Splenda

[Guest guest]

Splenda seems to make me hungrier and more thirsty. I think it effects my

Acid Reflux disease also. Just a thought.

Alison

_____

From: candidiasis [mailto:candidiasis ] On

Behalf Of Rick

Sent: Tuesday, July 25, 2006 11:04 AM

candidiasis

Subject: Splenda

For those that don't get the Mercola newsletter, here's an article on

Splenda that you might be interested in.

http://www.mercola.

<http://www.mercola.com/2006/jul/25/more_people_wondering_about_splendas_tru

e_safety.htm>

com/2006/jul/25/more_people_wondering_about_splendas_true_safety.htm

[Guest guest]

I was drinking coke2(half splenda half sugar) I had very bad headaches

and felt tired. I even went to the doctor about the headaches. I

thoght it was from the synthroid. about 6 months later wal-mart didnt

have coke2 so i bought the real coke. 2 days later my headache was

gone. my shortness of breath was gone to:) I did a search for splenda

on Google and found out bad things about it.

Splenda should put some kind of warning on there product.

>

> Hi to all,

>

> I found this article at dr.mercola.com and thought it fit in with

what was posted yesterday

> about splenda. This is about splenda and other artificial

sweetners. Very interesting. I

> can see myself in much of what I read. Hope this is helpful to you.

It is long but worth the

> read.

>

> Venizia

>

> Dr. ph Mercola

>

>

> Dr. Mercola's Comment:

>

> The following testimonials have been sent to us by people from all

over the world who feel

> they have been harmed by Splenda. We have not researched each of

these accounts in-

> depth, but instead are posting them to draw attention to the fact

that Splenda's safety --

> or lack thereof -- is not only unknown and severely questionable,

but worse still is not

> even being explored on a sufficient scale.

>

> That Splenda is being marketed so freely and pervasively is most

concerning given that

> there are currently NO large studies underway researching the safety

of this artificial

> sweetener, and Splenda was released with few studies to support its

safety. This is the

> same pattern that occurred with the artificial sweeteners aspartame

and saccharine--two

> sweeteners that are now widely known to cause numerous health

problems. In the same

> way that Splenda was released with few studies proving its safety,

few studies were

> conducted on aspartame and saccharine until the negative health

effects began to be seen,

> raising alarm and prompting investigations into the true (lack of)

safety of the products.

>

> If it sounds strange that Splenda could be marketed so widely

without any real safety

> studies, I ask you to consider the source behind the product.

Splenda is made from real

> sugar and is then molecularly modified to be calorie-free

(essentially, Splenda is produced

> by chlorinating sugar). The sugar industry, which is a huge and very

powerful government

> lobby, is profiting quite nicely from this no-calorie sweetener. It

is no secret that the U.S.

> government is influenced by the sugar industry, and it is not a

stretch to think that their

> influence may be the real reason why no real studies have been done.

>

> So, with that in mind, I urge you to take a look at the many Splenda

testimonials below,

> and then ask yourself, is eating this largely experimental product

really worth the risk?

>

> Have a sucralose/Splenda story others need to hear?

> Click here to email it to us.

>

> Please include your name, try to keep it to 500 words or less, and

let us know if we can

> include your email address if published.

>

> Dear Dr. Mercola,

>

> I want to thank you for your Web site and especially for your

documentation on the

> dangers of Splenda. I also want to pass on this testimonial in the

hope it may help others.

>

> Last evening after dinner I began to feel flush. My husband

commented how red my face

> was getting and, sure enough, one glance in the mirror confirmed a

bright red, tight, shiny

> visage staring back at me. In the next few hours my eyes began to

swell. I went to bed

> hoping I could " sleep it off. " How wrong I was.

>

> This morning I got up and my face was still red, bright and swollen

with puffy eyes. I am a

> pharmacist and I have seen many anaphylactoid (allergic) reactions

before. I began to feel

> concerned that I too was having one. I have had only one other

reaction like this before in

> my life--to Bactrim.

>

> I went out for my usual morning run but by the first quarter mile I

could barely breathe so

> I walked slowly back to the house. My right shoulder was burning so

I went to the mirror

> and was horrified to find a HUGE 6 inch by 3 inch welt at the base

of my neck (see photo).

>

> I also felt very panicky and shaky and immediately had two bouts of

diarrhea in rapid

> succession. After 15 minutes and a cool shower on tissue that looked

scalded, I was

> having difficulty breathing. I was seen in the local emergency room

where the physician

> immediately gave me a dexamethasone injection in the hip and a

prescription for Epi-pen

> and oral prednisone over four days.

>

> At the time I didn't know why I looked like I had ingested a sulfa

drug. My husband and I

> tried to figure out what was different in my life over the last 12

hours. Laundry soap?

> Nope. Cake? Animal dander? No and no. A dear friend came to visit me

in my misery and

> mentioned that I had started to flush at church, several hours

before dinner.

>

> I remembered that I had had a cup of coffee and had tried the new

creamer sitting by the

> pot. I remembered the Splenda label on it, which prompted my husband

and I to search

> the Web and we found your site.

>

> The description by Marcia in the testimonial area caused me to burst

into tears. Yes,

> Marcia, there are others like you. I am throwing that stuff out when

I get to church! This

> reaction that I have had looks like a drug reaction! I am appalled

an " artificial sweetener "

> did this to me.

>

> Twelve hours after treatment my eyes are no longer swollen and my

face is no longer red,

> but my neck welt is the same size, same redness and as tender as a

sunburn. There are a

> few blisters in the welt. Even after treatment it still looks this

bad! Perhaps the

> manufacturer of Splenda can sell it as a biochemical warfare agent

after it is removed from

> the market as a food additive.

>

> Thanks for getting the word out!

>

> Lori Hunt, RPh

> Pickens, SC

>

> I also have had horrific effects from splenda. In May of this year,

I started having drop

> attacks that I thought were strokes or TIAs. Later they got so

severe, I thought they were

> heart attacks caused by coronary artery spasms. At the time, I had

no idea what was

> causing my attacks because all medical tests were coming back

negative. But after several

> visits to the ER thinking I was having a stroke or a heart attack, I

began putting two and

> two together--whenever I would drink or eat a splenda product,

within a few hours or

> sometimes even a day or two, my body would go numb and tingly in

different areas. I was

> tested for MS, heart disease and for brain lesions. Sometimes, it

was the entire left side of

> my body, sometimes my right, sometimes just my legs, sometimes just

my arms or my lips

> or face. It would get worse at night while I was sleeping, then I

would wake up and my

> heart would immediately go into an arrhythmia and race at about 160

beats per minute. I

> would get dry mouth and extremely nauseous. At this point, I would

be terrified and the

> numbness would get so bad I would not be able to walk. In addition,

I would get extreme

> esophageal reflux, which was not affected by anything, including

prevacid, pepcid, etc.

>

> I also had such bad IBS that I was given more drugs to control that.

Since May, I have spent

> quite a lot of money going to doctors, all to no avail and with no

diagnosis ever made.

> Finally I was told I was having anxiety as no one could figure out

what was wrong with my

> body. I started wondering if it could be all the low carb stuff I

was eating, as this was the

> only change in my life. Around the beginning of May I had started on

a " low carb " life style

> and started drinking the low carb slimfast and eating the sugar-free

low carb candy that is

> now so abundant in stores. I quit everything for a while and the

symptoms seemed to

> subside and then almost went away. Last week, for some dumb reason,

I decided to retry

> the slim fast because of my weight loss goals and today I had

another attack of numbness

> and a panic attack. During these attacks, I can hardly breath and my

legs and arms are

> weak, I am dizzy, numb and my muscles ache horribly. It feels like I

am about to die. To

> say they are severe is an understatement.

