On lattes and joint pain...

[rawnpawgirl]

Hi all,

I am so excited to join this forum! I am a newbie to the raw foods lifestyle- for two months at 75-100% raw depending on the day/mood. I feel great except:

~I simply have not been able to give up my PRECIOUS morning latte or americanos. I am soooooooooo addicted. I have tried at least 10 times to give up coffee and have been successful for up to a month only to crawl back to my old beloved habit with my tail between my legs. AAAARRRRGGGHH. I tried herbal teas, green decaf teas, yerba mate, everything.... I would love some suggestions!!! I desperately want to eliminate coffee from my life....once and for all.

~Also, I am having burning joint and muscle pain lately (especially in shoulders and upper back) and every night I am waking up to my limbs falling asleep (mostly legs). Has anyone else experienced this during the beginning stages of eating raw? Is this detox? I would so appreciate your feedback!

[Mical]

Hey,

from reading your post, I think we might be able to become a control group for a study that proves that detoxing from lattes and too much caffeine involves upper back pain!

I went100% raw 11 days ago to hopefully heal hip and back pain. Since going raw the pain has gone from mildly invasive to overwhelmingly insane.

I'm hoping it's the detox.

And yes, I drank a ton of coffee, lattes and soy chai's. I was the queen of caffeine for years. Want to know how I quit? This is probably the MOST orginal way! :eek:

I worked really late, had to commute an hour and a half over a pass with a 5 year old and commute back really early the next morning, so I dropped by the health food store (before going raw). I ordered my first DOUBLE shot of wheatgrass juice, a large fruit smoothie and a beautiful cup of organic, you got it, Java.

After drinking the first two items, I was almost too sick to drink the coffee. But being the addict I was, I tried. Within ten minutes, I puked it all up!!! I was so-0 sick! I haven't had coffee since. Maybe it was reading about wheatgrass researching why I got sick. Maybe it was feeling sick all day after that. Maybe it was just time to change for me. I don't know. But I went about 80% raw for two days and didn't even desire coffee. After that I went 100% and doubt I'll ever go back.

now if that darn back and hip pain would just go away!

Good luck to you! :cool:

[Helen Of Tennessee]

Hi Rawnpawgirl,

It just may take numerous times of trying to get off the coffee.

It took me 1 1/2 years to get off of meat. I slowly weaned off of it. Towards the end I was eatlng meat like twice a month, then one day I realized I wasn't eating it at all. It's been 4 years since I ate it. Now my son quit over night. We're all different. Just keep working at it. If you craw back, then know you'll stop again, and you'll probably go even longer the next time without it. Then one day you'll realized you hadn't had a cup in 2 months, 3 months, and you realized it's gone out of your life!!!!! So don't give up. I've never drank coffee, so I can't relate to that, but I am addicted to grains and this is what I'm struggling with, but I find I'm going longer periods without them and one day I'll realize they are out of my life, just like the meat, dairy, suger, are!

[trini72westindies]

Hi. Like you, I too am addicted to my latte. Only difference is , I like mine after my midday meal. You know what? I am only 75% raw and am just fine with that! I mean, why should one give up something they enjoy so much? In our case, its our lattes. If you truely feel "guilty" for drinking them, maybe try Teechino. The only things is , I dont know how you will drink it since it requires hot water. Let me know how you make out with this. Good luck and take care.

[robertandenith]

I mean, why should one give up something they enjoy so much? In our case, its our lattes.

omg I love this! Thanks so much, I too enjoy my morning cup of cuban coffee! I share one cup with my husband actually and that's all I need. It is not only the caffeine, is the YUMMY TASTE! Just like chocolate, I just can't give it up! Thankfully I have found raw cacao which I introduced to my diet, but can't think of drinking raw coffee! :eek: yikes! lol

[JEN]

Rawnpawgirl I am feeling your pain. I had the same problems when I tried to quit coffee. My chest and upper back hurt so bad I thought I was going to have a heart attack. After 2 days of such intense pain I gulped down a cup of coffee so fast I had brain burn instead of brain freeze. I am still trying to break the habit today. We all know that something that causes us that much pain can't be good. I am trying to cut down each day until I dont need any more. As for joint pain, I have that too and my limbs tingle every morning when I wake up. I have tried every coffee alternative and none work. I am finding that simply having a little less everyday seems to be working. I will let you know when I get there. Stay strong and good luck!

