I am a nurse on rotating schedules between day shift and night shift, 12 hour shifts. I’m getting ready to go back to nightshift, 7p-730a. Last time I was nightshift, I drank way too much coffee and still was too dangerously tired to drive home. Obviously, everyone else survives on energy drinks. But, we have to watch our caffeine and sugar intake and can’t have carbonation. Any recommendations for energy drinks?? More for the carbonation aspect, I haven’t touched soda and don’t want to start. But, I really need to stay awake lol. I’ll take any advice. Appreciate the help

Crystal Light makes some varieties with caffeine in them, the latte flavored Premier Protein has caffeine, I also really like ZipFizz. Though I do mix them into oblivion to get rid of the "fizz."

Vitamin water energy has 60mg of caffeine and is 100 calories for 20fl oz.

I agree on the Crystal Light. I'm pre op, so I really don't understand the caffeine rule. Why is that?

6 minutes ago, oldandtired said:

I agree on the Crystal Light. I'm pre op, so I really don't understand the caffeine rule. Why is that?

Caffeine increases stomach acid, our new stomachs are healing, the additional stomach acid can be too harsh on an healing stomach and perhaps cause acid reflux. Coffee must be a bit harsher than tea though, most guidelines seem to be around coffee.

Some surgeons say no coffee forever, others say no coffee for a period of time, some surgeons have no guidelines whatsover.

For the first six to twelve months or so best to follow your own surgeon's guidelines around caffeine/coffee.

Lol, thanks, I used to wonder why "old folks" sat around the local cafe, drinking coffee all hours. Now I know...

Monster makes a few flavors in their "recovery" line that aren't carbonated and have like 10 calories in the entire can. They also make those big Gatorade-like "Hydro Monster" drinks, but be aware only one flavor is zero sugar and the others have a similar sugar and calorie count to a full-octane Gatorade so watch the labels.

19 hours ago, oldandtired said:

I agree on the Crystal Light. I'm pre op, so I really don't understand the caffeine rule. Why is that?

Caffeine is also a diuretic, so it makes you lose fluids. Given how difficult it can be for many people to get enough water/liquids in the first months post surgery it is counterproductive to take in a substance that makes you lose those fluids faster and make any dehydration worse.

I sip on 5 hour energy , and it helps me when I need a boost but again I only take a little bit. I water my coffee down with a protien shake and milk. Wish you luck my mom is a nurse and she went through all the pills and potions to stay awake. You do good work keep it up