Caffeine - yes or no

I generally only have morning coffee. Otherwise, I drink water. Sometimes, I will have a diet coke, or iced tea.

Everyone is different in how their bodies respond to diet.

My body no longer processes the caffeine the same, since having this FM/CFS like illness. I can't tolerate coffee and even some types of tea.

I think there is a break down in my body's detoxification process, or, at least, that is what a doctor who researches FM aggressively tried to explain to me months ago. He suggested that some people's detoxification pathway's did not work properly for whatever reason, and they therefore would feel the negative effects of whatever substance exponentially given that their body had a harder time ridding itself of it. For instance, if I have caffeine or coffee, I'll feel it times 5, and in a bad way. My anxiety skyrockets, I shake, I become disoriented and agitated and none of these things happened before I had FM. My bad reaction to Starbucks was one of the first signs that something was broken in me before I got my FM diagnosis.

Each person has to do what works best for them. For for me, coffee and caffeine makes me feel terrible. And so its a big NO for me.

about half the month, there is zero chance I will get out of my PJs, let alone get to work, without coffee. But, like someone said above, I'm pretty good for the rest of the day (usually). The rest of the day is water and an occasional green tea. If I am being a bad girl, I will treat myself to some overly sugared Starbucks concoction. That happens about once a month. (Ahem)

i have cut down loads...i never liked coffee, but love tea...I have felt no different on or off caffeine, gave up diet coke for about 11 months...Perhaps I need to go back to drinking cola as it might help my energy

I find if I'm reallllly tired, some caffeine can perk me up for a short time, but it doesn't seem to last.

Mostly, I try to avoid caffeine as much as possible. I do love chocolate, though! :)

I have no idea why but when I am in a flare I crave coffee, but other wise i am a water drinker. I have read some where it can help with pain relief I really don't know.

Kathy