>

> Needless to say, I have learned my lesson and will NEVER use

sucralose again. It is

> dangerous and seems like a huge toxin to the body. If just one

person reacts this way, it

> CAN'T be a good thing. It seems like we are being poisoned by these

huge conglomerates

> that don't care about health and only interested in lining their

pockets. The price of being

> thin is definitely not worth loosing brain cells or getting huge

amounts of neurological and

> cardiological damage or who knows maybe even death. My digestive

track and my arteries

> were actually going into huge spasms so much so that my doctor and I

both thought that I

> was having angina. My doctor prescribed nitro just in case - even

though I have low blood

> pressure, low cholesterol and a low body weight. This is how serious

things got with my

> health while ingesting this deadly poison.

>

> Sincerely,

> Sallie Ceideski

> Charlottesville, VA.

>

> I've been following the Paleolithic diet with some success for a

couple of years. Last year,

> when Splenda became more widely available, I started using it pretty

regularly. While it's

> not on my diet, I figured since it was " all natural " and not

absorbed by the body I would be

> just fine.

>

> I hadn't made the connection till now, but I have been unable to

lose any weight for the

> past year which is about how long I've been using splenda in the

form of drinks like

> Hansen's diet sodas, Big Red and Diet RC. Furthermore, I've had two

unusual episodes of

> unexplained pain. The first, shortly after Christmas 2003, was very

extreme. I had no

> diarrhea or gas, but I had terrible cramping for several hours. The

pain was so unbearable

> I nearly passed out. I was a pale green color and there were a few

moments where

> everything started to turn white like I would pass out. Since it had

been Christmas I had

> been eating a lot of goodies (many made with Splenda) and less of my

usual healthy

> veggies and such. I thought maybe I had burst my intestines or

something from lack of

> fiber (the only explanation I could think of for such extreme pain)

so I had my boyfriend

> take me to the emergency room.

>

> When the doctor pressed on my left lower belly I could not help but

scream in pain. They

> gave me a shot of morphine but it only helped me to not mind the

pain so much, but I felt

> it all the same. Thousands of dollars and a CT scan later...

absolutely no problems were

> found. The pain slowly abated after about two days. I felt really

crazy but after reading

> these other testimonials I really wonder if it had something

>

> to do with the Splenda. Recently, I have associated Splenda usage

and bladder pain. I've

> been getting all the symptoms--burning, pain, and frequency of a

bladder infection. But

> again, after doing a urinalysis at my doctor's, no infection has

been found. I tried drinking

> a lot of water to clear up the ghost infection (and less

Splenda-sweetened drinks and the

> symptoms went away. But because I never thought there was a

connection, I began

> drinking Splenda again, and now my bladder symptoms are back. My Dad

directed me to

> your site. Thank you for the information. I may have never seen the

connection because I

> was so sure that Splenda was a very safe and natural product.

>

>

> Austin, Texas

>

> Dr. Mercola:

>

> I have had a terrible ordeal of having horrible stomach problems,

indigestion, continual

> pain, constipation then diarrhea. I traced it back to diet RC cola,

which has Splenda in it. I

> had tried to switch off of other diet drinks and went to this drink.

For four weeks I have

> had terrible, terrible abdominal pain, etc. I stopped drinking this

and the pain has left.

> Amazing how this product can have such a profound effect on people.

Thought you should

> know.

>

> Greg Clore

> Plano, Texas

>

> Yesterday I went for an iced coffee with my friends. Since I have

been watching my weight I

> opted for the splend a rather than my usual sugar. I finished half

the coffee in about five

> minutes time and immediately my throat felt like it was closing in

on me, my arms and

> legs became completely numb,I was covered in a rash, and thought

yesterday was going to

> be my last day on earth. I thought I was going to die there in my

friend's car. She rushed

> me to the emergency room where my blood pressure was sky high. I was

given breathing

> treatments and benadryl and was told I was having an allergic

reaction to this drug called

> splenda. Today the rash still covers me, my throat still feels

swollen and I'm afraid to

> death that any moment I may get the feeling of my throat closing up.

I am a mother of

> three children and I am highly irate there are no warnings on any

splenda product I've

> come across. Monday I will call an attorney and see what my legal

rights are.

>

> Lucella

> Leominster, Massachusetts

>

> About six months ago, I decided to try the Atkins diet. They

strongly recommend Splenda

> (right on their home page!) so I went out and got some packets. I

also bought a flavored

> water called Fruit20, which contains Splenda. I used these products

for three days and

> started feeling sick. My husband said he'd heard there were problems

with Splenda so I did

> a little Web searching. It didn't take long to find reams of info on

how evil this stuff can be.

> I experienced almost every symptom including bloating, abdominal

pain, gas, nausea,

> headaches, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, depression and

dizziness.

>

> But here's the kicker--I STILL HAVE THEM, even though I haven't

consumed any Splenda

> since those initial three days! Have you ever heard of this? I've

been making the rounds to

> doctors and done several tests. An ultrasound revealed nothing.

(Based on my symptoms,

> gallstones were suspected.) The motility test was slightly irregular

but nothing major.

> Endoscopy suggested acid reflux, but the meds (Nexium, Aciphex,

Protonix--I've tried

> them all) don't work. Based on all this, I'm told I have " nonulcer

dyspepsia, " which is

> essentially symptoms without a cause. I told my gastro about the

Splenda and he poo-

> pooed it. I'm at my wits end and have an appointment with my GP to

discuss the possibility

> of clinical depression since it seems this is related to unexplained

stomach pain and vice

> versa.

>

> -- Keswani

>

> I am so THANKFUL to have found your site, and the information

provided on Splenda. I

> was tricked into trying it out; like most, reading the " Made from

Sugar " claim convinced

> me. I am, as I write, having horrendous stomach pains, the cause of

which I am most

> certain is Splenda. I have been using it to sweeten my iced green

tea (oh, the irony) for a

> couple of weeks, but just recently I've noticed my body feeling

worse and worse. The other

> night, I went out to dinner with friends, and had a cocktail--which

I can normally handle

> quite well. After returning home, I was parched, and prepared a

nice, tall glass of said tea.

>

> All that night, and the next day, I was plagued by diarrhea, and

severe stomach pains. And

> now, having just finished another glass, here I am with the same

result. I cannot help, after

> reading the stories on this site, but think that Splenda is to

blame--I am throwing it out

> the moment I close this letter.

>

> --le

> New Jersey

>

> I have been drinking one or two Propel water drinks (Gatorade water)

every day or every

> other day for just over two months. I was having symptoms but blamed

them on a new

> intense exercise regimen (martial arts twice a week during which

time I drank the Propel),

> stress at work, and stress of dating (I was stressing over a girl at

the time).

>

> Here it turns out there is sucralose in Propel. The very real and

undeniable symptoms I

> suffered included fatigue, mild stomach cramps, sudden urge to go to

the bathroom

> (others apparently have suffered outright diarrhea) and at same time

often a type of

> constipation where I feel the strong urge to go to the bathroom but

when I try to I can't

> purge all the way or to satisfaction, irritability, sleeplessness

(at 4:44 AM, I felt totally

> relaxed and awake, like it was 4:44 PM … it's like a strong caffeine

or ginseng buzz, and I

> can't sleep), very tired eyes and headache (I NEVER get headaches

but I've had a couple

> during this two-month period, and I remember thinking it was very

strange), inability to

> concentrate and focus at work and lowered motivation, anxiety

(feeling overwhelmed and

> scared, unable to cope), mild depression, itchy skin (under my

armpits and also my scalp, I

> scratched my head so much that I developed small sores that scabbed

over), heightened

> sensitivity to noises (smallest sounds are irritating), mild

physical impotence or reduction

> of libido.

>

> I drank one even today (before I read the Web site warnings), and so

I had the chance to

> pay attention for signs of the symptoms. They took about five to

eight hours to fully set

> in, I believe, from the time I took the last Propel (I believe

symptoms grow, peak and then

> wane). I am sleepless, just went thru strong urge to go to the

bathroom, can't focus, and

> am impatient and irritable. I also believe it makes you somewhat

impotent as well, just like

> symptoms related to going to the bathroom, I still have my sex drive

just like urge to go to

> bathroom, but can't really perform (am very weak in terms of being

able to rise to the

> occasion and remain hard) … it reminds me of how mood-altering

herbs/drugs can often

> inhibit libido. In fact, the overall effect of Splenda seems on par

to me with herbal

> supplements, like St. 's Wort or Ginseng, as the effects are

subtle but undeniable,

> and out of your control.

