Has anyone made it through premed without caffeine?

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I drank a fair amount of Coke in high school and undergrad. Not for the caffeine, but because I like the taste. Never consumed it to wake me up or keep me up. Now in residency, since PGY2 onward, I have bottles of 5-hour energy stashed everywhere. My laptop bag has 2, my locker has 1, my car has at least 2, my locker at one of our community hospitals has 2 or 3 and my whitecoat has at least 1. I try to replace them as I use them (have a giant box of ~50 in my closet at home). I use maybe one every two weeks or so. It is not uncommon that I will stay awake for 40+ hours at a time. In general, if I don't sleep overnight because I'm operating, I stay up until the following evening. In no way am I advocating that it is healthy or correct to do. But, I have enough crap that I feel like I need to do, that I do it. It is not possible for me to do it without 5-hour energies. Outside of that, unless I'm in the middle of a climbing comp, I don't use them.

I will also say that I don't drink coffee at all since I dislike the taste and infrequently drink tea (because I like the taste).
 
mimelim said:
I drank a fair amount of Coke in high school and undergrad. Not for the caffeine, but because I like the taste. Never consumed it to wake me up or keep me up. Now in residency, since PGY2 onward, I have bottles of 5-hour energy stashed everywhere. My laptop bag has 2, my locker has 1, my car has at least 2, my locker at one of our community hospitals has 2 or 3 and my whitecoat has at least 1. I try to replace them as I use them (have a giant box of ~50 in my closet at home). I use maybe one every two weeks or so. It is not uncommon that I will stay awake for 40+ hours at a time. In general, if I don't sleep overnight because I'm operating, I stay up until the following evening. In no way am I advocating that it is healthy or correct to do. But, I have enough crap that I feel like I need to do, that I do it. It is not possible for me to do it without 5-hour energies. Outside of that, unless I'm in the middle of a climbing comp, I don't use them.

I will also say that I don't drink coffee at all since I dislike the taste and infrequently drink tea (because I like the taste).
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I'm sure you know this already, but those energy drinks can give you arrhythmia and even an MI if you use too many. Then again, we all do what we must…


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OrthoTraumaMD said:
I'm sure you know this already, but those energy drinks can give you arrhythmia and even an MI if you use too many. Then again, we all do what we must…


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile
Click to expand...

I don't think one 5-hour energy every 2 weeks is 'too many' at least for most of the population. What gives me second thoughts is the sleep deprivation more than anything because my quantity of sleep is anything but normal. For example, went to the hospital at 6am yesterday, worked through the day and then had a cold leg come in at 7pm, didn't leave the OR until 11pm and then had 3 semi-urgent consults that kept me in house and then a couple of troublesome ICU players. I got maybe an hour and a half of sleep before starting today at about 6am. Had 3 small cases and then asked one of my co-residents to cover me the rest of the day at about 1pm. When I got home today, no way in hell I'm going to sleep. I mean I have 9 hours off before I have to go to sleep, I'm going to get **** done. Worked on a couple presentations, played an hour or so of computer games, called my mother, etc. Hard to imagine doing that once hurting anything. But, making a habit of it for 5+ years? No idea what it will do. And, knowing myself, going into practice I'll be even worse.
 
I drink caffeine, but it's because I like drinking coke with meals and simply like tea.

I don't ever have caffeine with the goal of staying up later to complete studying or assignments.

Interview days, though...I need Monsters to get through those (considering the driving+interview)...
 
I just L.O.V.E. coffee. All the all nighters it helped me pull to study for finals. Bless coffee
 
KdotLB said:
Used to LOVE coffee, drank a couple cups a day. Now coffee gives me terrible reflux. Oddly enough, I can get away w a couple caffeine pills spaced out during the day. Even tho it’s the CAFFEINE in coffee I thought was supposed to cause reflux, decaf coffee gives me heartburn in seconds but as long as I don’t go overboard, caffeine pills are okay.... sadness


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I have moderate acid reflux, and the same thing happened to me. I switched to low acidity coffee (I think it's sumatran) and it helped a lot. I heard that the darker the roast, the less acidic. Something about the roasting process. Idk, I'm no expert. But you should give it a try!
 
bioboy23 said:
I have moderate acid reflux, and the same thing happened to me. I switched to low acidity coffee (I think it's sumatran) and it helped a lot. I heard that the darker the roast, the less acidic. Something about the roasting process. Idk, I'm no expert. But you should give it a try!
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Unfortunately, dark roast coffee actually contains less caffeine, because it is more processed. So I prefer light roast to get the benefits of my coffee.
In terms of acid reflux, is it accompanied by a cough? A friend of mine used to cough non-stop because of her acid reflux.
 
