I tend to back off from coffee as the day goes on, too much caffeine has an adverse effect on my general wellbeing.

Caffeine may bring you up, only to throw you into the ground with great force. No more ups and downs for me. I'm done with it.

I'd rather be content as I am than swimming in an undertoe grasping for air.

I don't know that caffeine messes up my medication... it just makes me jittery if I drink too much. I used to drink 2 or more cups a day... just because it was available (where I used to work), but then I began dropping things, etc.

Now, even when it's available whether at work or other places, I just drink 1/2 of those small styrofoam coffee cupfuls... In the winter, I mix the decaf with a "little" reg. caffeinated coffee... just a little throughout the day.

Oh, also, caffeine increases "hot flashes"...

I love my caffine like lots of adders but can't drink too much, i seem to be sensitive to it (awww! i'm sensitive!) and get anxious etc when i have too much, and can't sleep because of the racing heart beat.


If i drank 12 pepsi's in one day, i would DIE!!!!

If i drank 12 pepsi's in one day, i would DIE!!!!

Sometimes the thought I might not get my 12 pepsi's makes me feel like I'm gonna die!! :D

we should get together - i'll drink all your pepsi's / you'll have none and the winner is the one who can live the longest without medical intervention!

we should get together - i'll drink all your pepsi's / you'll have none and the winner is the one who can live the longest without medical intervention!

:eek:

I'll have to come to Australia for that. That's considered torture here!

You've been terribly misinformed! We have a beautiful country - we've recently ditched our crappy prime minister and have beautiful if unpredictable weather. Shark attacks are down but the pope is here at the mo, for some reason. :confused: I find him creepy to look at and wish he would go away.

It's 6:41 am!! I ne-e-e-e-ed caffiene!!!!

I'd like to see Australia, don't think I'll ever get there, I don't fly(I flap and flap my arms but never leave the ground). So at least my pepsi is safe.

You've been terribly misinformed! We have a beautiful country - we've recently ditched our crappy prime minister and have beautiful if unpredictable weather. Shark attacks are down but the pope is here at the mo, for some reason. :confused: I find him creepy to look at and wish he would go away.
I was teasing. I've always wanted to go to Australia, but why'd they have to put it so far away? :p

Caffeine gives me bad headaches and makes me drowsy.....I think my brain is built backwards. Oh well.

This is a great question!

My reaction to caffeine is more of a beneficial nature than yours.
I drink coffee in the morning not to wake me up but to focus. It allows me to think clearly about what I am writing about, or settle down what is occurring upstairs.

I am currently taking Zoloft, so you know its effects with medication.

Cheers,

Houts

http://houtsvideo.blogspot.com/

Shark attacks are down but the pope is here at the mo, for some reason. :confused: I find him creepy to look at and wish he would go away.


not to sure what effect praying'd have ?

could backfire.

Hell is a lonely place; I'm here now - they don't have Xbox - just those board games like

wtf? Monopoly ???

w(ho)tf came up with that idea -?-
to win takes approximately a lifetime and the winner loses the game of life in the process.


huh???

Darn, I forgot to make my "coffee" this morning so I could have my 1/2 cup every 4 hours... naw.. probably wouldn't have worked anyway... (see why on the "Still Awake" thread)...:D

I didn't have any coffee today - in consequence, I have a horrible headache.

I didn't have any coffee today - in consequence, I have a horrible headache.
Are you a masochist?

That's like me not eating a pizza and a half in a day. It's just not done!

Caffiene can produce a symptomcalled "Amine Effect" when mixed with d-Amphetamines, im sure it could be harmful in less than moderate doses, but i've never personally experienced anything severe.

I've been drinking coffee since I started 6th grade, my body simply could not understand the inhumane deprivation.

Caffiene can produce a symptomcalled "Amine Effect" when mixed with d-Amphetamines, im sure it could be harmful in less than moderate doses, but i've never personally experienced anything severe.

I've been drinking coffee since I started 6th grade, my body simply could not understand the inhumane deprivation.
I googled "Amine Effect" but didn't really figure it out, what exactly is it?:confused:

I forgot to tell y'all (no surprise there, huh?), When I drank about 2 cups per day (after I realized the effect 4 cups had on me), then I had to stop when I got pregnant. Problem was I quit cold turkey... ohhhhhhhhhhh, I had such bad headaches. But, I think only one day of headaches. Of course after my son was born, I began to drink coffee again, just not as much.

I don't drink much coffee/caffeine anymore. I used to drink quite a bit before medication, and I do find that the caffeine has a synergistic effect with the medication if I do combine them, but I try to stay away from doing that (as I'm afraid that the medication will become less effective alone).