>

> Has anyone else noticed a problem with sexual performance due to

Splenda?

>

> -- Prendergast

>

> In the past, I had already read enough [about Splenda] to know I

didn't want to use the

> product … ever. But, for some reason, I felt drawn to read the

testimonials. I'm glad I did.

>

> My mother died almost three months ago, and I've had some emotional

times, some

> interference with my work, etc.--the normal grieving process. But,

for about the last three

> weeks, I thought I was going downhill fast. Even when I'd sleep at

night, I was still groggy

> and unable to stay awake during the day. I was irritable and

uncomfortable most of the

> time. My brain didn't work in the " normal " way, I was forgetting

things a minute later,

> couldn't follow-through on tasks in a logical order. This has really

been affecting my work.

> The only days I noticed that I was more like myself were Sundays (I

had attributed it to the

> fact that I always looked forward to going to church).

>

> Several hours after reading through the testimonials, something

occurred to me. About

> three weeks ago, the local bread store had a promotion, and if you

bought so much, you

> got five loaves free...their choice of the free stuff. Well, I ended

up with Good Hearth Carb

> Action Wheat Bread. I never liked it because it doesn't taste good,

but it was free, and I'm

> not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, so we ate it. We ate it

every day but Sunday the

> past three weeks (I make " special " meals on Sundays), either for

breakfast or lunch,

> sometimes both. I just assumed they could claim lower carbs because

the bread slices

> were thin and small, about one-third smaller than your average

sandwich bread slices.

> (That's what a lot of " diet " breads do.) It had no taste, though. I

was forever adding salt

> and garlic salt, etc., just to make it palatable.

>

> Yesterday, I was sluggish and late getting up again. We didn't have

breakfast at all, and

> lunch was leftovers. Through the day, I started noticing that my

mind was clearing, and I

> wasn't nodding off to sleep every time I sat down. But, it wasn't

until suppertime that I

> started connecting the dots. The only real difference in our diet

the past three weeks has

> been the free bread. I pulled it out and looked at the list of

ingredients, and was mad at

> myself for not guessing sooner that this stuff has sucralose in it!

It also has a great deal of

> soy, which is probably why it doesn't taste good.

>

> So, the two loaves of bread that are left are hitting the garbage can!

>

> In just one day without the sucralose-laced bread, I can see a

definite difference. I was

> able to get up this morning and my mind is clear. I hope the

improvement crosses over to

> my work!

>

> in LA

>

> Some time ago I tried Splenda in a packet of hot chocolate. I knew I

was allergic to

> aspartame (made me dizzy), but thought maybe Splenda would be a good

alternative. It

> made my lips itch! This was the oddest thing. I drank about

one-third of a cup of this hot

> chocolate and found that my lips stopped itching, but they felt

numb. I swore off Splenda.

> About a year later I accidentally purchased a drink with Splenda

(labeled as sucralose) and

> could not endure the strong chemical flavor, undoubtedly from the

chlorine. I read all

> labels carefully and stick with natural sugars in my foods. I'm a

runner and figure I'll run

> off any extra calories, but will be hard pressed to endure another

allergic reaction.

>

> -- Brown

>

> About four months ago, I started drinking Diet Rite cola. I drank it

for about two weeks

> and then one day at work I got laryngitis as I finished my second

drink that morning. My

> face and sides of my neck broke out in red itchy hives of varying

sizes, some had a red

> streak running up from them. I didn't realize the Diet Rite was the

culprit until the next

> afternoon when I drank another cola and again broke out in hives,

this time more

> widespread. No more Splenda for me.

>

> --Yvette

>

> I am writing to you to let others know of my problems with the

product Splenda. We have

> been drinking a carbonated flavored water sweetened with Splenda for

over a year. During

> all of this time, my husband and I were always feeling tired, under

the weather, lost

> interest in doing our favorite things, all our joints were aching,

nausea, gastro problems,

> and most recently I had developed this terrible rash on my neck,

armpits and on my chest.

>

> Of course, we just attributed all of this to changes in the weather,

or arthritis, allergies, or

> the " What did I eat? " syndrome, UNTIL--I was doing some research on

the Internet and

> discovered your page! What a blessing! After reading your page, and

all of the testimonials

> from others, we stopped the Splenda water and using it in my coffee

IMMEDIATELY! I had

> sent your page to my sister, who is diabetic, and she was having all

of the symptoms also,

> including the rash! She is discarding all of her Splenda as well.

>

> We have been off Splenda for three days now, my rash is slowly going

away, my energy is

> coming back, and my husband no longer has the nausea that he had

experienced for the

> longest time. When is the government going to take this stuff off

the market? And, who

> can we contact to get this off the market? This definitely is worse

than chemical warfare! I

> hope this bit of information helps someone else out there, and they

discard the " POISON "

> too!

>

> --Terri from New York

>

> I have been doing the low-carb thing for 18 months now. A little

over three weeks ago I

> started to break out in a small itchy rash. At first I thought it

was due to some new bras,

> but couldn't figure why that would be since I had washed them before

wearing. Then the

> rash started to get worse. My scalp was so itchy, I felt like an

animal with fleas. Then the

> rash broke out on my hairline at the back of my neck. It started to

appear all the way

> across on my lower back. The itching and scratching was very

intense! I couldn't control

> the scratching.

>

> It seamed to be worse in the evening and made it harder for me to

get to sleep. It also

> itched more when I first got up in the morning. After going over

everything new or

> different lately that I had touched or been around, it just didn't

make sense that this

> reaction came from anywhere, but from something I was eating. With

doing the low-carb

> thing, I limit my diet to certain foods. So after 18 months of

eating practically the same

> things, I figured I was eating too much of something and my body was

reacting. I tried

> zinc oxide creams and antihistamine sprays to help with the itching,

but there was little

> relief.

>

> The rash started to appear on my upper back and shoulders. With the

rash breaking out

> on my upper arms and both sides of my lower hips I figured this was

going to keep

> spreading until I started to rule out one by one the things I was

eating, that I was reacting

> to. I stopped eating nuts, then cut way down on eggs. The rash

seemed a little better in

> the first two places that appeared, or at least the itching wouldn't

start up as often and the

> scabs I got from scratching myself seemed to be heeling somewhat.

The mass of rash on

> my lower back felt not like skin at all, but like a smooth large

thick scar, yet with tiny

> bumps. It almost feels like something living under my skin that

slows down in the daytime

> but never sleeps.

>

> Since I was cutting out certain foods, I was increasing eating other

foods. The Atkins ice

> cream bars--I would eat two to three of those a day. One day I had

four of them! I thought

> it might be the ice cream bars, but I didn't want it to be, so I was

going to rule that out last

> before going to the doctor. I knew they would do what I was doing,

so I wanted to try it on

> my own first. I also had Carb Solutions Ranch salad dressing and

Atkins candy in the

> evenings. Atkins pizza tasted good, too! Thought, oh boy … pizza!

>

> Whenever I would grocery shop, I would look for Atkins products to

buy because they had

> Splenda as the sweetener. Now there are more and more products out

there using

> Splenda. The TV advertises it as being made from sugar, so what can

be harmful about

> that? I finally got on the Internet to investigate Splenda since I

have so much of it, and was

> shocked to read what I read on the subject. I kept looking and came

across your site. I

> read about Marcia who had the itching and rash like me. It took me

weeks to put it

> together, but thanks to your site and all the people like Marcia, it

now makes sense. So

> much for the ice cream bars and the pizza and anything else with

Splenda!

>

> Some people mentioned cramping and diarrhea, I had cramping and soft

stools about

> every five to six days. Never thought it was from the Splenda. I

guess if you have too much

> of a 'thought to be' " good thing " for too long, it will come back

and bite 'ya. Hopefully,

> there won't be any other consequences that show up later in my life.

I'm looking forward

> to no more Splenda, watching the rash disappear and being able to be

out in public again

> without scratching!

