Am I drinking too much coffee or...?

Question

I dunno if its that not enough sleep or god forbid somthing more serious but I have these body shocks. Thats the only way I can describe it.

I drink about 4-5 cups off coffee not every day but lets say 4 out of 7.I work in a pub so I dont finnish till about 12ish and buy the time im asleep its gone 1.
Then Im up about 7 with the little one.

Every so often my body will er, jolt I guess and its been happening for a few years but its starting to worry me a bit.
Im not a big fan of my doctor which is why I have left it so long.

What do ya reckon????

Its not when Im about to drop off its at anytime of the day and I think im gonna pop off to the doctors if I cant find it on nhs direct-should of thought of that myself Cheers luv!

Answer 1

If they are when you drifting off to sleep (either in bed or at work!), then don't worry about it. Many people get these mini-fits to a greater or lesser extent, particularly when tired, and they are related to something called Restless Leg Syndrome which is extremely common and harmless (though fairly annoying, especially if your legs suddenly decide they feel like tap dancing when you've relaxed in front of a film!). Caffeine can exacerbate these though, so staying off it for a while and seeing how your body reacts might help.

However, any kind of fit or jolt should be seen by your doctor as there is a slim chance it might not be benign and could be indicative of another underlying problem.

Check out http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/ and give them a call on 08454647 if you don't want to see the doctor, they'll be able to advise you on what it might be and there's no obligation to see a doctor afterwards. I don't know if this service operates outside of the UK though.

In the meantime, reduce your caffeine intake and try drinking more water and fruit juice to stay awake instead. Give yourself some time off too - you sound as if you desperately need some quality sleep!

Answer 2

When you say jolt, do you mean tremor. Does your hands shake, do you get twitchy or does your hair stand on end? Caffeine is a funky drug that your body gets hooked on just like any other drug. When you don't get the normal amount you get headaches and the some times the shakes, but either way you may have something serious going on and should have it checked out. Then again it may be nothing more than lack of sleep and your body fighting fatigue, but you should go see a doc, if not for yourself then for your little one.

Answer 3

That's about how much coffee I drink during the day- 2 cups on the morning, and another 2 in the evening.

Now, you might try cutting back a little if the coffee you drink is brewed a little extra-strong. One of my aunts used to drink a lot of VERY strong coffee until it started giving her headaches. Then she went to some decaf, and cut out as much other forms of caffiene as she could. She felt better immediately.

Good luck!

Answer 4

I drink to 6-8 espressos a day and I don't get shocks. I sometimes feel on fast forward especially after i have my firsrt three in one go in the morning . I don't even have shakes. But i sleep verywell and deep. some friends say I sleep too much.

Answer 5

Who really knows. I'm sure it effects everybody a bit different. I found an interesting atricle on the history of coffe you may want to read. You will be suprised at some of the "coffe facts" so here is the link to the article.

Answer 6

Coffee is not doing it. Your EXHAUSTED!
Those body shocks are coming from slipping off to sleep to fast.
Your really vague on details. Are you over the effects of the coffee by bed time or over the shocks? Anyway if I try falling asleep to fast my body will do that.
I'm thinking even mental exhaust will kick your body's butt.

Answer 7

some people jolt as they drift off to sleep, usually as the muscles are relaxing, this is like a mild spasm...it doesnt sound too serious although, you should see a doctor just in case, it be down to some form of fatigue...

Answer 8

Well, first of all if you do not like your doc; find another. Secondly, have you had any surgery or tramautizing experience. My husband was in a bad car wreck and every now and then he gets these surges of pain that make him jump. I do not think it is from coffee- unless it is straight out of Columbia (LOL).