Hi everyone. My question is what are the effects of coffee to Ataxia? I drink coffee everyday in the morning and sometimes night. I personaly don’t see any difference in my Ataxia with or without coffee. Most of my problems( I quess that’s a good word to use) is temperature change, stress and fatique. The only one thing that I do notice is when I drink or eat anything too quickly, and don’t pay attention, I will most likely choke…Linda
Yes coffee doesn’t generally affect my Ataxia although I’m a tea drinker but find a coffee does sharpen my mind and steady the shakes sometimes after a late night.
I didn’t think there is any correlation between Ataxia and caffeine
Caffeine, like alcohol, is probably the most widely used drug. Caffeine falls in the stimulant class, and effects the central nervous system. Like a drug like cocaine, for example, it can be addictive.
Nobody likes to think in those terms though. However, in my opinion, when it comes to coffee or tea: moderation is the key. Caffeine affects each person differently. Some can take it, and some can’t. Ataxia or no.
Personally, I drink a cup every morning. Sometimes I’ll have a 2nd cup later in the morning. I don’t drink soda (for the caffeine either). Once in a blue moon a coke or sprite/7-up will sound good to me.
hi cafiene is known to trigger symptoms in people with episodic ataxia. Even decaf coffee apparently this is because it still contains some caffiene. I generally become a lot more sluggish and ataxic after drinking anything with caffiene(including alcohol!!!) Pain isn’t it!!!
I only drink 2 cups a day wow couldn’t live without my cappucino hit although I havne’t noticed any difference in my symptoms pre or post coffee, I tend to drink a lot more tea though. I don’t really touch alcohol (maybe once evrey six months) as I already do a pretty good impression of a drunk person which I’m sure all of you can relate to.
I have Episodic Ataxia, and after drinking a cup of coffee I would have the same syptoms as if I’d drunk a bottle of brandy… or any other spirit.
Coffee leaves me feeling extremely drunk… still I save a fortune on bar bills… LOL
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I think it best to avoid caffeine - it gives me too much confidence and I stride forth and topple all over the place. I also find difficulty swallowing if distracted and have to leave the table whilst I choke myself silly.
the worst is when I say something to my husband and then put food in my mouth and he says, pardon? I have to remember not to try and answer !!
Yes, I have temperature change problems too both AND body temperature. GP says I am too old [66] for hot flushes to be hormonal - apparently there is no explanation for them.
louise said:
I am glad that some one else has noticed this and it not just me having these bizzare symtoms Thanks for the infohi cafiene is known to trigger symptoms in people with episodic ataxia. Even decaf coffee apparently this is because it still contains some caffiene. I generally become a lot more sluggish and ataxic after drinking anything with caffiene(including alcohol!!!) Pain isn’t it!!!
Shalom
Hi Linda,
I drink one cup of coffee everyday. I do not notice a big difference either. I have severe tremors and you’d think coffee would aggrevate it, but it doesn’t, now if I drank more than a cup a day, maybe it would.
Sara
Sara McArthur said:
In my case I drink coffee like It`s going out of fashion & It doesn`t affect my symptoms but I`ve noticed in this forum & others that it does affect some. Ive also noticed how different drugs affect ataxians in different ways. So all I can say is if coffee has an adverse affect don`t drink it. BILLHi Linda,
I drink one cup of coffee everyday. I do not notice a big difference either. I have severe tremors and you’d think coffee would aggrevate it, but it doesn’t, now if I drank more than a cup a day, maybe it would.
Sara
Hi everyone. After reading all the replies, I’ve come to the conclusion that coffee effects everyone differently, just like certain medications. We have to figure out the side effects and if they are worth cutting the substance causing them out of our lives. My tremors are more like shakes and they are only once and a while, mostly my head…Linda
With me I get real dizzy. And then of course my balance is worse. But I love my coffee. So I went to decaf. And once and while I’ll drink 1/1 & 1/2.
I drink decaf too.. caffeine makes me feel intoxicated and effects my bladder.
I drink regular (non-decaf) coffee and don't notice any difference. I can either go without, or end up having several in a day - including after dinner. I know for some people the caffeine will keep them up at night - I'm lucky I'm not that way!
I drink caffinated coffee and it does not seem to effect me either way.
Hi Linda,
My fiance has Ataxia.
Undetermined type- he has been genetically tested for known types... we are near (1.5 hours) near Johns Hopkins University Ataxia Clinic. Ironically I was wondering that very question again today. I provide him with a morning cup of Joe and question him periodically to discuss potential side effects. Although he takes meds, drinks coffee, beer on rarity - we cannot see any difference at all! When a "spell" hits, it doesn't seem to matter what he is eating or drinking. Yes, when he drinks or eats to quickly, he has a tendency to choke a bit, Nothing horrific - however, I have noticed it and monitor the times periodically.
I do observe stress and exercise definitely exacerbate the functionality issues.We are limited on walk lengths and we try to minimize stress - although he did just receive a lay off notice. That in and of itself creates another stressful situation. However, when life hands you lemons - la dee da... we are fortunate to have each other and know it's just another bump in the road.
Enjoy what you can. If the coffee isn't impeding anything for you - continue to enjoy the morning cup(s)!!
My father's beloved motto is "keep having fun" !!!
Take care,
Julie
Dear Linda, I'm not a coffee drinker, but LOVE tea, hot and iced. As tea contains caffeine, I tend to echo Simone, moderation is the key. As a rule, I only drink a cup of hot tea in the morning, with breakfast, as well as 8 ounces of ice tea most afternoons. I find it has no effect on my ataxia symptoms, although I don't have EA1 or EA2, as people that do have expressed that caffeine exacerbates their symptoms. I also have to be extra-careful when drinking liquids or eating food, as like you, LInda, I will start to choke also! Something else I notice is, like Patsy, too much caffeine effects my bladder. ;o)
I found that it is a good idea for me NOT to drink coffee. After one cup, my Ataxia gets 5x's worse for about an hour and a later. I have to drink decaf now.
Too true, Bill. I have coffee intravenously:)…cannot concentrate otherwise…even afternoon doesn’t bother my sleep, will be sparked out…If it is causing any discomfort, DONT DRINK IT, but that’s the ONLY GUILTY PLEASURE left.I cannot drink, can get drunk from one glass of wine (13%) drink only 8% and NO spirits…
Hi Linda, my wife and I have to cups of coffee every morning. We call it coffee and fellowship. I stops my headaches.
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