>

> UPDATE: I've been off of Splenda and everything else containing

sucralose for almost a full

> week now and my rash and itching are now both gone. I have a little

dry skin and scratch

> marks left from the

> intense scratching, but lotion is helping that. I feel great now! I

hope my experience with

> Splenda will help someone else the way the stories on your Web site

helped me.

>

> --Sue F.

>

> I picked out what seemed to be a " to-good-to-be-true " Edy's ice

cream … no fat, no

> added sugar but plenty of Splenda. I ate a moderate amount after

dinner and almost

> immediately an incredibly uncomfortable, ongoing bout of stomach

distress began--

> complete liquification of my insides. I'll spare you the gory details.

>

> The next morning I awoke with a terrible headache and very tired

after being awoken in

> the night with continued stomach cramps. So I did some research on

the Internet and

> confirmed my suspicions about what is apparently not at all an

innocuous sugar

> substitute. As much as I love chocolate, this is my first and last

exposure to Splenda, if I

> have a choice!

>

> --Nina Weiss

>

> WOW, I must say I am dumbfounded! My name is Millie and I am

a single mother of

> three girls. So it would be natural to be stressed. On July 27, 2004

I woke up and had my

> normal decaf cup of coffee with two equals, however later that day

it was not unusual for

> me to have a craving for something sweet. I opened a packet of

Splenda and poured it on

> my tongue. That is normally what I do when I have a craving. I

remember on the Friday

> before having a panicky, nervous feeling but thought nothing of it.

>

> Well it was now Wednesday the 28th and I woke up feeling good and

somewhat excited

> about the day and about myself. I had my cup of decaf with two

equals and went to work.

> It was about 9 a.m. when I started to feel a bit nervous and thought

that maybe they had

> served me caffeinated coffee by mistake but as the time went on the

panic turned severe. I

> couldn't breath I was so nervous inside I felt like I could jump out

of my skin and my vision

> was impaired. It was the scariest thing I have EVER encountered. I

honestly thought that I

> was going to wind up in a mental ward. I couldn't even take my lunch

for fear of getting

> into a car accident. I went on the Internet to research panic

attacks when I came across the

> harmful effects of aspartame, which led me to look for the harmful

effects of Splenda

> because it was my " choice sweetener. "

>

> I wanted to cry when I read the story on this site of the

pharmacist. Except for the burn

> (which I too experienced from Bactrum) our symptoms were so similar.

For the past few

> weeks I have had trouble with my vision, memory loss, forgetfulness,

severe thirst, joint

> pain and unexplained dizziness. I am 37 and I walk on the treadmill

every day during

> lunch. I am always on the go, active but healthy (so I thought).

However, now that I took a

> good hard look at everything I eat (I have been low carbing for

eight years), 50 percent is

> made with Splenda and 50 percent NutraSweet or Equal!

>

> I am simply devastated. I can't believe that for all these years I

thought I was being so

> health conscience and in turn I have been poisoning my mind and

body. The word has got

> to get out to people, especially now with the low-carb craze.

EVERYTHING has Splenda

> and/or NutraSweet, and we are poisoning ourselves. If you ever need

to get the word out,

> you can count on me!

>

> UPDATE: It has been a couple of weeks since I have had any [splenda]

and the one time I

> decided I couldn't have my coffee without it and just one wouldn't

hurt … WRONG. I

> suffered another panic attack worse than the first!

>

> --Milagro

> Port Saint Lucie, FL

>

> My name is Karn and I am 19 years old. I live in Rhode

Island. My entire life I have

> had the option of drinking diet sodas and other supposed " diet "

drinks and foods. Each

> time I consume Nutrasweet, Splenda or any type of sweetener, I get a

migraine that lasts

> all day. Normally I avoid anything I believe contains sucralose but

sometimes I am fooled.

> Beverages claiming " less carbs " in their title instead of " diet "

catch me off guard. For

> example, the Coca Cola C2. Trying this beverage caused me to have a

migraine for eight

> hours. Obviously this chemical is harmful if simply drinking half a

liter can cause such

> pain. Who knows what long-term effects the regular intake of this

chemical could be.

> There are people who have been fooled with the notion that diet soda

is better than

> regular for your body because it doesn't contain sugar. People

should be more aware of

> what the results can be.

>

> The important thing is for me to be aware of all the different foods

that contain this

> substance and avoid it completely. There should be a requirement for

all these foods to

> have a warning or at least a bold marking that this food/beverage

contains this substance

> as I have noticed that sometimes it is only listed in the

ingredients, not anywhere else on

> the packaging.

>

> -- Karn

> Rhode Island

>

> I learned several years ago that I was highly reactive to aspartame

so I began carefully

> reading labels and have eliminated it completely from my diet. The

symptoms I was having

> (mild seizure-like reactions) disappeared. I lost the ability to

communicate and to even

> recall the names of my children for several minutes with each

episode. That was a

> frightening occurrence. Recently, I discovered sucralose and

believed from the testimony

> of others, who spoke with authority even though they didn't really

know, that it was safe.

>

> It is not. I began having the same reactions to the sucralose as I

was having to the

> asparatame. Thankfully, I have begun to research it and find that it

is as dangerous for me

> as is aspartame. My doctor thinks I should have an EEG and MRI as I

did three years ago,

> and I may do that just to prove to myself that I am OK, but I will

be surprised if they find

> anything this time either. I will not, under any circumstances,

ingest any product that uses

> artificial sweeteners of any kind. I am a believer!

>

> --Sjs2418@...

>

> Joint and body stiffness … difficulty walking because of the pain …

eating low-carb bars

> with Splenda … feel that this is the problem's origin.

>

> --Lily

>

> I was shocked to read your stories on Splenda and other low-calorie

sweeteners. I also

> have had reactions to this product but never made the connection. My

coworker somehow

> found your Web site and told me to read it. I would come to work

after drinking coffee

> with low-calorie sweeteners and started breaking out in hives and my

stomach would get

> upset. I noticed also when I would drink diet drinks that I had the

same problem. Not all

> the time but most of the time. And I would have no energy and want

to sleep all the time. I

> quit drinking and eating anything with Nutrasweet or Splenda. I just

thank my coworker

> for finding this article. There is no telling what I was doing to my

body.

>

> --Rhea S Plemmons

> Whitmire, SC

>

> I have worked in a Baltimore hospital for 25yrs. I am in no way an

alarmist or one to jump

> on conspiracy theories. But I strongly believe that Splenda is fatal

if used over a period of

> time. My symptoms were/are:

>

> weight gain (30 lbs in last few years)

> edema-severe

> diet pepsi addiction and extreme carb cravings

> sexual dysfunction

> eye flashes

> marked hearing impairment

> headaches

> memory loss

> drowsiness

> numbing of limbs

> depression

> anxiety

> shortness of breath'

> recent high blood pressure

>

> I stopped using Splenda products and half of these symptoms after 2

weeks decreased or

> disappeared

>

>

> -- Stromberg

>

> Click Here to Read More Splenda Testimonials

>

>

> Read " The Potential Dangers of Sucralose " Article Now

> Related Articles:

>

> The Potential Dangers of Sucralose

>

> Sucralose (Splenda®) U.S. Product List

>

[Guest guest]

I think we should get this info out to as many people as we can. Maybe if enough

people

stop buying this junk, they will do something about it. I cannot believe how

many of the

same symptoms I have had like these people that wrote in. Send this to all you

know!

Venizia

> >

> > Hi to all,

> >

> > I found this article at dr.mercola.com and thought it fit in with

> what was posted yesterday

> > about splenda. This is about splenda and other artificial

> sweetners. Very interesting. I

> > can see myself in much of what I read. Hope this is helpful to you.

> It is long but worth the

> > read.

> >

> > Venizia

> >

> > Dr. ph Mercola

> >

> >

> > Dr. Mercola's Comment:

> >

> > The following testimonials have been sent to us by people from all

> over the world who feel

> > they have been harmed by Splenda. We have not researched each of

> these accounts in-

> > depth, but instead are posting them to draw attention to the fact

> that Splenda's safety --

> > or lack thereof -- is not only unknown and severely questionable,

> but worse still is not

> > even being explored on a sufficient scale.

