Interesting.

I had a hiatus hernia diaphragm repair way back when I was 27. I had a faulty valve at the bottom of my oesophagus where it meets the stomach. Main symptom of many was reflux.

That's maybe why I thought of reflux with your other problems.

I drank dandelion tea for years. Most people I know can't stand it, but I don't mind the fact it tastes a little like coffee and it's nutty.

I tend to live on the cliff face of anxiety, always have, so I am pretty careful how much caffeine I consume.

I loathe the taste of green tea for some reason but occasionally I drink it. That may be because I drank copious amounts of "proper" green tea when on trips to Japan years and years ago. I can still taste the earthy pungent aroma just thinking about it.

I drink 2 cups of coffee every morning. No caffeine after 10am. Strict rules I set myself.
I tend to wake up and start reading medical journals so I need the coffee for that.

I love tea. I buy a very good local tea that's low in tannin and caffeine and I have one of those mid afternoon. Sometimes I replace my morning coffee with tea but use something stronger, like a breakfast tea or an earl grey or something nice.

If I stop the coffee altogether I get headaches. That was my thought about you in the beginning and if you can substitute one of the coffees for green tea so that you don't end up getting withdrawal headache.

You don't sound as if you drink much though. I've heard of people who consume 10 or more a day. yikes.

another thought... I wonder if it's the Tannin that is the problem for you. Just thinking.

Waves,



I have a stupid question.
Would something along the lines of No-Doze help in some regards?



There might be some good brands.

[/QUOTE]
Coffee is the biggie right now because I literally "use" it like drug. [/QUOTE]

O.K.
Now I get it. You have explained this before but because I do not drink coffee I remember the point and then am reminded.

For a good drug, you need to get one of those guys to 'script you some Adderall or Ritalin, or the new (too expensive for me) Vyvanse.

This way you can still one or two (full or half) cups of coffee a day and get something for the caffeine effect.

(I am talking aloud here so as to re-understand.)

Mari

If you can get completely off, all the better.

I couldn't. But got super close. I have GERD and love coffee. I got down to a half a cup of regular coffee in the morning and a half a cup of 1/2 and 1/2 coffee in the afternoon. (If I'm over tired in the afternoon, I'll have a 1/2 cup of regular coffee).

Anything below this causes fatigue and headaches.

So....for me, I found the perfect solution. I found this product at Walgreens and on line called "Prelief." I take two tablets before my half a cup of regular coffee and one tab before my half caff. Seems to be primarily calcium and I don't know why it works, but this tablet does the trick. And I only take it about two minutes before my coffee.

Most, if not all of my doctors are ok with this small amount of coffee and system. For me, it's working out. When I drink more than this, my stomach gets a little upset, so it's not worth it. When I drink less, I often get a headache. Kind of a mess, but I enjoy coffee, and this allows me to have a little coffee very comfortably.

Hi Vowel Lady,

Thanks very much for your post!

That's actuallly a good idea. It might work as an antacid. Remember Tums? The active ingredient in that is calcium carbonate. It had so much calcium in it it that the bottle gave directions for use as a supplement, LOL. (Not that I'd recommend using a supplement with that much sugar in it, but still.)

Take care.

waves

edited to add that I googled Prerelief, and it is indicated as an "acid reducer"
http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/pre...105623-product

I will try taking an antacid before it, if I do end up having any coffee.

Awesome!
I think Tums is fine, but just double check. I took Gaviscon for awhile and to my shock, ended up with a lot aluminum in my system as this product (at least at the time) had aluminum in it. I know Tums has coloring in it. Surely, Tums should be ok, but I just have a suspicion that this one (Prelief) is a little more natural. Just a suspicion. People with bladder problems also use it. It just seems to neutralize things nicely. I'm amazed at the difference. I don't abuse it. It works very well for me to allow me to have a little coffee every day. Those who use it, love it. Yet, wouldn't you know it...most doctors have never heard of it. Go figure!

Hope this gets you to the Amazon reviews...many are taking it for burning bladder...a few down is someone taking it to drink coffee
http://www.amazon.com/Prelief-Tablet...ywords=Prelief