KdotLB said:
Used to LOVE coffee, drank a couple cups a day. Now coffee gives me terrible reflux. Oddly enough, I can get away w a couple caffeine pills spaced out during the day. Even tho it’s the CAFFEINE in coffee I thought was supposed to cause reflux, decaf coffee gives me heartburn in seconds but as long as I don’t go overboard, caffeine pills are okay.... sadness


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I also heard it helps to have a snack along with your coffee to avoid the reflux. =)
 
I'm surprised by the amount of traffic this lighthearted thread got... And wow, lots of heavy coffee drinkers. I'm still early but I have only drank about 2 cups of coffee in my life so far, spread out over the last three years. And they were >50% milk to make the taste manageable...
 
I have been a 2 pots a day coffee drinker plus Diet Coke with meals and in the evenings for a long time now.
 
Flying Penguin said:
I know people who get debilitating headaches without drinking coffee for a morning... Seems like a dangerous path to go down. 😕
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Well caffeine is a drug, and like many drugs withdrawal is a legit thing. I don't drink coffee, but I decided to for one block because I royally f'ed up on the mid-term and needed to do well on the final. Drank 3-5 cups/day for 4-5 days and absolutely killed the final that Monday. Didn't drink any more after the Monday morning cup and started getting a pretty bad headache Monday night. That headache didn't go away until Wednesday evening and actually got bad enough on Tuesday that I thought about going to the ER. Can't imagine what it would be like if I were a heavy user on a regular basis and tried to quit, it's just been more motivation for me to stay away from it (other than the occasional cup when I'm really dragging).
 
I never liked coffee growing up, but soon realized it was the only thing that would help make my migraines go away. Coffee doesn't keep me up or focused though, I actually get relaxed and sleepy when I drink them. So I try to limit my cups to only when I feel a migraine coming on.

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mimelim said:
I don't think one 5-hour energy every 2 weeks is 'too many' at least for most of the population. What gives me second thoughts is the sleep deprivation more than anything because my quantity of sleep is anything but normal. For example, went to the hospital at 6am yesterday, worked through the day and then had a cold leg come in at 7pm, didn't leave the OR until 11pm and then had 3 semi-urgent consults that kept me in house and then a couple of troublesome ICU players. I got maybe an hour and a half of sleep before starting today at about 6am. Had 3 small cases and then asked one of my co-residents to cover me the rest of the day at about 1pm. When I got home today, no way in hell I'm going to sleep. I mean I have 9 hours off before I have to go to sleep, I'm going to get **** done. Worked on a couple presentations, played an hour or so of computer games, called my mother, etc. Hard to imagine doing that once hurting anything. But, making a habit of it for 5+ years? No idea what it will do. And, knowing myself, going into practice I'll be even worse.
Click to expand...

Right so that's what I mean...I heard of a chronically sleep deprived guy who binged on those energy drinks one night and died. So I guess as long as you use them sparingly...


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Stagg737 said:
Well caffeine is a drug, and like many drugs withdrawal is a legit thing. I don't drink coffee, but I decided to for one block because I royally f'ed up on the mid-term and needed to do well on the final. Drank 3-5 cups/day for 4-5 days and absolutely killed the final that Monday. Didn't drink any more after the Monday morning cup and started getting a pretty bad headache Monday night. That headache didn't go away until Wednesday evening and actually got bad enough on Tuesday that I thought about going to the ER. Can't imagine what it would be like if I were a heavy user on a regular basis and tried to quit, it's just been more motivation for me to stay away from it (other than the occasional cup when I'm really dragging).
Click to expand...

Yes the withdrawal headaches are bad. Solution is not to go cold turkey when you "quit." I took myself down from 5 cups to 1 cup a day that way. Sadly I can't quite get down to zero...


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I drink caffeine but wouldn't say I depend on it at all, I mainly use it when I want it (just because of the sweet sweet taste) or if I messed up in another area of my life to bail me out (diet, exercise, sleep). In my experience eating poorly will make me wayyy more tired than not drinking caffeine. Also I've found that getting on a sleep/wake schedule has allowed me to be less tired on less or the same amount of sleep. Although while that may work for undergrad, can't imagine a consistent sleep schedule is possible in med school or residency.
 