> >

> > That Splenda is being marketed so freely and pervasively is most

> concerning given that

> > there are currently NO large studies underway researching the safety

> of this artificial

> > sweetener, and Splenda was released with few studies to support its

> safety. This is the

> > same pattern that occurred with the artificial sweeteners aspartame

> and saccharine--two

> > sweeteners that are now widely known to cause numerous health

> problems. In the same

> > way that Splenda was released with few studies proving its safety,

> few studies were

> > conducted on aspartame and saccharine until the negative health

> effects began to be seen,

> > raising alarm and prompting investigations into the true (lack of)

> safety of the products.

> >

> > If it sounds strange that Splenda could be marketed so widely

> without any real safety

> > studies, I ask you to consider the source behind the product.

> Splenda is made from real

> > sugar and is then molecularly modified to be calorie-free

> (essentially, Splenda is produced

> > by chlorinating sugar). The sugar industry, which is a huge and very

> powerful government

> > lobby, is profiting quite nicely from this no-calorie sweetener. It

> is no secret that the U.S.

> > government is influenced by the sugar industry, and it is not a

> stretch to think that their

> > influence may be the real reason why no real studies have been done.

> >

> > So, with that in mind, I urge you to take a look at the many Splenda

> testimonials below,

> > and then ask yourself, is eating this largely experimental product

> really worth the risk?

> >

> > Have a sucralose/Splenda story others need to hear?

> > Click here to email it to us.

> >

> > Please include your name, try to keep it to 500 words or less, and

> let us know if we can

> > include your email address if published.

> >

> > Dear Dr. Mercola,

> >

> > I want to thank you for your Web site and especially for your

> documentation on the

> > dangers of Splenda. I also want to pass on this testimonial in the

> hope it may help others.

> >

> > Last evening after dinner I began to feel flush. My husband

> commented how red my face

> > was getting and, sure enough, one glance in the mirror confirmed a

> bright red, tight, shiny

> > visage staring back at me. In the next few hours my eyes began to

> swell. I went to bed

> > hoping I could " sleep it off. " How wrong I was.

> >

> > This morning I got up and my face was still red, bright and swollen

> with puffy eyes. I am a

> > pharmacist and I have seen many anaphylactoid (allergic) reactions

> before. I began to feel

> > concerned that I too was having one. I have had only one other

> reaction like this before in

> > my life--to Bactrim.

> >

> > I went out for my usual morning run but by the first quarter mile I

> could barely breathe so

> > I walked slowly back to the house. My right shoulder was burning so

> I went to the mirror

> > and was horrified to find a HUGE 6 inch by 3 inch welt at the base

> of my neck (see photo).

> >

> > I also felt very panicky and shaky and immediately had two bouts of

> diarrhea in rapid

> > succession. After 15 minutes and a cool shower on tissue that looked

> scalded, I was

> > having difficulty breathing. I was seen in the local emergency room

> where the physician

> > immediately gave me a dexamethasone injection in the hip and a

> prescription for Epi-pen

> > and oral prednisone over four days.

> >

> > At the time I didn't know why I looked like I had ingested a sulfa

> drug. My husband and I

> > tried to figure out what was different in my life over the last 12

> hours. Laundry soap?

> > Nope. Cake? Animal dander? No and no. A dear friend came to visit me

> in my misery and

> > mentioned that I had started to flush at church, several hours

> before dinner.

> >

> > I remembered that I had had a cup of coffee and had tried the new

> creamer sitting by the

> > pot. I remembered the Splenda label on it, which prompted my husband

> and I to search

> > the Web and we found your site.

> >

> > The description by Marcia in the testimonial area caused me to burst

> into tears. Yes,

> > Marcia, there are others like you. I am throwing that stuff out when

> I get to church! This

> > reaction that I have had looks like a drug reaction! I am appalled

> an " artificial sweetener "

> > did this to me.

> >

> > Twelve hours after treatment my eyes are no longer swollen and my

> face is no longer red,

> > but my neck welt is the same size, same redness and as tender as a

> sunburn. There are a

> > few blisters in the welt. Even after treatment it still looks this

> bad! Perhaps the

> > manufacturer of Splenda can sell it as a biochemical warfare agent

> after it is removed from

> > the market as a food additive.

> >

> > Thanks for getting the word out!

> >

> > Lori Hunt, RPh

> > Pickens, SC

> >

> > I also have had horrific effects from splenda. In May of this year,

> I started having drop

> > attacks that I thought were strokes or TIAs. Later they got so

> severe, I thought they were

> > heart attacks caused by coronary artery spasms. At the time, I had

> no idea what was

> > causing my attacks because all medical tests were coming back

> negative. But after several

> > visits to the ER thinking I was having a stroke or a heart attack, I

> began putting two and

> > two together--whenever I would drink or eat a splenda product,

> within a few hours or

> > sometimes even a day or two, my body would go numb and tingly in

> different areas. I was

> > tested for MS, heart disease and for brain lesions. Sometimes, it

> was the entire left side of

> > my body, sometimes my right, sometimes just my legs, sometimes just

> my arms or my lips

> > or face. It would get worse at night while I was sleeping, then I

> would wake up and my

> > heart would immediately go into an arrhythmia and race at about 160

> beats per minute. I

> > would get dry mouth and extremely nauseous. At this point, I would

> be terrified and the

> > numbness would get so bad I would not be able to walk. In addition,

> I would get extreme

> > esophageal reflux, which was not affected by anything, including

> prevacid, pepcid, etc.

> >

> > I also had such bad IBS that I was given more drugs to control that.

> Since May, I have spent

> > quite a lot of money going to doctors, all to no avail and with no

> diagnosis ever made.

> > Finally I was told I was having anxiety as no one could figure out

> what was wrong with my

> > body. I started wondering if it could be all the low carb stuff I

> was eating, as this was the

> > only change in my life. Around the beginning of May I had started on

> a " low carb " life style

> > and started drinking the low carb slimfast and eating the sugar-free

> low carb candy that is

> > now so abundant in stores. I quit everything for a while and the

> symptoms seemed to

> > subside and then almost went away. Last week, for some dumb reason,

> I decided to retry

> > the slim fast because of my weight loss goals and today I had

> another attack of numbness

> > and a panic attack. During these attacks, I can hardly breath and my

> legs and arms are

> > weak, I am dizzy, numb and my muscles ache horribly. It feels like I

> am about to die. To

> > say they are severe is an understatement.

> >

> > Needless to say, I have learned my lesson and will NEVER use

> sucralose again. It is

> > dangerous and seems like a huge toxin to the body. If just one

> person reacts this way, it

> > CAN'T be a good thing. It seems like we are being poisoned by these

> huge conglomerates

> > that don't care about health and only interested in lining their

> pockets. The price of being

> > thin is definitely not worth loosing brain cells or getting huge

> amounts of neurological and

> > cardiological damage or who knows maybe even death. My digestive

> track and my arteries

> > were actually going into huge spasms so much so that my doctor and I

> both thought that I

> > was having angina. My doctor prescribed nitro just in case - even

> though I have low blood

> > pressure, low cholesterol and a low body weight. This is how serious

> things got with my

> > health while ingesting this deadly poison.

> >

> > Sincerely,

> > Sallie Ceideski

> > Charlottesville, VA.

> >

> > I've been following the Paleolithic diet with some success for a

> couple of years. Last year,

> > when Splenda became more widely available, I started using it pretty

> regularly. While it's

> > not on my diet, I figured since it was " all natural " and not

> absorbed by the body I would be

> > just fine.

