lifestyle stuff namely coffee

[worrywart]

Hey there everyone,
I am just really struggling giving up coffee. I try to cut back or give up preferably, in the lead up to a cycle. But this time it's just so hard. I think I am rebelling against all this "healthy living" and that it has something to do with being a bit depressed and not very hopeful in the treatment itself (like, what's the point, it won't work anyway, type thinking).
I have done loads of internet research (of course!), which tends to suggest none at all is best. But my FS and Chinese doctor both say one cup per day is ok (that's all I have at most). But I know that I feel calmer, healthier and "cleaner" without it. So I want to give up anyway.
Any insights on how to do this?
I feel like I'm really sabotaging my next cycle with a lot of down-hearted thinking and behaviour.

[Raupe]

Can't really give you any advice, sorry. Just givng you a and a in case someone else knows.

All I can say is, whenever y mum had to give up coffee, she had a really hard time. She had real withdrawel symptoms (e.g. really bad headaches, feeling grumpy and irretable, feeling sick or tired) because her body was detoxing. She was like a druggy going cold turkey! So I know that it is really hard.
Do you like tea? I know there are some caffein-free teas out there (herbal and fruit tees, I think) and maybe it still helps to have a hot cuppa instead? Don't know. Maybe someone else knows more!

[~me~]

How about trying Mocha's and gradually reducing the amount of coffee you put in? Or can you try decaf?
It's a tough one to give up, and the most ironic thing is that when you do conceive you will probably go off coffee altogether

[Baby Dreamtime]

Hi Worrywart, on my successful cycle I had given up coffee from the start of stims, only because there is research to suggest it effects implantation, which was my issue. I guess you have to make up your mind whether you will regret it if you don't and always wonder. Besides, it is not forever. Wishing you all the best, xx

[incomplete]

I know where you're coming from. When we first TTC I gave up alcohol and coffee soooo easily, just did it, it was exciting to be starting to try for a baby and I followed all the rules.

Of course I followed through with that during IVF, but we haven't done a cycle since October 2008 and I thought to hell with it. I'm on a break, I'm going to enjoy myself. Of course I did at the back of my mind think well what about still trying naturally and hoping for a miracle - am I sabotaging it but I have found it so hard to give up. Buying a mocha a day, I think a lot of it came down to habit - buying one on the way to work. and then drinking coffee at work to break the boredom of sitting at my desk.

I've been thinking for a while I really need to just do it. Also I'm having my gallbladder out shortly and I know I have to watch my diet from then, so I figured it's a perfect time to make changes. So a couple of weeks ago I thought that's it. I just have to go cold turkey, not one a day, totally cut it out. So for the last two weeks, I've only slipped up twice. I really do want to stop altogether (not just for the IVF, but my sleep patterns are horrendous and I go through the highs and lows during the day and thinking I need a coffee for a perk up). I'm at the point of starting to get my body healthy again and in readiness to try IVF later in the year or next year. I want to be as healthy (physically and mentally) as possible.

But it is sooo hard. And I know what you mean about rebelling. When you've had a few disappointments, you sometimes think well what's one cup of coffee going to do, my odds are already crap. But I think when it comes to doing my next lot of IVF (which will be our last couple of tries), I don't want to have any thoughts of "if only I didn't do this, or if only I didn't drink coffee". I totally understand, but as babydreamtime, I've been telling myself - it's not forever, one day I will have coffee again! haha, or maybe I'll feel so much for not having it I won't.

Maybe try to start slowly. Have a coffee every 2nd day. Some people say have decaf, but I've heard bad things about decaf and that's why I'm trying to give up the hot drinks. It would be easier if I liked herbal teas, which I don't.

[worrywart]

Thanks so much everyone - thanks for the support. All really good suggestions, too.
Incomplete, what you say really resonates with me. I too have energy ebbs and flows throughout the day, and find myself a bit bored at my desk, and feel like coffee will perk me up (which it does - it actually just makes me a bit brighter and more talkative and sociable). It's such a reinforced behaviour. I'm sure it's chemical too. I imagine those neural circuits are just so activated now (I've been a coffee enthusiast since a trip to Italy during Uni days).
But I absolutely believe that the best course of action is to give it up (for now). I know on cycles where I've had none (or next to, maybe a slip up now and again), I've have felt really strong and proud of myself. Though my response has always been pretty shocking with IVF, I have to say.
Also, I don't know if anyone saw the news today, but apparently the heart foundation has removed any kind of approval for coffee as an anti-oxidant or to counter heart disease (and red wine too, sadly). Not that I was drinking it for the health benefits!
Anyway, I just really value the input and support.
I am drinking Earl Gray today, which though caffeinated, is a real break through.
Yes, I have to second that on decaff - I really think it's been processed to such a degree, that it's dodgy.
Thanks so much everyone,
WW.