5 hour energy drinks? Other alternatives?

[xyra]

I called my doctor's office this afternoon and left a message with his nurse concerning those 5 hour energy drink shots that you can find anywhere and everywhere. I am not a coffee drinker at all and have been resorting to energy drink shots for a source of caffiene. His nurse just called me back with my doctor's response and he absolutely hates them, saying that they can sometimes cause heart palpations if taken frequently as well as extreme headaches when you don't drink them. I just experience heart palpations yesterday and blamed them on my nerves, and now that I think back, it wasn't the first time I have experienced it.

So, for those needing some form of caffiene to function throughout the day, what do you drink? I guess I could force myself to try coffee again. And I guess I should have researched more on those drinks, but they really did help during long difficult days. Especially since I work a 20 hour shift on Saturdays and 12 hour shift on Sundays due to school. However, my health is more important to me.

[caliotter3]

I tried one a few times and just felt that they weren't that great to justify the cost. I felt better when I took the first one, but didn't see any difference with a second or third one. Also didn't particularly care for the niacin hot flash. Menopausal hot flashes are good enough for me!

[kathy313]

I love coffee, but I've had so much of it, I could drink it before bed and fall fast asleep. Try ice water or gatorade. You could also try a quick 10-15 minute walk, sometimes just getting away for a minute helped me, even if it was just to a different unit or a sprint up and down the stairs.

[gmw1975]

For me, nothing is better than a cup of coffee. You can always load it up with flavored creamers since you're not a fan of the taste. Even if you're drinking a cup that's 75% creamer, 25% coffee, you should still get a little pick-me-up out of it, especially since your body isn't used to getting it every day. Good luck finding something that works for ya. We all know how rough the end of a 12-hour shift can be, let alone the 20 you're doing at saturdays!

[xyra]

Thanks for the advice. I only drink 1/2 a bottle at a time, but I forgot that I already have a high level of B12 in my body naturally. That reason alone is probably why I have experienced an occasional palpation.

[xyra]

Even if you're drinking a cup that's 75% creamer, 25% coffee

LOL, and that is exactly what I'll be doing with coffee, too! I currently work at a group home for those with developmental disabilities while in an ASN program, and during that 20 hour shift I get paid to sleep for 4 hours. I usually only get about 2 hours of sleep though due to clients getting up during the night. I really am looking forward to doing three 12 hour shifts upon graduation, lol.

[llg, PhD, RN]

As you are finding out ... caffeine is a drug. It is available as a medication given in a syringy. If you take too much, it can cause nasty side effects (such as the palpatations).

As you are also finding out ... caffeine is an addictive drug. Your body builds up a tolerance for it and over time, more and more caffeine is needed to have the same effet. When you don't get your usual amount of caffeine (your "fix"), you can get overly tired, irritable, and suffer severe headaches. Those are symptoms of drug withdrawal.

Simply swiching the source of your caffeine will not change the effects of the drug. If you take too much, you will get the palpatations. If you don't take it on schedule, you will have the withdrawal symptoms.

I suggest you slowly wean yourself from the drug and find other ways to deal with a busy schedule.

[MaxAttack, BSN, RN]

They have as much caffeine as a cup of coffee, so the 1/4 cup coffee idea won't work so well.

Daily exercise is the best thing you could do for yourself. It'll put you in a better mood, make your circulatory and respiratory systems more efficient to boost your energy and stamina, and help you sleep better to make you better rested for your long shifts.

Even just half an hour out walking will do wonders...plus it doesn't hurt your physical appearance either

[Indy, LPN, LVN]

Do you work night shift? You need nutrition AND coffee. I like a heavy, reasonable breakfast before work (fried egg and toast, quickbread, or waffle with yogurt and coffee) and some light snacks in my bag. Carrots, cheese, trail mix, nuts, etc. I pick one or two for the evening and have that handy. I'm trying to swear off soda so water is it and coffee has water in it, right? I make sure my actual (small) dinner that I bring has protein in it. It's really hard to find time to eat but if you eat like it was your actual day, with at least two meals and decent nutrition, there will be less need for a pickmeup at 0400. Basically, don't do the crap, if you have to have your energy and/or food in a drink, have some ensure.

[natatat]

I don't use those 5 hour energy "shots". I did once (when I took my HESI Admissions test!) and I felt so sick and dizzy during the test that I thought I was going to pass out. I also hadn't eaten.

Then again, I drink a lot of Redbull. I used to work 12-hour days (three days a week, then another three days a week were just 5.5 hours) at a restaurant and I would drink about a Redbull a day. I started to feel really sick from them, though. A coworker and I discovered that if we ate before drinking the Redbulls, we'd be fine. They just didn't do well at all on an empty stomach.

[xyra]

I really appreciate everyone's advice. I will take everything into consideration and truly appreciate the input that I have received here. Even though I don't drink them that often, I do not want to start an unhealthy habit. I have been saying for awhile now that I need to start exercising and change my diet. Now is the time to actually do it.

I really need to get rid of all of these drinks now...

[raerusse]

caffeine is a drug. If it doesn't work for you maybe you should try something else. I have heard that Provigil is effective, so you could ask your MD about prescribing it. One of it's indications is for shift work (to keep you alert etc)