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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by KaraS on November 22, 2004, at 19:37:18
Caffeine is the only substance I've found that actually stimulates me. I can't take much of it though because I get so shaky and hypoglycemic from it. Is there anything one can take with it to get rid of those unintended side effects while still retaining the benefit of the stimulation?
Posted by Willyee on November 22, 2004, at 20:42:22
In reply to Vivarin/Caffeine - anything for negative effects?, posted by KaraS on November 22, 2004, at 19:37:18
> Caffeine is the only substance I've found that actually stimulates me. I can't take much of it though because I get so shaky and hypoglycemic from it. Is there anything one can take with it to get rid of those unintended side effects while still retaining the benefit of the stimulation?
A very small pieace of a beta blocker might work without loosing the stimulative affect.
Also how long have you used it? If its been a while and the effects stick,then excellent,if not however keep a steady dose and watch because after a while vivarin can actualy start to become sedating,least it can for me at times.
Also kava kava in small doses might work with caffiene.
>
>
>
Posted by KaraS on November 23, 2004, at 1:14:44
In reply to Re: Vivarin/Caffeine - anything for negative effects?, posted by Willyee on November 22, 2004, at 20:42:22
> > Caffeine is the only substance I've found that actually stimulates me. I can't take much of it though because I get so shaky and hypoglycemic from it. Is there anything one can take with it to get rid of those unintended side effects while still retaining the benefit of the stimulation?
>
> A very small pieace of a beta blocker might work without loosing the stimulative affect.
>
> Also how long have you used it? If its been a while and the effects stick,then excellent,if not however keep a steady dose and watch because after a while vivarin can actualy start to become sedating,least it can for me at times.
>
> Also kava kava in small doses might work with caffiene.
I haven't taken Vivarin. I drink coffee, though, and would like to be able to drink more of it or to take the caffeine directly. That's very strange that it can become sedating over time.Thanks very much for your help.
Kara
Posted by Willyee on November 23, 2004, at 3:19:51
In reply to Re: Vivarin/Caffeine - anything for negative effects? » Willyee, posted by KaraS on November 23, 2004, at 1:14:44
> > > Caffeine is the only substance I've found that actually stimulates me. I can't take much of it though because I get so shaky and hypoglycemic from it. Is there anything one can take with it to get rid of those unintended side effects while still retaining the benefit of the stimulation?
> >
> > A very small pieace of a beta blocker might work without loosing the stimulative affect.
> >
> > Also how long have you used it? If its been a while and the effects stick,then excellent,if not however keep a steady dose and watch because after a while vivarin can actualy start to become sedating,least it can for me at times.
> >
> > Also kava kava in small doses might work with caffiene.
>
>
> I haven't taken Vivarin. I drink coffee, though, and would like to be able to drink more of it or to take the caffeine directly. That's very strange that it can become sedating over time.
>
> Thanks very much for your help.
>
> Kara
Well if youd like to take pure caffine,vivarin is nothing more than that,simply a 200 mg tab of pure caffine,check the active ingredients.Coffee might work better for you because coffe is like a stimulant/relaxing substance.The caffine and sugar if thats used stimulates you,but coffee itself has opiate like compounds which are claming,i take vivarin in conjunction with something,so pure caffiene might be different for you,and instead of postive like coffe might send you up a wall.The books smart drugs&nutrients discuss how coffee has both relaxing and stimulating properties,it goes into detail.Good luck
>
>
Posted by SLS on November 23, 2004, at 9:41:40
In reply to Vivarin/Caffeine - anything for negative effects?, posted by KaraS on November 22, 2004, at 19:37:18
> Caffeine is the only substance I've found that actually stimulates me. I can't take much of it though because I get so shaky and hypoglycemic from it. Is there anything one can take with it to get rid of those unintended side effects while still retaining the benefit of the stimulation?
Treat caffeine as you would any other drug. It has a sort of therapeutic window. If you take too much, you end up experience what you described. If you drink coffee, try 1/2 cup at a time, but only when you begin to feel fatigued. You don't want to encourage tolerance by chronically overmedicating yourself. I have found this strategy helpful, as caffeine is about the only thing I can count on to help me function.
- Scott
Posted by KaraS on November 23, 2004, at 15:02:27
In reply to Re: Vivarin/Caffeine - anything for negative effects?, posted by Willyee on November 23, 2004, at 3:19:51
Posted by KaraS on November 23, 2004, at 15:05:36
In reply to Re: Vivarin/Caffeine - anything for negative effects? » KaraS, posted by SLS on November 23, 2004, at 9:41:40
> > Caffeine is the only substance I've found that actually stimulates me. I can't take much of it though because I get so shaky and hypoglycemic from it. Is there anything one can take with it to get rid of those unintended side effects while still retaining the benefit of the stimulation?
>
> Treat caffeine as you would any other drug. It has a sort of therapeutic window. If you take too much, you end up experience what you described. If you drink coffee, try 1/2 cup at a time, but only when you begin to feel fatigued. You don't want to encourage tolerance by chronically overmedicating yourself. I have found this strategy helpful, as caffeine is about the only thing I can count on to help me function.
>
>
> - ScottI didn't even know you could develop tolerance to caffeine. Since it is the only thing that I can count on for functioning as well, I will stick to this strategy too. Thanks.
Kara
Posted by Bill LL on November 24, 2004, at 10:25:15
In reply to Vivarin/Caffeine - anything for negative effects?, posted by KaraS on November 22, 2004, at 19:37:18
As another poster said, the only active ingredient is 200 mg caffeine. I take a 200 mg NoDoze pill each morning. So there is really no difference between the 2 brands of caffeine pills.
I have read that tea has the amino acid theanine which helps to counteract the jitteriness that caffeine can cause. Theanine is available in inexpensive pills - over the counter in vitamin stores.
Posted by KaraS on November 24, 2004, at 15:42:17
In reply to Re: Vivarin/Caffeine - anything for negative effects?, posted by Bill LL on November 24, 2004, at 10:25:15
> As another poster said, the only active ingredient is 200 mg caffeine. I take a 200 mg NoDoze pill each morning. So there is really no difference between the 2 brands of caffeine pills.
>
> I have read that tea has the amino acid theanine which helps to counteract the jitteriness that caffeine can cause. Theanine is available in inexpensive pills - over the counter in vitamin stores.
Good point. Thanks. I really hate tea so I rarely get my caffeine that way but I could just add in the theanine myself.K
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