Three weeks ago, I developed a sudden caffeine intolerance.
It lead to my first, second, third and fourth panic attack, followed by three weeks of being in a dizzy, hazy hell, battling panic attack symptoms and thinking something was seriously wrong with me. Doctors said I was fine, but I grew more afraid.
I was desperate for answers, so I cut caffeine from my daily diet, and I felt completely fine again, albeit some light derealization. I shared this news with my doctor, and he just told me "It just happens to people, you know? it's like someone flicked a switch."
He basically didn't really know much about it himself, but I knew I was at least healthy and not dying. I'm relieved that it's nothing serious, but I'm also kinda gutted.
I can't consume anymore than roughly 50mg of caffeine (For reference, there's 45mg of caffeine in a can of Coke Zero) without feeling absolutely terrible.
The symptoms kick start about an hour or two after the consumption, and I'll begin to experience a heavy sense of derealization, coupled with some lightheadedness and occasional dizzy spells.
It's a terrible experience.
Now, here's the thing. I love energy drinks. I love sodas, and I'm very passionate about coffee, but now I've had to cut them all out of my life entirely. I don't know if I'll ever be able to enjoy them again.
Has this happened to anyone else?
How does something like this even happen?
It lead to my first, second, third and fourth panic attack, followed by three weeks of being in a dizzy, hazy hell, battling panic attack symptoms and thinking something was seriously wrong with me. Doctors said I was fine, but I grew more afraid.
I was desperate for answers, so I cut caffeine from my daily diet, and I felt completely fine again, albeit some light derealization. I shared this news with my doctor, and he just told me "It just happens to people, you know? it's like someone flicked a switch."
He basically didn't really know much about it himself, but I knew I was at least healthy and not dying. I'm relieved that it's nothing serious, but I'm also kinda gutted.
I can't consume anymore than roughly 50mg of caffeine (For reference, there's 45mg of caffeine in a can of Coke Zero) without feeling absolutely terrible.
The symptoms kick start about an hour or two after the consumption, and I'll begin to experience a heavy sense of derealization, coupled with some lightheadedness and occasional dizzy spells.
It's a terrible experience.
Now, here's the thing. I love energy drinks. I love sodas, and I'm very passionate about coffee, but now I've had to cut them all out of my life entirely. I don't know if I'll ever be able to enjoy them again.
Has this happened to anyone else?
How does something like this even happen?