Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: TraceyTracey on October 24, 2018, 07:26:10 AM
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Hi all.
So I had a couple of weeks out of work and did not drink coffee every day. I was a little calmer but did not feel as alert at times but that could have been because I switched off to destress. I am waiting for a Merina coil and know that I do not feel on my A game when it's expiring or not inserted, the utrogestan helps but does not work as well as the Merina. I am more stressed and less tolerant of nonsense at these times. I love the Merina, big fan ;D
What are your thoughts on coffee, does it increase anxiety and stress?
I am trying to work out if coffee is doing me no favours, my job is stressful and I find myself agitated at work sometimes. The agitation comes usually due to unfairness or bad management decisions (we are constantly changing and it's wearing a little now). I am quite laid back and it takes a lot to drive me crazy but the hormones and peri do not help managing stress and anxiety.
Thank you
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I gave up coffee about 20 years ago, it suddenly started causing palpitations and an adrenaline rush which then made me feel anxious. I've never been able to drink it since. Still love the smell though. I remember coffee was the first thing I always went off in pregnancy too so could be linked to hormones.
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I was advised by the consultant to stop drinking coffee because I did drink a lot of cups through the day. This was because of repeated UTI's. I was surprised that I didn't get withdrawal headaches and have to say that not only have decaf drinks made a difference to the UTI's but I really did notice a difference in how much calmer I felt
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Agreed.why not switch to organic decaf and see if your symptoms lessen if not then cut it out completely.i daren't touch it now because of my bladder I just don't want to risk setting it all off again but I do handle that the cowards way, I make a big strong mug of coffee , no milk no sugar, then just enjoy having a snuff as I pass it lol wasteful yes but who bloody cares xx D.D
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Drinking caffeine generally is not a good idea - now and again is fine - but many use caffeine under the impression it will keep them alert, whereas they are just dependant on the small kick it can give. It is a drug and withdrawing from caffeine can be tough. I stopped coffee years ago as it makes me shake!! I have even given up black tea now and rarely have caffeinated drinks, as the tannins in any tea irritates my bladder.
I also found stopping tea reduced my heartburn and my husband, who loves coffee, has also found he gets less heartburn without caffeine. DG x
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I found it was one of my hot flush triggers. Tried going without but DH has a morning cuppa & the smell was torture. So switched to decaf, no it doesn't taste the same but it's good enough.
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DH drinks coffee and has no effects at all. He drinks a good quality bean because he enjoys the taste. Black, double shot. Surprises us when he asks for an Americano and is offered milk with it :-\
I love the smell but it makes me feel very sick after 10 mins. or so which means that I no longer drink it. I had a friend who swore that caffeine after 8.00 p.m. meant that she didn't sleep, however I forget ....... she slept well for 3 nights here, despite having been drinking 'ordinary' coffee.
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I've had anxiety for years and did cut back on my coffee. I have one or two small cups a day. Mainly one a day but I didn't notice any reduction in my anxiety.
What I do notice is that if I have a coffee later than 4 in the afternoon then I cannot get to sleep so I never drink one in the evening. My husband can have a coffee at midnight and just nod off to sleep not long after drinking it. He also gets a bad headache if he misses his morning cup. I have friends and relatives who drink upto about 8 cups a day! I don't think it's good for you to drink excessive amounts but one or two a day is OK.
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Caffeine was the trigger for my silent migraine so have drunk mostly decaffeinated for about 20 years.
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Thank you all.
I need to stop the caffeine and see what happens. So if I drink decaf tea or coffee it has no tannins? And it's tannins that irritate the bladder yes? I have a very weak bladder which I have been investigatin, there is an urgency to pee that takes over. Do we think that's the tea and coffee. I drink tea in the afternoon because caffeine impacts my sleep too.
I only drink two cups of fresh ground coffee every week day at work. We also have access to decaf fresh ground bean coffee so I can easily switch.
Thank you all, I am pleased I raised this, it seems to be doing me more harm than good.
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I'm afraid that decaf tea and coffee still have tannins. I believe that tannins do irritate the bladder. I drink peppermint or camomile tea now and as a treat I have a hot Ribena. Very occasional I have a White tea which is lower in tennis and caffiene DG x
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Have you tried rooibos (aka redbush) tea? It is caffeine-free and alkaline so will not stimulate the bladder. My rule these days is no caffeine after 3pm and I sleep much better for it.
JP x
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Hi I used to drink way too much coffee in the past
Now I limit myself to one a day and it has helped greatly with anxiety
GR xx
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Redbush :sick02: :D
This may be why some find that they are unable to tolerate alcohol at this time of Life: tannin?
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I have up coffee, caffeine and fizzy water 5 years ago because of bladder irritation (how fizzy water irritates your bladder I don't know)).
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Fizzy water gives me heartburn.
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Hello ladies,
This might be helpful
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/johns_hopkins_bayview/_docs/medical_services/gynecology_obstetrics/bladder_irritants.pdf
I have started drinking decaf a couple of months ago. It has helped with hot flushes and anxiety/irritation but not with bladder issues.
Conolly X
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What a depressing list. I like most of those. :(
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I would find it hard to give up coffee completely because one of my ways to relax is to read a book or magazine in a cafe over coffee and people watch :) . However I rarely have more than 1 small coffee in a day and usually have decaff. I drink a lot more tea but also mainly decaff.
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I gave up all caffeine when my peri nausea/migraines started but had to bring it back as I found out it helped my migraines.
Prior to that, a few years before, I’d read a book about the evils of caffeine and stopped it then without reaping any benefits but I’ve since learnt it’s a plant-based stimulant and fine to have in moderation.
I can’t drink coffee (just find it too bitter) but that specifically does come with its own health benefits (antioxidants, hormonal balance) and I know people who force themselves to drink it for those reasons.
I think the health media does demonise stimulants but they can have their place if used sensibly and can also offer health benefits.
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Hello dangermouse,
I had to decaf slowly in order to keep my headaches and migraines at bay, because caffeine really helps. Otherwise I haven't notice any difference in energy levels (they have always been low anyway ;D ). I think decaf coffee has traces of caffeine and probably that's enough for an anxious menopausal woman.
Conolly X
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;D
I also think that some are much more sensitive to caffeine's stimulant effects than others. My mum can't drink it post lunchtime otherwise she won't sleep that night. I can wake in the night and have a cup of tea and then it lulls me right back to sleep!
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I'm just like your Mum ;D Gynae said my hormone levels are from a 90 year old :o
Conolly X
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Thank you all ladies... your answers have been super helpful and given me something to think about for sure.
I am caffeine sensitive and only drink it during the morning... I do hope my hormones are not like those of a 90 year old ha ha.
Thank have a sensitive bladder I think... it's weak and I have an awful urgency to pee which I think must be down to the tannins.
I love chai tea and drink that in the pm... it's tme to search for something else now booo hoooo :(. I will live, it's first world problems after all ;)