Some individuals obviously have different sensitivities to caffeine. The 24-pack of Diet Pepsi per day case, while is a lot of caffeine (about 850mg), is not unheard of for others (4-8 cups of coffee, depending on how it was made, what kind of beans were used, and the definition of "cup" being used). One issue to consider is the impact on sleep quality caffeine has. I noticed that I became more sensitive to caffeine proportional to how long I had been without sleep. I suppose this might have something to do with how one's body might compensate for lack of sleep in the first place (endocrine effects), but I don't know for sure.

Only one or two cups of coffee in the morn every day. Helps me get moving.

Sometimes when I am really stressed I'll drink a 16 oz. Pepsi and eat a chocolate bar....it immediately calms me down....but its effect is only temporary.

For some reason I seem to be able to handle Diet coke but not coke. I hate the taste of coffee. There was a drink called 'Mother' here in Australia, not the greatest taste but way more natural ingredients. Does anyone know if you can still get it?

For some reason I seem to be able to handle Diet coke but not coke. I hate the taste of coffee. There was a drink called 'Mother' here in Australia, not the greatest taste but way more natural ingredients. Does anyone know if you can still get it?You mean mate? AustinA and Frankfarter have posted on that a bit further up (http://www.addforums.com/forums/showthread.php?p=614232#post614232), and Batman55 has started a thread about it (http://www.addforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=55128).

Sometimes when I am really stressed I'll drink a 16 oz. Pepsi and eat a chocolate bar....it immediately calms me down....but its effect is only temporary.


Ah!! chocolate the ultimate in stress relief, pms relief, and so-o-o-o-o yummy as it melts slowly in one's mouth. :cool:

No, not herba mate it's more like a natural-ish version of V or Redbull type energy drinks... does herba mate actually taste any good?

You mean mate? AustinA and Frankfarter have posted on that a bit further up (http://www.addforums.com/forums/showthread.php?p=614232#post614232), and Batman55 has started a thread about it (http://www.addforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=55128).

How about you guys interested in this stuff come on over to my thread which, I guess foolishly, i posted in the "addiction" subforum. Only one reply so far.. :rolleyes:

Ah!! chocolate the ultimate in stress relief, pms relief, and so-o-o-o-o yummy as it melts slowly in one's mouth. :cool:

Chocolate is an absolute nightmare for anyone with amine intolerance.

Those pleasant effects you notice from it are due to a high level of phenylethylamines, and theobromine, as well.

I do really well with high amounts of caffeine when I am not on meds. I avoid large doses of caffeine when I have adderall xr in my system because of the effects on heart rate. When i have ran out of medication in the bast I have used caffeine as a substitute until I get my RX refilled.

I also get panic attacks from too much caffeine. but it also helps me feel better and focus. i tried quitting for over 2 weeeks and i was exhausted and even more depressed than usual. so i figured out a way to drink just enough caffeine to keep me focused and running, but not enough to cause a panic attack. basically i limit myself to 1-2 cups a day and i drink them slow to control the caffeine intake. as soon as i have too much i feel panicky, dizzy, jittery and my heart flutters. ugh.

I'm getting tired of threading the needle between depression, panic, ADD symptoms, all that stuff.

Just thought I would share. :(

Ah!! chocolate the ultimate in stress relief, pms relief, and so-o-o-o-o yummy as it melts slowly in one's mouth. :cool:

Unless it is a chocolate kiss, I usually end up chewing it - I've always had a problem with letting it melt in my mouth... even hard candy. Especially tootsie roll pops... Just one lick and I'm eating the center - LOL.

Yup, not everyone can eat it. I do better eating dark chocolate. I could eat one or two regular milk chocolate pieces (miniatures) but, if I eat too much, I have "problems" I'm lactose intolerant:(.

I seem to be immune to caffeine. I can drink Red Bull right before bed and still sleep like a log. But then I am usually knackered by the end of the day!

i used to drink 2 2litre bottles of pepsi max for about 8 years- i absolutely love that stuff- i've now cut down to 1/2 a bottle (for some reason on meds i dont feel like drinking it anymore?!- it might be because its really dehydrating and i cant tell now)

i hate the taste of coffee but used to like popping pro-plus altho i didnt find it to have the same effect as coffee. when i used to drink coffee i used to shot it cos i hated the taste. but now i've found banana flavoured coffee (cafe crown) , and i totally love it. only problem /or benifit whichever way u look at it is it only contains 6% instant coffee, which could explain y i feel like 1 every hour lol

I believe that it's also constipating... which causes dehydration. Found out I have to cut down on drinking iced tea.. and drink more water...