Does caffeine cause pain?

[lwilliams65 102]

I found a coffee smoothie recipe on Pinterest and I added to it a little but now my stomach is in freakin knots and I didn't even drink half of the portion I have myself. I blended 2tbsp instant coffee, 2tbs vanilla powder Creamer, 1/2cup ff milk, 1 scoop Unjury unflavored Protein Powder, 1/4 tsp cinnamon, 1tsp cocoa powder, 2 packets of stevia and ice. It's about 215 calories and 25g Protein. It makes A LOT and its super filling so its like Breakfast and a snack but I didn't even get down half of my half portion and I'm getting really sharp pains 3 in. Above my belly button. Is it the caffeine from the coffee because everything else seems pretty harmless. I don't normally have caffeine so I'm not sure if anyone has had this problem? I had like two sips of a diet snapple about a month ago and didn't like it so I didn't finish it so that's my caffeine experience. I'm 11 weeks out today so I didn't think a little coffee would be harmful. What are your thoughts? Please don't be critical of calories, carbs, protein, nutrition value as that is not my question... I just want to know about dangers and side affects of caffeine if any. Thanks so much in advance.

[joatsaint 2,814]

I haven't had any problems with caffeine - in coffee or in Crystal Light or taking caffeine tablets. But that's just me, your stomach could be different. For example, I could not eat sugar free popsicles the first few months, now my stomach is happy with them. Other people have reported no issues with popsicles from day one.

Caffeine is known to irritate the stomach, but I would also be inclined to think that the instant coffee or powdered creamer you are using my also contribute to the issue.

The only real way to test your new stomach is to try each of the ingredients by themselves if possible.

[Banned member 320]

I don't have any pain when I drink coffee but I do have to drink it over a period of time. It takes me about 1 hour to drink 1 cup of coffee because if I drink it to quickly it makes my stomach gurgle a lot. Coffee taste so yummy but I try to limit it to once a week because it screws with my anxiety and weight loss. Try drinking it again in a couple of days and see if the pain comes back.

[johnlatte 1,232]

I don't think it is the caffeine. It could have been the cinnamon, or something in the creamer. Also don't know how much milk you've been drinking but some folks come out of the surgery a little lactose intolerant. Could have been the milk. You might try deconstructing the drink bit by bit to see if you can narrow it down. Maybe use almond or rice milk and leave out the cinnamon one time and see what happens. Most likely down the road you won't have a problem, but at 11 weeks, I could see how something like this might not agree with you.

[swimmom 124]

I have been doing caffeine since day 3 because of the caffeine-withdrawl headaches I was getting post-op - and I have had no problem with the caffeine. I agree with other posters - it could be the coffee, it could be some other component of the smoothie, or you may have just taken a sip too fast - there are a lot of things that could have caused the reaction.

[lwilliams65 102]

Thank you all for your suggestions. I will try everyone's suggestions and see what went wrong. I thought cinnamon was really good for blood pressure so that's why I used it but now I'm not sure. I don't drink milk hardly ever but I eat cheese like everyday so I'm not sure if its lactose intolerant but you never know.

[ChrissyP 10]

It could be the milk. I have no problems with cheese or even cottage cheese. My new tummy does not like milk at all. I'm 6 months out today and still can not tolerate milk at all.

[MrsG 329]

Umm, maybe it's just the coffee in general? I can tell you, if I get constipated all I have to do is drink a cup of coffee and about an hour later I'm good.