Catalystik said:
I agree. That's why you add sugar or sweetener with those lovely flavored creamers. So you can kill the taste.
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If you have to kill the taste of something to make it tolerable (particularly with sugar), that’s not something I want to ingest.
 
bigbutrealdreams said:
Unfortunately, dark roast coffee actually contains less caffeine, because it is more processed. So I prefer light roast to get the benefits of my coffee.
In terms of acid reflux, is it accompanied by a cough? A friend of mine used to cough non-stop because of her acid reflux.
Click to expand...
Interesting! I didn’t know that. Like I said, I’m no coffee expert haha the more you know. And nope, my mom coughs when she has reflux, but mine isn’t too bad. I just pop a Zantac 3-4 mornings a week and I never have problems.
 
Never really drank coffee or tea on a regular basis. Doing alright now in residency. So yes it's possible. Besides, how did mankind survive hundreds of years ago without coffee? It's not like you're born dependent on the substance.
 
Nope! I live on about 5 hours of sleep on average so coffee is very near and dear to my spiritual being.
 
Had caffiene for the first time before an exam because I was low on sleep, got the craziest jitters (hands were shaking and I couldn't write for a good five minutes) and never having it again.
 
CloverBale said:
this post should be about adderrall tbh
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Adderall is the most dangerous drug I've personally ever tried. For type-A, gunner pre-meds, that feeling it gives you, the hyper-focused euphoric speed-brain feel, is dangerously addictive. With no other drug did I feel dependence coming on; with adderall (or vyvanse or whatever), I could.

I have a pretty relaxed opinion on recreational drug use in moderation, used in such a way in that won't affect your personal and professional life. When people ask me about adderall though, I tell them to stay away (that, and other prescription drugs like xanax and oxycontin and etc).

Caffeine? Didn't use it before undergrad really, but the taste grew on me and I usually start the day with a cup of black coffee. Though interestingly, if I don't get it, I won't get headaches or any other withdrawal symptoms. In fact, fun fact, I've actually never had a headache before in my life. Why is that??? I've always wondered. Any one else not experience headaches ever?
 
Matthew9Thirtyfive said:
Wasn't this thread about coffee and tea?
Click to expand...
To clarify, I feel many were discussing the use of coffee or tea related to the pharmacologic properties of the included caffeine, not because it's necessarily a drink they enjoy in itself. Making the taste more tolerable so the side effects can provide benefit relates to its medicinal qualities, just as adding sugar to your child's liquid, pink amoxicillin does.
 
Gilakend said:
I drink caffeine but wouldn't say I depend on it at all, I mainly use it when I want it (just because of the sweet sweet taste) or if I messed up in another area of my life to bail me out (diet, exercise, sleep). In my experience eating poorly will make me wayyy more tired than not drinking caffeine. Also I've found that getting on a sleep/wake schedule has allowed me to be less tired on less or the same amount of sleep. Although while that may work for undergrad, can't imagine a consistent sleep schedule is possible in med school or residency.
Click to expand...

It's definitely possible to have a good sleep schedule during 1st, 2nd, and (most of) 4th year of med school. Also possible 3rd year but depends on your rotations. Residency completely depends on your field and program, but some of the programs I've interviewed at have said there's no night float or night call ever. I'm going into a field with a pretty nice lifestyle in residency though, so YMMV.
 
Yes.

I don't drink coffee because it tastes like ass, and I only recently started using Monster since I started doing 3 a.m. shifts at a hospital before going to med school in July.

When I started searching for a caffeiene source I figured out the reason why I have never been attracted to caffeine. I'm highly insensitive, a full Monster drank over the course of 5 minutes only perks me up for about two hours. So coffee just doesn't do it for me.
 
bioboy23 said:
I have moderate acid reflux, and the same thing happened to me. I switched to low acidity coffee (I think it's sumatran) and it helped a lot. I heard that the darker the roast, the less acidic. Something about the roasting process. Idk, I'm no expert. But you should give it a try!
Click to expand...
Would recommend giving cold brew coffee a try. Way less acidic and plenty of caffeine--plus super easy to make at home.
 
Catalystik said:
To clarify, I feel many were discussing the use of coffee or tea related to the pharmacologic properties of the included caffeine, not because it's necessarily a drink they enjoy in itself. Making the taste more tolerable so the side effects can provide benefit relates to its medicinal qualities, just as adding sugar to your child's liquid, pink amoxicillin does.
Click to expand...