> >

> > I hadn't made the connection till now, but I have been unable to

> lose any weight for the

> > past year which is about how long I've been using splenda in the

> form of drinks like

> > Hansen's diet sodas, Big Red and Diet RC. Furthermore, I've had two

> unusual episodes of

> > unexplained pain. The first, shortly after Christmas 2003, was very

> extreme. I had no

> > diarrhea or gas, but I had terrible cramping for several hours. The

> pain was so unbearable

> > I nearly passed out. I was a pale green color and there were a few

> moments where

> > everything started to turn white like I would pass out. Since it had

> been Christmas I had

> > been eating a lot of goodies (many made with Splenda) and less of my

> usual healthy

> > veggies and such. I thought maybe I had burst my intestines or

> something from lack of

> > fiber (the only explanation I could think of for such extreme pain)

> so I had my boyfriend

> > take me to the emergency room.

> >

> > When the doctor pressed on my left lower belly I could not help but

> scream in pain. They

> > gave me a shot of morphine but it only helped me to not mind the

> pain so much, but I felt

> > it all the same. Thousands of dollars and a CT scan later...

> absolutely no problems were

> > found. The pain slowly abated after about two days. I felt really

> crazy but after reading

> > these other testimonials I really wonder if it had something

> >

> > to do with the Splenda. Recently, I have associated Splenda usage

> and bladder pain. I've

> > been getting all the symptoms--burning, pain, and frequency of a

> bladder infection. But

> > again, after doing a urinalysis at my doctor's, no infection has

> been found. I tried drinking

> > a lot of water to clear up the ghost infection (and less

> Splenda-sweetened drinks and the

> > symptoms went away. But because I never thought there was a

> connection, I began

> > drinking Splenda again, and now my bladder symptoms are back. My Dad

> directed me to

> > your site. Thank you for the information. I may have never seen the

> connection because I

> > was so sure that Splenda was a very safe and natural product.

> >

> >

> > Austin, Texas

> >

> > Dr. Mercola:

> >

> > I have had a terrible ordeal of having horrible stomach problems,

> indigestion, continual

> > pain, constipation then diarrhea. I traced it back to diet RC cola,

> which has Splenda in it. I

> > had tried to switch off of other diet drinks and went to this drink.

> For four weeks I have

> > had terrible, terrible abdominal pain, etc. I stopped drinking this

> and the pain has left.

> > Amazing how this product can have such a profound effect on people.

> Thought you should

> > know.

> >

> > Greg Clore

> > Plano, Texas

> >

> > Yesterday I went for an iced coffee with my friends. Since I have

> been watching my weight I

> > opted for the splend a rather than my usual sugar. I finished half

> the coffee in about five

> > minutes time and immediately my throat felt like it was closing in

> on me, my arms and

> > legs became completely numb,I was covered in a rash, and thought

> yesterday was going to

> > be my last day on earth. I thought I was going to die there in my

> friend's car. She rushed

> > me to the emergency room where my blood pressure was sky high. I was

> given breathing

> > treatments and benadryl and was told I was having an allergic

> reaction to this drug called

> > splenda. Today the rash still covers me, my throat still feels

> swollen and I'm afraid to

> > death that any moment I may get the feeling of my throat closing up.

> I am a mother of

> > three children and I am highly irate there are no warnings on any

> splenda product I've

> > come across. Monday I will call an attorney and see what my legal

> rights are.

> >

> > Lucella

> > Leominster, Massachusetts

> >

> > About six months ago, I decided to try the Atkins diet. They

> strongly recommend Splenda

> > (right on their home page!) so I went out and got some packets. I

> also bought a flavored

> > water called Fruit20, which contains Splenda. I used these products

> for three days and

> > started feeling sick. My husband said he'd heard there were problems

> with Splenda so I did

> > a little Web searching. It didn't take long to find reams of info on

> how evil this stuff can be.

> > I experienced almost every symptom including bloating, abdominal

> pain, gas, nausea,

> > headaches, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, depression and

> dizziness.

> >

> > But here's the kicker--I STILL HAVE THEM, even though I haven't

> consumed any Splenda

> > since those initial three days! Have you ever heard of this? I've

> been making the rounds to

> > doctors and done several tests. An ultrasound revealed nothing.

> (Based on my symptoms,

> > gallstones were suspected.) The motility test was slightly irregular

> but nothing major.

> > Endoscopy suggested acid reflux, but the meds (Nexium, Aciphex,

> Protonix--I've tried

> > them all) don't work. Based on all this, I'm told I have " nonulcer

> dyspepsia, " which is

> > essentially symptoms without a cause. I told my gastro about the

> Splenda and he poo-

> > pooed it. I'm at my wits end and have an appointment with my GP to

> discuss the possibility

> > of clinical depression since it seems this is related to unexplained

> stomach pain and vice

> > versa.

> >

> > -- Keswani

> >

> > I am so THANKFUL to have found your site, and the information

> provided on Splenda. I

> > was tricked into trying it out; like most, reading the " Made from

> Sugar " claim convinced

> > me. I am, as I write, having horrendous stomach pains, the cause of

> which I am most

> > certain is Splenda. I have been using it to sweeten my iced green

> tea (oh, the irony) for a

> > couple of weeks, but just recently I've noticed my body feeling

> worse and worse. The other

> > night, I went out to dinner with friends, and had a cocktail--which

> I can normally handle

> > quite well. After returning home, I was parched, and prepared a

> nice, tall glass of said tea.

> >

> > All that night, and the next day, I was plagued by diarrhea, and

> severe stomach pains. And

> > now, having just finished another glass, here I am with the same

> result. I cannot help, after

> > reading the stories on this site, but think that Splenda is to

> blame--I am throwing it out

> > the moment I close this letter.

> >

> > --le

> > New Jersey

> >

> > I have been drinking one or two Propel water drinks (Gatorade water)

> every day or every

> > other day for just over two months. I was having symptoms but blamed

> them on a new

> > intense exercise regimen (martial arts twice a week during which

> time I drank the Propel),

> > stress at work, and stress of dating (I was stressing over a girl at

> the time).

> >

> > Here it turns out there is sucralose in Propel. The very real and

> undeniable symptoms I

> > suffered included fatigue, mild stomach cramps, sudden urge to go to

> the bathroom

> > (others apparently have suffered outright diarrhea) and at same time

> often a type of

> > constipation where I feel the strong urge to go to the bathroom but

> when I try to I can't

> > purge all the way or to satisfaction, irritability, sleeplessness

> (at 4:44 AM, I felt totally

> > relaxed and awake, like it was 4:44 PM … it's like a strong caffeine

> or ginseng buzz, and I

> > can't sleep), very tired eyes and headache (I NEVER get headaches

> but I've had a couple

> > during this two-month period, and I remember thinking it was very

> strange), inability to

> > concentrate and focus at work and lowered motivation, anxiety

> (feeling overwhelmed and

> > scared, unable to cope), mild depression, itchy skin (under my

> armpits and also my scalp, I

> > scratched my head so much that I developed small sores that scabbed

> over), heightened

> > sensitivity to noises (smallest sounds are irritating), mild

> physical impotence or reduction

> > of libido.

> >

> > I drank one even today (before I read the Web site warnings), and so

> I had the chance to

> > pay attention for signs of the symptoms. They took about five to

> eight hours to fully set

> > in, I believe, from the time I took the last Propel (I believe

> symptoms grow, peak and then

> > wane). I am sleepless, just went thru strong urge to go to the

> bathroom, can't focus, and

> > am impatient and irritable. I also believe it makes you somewhat

> impotent as well, just like

> > symptoms related to going to the bathroom, I still have my sex drive

> just like urge to go to

> > bathroom, but can't really perform (am very weak in terms of being

> able to rise to the

> > occasion and remain hard) … it reminds me of how mood-altering

> herbs/drugs can often

> > inhibit libido. In fact, the overall effect of Splenda seems on par

> to me with herbal

> > supplements, like St. 's Wort or Ginseng, as the effects are

> subtle but undeniable,

> > and out of your control.

> >

> > Has anyone else noticed a problem with sexual performance due to

> Splenda?

> >

> > -- Prendergast

> >

> > In the past, I had already read enough [about Splenda] to know I

> didn't want to use the

> > product … ever. But, for some reason, I felt drawn to read the

> testimonials. I'm glad I did.