[rawpriestess]

This is a post from last year, but I'll put it here for you, in case you choose to kick the coffee addiction


I used to drink 3 Grande' Breve's a day, then on my 40th birthday, I decided to quit cold turkey, I had been drinking coffee since I was 4 years old, as we were extremely poor, and it was our treat, my mom would make us coffee from her grounds and so we "felt" very adult and special. (not the little yellow school bus special)lol

Okay, so I quit, I had 4 days of nausea and migraines, if I'd had a gun in the house, I'd have shot myself, I swear, the pain was that bad.

Thank god I'm not a Junkie.

So, I was off of coffee for 7 years, dated this guy who owned an espresso place, then I made the decision to "try" it, I was instantly hooked, back on 4 shots, and 5 shots with pure half and half two or three times a day, talk about expense.

So after buying an espresso machine, and making espresso several times a day, and "living" for the next coffee fix, (I thought about actually having an intravenous tube hooked up) much quicker and easier -- lol


So, I decided that I would NEVER go through that pain again, not in THIS lifetime, and yet I knew I HAD to quit coffee, if for no other reason than cost.

So, I started drinking 3/4 coffee, and 1/4 decaf--YES, I KNOW it's bad, but this is what I did.

Then 1/2 and 1/2 now I did this over a period of weeks, so I had no ill affects, then down to 1/4 coffee and 3/4 decaf.

Then finally ONLY decaf.

Now understand I was till drinking this with 30+ ounces of half and half, talk about fat !!!!. wow.

Then finally I started drinking it with some almond milk, and started to make it that way, I didn't really like it when it got to about 1/2 and 1/2 and went back to all cream.

So, I knew that wouldn't work for me, and it was too hard to get when I was out in public.

So, I decided that I would just drink the decaf Breve's until I was done with them.

Then on Jan 19, 2005, I was done with them.

I haven't had coffee or cream since, now I've gone off the raw wagon, more than once, but I have never had coffee, or decaf or even cream in tea.

WHY NOT? Because I KNOW what will happen.

I am experienced enough with my own body, to KNOW that I will be right back on the coffee addiction, with bells on if I even have ONE drink of coffee. So, in my mind, it doesn't exsist.

Now, cooked food on the other hand, I need to get a handle on, because I've been on and off that wagon alot lately.

Mostly I've eat baked potatoes, not sure why, because I didn't eat that many while I was cooked.

Anyway, that is the way I kicked coffee twice.
__________________

PS, I've been raw 2 months now 100%

[Shan]

I don't know anything about the latte issue cause I never drank coffee or tea or anything like that but I just started eating raw 4 days ago and my back and shoulders are killing!

[Indi]

my caffeine detox was terrible, similar to RPs experience.

I have also been through the limbs falling asleep, this was a separate issue.
Are you drinking enough water?

If not i suggest you increase your water intake, see how it goes, dilute those toxins and stop them being reabsorbed!

[Mical]

I don't know anything about the latte issue cause I never drank coffee or tea or anything like that but I just started eating raw 4 days ago and my back and shoulders are killing!

So is the raw food diet that is making our backs spaz out? Or is the fact that we're not taking Ibuprofen anymore to combat the swelling and pain which is making it worse?

I figured as long as I'm raw, I can't take pain meds. And are there any natural, raw pain and swelling relievers?

99% Raw since May 1st.

Mical :confused:

[Indi]

So is the raw food diet that is making our backs spaz out? Or is the fact that we're not taking Ibuprofen anymore to combat the swelling and pain which is making it worse?

I figured as long as I'm raw, I can't take pain meds. And are there any natural, raw pain and swelling relievers?

99% Raw since May 1st.

Mical :confused:

Try seriously increasing your water intake, its simple, but easily overlooked.

