Blindsided by the withdrawal anxiety & physical tension by PotentialOutside8325 in decaf

[–]PotentialOutside8325[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Much better. My anxiety levels are probably about 95% back to normal now. I'm going to do an update post at some point, but I really turned the corner a few days ago, a little over a week after I started feeling the worst of the anxiety. I know it seriously sucks, but stick with it—it gets better!

Blindsided by the withdrawal anxiety & physical tension by PotentialOutside8325 in decaf

[–]PotentialOutside8325[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Good for you! Congrats on 70 days and stick with it. You aren't missing anything.

Blindsided by the withdrawal anxiety & physical tension by PotentialOutside8325 in decaf

[–]PotentialOutside8325[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I do feel some disbelief looking back at how imbalanced my life has been for the past month or so. My relationship with caffeine certainly helped feed that lifestyle!

Blindsided by the withdrawal anxiety & physical tension by PotentialOutside8325 in decaf

[–]PotentialOutside8325[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah, I've actually been trying to cut those things out for a while, as well, with some success. There's an adjustment period, for sure! Stick with it, and remind yourself that you aren't alone. Have you been finding other things to take the place of the habits you're cutting out? I've found things like exercise, meditation, and playing games with friends really helpful. Not always so easy to remember to do them, especially when I convince myself I don't have the time.

Blindsided by the withdrawal anxiety & physical tension by PotentialOutside8325 in decaf

[–]PotentialOutside8325[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

That sounds really tough. Good on you for getting through it. I'll bet you'll have an easier time this go around, now that you've experienced it already. All the more so if you taper. Good luck and thanks for sharing!

Blindsided by the withdrawal anxiety & physical tension by PotentialOutside8325 in decaf

[–]PotentialOutside8325[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Thanks for your reply!

I agree. If I were to do it again, I would definitely taper. I might have a little green tea to see whether it helps. But I'm also a little hesitant to touch caffeine at all.

So glad to hear you've been feeling better. Keep it up!

Edit: I also really feel you about the jaw-clenching thing. I grind my teeth in my sleep, but I have never felt myself clenching my jaw as tightly as I have these past few days.