Caffeinated beverages are only *mild* diuretic and studies have shown they are not terribly different to water for chronic drinkers. Google it or look in wikipedia for the references but here is a quick Q/A from Mayo clinic.

http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-li...s/faq-20057965
ALL beverages count, as does broth, milk, and juice. In terms of how much or how little: urine is supposed to be very light-colored, or clear. That seems a more reliable, and more sensible indicator to me than counting ounces which will vary based on individual, activity, and temperature.

I have no idea what organic milk would be. I suppose organic feed makes sense. It would be nice if they didn't give them hormones either.

waves

Yes, the cows are feed an organic diet and they are freer of some things than regular cows are.
The last time I had milk was when I was a child.
Mom gave it to us in cereal.

Hubby likes milk in his coffee sometimes.
He buys goat milk for his bowl of fruit and nuts in the morning, soy, . . .. likes variety . . .. lol

M

Waves,
 

Right, I look for straw colored urine.

http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-24464774
Do you really need to drink eight cups of water a day?

Also, we have absolutely no scientific study on the 8 glasses rule. (zero, not a one, nothing)
Someone made it up and lots of folks are repeating it.

I cannot find anything to link to about organic milk but I believe that they do not give those cows artificial hormones.
Consider though that cows do have hormones because they are lactating.

M

You are right!
yes I think the light colored urine is the best test if we are getting enough fluids. and if we are thirsty , sometimes my scale will be down and i know it may be because I am not drinking enough fluid. I know that we are comprised mostly of fluids so that is very important that we get enough.:)
bizi

Oh I like the thought of all liquids like juice and things being included in
the 8 ozs. Or what ever.

I drink at least 3 or 4 bottles of 16oz water a day. Then other things,
right now a cup of hot tea in the morning. And just a pop or two.

Its been interesting since, I had to start using the wheelchair again.
I have cut down on pop it seems.

Donna :hug::grouphug:

i caved
 

I totally caved today. Drank coffee, and plenty of it.

Wasn't so bad at first. I was unspeakably out of it when I got up, so I had the first cup.

I craved a second all afternoon and all evening, but held out.

Had a second very late evening, and I just now finished my third. These last two were pretty strong too. Probably more like three cups' strength between them.

I feel a bit more normal. Not great but closer to normal.

waves
oh and I did have a cup of tea also. No, two actually. :o

Had to tell everyone, that when you start making tea in a coffee pot.
Instead of coffee, be careful it could still have a mixture of tea/coffee.

Ugh I can't handle that. But Dale seems to like it.

Donna :hug::grouphug:

Thanks Donna. I agree, ugh, that's awful. We don't use pots, but I am very careful if I am making cups of different things at the same time. I won't even stir a cup of tea with a spoon that's stirred coffee.

I didn't think Bizi had converted to tea. Just me, for whatever caffeine I can scrape up.

Just realized this is confusing. I am talking about mood/energy here.

In terms of mouth symtpoms.... they seem a little worse. Confirmation that coffee is bad for that. So I must choose between the devil and the deep blue sea. :(

Waves,
 

Yes.
That is helpful.
Mood and energy is good --coffee helps (Is it the coffee and tea?)

Mouth -- worse.

Well. I do not know how one would choose.

Good luck with this, Waves. It seems hard.

M

Thanks, Mari. Yeah it is hard.

Tea and coffee both help, but coffee helps more. It's probably the caffeine and not sure I could pour the amount of tea down me that would do the trick.

I also just wanted coffee, after that first cup, for both taste and effect.

What to do... have as little coffee as possible, or none preferably, but I guess from time to time I will cave, or decide that the mood is worth a temporary worsening of the mouth thing. Conversely, perhaps the mouth burning/fizzing will help me stay away for another bit now.

waves

I am down to one mug of coffee in the mornings but may have 2 tomorrow because we need to drink it, don't want it to go bad.
Sorry for the symptoms.
bizi

Well, it won't go bad, quite, but might become less flavorful. I know what you are saying, though.

I am glad you are doing well with it, doesn't sound like you are craving it. :)

I am a coffee addict, well and true. Just have to do the best I can.

waves

Waves, :heartthrob: :heartthrob: :heartthrob:

I would not think of it as a "cave" because that sounds like a loss of control.

Think of it as planned periodic license or dispensation or freedom.

Anyway, you essentially have a plan. And the plan will work.

I wish things were easier for you.

M

I am pretty much now drinking coffee indiscriminately, but still overall drinking less than I was a few months ago (it had really gotten out of hand). I believe there may be a strong comfort aspect to this at the moment. There are mood/energy issues at times, but not always.

The feeling better seems to come and go, even with the coffee on board. It's probably related to other things, in addition to the coffee. I believe coffee does make a difference, but perhaps not a night and day difference.

Anyway, I think I need to keep drinking coffee for now, and just be watchful.

I guess I will ask about antacids when our pharmacy reopens in September.

When inspiration strikes, I will have a no-coffee day and only have tea.

Things may change in a while.

dear waves,
if you are not seeing a benefit from not drinking the coffee than what is the incentive to not drink it?
bizi

It makes a difference but currently my need to drink it is winning out.