Breaking the caffeine addiction and DCS

[mikemill]

I'm finally getting around to breaking my caffeine addiction and its delivery mechanism (copious amounts of Mt Dew). I started on Monday and today I realized how much water I was getting via the dew that I now have to find another source for (gonna try and be good and take it in as plain water). Besides the dehydration issue is there anything else I need to address to not increase my DCS risk?

 

[Bubbletrubble]

I'm finally getting around to breaking my caffeine addiction and its delivery mechanism (copious amounts of Mt Dew). I started on Monday and today I realized how much water I was getting via the dew that I now have to find another source for (gonna try and be good and take it in as plain water). Besides the dehydration issue is there anything else I need to address to not increase my DCS risk?

Mike, I'm not aware of any studies that show a strong link between caffeine intake and increased DCS risk. Most warnings to divers about caffeine have to do with caffeine's diuretic effect. To a certain extent, I believe that there is a tolerance/adaptation effect that occurs with sustained dosing of caffeine in habitual coffee drinkers. For this reason, on a dive day, I see no problem with maintaining your normal intake of caffeine (within reasonable limits) and keeping a close eye on your hydration status. Assuming that you are a normal healthy individual, you can usually monitor this by noting the color of your urine (light yellow to clear indicates that you are well-hydrated).

FYI, moderate caffeine intake appears to improve performance in cognitive tests and may also have an anti-oxidant effect in the body.

Do the Dew (if you feel so inclined)...just be sure to stay well-hydrated.

 

[tstormdiver]

Good luck to ya! I quit drinking sodas altogether back in Feb. I was drinking 3- 6 of them a day. I haven't drank one for almost 12 weeks now. That first week of going through caffeine withdrawals was rough, as I don't like tea or coffee. I wasn't a very nice person then, but after a week I was fine. Instead, I started drinking lemon aid made with a water bottle & Crystal Light Lemon Aid & also drinking water. As Bubble mentioned, caffeine is a diuretic which can lead to dehydration & dehydration to DCS. Best thing for diving,... water, water, water.

 

[mikemill]

I guess I wasn't very clear with my question. I'm not concerned about the caffeine intake causing dehydration as sodas are mostly water and the net affect (for me at least) is that I can maintain hydration with them. The dehydration concern is due to the fact that I'm cutting off that source of water and now must replace it.

What I am really looking for is if there is anything else I need to look out for as I lower (and eliminate) the caffeine consumption. I.E. any other effect caffeine and sodas might have that I don't know.

 

[TSandM]

Caffeine withdrawal can cause headaches. That's about all I can think of.

 

[mikemill]

Caffeine withdrawal can cause headaches.

Understatement

That's about all I can think of.

Thanks. Wasn't too concerned but figured it was better to ask.

 

[lamont]

I cut out caffeine for an entire year and one side-effect was that I didn't get anything done at work.

I seem to be self-medicating for a little bit of ADD, and the caffeine lets me plug through monotonous work better.

What I found most useful was getting off of the high fructose corn syrup. So, when I went back onto caffeine it was nonfat lattes, americanos and plain old black coffee...

Initially when I quit my 3-4L of pop / day habit I immediately started eating a pint of ice cream a night, which opened my eyes to how much I'm a sugar addict.

One thing you can use as a water substitute is talking rain seltzer. Its zero-cal, zero-sodium, etc. The true water nazis look down on it because its bubbly, but it helps me drink enough liquids.

 

[Couv]

…...be prepared for your workmates to comment, "You sure are quiet today."…...

 

[mikemill]

…...be prepared for your workmates to comment, "You sure are quiet today."…...

Nah, my coworkers know what is going on and have only tortured me a little bit.

 

[Scott L]

I cut out caffeine for an entire year and one side-effect was that I didn't get anything done at work.

Diet Cokes are my friend and enemy...Mountain Dew has the highest content of caffeine of any soft drink other than those Red Bull varieties...