Right. I was talking about it as a drink.
 
By reasonable sleep schedule, do we mean 7+ hours? I can barely average 6 as of now. (2nd year ugrad) 😳
 
begoood95 said:
Adderall is the most dangerous drug I've personally ever tried. For type-A, gunner pre-meds, that feeling it gives you, the hyper-focused euphoric speed-brain feel, is dangerously addictive. With no other drug did I feel dependence coming on; with adderall (or vyvanse or whatever), I could.

I have a pretty relaxed opinion on recreational drug use in moderation, used in such a way in that won't affect your personal and professional life. When people ask me about adderall though, I tell them to stay away (that, and other prescription drugs like xanax and oxycontin and etc).

Caffeine? Didn't use it before undergrad really, but the taste grew on me and I usually start the day with a cup of black coffee. Though interestingly, if I don't get it, I won't get headaches or any other withdrawal symptoms. In fact, fun fact, I've actually never had a headache before in my life. Why is that??? I've always wondered. Any one else not experience headaches ever?
Click to expand...
I'm sorry you've had such a bad experience with Addy
 
CloverBale said:
I'm sorry you've had such a bad experience with Addy
Click to expand...

I feel like it's pretty common. My girlfriend, who is in a pretty chilled out grad program, was prescribed them and she started to feel hooked. She wasn't abusing it at all, taking a low dose (5-10mg) and still started to feel horribly addicted. She told her psychiatrist she couldn't take them any more in fact.

It's an amphetamine, so it's a pretty serious drug.
 
begoood95 said:
In fact, fun fact, I've actually never had a headache before in my life. Why is that??? I've always wondered. Any one else not experience headaches ever?
Click to expand...
Must be nice...chiari malformation is a bitch
 
Flying Penguin said:
By reasonable sleep schedule, do we mean 7+ hours? I can barely average 6 as of now. (2nd year ugrad) 😳
Click to expand...

7-9, as many as it takes for you to feel well-rested in the morning.

I would see if you can move anything around or do any studying more efficiently to see if you can sleep more ,even just an hour more than you are now. Not getting enough sleep can make you not able to concentrate or put things into long-term memory as well. I know, for me, I also just felt so much physically and mentally healthier when I even just made the relatively small change of getting 7 hours vs 6 hours of sleep at a time.
 
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I never drank coffee until M3 thanks to a psycho gf that got me into it. Seriously first sip of coffee at age 27.
 
I don't need it mainly because typical coffee/energy drink caffeine concentration doesn't really do anything for me. I can drink an 8 oz redbull and go straight to sleep. When I really need to stay awake and cram for something I drink one of these. Not for the faint of heart (literally), it has 4x the caffeine content per volume of redbull.
 
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Matthew9Thirtyfive said:
I’m 35, and I’ve had coffee exactly twice. Can’t stand it.
Click to expand...

I don't really care for the taste that much. I enjoy the smell and feeling of warmth more. Caffeine actually has little stimulatory effect on me, and despite drinking 4+ standard cups per day, I can stop suddenly and not experience any withdrawal or cravings. I will often drink 2+ cups coffee at a late dinner and people will look at me like I'm nuts, but I will be able to go to sleep immediately when I get home. It's more of a morning ritual for me (and an after dinner ritual at restaurants) and about the pleasant experience, not about the taste or the drug. I know that's weird.
 
Flying Penguin said:
A year and half later... I rely on two lattes per day to function.
Cheers. *sipping a large latte while studying Biochem
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Like a Phoenix rising from the ashes, this thread is reborn. Lol

Good luck. Biochem was one of the most draining courses I ever took as an undergrad. Are you drinking more caffeine now or less?
 
atomi said:
I don't really care for the taste that much. I enjoy the smell and feeling of warmth more. Caffeine actually has little stimulatory effect on me, and despite drinking 4+ standard cups per day, I can stop suddenly and not experience any withdrawal or cravings. I will often drink 2+ cups coffee at a late dinner and people will look at me like I'm nuts, but I will be able to go to sleep immediately when I get home. It's more of a morning ritual for me (and an after dinner ritual at restaurants) and about the pleasant experience, not about the taste or the drug. I know that's weird.
Click to expand...

I really like the smell of some coffees. But the taste is nasty. Caffeine also doesn’t really do anything for me either.
 
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