Thanks guys. I can't say it wasn't hard because at times it was. Coming off any addiction is hard. But I have to say it is worth it. There were a few times I have to say I was ready to say, "forget this" but I didn't and I'm glad I didn't. I do feel better off caffeine. I am not jittery like I use to be. I also notice I am not clenching my teeth until my jaws hurt when I am working. I would do this and not notice it and my jaws would be so sore at the end of the day. I always thought this was tension and I guess some it could be, but I have not been doing it in the last week.
Thanks for all of your support and a special thanks to Kim, you were my daily cheerleader. I am going straight decaf in the morning. Some would say, why don't you just give up coffee altogether, but I enjoy the coffee experience. The flavored sugar-free syrups, creamers. It is nice in the mornings and I am finding it just as nice decaffeinated. Life is too short to take all the little pleasures out of it. I've gotten rid of the drug but I still would like to have the experience I've come to enjoy.
To those who go down this road, it will get rough, don't go into it thinking it is going to a walk in the park because it's not. It will get you psychologically and physically, but well worth every minute when you come out on the other side.
ETA - I cannot let this be finished until I say one more thank you.
Sandra, your post during one of the hardest parts of my withdrawal kept me going a lot of times. The one where you explained how caffeine affects brain chemistry and that one day I'd wake up and feel normal again. Thanks.
