Curbing caffeine use frees reporter

Iced mochas, almond lattes, cappuccinos, an Americano.

If you name most espresso drinks, I've probably tried them.

I started drinking espresso in high school as an occasional treat, but drank more espresso as a student at Whitworth University in Spokane.

My daily walks to the campus espresso stand were efficient. I checked my mail in the nearby student campus center, chatted with friends and bought an iced mocha.

The years between college and my life today were also filled with enjoying espresso and paying for my habit.

Making weekend jaunts to my favorite coffee haunts, brewing espresso on my small machine at home and visiting espresso drive-ins accompanied those years.

The social stigmas of addiction don't seem to apply when it comes to coffee shops. It's not like I'm spending my spare time at a tavern. But the barista usually knew my name.

Fast forward to today, 10 years after I graduated from college. Working as a full-time reporter and caring for my 2-year-old daughter keeps me busy.

I turned to iced mochas to give me a daily boost and provide a treat beyond drinking regular coffee before work.

About a month ago, I suspected espresso was not helping me with the heightened caffeine buzz and extra calories.

I needed a longer, more sustained energy to last throughout the day. So I decided to quit caffeine cold turkey. My drastic decision was a bad idea.

I bought a can of decaf coffee on Feb. 10 to prepare for the next day.

Everything was great on my first caffeine-free day until about 11 a.m.

A dull, throbbing headache started, followed by a wave of nausea. I searched the Internet for information on "caffeine withdrawal" and learned I had severe symptoms.

Work beckoned. I left the office to buy an iced mocha to get me through the day. The drink didn't have its usual effect of instant energy and I went home as soon as I could, dragging all the way.

The next day, I drank tea in the morning. Sure, I missed my mochas, but I didn't go through that horrible withdrawal day for nothing. I decided to try tea as a morning drink and drink coffee as needed.

The results were encouraging. I have more energy and lost a few pounds.

This Tuesday will mark my third week without espresso.

I just wonder how long this espresso fast will last.

Lynne Lynch is the Columbia Basin Herald Grant County reporter. Despite the humor of a caffeine-less Lynne, we shall not throw any stones, for the rest of the news department continues in a glass house drinking copious amounts of Starbucks coffee and cola drinks.