Caffeine Overdose

[GlutenFreeManna]

I seldom indulge in caffeinated beverages, but last night I went some place where the only thing that was safe was sweet tea. I had not had any sweet tea for almost a year, but I used to enjoy it so I thought "why not?" Well last night at 2 AM when my mind was still racing, my heart was pounding in my ears, my chest hurt and my hands were shaking I knew I had overdosed on caffeine. I had this once before years ago when I drank four shots of espresso in a latte. I just can't handle much caffeine. I have no idea if this is related to gluten. It's probably not. But I thought I would ask if anyone has any remedies. I drank about a gallon of water and I took a sleep aide last night out of desperation and finally went to bed. This morning however I have a terrible headache and my chest still hurts. The worst has passed and I know I can wait it out now. I'm trying to drink lots of water to flush out my system. Is there anything else I can do? What can I do if this happens in the future. Is there any remedy once you overdose or will I just always have to avoid caffeine?

[AlysounRI]

Ugh, caffeine, yeah ...

Deadly stuff if you are not used to having it anymore.

I mistakenly had some coffee with caffeine a few months ago and I experienced what you did: palpitations, the shakes, it was **awful**!!!

I did drink as much water as I could in order to flush a lot of it out. The next day seemed to be okay.

I don't know if it is able to be flushed out like other things. I would love to hear from some scientific people here. But yeah, I know what you are going through!! It was a very alarming sensation, was it not??

As an interesting aside story, I once had a friend whose cousin was a chemist. In one of the labs he worked at, on his first day, the head of the lab took him around and showed him one bottle with some white powder in it. He cautioned the new guy never to touch the stuff in the jar without two sets of gloves and a face mask - what was it?

Pure caffeine!! Particles small enough to inhale in the air and absorbent through the skin. And possibly very deadly!!

[Skylark]

The water helps because caffeine is somewhat diuretic, and the headache from an overdose can be from mild dehydration. As far as I know, there is nothing to counteract the effects of caffeine once you've absorbed it. I hope you feel better soon.

And by the way, me and my coffee pot can confirm that not all celiacs are caffeine intolerant.

[GlutenFreeManna]

Thanks! I'm better now. My headache is gone anyway. My chest still hurts a little, but I think it has passed.

[AlysounRI]

And by the way, me and my coffee pot can confirm that not all celiacs are caffeine intolerant.

I think my problem is less the caffeine than the acidity of coffee

It's just that I am sounused to caffeine now that a cup of coffee has me messed for the rest of the day.

I could never drink colas either - no acidity in those, they just messed up my stomach as well.

Oh well