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Coffee and Neuropathy
I've had neuropathy for years and currently take Lyrica to control the pain. It is only partly effective. Several months ago I read on a forum that coffee can reduce the neuropathy pain. I realize that most medical professionals advise cutting coffee intake but one night when I was about out of my mind with the tingling sensations I decided to drink a cup. Within 30 minutes the pain was reduced enough that I was able to go back to sleep. Luckily, coffee does not seem to affect my ability to sleep so now it is my go-to when I wake up with neuropathy pain.
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I'm discovering the same. Caffeine is in many things we consume. To avoid it totally is a challenge to say the least.
You're right, a challenge to say the least. I tried going to no caffeine and ended up with headaches and could not get going in the morning ... sluggish. So, I found the best balance was to reduce caffeine over time. Every now and then, I still have a milky way, not at night. Still have to enjoy life.
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1 ReactionHas anyone been prescribed amitriptyline for neuropathy and insomnia? Thanks
I did try decaf. My result was disliking the taste and thinking why drink it all all then? Both decaf and “None at all” had no impact on my Neuropathy. I was also still a bit fatigued, so I added back 2 cups of coffee each morning. I’m not convinced at all that I have more energy, but it’s a part of my routine I haven’t seen help or hurt my Neuropathy. I don’t drink or eat any other caffeine during the day except for an occasional bite of chocolate. About the only thing in my diet that I find might have an effect on me is the amount of sugar I consume, even though I’m not diabetic. We all respond differently to things!
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1 ReactionThere is no convincing evidence that caffeine, except in highly excessive doses, has negative effects on either the central or peripheral nervous systems. On the contrary, both experimental and clinical data suggest that moderate caffeine intake has positive effects on these systems. In recent years your cup of joe has come to be recognized as more of a friend than a foe, showing some ability to reduce vascular stiffness, hypertension and cardiovascular disease in general, as well as some cancers, diabetes, Alzheimer's, MS, tinnitus and vestibular disorders with neurological etiologies, ALS, cognitive decline, migraine, sciatic pain, etc. Two to three cups of caffeinated coffee may be optimal; decaffeinated coffee does not confer the same benefits. Obviously, there will always be exceptions, and a few individuals may not tolerate even a single cup without adverse effects.
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4 ReactionsHi Ed…Hope you’re doing well. Seeing your post reminded me that it seems like you had a cruise coming up? Is it soon?
Steve
Hi Steve - Good memory!! Yes, we were scheduled for this month. My wife had a medical procedure end of September, so we had to move the same cruise to early 2025. Ed
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2 ReactionsGlad you’re still able to go!
Steve
Coffee has been proven to increase neuropathy pain. Coffee is a stimulant why would you drink something that will stimulate your nerves even more? I went through RN school and quit drinking coffee in 2005. I had mrsa bacterial spinal meningitis and suffered nerve damage. I drank coffee and Dr. pepper. I quit and the a lot of my pain went away. Then started the neuropathy I love vanilla cream cokes but not worth the pain. I have autoimmune severe axonal sensorimotor peripheral polyneuropathy,
cardiac autonomic neuropathy, dysautonomia, lupus and SFN along with asthma. My neurologist also told me to stop drinking caffeine. He was a neuromuscular neurologist and the research neurologist in Boston told me not to drink caffeine.
I was but could not take it because of the cardiac autonomic neuropathy. The cardiologist was afraid it would drop my blood pressure too low and make me fall during the night.