[rawnpawgirl]

Wow, thanks for all the support. This is great. That, I believe, has been my missing link. I have a husband and three kids (ages 12, 10, and 8) that are all SAD (and I am sad for them, but have found that talking about it only comes across as nagging, so now I just shut my trap!) and I feel like I exist alone sometimes. I live in CO. and found a raw potluck group but they meet very far away from where I live.

I love all the questions, answers, and genuine support going on here. Truly rawsome!

I had stay home sick today and cancel appts. with client because I feel so crappy- excuse my french! Actually, I can think of many more choice words for how I feel way more descriptive than crappy. Even typing this, my wrists are out of control with joint pain, my upper back is cursing me, knees, sore throat, flulike feeling in my body. I have not had a bowl movement in two days and have been eating all raw, except for herbal teas (no coffee so far, but the water is in the coffee maker ready to go and coffee on the counter patiently waiting to be scooped and brewed! ha, ha)

I have a whole new respect for drug addicts and alcoholics, thank GOD I have never gone down that road.

Anyway, I need to get these toxins out of my system. Maybe I should schedule a colonic? enema? body brushing? sauna? all of the above? Ideas? Hey, maybe I should drink COFFEE since that makes you Poop! I will think of any excuse, huh?

Plus, get this....I got this weird rash on my face and went to the derm to find out I had perioral dermititis (pimply rash around mouth/nose area) She wanted to throw me on antibiotics and I said NO thanks. so now I am trying to deal with it naturally. I just ordered Oil of Oregano as I read that it acts as a powerful natural antibiotic. Any one have any experience with it? I had my first dose and it is NASTY!!!!!!!!

[Mical]

Try seriously increasing your water intake, its simple, but easily overlooked.

Thanks for the suggestion. I'll give that a try, and yes, I easily overlooked it!

Wow, Rawnpawngirl, you've got it bad. I did too. But you know what? You'll get through it. My flu like symptoms are mostly gone now and for the first time since going raw two weeks ago, I could actually clean the kitchen without having to go lie down for back pain. It's still there, but was dramatically reduced today.

I think there's a light at the end of the rainbow. Your skin is going to be radiant. Hang tough. :rolleyes:

Like you, I live in a no-raw zone as far as I can figure. And I live in Colorado. What city is the raw food fest in?

[Mical]

Wow, thanks for all the support. This is great. That, I
Plus, get this....I got this weird rash on my face and went to the derm to find out I had perioral dermititis (pimply rash around mouth/nose area) She wanted to throw me on antibiotics and I said NO thanks. so now I am trying to deal with it naturally. I just ordered Oil of Oregano as I read that it acts as a powerful natural antibiotic. Any one have any experience with it? I had my first dose and it is NASTY!!!!!!!!

I truly know very little about this, but our local raw guru lady put me on angstrom silver drops when I came down with a wicked throat infection with fever, aches, swollen glands which were sensitive to the touch, etc. . . I was scared it was strep and didn't want to go in and get it checked until I knew I tried something natural.

I felt 90% better the next day. Supposedly silver is nature's natural antiobiotic, and when it's angstrom form, your body can easily rid itself of what it doesn't need, and it doesn't harm the beneficial bacteria like antiobiotics do.

'course, I'm not a biochemist, just telling you what I've been told. Would my fever, aches, etc. . . been gone by day two anyway? Who knows. I was also downing garlic like I was a Mexican carne Asada. Raw, of course.

[Pailani]

I never drank coffee or tea or anything like that but I just started eating raw 4 days ago and my back and shoulders are killing!

I gave up my caffeine fix - green tea - almost a month ago, and am about 6 weeks into 100 percent raw, and my back and shoulders were bothering me the last two days. I almost felt like I pinched a nerve in my back, but in various places, so it couldn't have been a pinched nerve. It must be some kind of; it doesn't feel so bad today.

[Elvanshalee]

I'd really try upping your water intake or trying water therepy since your feeling backed up, so to speak. Just being a little dehydrated can make a BIG difference in how you feel. You are likely very dehydrated as caffine will dehydrate you. Also your body is starting to clean out toxins and you need to have a way for those toxins to get out of your body. If your not drinking enough water your body won't be able to sweat it out or eliminate through your urine.

I hope that helps!!