Managing Stress and Caffeine Effects

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toni.fi1

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I found out a few months ago what was causing my problem. I was having twitching in both calves, cramping, involuntary twitching in my hand, etc. I was under a lot of stress at the time (national boards, new baby, $250,000 student loans, etc.), and WAS DRINKING LOTS OF CAFFEINE, and was eating different, what I thought was healthy. I was eating TONS of raw almonds, almond butter, juicing veges, drinking smoothies, etc. I think it was mostly the caffeine and stress though. If I go a while drinking lots of caffeine, it starts again. I have always been sensitive to caffeine (a cup or two of coffee would make me wired), but I would drink it and more anyways because I liked the buzz. I believe, for a lot of people, its just a hypersensitivity to SOMETHING, often caffeine, and MOST often stress. Stress releases cortisol and adrenaline, epinephrine, and many other stimulative-type substances. Also, many people may have a sensitivity to certain things as well, and your body can have a subclinical but consistent immune response. Anyhow, it probably just reduces the threshhold for a muscle contraction to take place, and so the twitching happens. It takes time after removing the irritant before it subsides (it doesn't go away right away in other words). I would bet that many people here have lots of caffeine, and most of you can't stop (not EVERYONE, I know). Or, there are other unhealthy indulgences you have, or food sensitivities (NOT allergies, mind you), or whatever. I would bet that for many, though, its caffeine and stress. There are some great books, Feeling Good by David Burns, MD is a good book about Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, which you can google to find more about. (it essentially changes the lens you view the world through, OUTSTANDING book) Another one I've personally found to be helpful is Jack Canfield's The Success Principles--How to Get From Where You Are to Where You Want to Be (The chicken soup for the soul guy). I have NO INTEREST in peddling these books for the benefit of anyone other than the people who stand to benefit, there are many good ones (Tony Robbins, Wayne Dyer, etc.). I have found, especially with the Canfield book, that its like a Life Roadmap, and all you have to do is follow the instructions (I actually have the audiobook, I can listen to it over and over). Anyhow, don't let this or stress, or paranoia, or whatever get in the way of living. I was scared to death at the time, but realized that every fear I had was based on events or things that didn't even exist!! Thats how it is for most of us. I did find this site to be reassuring at times though, and its the unselfish giving of time from the people who give of themselves for the benefit of others, and for that, THANKS GUYS!I'll check back over the next few days to answer any questions about my experience.Dr. Chris
 
By the way, there are definitely other situations as well as stress, etc. Most often it involves pinched nerves or irritation to the nerves from something. :D) Dr. Chris
 
Its metabolized relatively quickly, but it takes time for the muscles to calm down, at least for me. You also have to do something about the stress, too. Keep a journal of things you eat, drink, emotions, etc and you may eventually find something that gets it.
 

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