> >

> > My mother died almost three months ago, and I've had some emotional

> times, some

> > interference with my work, etc.--the normal grieving process. But,

> for about the last three

> > weeks, I thought I was going downhill fast. Even when I'd sleep at

> night, I was still groggy

> > and unable to stay awake during the day. I was irritable and

> uncomfortable most of the

> > time. My brain didn't work in the " normal " way, I was forgetting

> things a minute later,

> > couldn't follow-through on tasks in a logical order. This has really

> been affecting my work.

> > The only days I noticed that I was more like myself were Sundays (I

> had attributed it to the

> > fact that I always looked forward to going to church).

> >

> > Several hours after reading through the testimonials, something

> occurred to me. About

> > three weeks ago, the local bread store had a promotion, and if you

> bought so much, you

> > got five loaves free...their choice of the free stuff. Well, I ended

> up with Good Hearth Carb

> > Action Wheat Bread. I never liked it because it doesn't taste good,

> but it was free, and I'm

> > not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, so we ate it. We ate it

> every day but Sunday the

> > past three weeks (I make " special " meals on Sundays), either for

> breakfast or lunch,

> > sometimes both. I just assumed they could claim lower carbs because

> the bread slices

> > were thin and small, about one-third smaller than your average

> sandwich bread slices.

> > (That's what a lot of " diet " breads do.) It had no taste, though. I

> was forever adding salt

> > and garlic salt, etc., just to make it palatable.

> >

> > Yesterday, I was sluggish and late getting up again. We didn't have

> breakfast at all, and

> > lunch was leftovers. Through the day, I started noticing that my

> mind was clearing, and I

> > wasn't nodding off to sleep every time I sat down. But, it wasn't

> until suppertime that I

> > started connecting the dots. The only real difference in our diet

> the past three weeks has

> > been the free bread. I pulled it out and looked at the list of

> ingredients, and was mad at

> > myself for not guessing sooner that this stuff has sucralose in it!

> It also has a great deal of

> > soy, which is probably why it doesn't taste good.

> >

> > So, the two loaves of bread that are left are hitting the garbage can!

> >

> > In just one day without the sucralose-laced bread, I can see a

> definite difference. I was

> > able to get up this morning and my mind is clear. I hope the

> improvement crosses over to

> > my work!

> >

> > in LA

> >

> > Some time ago I tried Splenda in a packet of hot chocolate. I knew I

> was allergic to

> > aspartame (made me dizzy), but thought maybe Splenda would be a good

> alternative. It

> > made my lips itch! This was the oddest thing. I drank about

> one-third of a cup of this hot

> > chocolate and found that my lips stopped itching, but they felt

> numb. I swore off Splenda.

> > About a year later I accidentally purchased a drink with Splenda

> (labeled as sucralose) and

> > could not endure the strong chemical flavor, undoubtedly from the

> chlorine. I read all

> > labels carefully and stick with natural sugars in my foods. I'm a

> runner and figure I'll run

> > off any extra calories, but will be hard pressed to endure another

> allergic reaction.

> >

> > -- Brown

> >

> > About four months ago, I started drinking Diet Rite cola. I drank it

> for about two weeks

> > and then one day at work I got laryngitis as I finished my second

> drink that morning. My

> > face and sides of my neck broke out in red itchy hives of varying

> sizes, some had a red

> > streak running up from them. I didn't realize the Diet Rite was the

> culprit until the next

> > afternoon when I drank another cola and again broke out in hives,

> this time more

> > widespread. No more Splenda for me.

> >

> > --Yvette

> >

> > I am writing to you to let others know of my problems with the

> product Splenda. We have

> > been drinking a carbonated flavored water sweetened with Splenda for

> over a year. During

> > all of this time, my husband and I were always feeling tired, under

> the weather, lost

> > interest in doing our favorite things, all our joints were aching,

> nausea, gastro problems,

> > and most recently I had developed this terrible rash on my neck,

> armpits and on my chest.

> >

> > Of course, we just attributed all of this to changes in the weather,

> or arthritis, allergies, or

> > the " What did I eat? " syndrome, UNTIL--I was doing some research on

> the Internet and

> > discovered your page! What a blessing! After reading your page, and

> all of the testimonials

> > from others, we stopped the Splenda water and using it in my coffee

> IMMEDIATELY! I had

> > sent your page to my sister, who is diabetic, and she was having all

> of the symptoms also,

> > including the rash! She is discarding all of her Splenda as well.

> >

> > We have been off Splenda for three days now, my rash is slowly going

> away, my energy is

> > coming back, and my husband no longer has the nausea that he had

> experienced for the

> > longest time. When is the government going to take this stuff off

> the market? And, who

> > can we contact to get this off the market? This definitely is worse

> than chemical warfare! I

> > hope this bit of information helps someone else out there, and they

> discard the " POISON "

> > too!

> >

> > --Terri from New York

> >

> > I have been doing the low-carb thing for 18 months now. A little

> over three weeks ago I

> > started to break out in a small itchy rash. At first I thought it

> was due to some new bras,

> > but couldn't figure why that would be since I had washed them before

> wearing. Then the

> > rash started to get worse. My scalp was so itchy, I felt like an

> animal with fleas. Then the

> > rash broke out on my hairline at the back of my neck. It started to

> appear all the way

> > across on my lower back. The itching and scratching was very

> intense! I couldn't control

> > the scratching.

> >

> > It seamed to be worse in the evening and made it harder for me to

> get to sleep. It also

> > itched more when I first got up in the morning. After going over

> everything new or

> > different lately that I had touched or been around, it just didn't

> make sense that this

> > reaction came from anywhere, but from something I was eating. With

> doing the low-carb

> > thing, I limit my diet to certain foods. So after 18 months of

> eating practically the same

> > things, I figured I was eating too much of something and my body was

> reacting. I tried

> > zinc oxide creams and antihistamine sprays to help with the itching,

> but there was little

> > relief.

> >

> > The rash started to appear on my upper back and shoulders. With the

> rash breaking out

> > on my upper arms and both sides of my lower hips I figured this was

> going to keep

> > spreading until I started to rule out one by one the things I was

> eating, that I was reacting

> > to. I stopped eating nuts, then cut way down on eggs. The rash

> seemed a little better in

> > the first two places that appeared, or at least the itching wouldn't

> start up as often and the

> > scabs I got from scratching myself seemed to be heeling somewhat.

> The mass of rash on

> > my lower back felt not like skin at all, but like a smooth large

> thick scar, yet with tiny

> > bumps. It almost feels like something living under my skin that

> slows down in the daytime

> > but never sleeps.

> >

> > Since I was cutting out certain foods, I was increasing eating other

> foods. The Atkins ice

> > cream bars--I would eat two to three of those a day. One day I had

> four of them! I thought

> > it might be the ice cream bars, but I didn't want it to be, so I was

> going to rule that out last

> > before going to the doctor. I knew they would do what I was doing,

> so I wanted to try it on

> > my own first. I also had Carb Solutions Ranch salad dressing and

> Atkins candy in the

> > evenings. Atkins pizza tasted good, too! Thought, oh boy … pizza!

> >

> > Whenever I would grocery shop, I would look for Atkins products to

> buy because they had

> > Splenda as the sweetener. Now there are more and more products out

> there using

> > Splenda. The TV advertises it as being made from sugar, so what can

> be harmful about

> > that? I finally got on the Internet to investigate Splenda since I

> have so much of it, and was

> > shocked to read what I read on the subject. I kept looking and came

> across your site. I

> > read about Marcia who had the itching and rash like me. It took me

> weeks to put it

> > together, but thanks to your site and all the people like Marcia, it

> now makes sense. So

> > much for the ice cream bars and the pizza and anything else with

> Splenda!

> >

> > Some people mentioned cramping and diarrhea, I had cramping and soft

> stools about

> > every five to six days. Never thought it was from the Splenda. I

> guess if you have too much

> > of a 'thought to be' " good thing " for too long, it will come back

> and bite 'ya. Hopefully,

> > there won't be any other consequences that show up later in my life.

> I'm looking forward

> > to no more Splenda, watching the rash disappear and being able to be

> out in public again

> > without scratching!

