Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Does Consumption Of Caffeine Cause Anxiety?
Question: My adrenal glands have kept me up all night for the past 2 weeks I thought it was an adverse reaction to a medication they gave me in the e.r. I was running from er to er with constant anxiety and no sleep . yesterday I realized that the issue was caffeine withdrawal. The minute I took a drink of coffee i felt very tired and My constant anxiety went away. But my adrenal gland still is keeping me up but the rush it would give me feels not as strong . now I'm in a very confused state of mind with no ability to feel emotion. Don't even feel like I know who i am. I need answers. Can I get my adrenal glands working like they used to?(Buy reintroducing caffeine?
Brief Answer:
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I am sorry about the symptoms you have been feeling.
I am not sure why you felt you had to withdraw from caffeine in the first place. It is not medically contraindicated, it is used by most people (myself included). Of course as most things it should be taken in moderation as it may make you more anxious by stimulating central nervous system, but there is no medical reason against the use of caffeine once or twice daily. So the answer is yes, you can introduce caffeine.
As for the adrenal glands issue, I am not sure what you mean with that. The adrenal glands are endocrine glands situated above the kidneys which produce different hormones such as adrenaline, cortisol, aldosterone. It has no relation though to caffeine which acts directly in the central nervous system. While there are some conditions where alterations in the levels of these hormones may cause anxiety, generally anxiety is much more commonly generated in the central nervous system itself, not due to adrenal issues.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I am sorry about the symptoms you have been feeling.
I am not sure why you felt you had to withdraw from caffeine in the first place. It is not medically contraindicated, it is used by most people (myself included). Of course as most things it should be taken in moderation as it may make you more anxious by stimulating central nervous system, but there is no medical reason against the use of caffeine once or twice daily. So the answer is yes, you can introduce caffeine.
As for the adrenal glands issue, I am not sure what you mean with that. The adrenal glands are endocrine glands situated above the kidneys which produce different hormones such as adrenaline, cortisol, aldosterone. It has no relation though to caffeine which acts directly in the central nervous system. While there are some conditions where alterations in the levels of these hormones may cause anxiety, generally anxiety is much more commonly generated in the central nervous system itself, not due to adrenal issues.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
originally I woke up on April 8th with shortness of breath and I went to The emergency room without drinking my morning coffee. They gave me an Ativan and sent me home. that night I couldn't fall asleep then The next and so on . as soon as I felt I was falling asleep I would get a huge adrenaline rush in my head waking me up. since I wasn't getting any sleep the last thing on my mind was caffeine. I felt absolutely miserable and full of anxiety up until yesterday when I had my first drink of coffee in 13 days. the caffiene has.
completely lifted my anxiety. only now my brain just feels very confused . I still got an adrenaline rush trying to sleep naturally. but it seemed less. intense but still no sleep without medication.
completely lifted my anxiety. only now my brain just feels very confused . I still got an adrenaline rush trying to sleep naturally. but it seemed less. intense but still no sleep without medication.
Brief Answer:
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for the additional information.
I believe not too many conclusions can be drawn regarding caffeine from that description. The onset of symptoms wasn't due to caffeine withdrawal. Also 13 days is a long time, the caffeine withdrawal process is not long, only a few days. So I am not sure issues have much to do with caffeine, may play a role, but is not the main contributor. Anyway as I said you can take your morning coffee again.
It is obvious that you have anxiety issues. Anxiety is a very common problem in the general population, with or without caffeine use. It may have no discernible cause in most cases, but since in some cases it may be due to endocrine issues some blood tests are advised in particular thyroid function. Also during these adrenaline rushes you describe blood pressure should be measured as extreme values may indicate a real issue of the adrenal glands called pheochromocytoma (rare - unlikely).
If no cause is found, which as I said is common, then in terms of treatment I do not think Attivan is the most appropriate for long term use as it develops tolerance and dependence. Seroquel is not the most appropriate either. An antidepressant would be the better choice, possibly one which could help with sleep such as amitriptyline or mirtazapine. So you should discuss with your primary physician having those blood tests as well as the suggested treatment I mentioned.
Let me know if I can further assist you.
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for the additional information.
I believe not too many conclusions can be drawn regarding caffeine from that description. The onset of symptoms wasn't due to caffeine withdrawal. Also 13 days is a long time, the caffeine withdrawal process is not long, only a few days. So I am not sure issues have much to do with caffeine, may play a role, but is not the main contributor. Anyway as I said you can take your morning coffee again.
It is obvious that you have anxiety issues. Anxiety is a very common problem in the general population, with or without caffeine use. It may have no discernible cause in most cases, but since in some cases it may be due to endocrine issues some blood tests are advised in particular thyroid function. Also during these adrenaline rushes you describe blood pressure should be measured as extreme values may indicate a real issue of the adrenal glands called pheochromocytoma (rare - unlikely).
If no cause is found, which as I said is common, then in terms of treatment I do not think Attivan is the most appropriate for long term use as it develops tolerance and dependence. Seroquel is not the most appropriate either. An antidepressant would be the better choice, possibly one which could help with sleep such as amitriptyline or mirtazapine. So you should discuss with your primary physician having those blood tests as well as the suggested treatment I mentioned.
Let me know if I can further assist you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
the shortness of breath came and went and only lasted a few days. I've never had any anxiety problems ever . I only started feeling anxious the days I was off caffeine. I was literally feeling as if I was going insane. since my first drink of coffee I haven't felt anxious once. as I type right now this is day 2 me back on caffeine and it's worn off from this morning and I don't feel confused anymore. I kind of feel like myself for the first time since this started. I never needed any medication for anything before that day.
Brief Answer:
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
The shortness of breath itself is one of the main manifestations of anxiety. Unless you suffer from some heart or lung issue that is. In the absence of a condition to justify the shortness of breath in a young and healthy individual such as you I have to assume like the ER guys that anxiety was the most likely cause. Which is why I still can't attribute it all to caffeine. Perhaps it was triggered by anxiety and later on anxiety was maintained by the caffeine withdrawal.
If that is the case then naturally no treatment is needed, the solution is easy by resuming the old caffeine routine.
Regular medication is needed only when the anxiety issue becomes chronic. If you feel well now I think you should gradually stop Ativan, as I said it is not recommended long term due to its potential for tolerance and dependence and its side effects may contribute to the confusion you mention. I am not sure who prescribed you Seroquel and why, if it was introduced by the ER as well for this issue then it should be removed gradually as well.
I hope to have been of help.
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
The shortness of breath itself is one of the main manifestations of anxiety. Unless you suffer from some heart or lung issue that is. In the absence of a condition to justify the shortness of breath in a young and healthy individual such as you I have to assume like the ER guys that anxiety was the most likely cause. Which is why I still can't attribute it all to caffeine. Perhaps it was triggered by anxiety and later on anxiety was maintained by the caffeine withdrawal.
If that is the case then naturally no treatment is needed, the solution is easy by resuming the old caffeine routine.
Regular medication is needed only when the anxiety issue becomes chronic. If you feel well now I think you should gradually stop Ativan, as I said it is not recommended long term due to its potential for tolerance and dependence and its side effects may contribute to the confusion you mention. I am not sure who prescribed you Seroquel and why, if it was introduced by the ER as well for this issue then it should be removed gradually as well.
I hope to have been of help.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
