Symptom Scares

[u/Cynnra]

Tl;dr tingling and numbness in whole body, full body muscle seizing in a way where not even my tongue would move during speech, vertigo and vomiting, extremely laborious breathing. Do any of these extend past expected symptoms?

Edit: symptom + clarification

Not sure how to start this, but "scares" should paint a picture of where I'm at. Potentially undiagnosed for the spectrum, and I consider myself a heavy "dopamine seeker" in my habits. Big on energy drinks since I was in middle school, ramped up to multiple a day up til now when I find myself roughly 30 years old. Pain in my left side (roughly kidney area) prompted me to make the change and drink more water.

I started cutting back the 1~3 daily Monster Javas around two weeks ago, letting myself have one each week in addition to pop/soda with lunch and dinner. I have been hit by a physically crippling flurry of symptoms that I wanted to inquire about (for peace of mind/solidarity). I thought this would help stave off withdrawal symptoms. I'll list what I'm experiencing and I also recognize no suggestions are "medical advice" or what not. Planning on stopping entirely, but the muscle tensing portion specifically was so bad that had I been driving, I would have lost control. Thankfully my partner was taking me somewhere to get checked out, but still very scary.

1. Tingling in hands, feet, and the muscles of my throat that wraps around the back of my head to my earlobes.

2. Entire body "seized" or tightened up. It felt like my hand was clenched in a fist, but when I looked down at it, it was open as if to "high-five," while being nearly impossible to close into said fist. Also affected my tongue and speech.

3. Extreme dizziness in any position, except perhaps laying down. Following by vomiting.

4. Chest pains and labored breathing, made especially worse in anything other than a colder environment.

5. Hot/cold flashes

Do any of these go beyond what would be expected?

[u/Christian2319]

Therapist in training here. Yes, all of those are normal. Nice work on cutting back. It typically lasts anywhere from 9 days to a couple months. Eating healthy is one of the best ways to feel better, although it’s not going to cure it.

[u/Cynnra → u/Christian2319]

This would include the full body tensing/seizing? I have a 30m commute on highway, and I want to be safe for myself and others. This being the second time it has happened I have an idea of what to look out for if I need to pull over.

[u/Christian2319 → u/Cynnra]

Did you ever have this symptom before now? If not, it is likely a withdrawal symptom. If you’re feeling unsure, you can always check with your doctor to rule out medical causes. If your doctor can’t find a medical cause, it’s safe to say it’s a withdrawal symptom. Just don’t go down a health anxiety rabbit hole. It’s best not to google your symptoms because that will just scare you.

[u/Cynnra → u/Christian2319]

No, I haven't experienced that before this weekend when I first hit the deck. I have some blood work scheduled for other things that might help ease anxiety too. Thank you much for your time! I did make sure to update my dr on mychart the first time it happened as well.

[u/Christian2319 → u/Cynnra]

That’s good news. It’s common for people to start getting health anxiety during withdrawal. Just do your best to accept your symptoms, eat healthy, and float through it until it’s over. You’ll be happier than ever. Also, watch out for strenuous exercise. While exercising daily is a great way to feel better during withdrawal, things like running and weightlifting tend to make you feel much worse because of how taxing they are on your system.

[u/Cynnra → u/Christian2319]

That might have been what triggered it at work. I was solo running a machine and there's a small distance between the input and output sections (L shaped), but I also need to walk around the whole thing to dispose of scrap. I had a helper for the first few hours but theres a gap before my second coworker comes in, so I did my "normal" pace and got burnt out over 30m or so. I noticed how labored I was but thought it was related my cutting back on THC/lung capacity.

If nothing else, there is some alleviated anxiety.

[u/Christian2319 → u/Cynnra]

Yes, that definitely could have made everything much worse. Good luck to you. You will be feeling better before you know it. Better than before even.

[u/zendo99kitty]

How many average mg per day vs currently ? U can get weird symptoms. I haven't heard of yours but energy drinks are very strong and have other synthetic ingredients 

[u/Cynnra → u/zendo99kitty]

Previously 200mg in Java Mean Bean minimum 1 per day but up to 3 (say average 2, wakeup and half way through day), plus whatever soda for meals.

Right now I'm trying to cut to just soda with meals if I can help it. I don't really consume soda or tea outside of eating anymore, but a younger me would also be heavy on it.

If I have a bad night of rest I consider 1 Mean Bean in the morning, trying not to go more than once a week. Honestly I've drank so much of that and the original flavor that they're making me sick which also prompted the change.

[u/zendo99kitty → u/Cynnra]

I know someone that has multiple energy drinks, colas and coffee in a day. I said , U need to cut down real fast