> >

> > UPDATE: I've been off of Splenda and everything else containing

> sucralose for almost a full

> > week now and my rash and itching are now both gone. I have a little

> dry skin and scratch

> > marks left from the

> > intense scratching, but lotion is helping that. I feel great now! I

> hope my experience with

> > Splenda will help someone else the way the stories on your Web site

> helped me.

> >

> > --Sue F.

> >

> > I picked out what seemed to be a " to-good-to-be-true " Edy's ice

> cream … no fat, no

> > added sugar but plenty of Splenda. I ate a moderate amount after

> dinner and almost

> > immediately an incredibly uncomfortable, ongoing bout of stomach

> distress began--

> > complete liquification of my insides. I'll spare you the gory details.

> >

> > The next morning I awoke with a terrible headache and very tired

> after being awoken in

> > the night with continued stomach cramps. So I did some research on

> the Internet and

> > confirmed my suspicions about what is apparently not at all an

> innocuous sugar

> > substitute. As much as I love chocolate, this is my first and last

> exposure to Splenda, if I

> > have a choice!

> >

> > --Nina Weiss

> >

> > WOW, I must say I am dumbfounded! My name is Millie and I am

> a single mother of

> > three girls. So it would be natural to be stressed. On July 27, 2004

> I woke up and had my

> > normal decaf cup of coffee with two equals, however later that day

> it was not unusual for

> > me to have a craving for something sweet. I opened a packet of

> Splenda and poured it on

> > my tongue. That is normally what I do when I have a craving. I

> remember on the Friday

> > before having a panicky, nervous feeling but thought nothing of it.

> >

> > Well it was now Wednesday the 28th and I woke up feeling good and

> somewhat excited

> > about the day and about myself. I had my cup of decaf with two

> equals and went to work.

> > It was about 9 a.m. when I started to feel a bit nervous and thought

> that maybe they had

> > served me caffeinated coffee by mistake but as the time went on the

> panic turned severe. I

> > couldn't breath I was so nervous inside I felt like I could jump out

> of my skin and my vision

> > was impaired. It was the scariest thing I have EVER encountered. I

> honestly thought that I

> > was going to wind up in a mental ward. I couldn't even take my lunch

> for fear of getting

> > into a car accident. I went on the Internet to research panic

> attacks when I came across the

> > harmful effects of aspartame, which led me to look for the harmful

> effects of Splenda

> > because it was my " choice sweetener. "

> >

> > I wanted to cry when I read the story on this site of the

> pharmacist. Except for the burn

> > (which I too experienced from Bactrum) our symptoms were so similar.

> For the past few

> > weeks I have had trouble with my vision, memory loss, forgetfulness,

> severe thirst, joint

> > pain and unexplained dizziness. I am 37 and I walk on the treadmill

> every day during

> > lunch. I am always on the go, active but healthy (so I thought).

> However, now that I took a

> > good hard look at everything I eat (I have been low carbing for

> eight years), 50 percent is

> > made with Splenda and 50 percent NutraSweet or Equal!

> >

> > I am simply devastated. I can't believe that for all these years I

> thought I was being so

> > health conscience and in turn I have been poisoning my mind and

> body. The word has got

> > to get out to people, especially now with the low-carb craze.

> EVERYTHING has Splenda

> > and/or NutraSweet, and we are poisoning ourselves. If you ever need

> to get the word out,

> > you can count on me!

> >

> > UPDATE: It has been a couple of weeks since I have had any [splenda]

> and the one time I

> > decided I couldn't have my coffee without it and just one wouldn't

> hurt … WRONG. I

> > suffered another panic attack worse than the first!

> >

> > --Milagro

> > Port Saint Lucie, FL

> >

> > My name is Karn and I am 19 years old. I live in Rhode

> Island. My entire life I have

> > had the option of drinking diet sodas and other supposed " diet "

> drinks and foods. Each

> > time I consume Nutrasweet, Splenda or any type of sweetener, I get a

> migraine that lasts

> > all day. Normally I avoid anything I believe contains sucralose but

> sometimes I am fooled.

> > Beverages claiming " less carbs " in their title instead of " diet "

> catch me off guard. For

> > example, the Coca Cola C2. Trying this beverage caused me to have a

> migraine for eight

> > hours. Obviously this chemical is harmful if simply drinking half a

> liter can cause such

> > pain. Who knows what long-term effects the regular intake of this

> chemical could be.

> > There are people who have been fooled with the notion that diet soda

> is better than

> > regular for your body because it doesn't contain sugar. People

> should be more aware of

> > what the results can be.

> >

> > The important thing is for me to be aware of all the different foods

> that contain this

> > substance and avoid it completely. There should be a requirement for

> all these foods to

> > have a warning or at least a bold marking that this food/beverage

> contains this substance

> > as I have noticed that sometimes it is only listed in the

> ingredients, not anywhere else on

> > the packaging.

> >

> > -- Karn

> > Rhode Island

> >

> > I learned several years ago that I was highly reactive to aspartame

> so I began carefully

> > reading labels and have eliminated it completely from my diet. The

> symptoms I was having

> > (mild seizure-like reactions) disappeared. I lost the ability to

> communicate and to even

> > recall the names of my children for several minutes with each

> episode. That was a

> > frightening occurrence. Recently, I discovered sucralose and

> believed from the testimony

> > of others, who spoke with authority even though they didn't really

> know, that it was safe.

> >

> > It is not. I began having the same reactions to the sucralose as I

> was having to the

> > asparatame. Thankfully, I have begun to research it and find that it

> is as dangerous for me

> > as is aspartame. My doctor thinks I should have an EEG and MRI as I

> did three years ago,

> > and I may do that just to prove to myself that I am OK, but I will

> be surprised if they find

> > anything this time either. I will not, under any circumstances,

> ingest any product that uses

> > artificial sweeteners of any kind. I am a believer!

> >

> > --Sjs2418@

> >

> > Joint and body stiffness … difficulty walking because of the pain …

> eating low-carb bars

> > with Splenda … feel that this is the problem's origin.

> >

> > --Lily

> >

> > I was shocked to read your stories on Splenda and other low-calorie

> sweeteners. I also

> > have had reactions to this product but never made the connection. My

> coworker somehow

> > found your Web site and told me to read it. I would come to work

> after drinking coffee

> > with low-calorie sweeteners and started breaking out in hives and my

> stomach would get

> > upset. I noticed also when I would drink diet drinks that I had the

> same problem. Not all

> > the time but most of the time. And I would have no energy and want

> to sleep all the time. I

> > quit drinking and eating anything with Nutrasweet or Splenda. I just

> thank my coworker

> > for finding this article. There is no telling what I was doing to my

> body.

> >

> > --Rhea S Plemmons

> > Whitmire, SC

> >

> > I have worked in a Baltimore hospital for 25yrs. I am in no way an

> alarmist or one to jump

> > on conspiracy theories. But I strongly believe that Splenda is fatal

> if used over a period of

> > time. My symptoms were/are:

> >

> > weight gain (30 lbs in last few years)

> > edema-severe

> > diet pepsi addiction and extreme carb cravings

> > sexual dysfunction

> > eye flashes

> > marked hearing impairment

> > headaches

> > memory loss

> > drowsiness

> > numbing of limbs

> > depression

> > anxiety

> > shortness of breath'

> > recent high blood pressure

> >

> > I stopped using Splenda products and half of these symptoms after 2

> weeks decreased or

> > disappeared

> >

> >

> > -- Stromberg

> >

> > Click Here to Read More Splenda Testimonials

> >

> >

> > Read " The Potential Dangers of Sucralose " Article Now

> > Related Articles:

> >

> > The Potential Dangers of Sucralose

> >

> > Sucralose (Splenda®) U.S. Product List

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hi! When I first saw the ad for Splenda on the TV, I had the feeling of dreaded

doom. The ad was with a lot of children dancing around saying that Splenda was

very good. D999

venizia1948 <nelsonck@...> wrote: Hi to all,

I found this article at dr.mercola.com and thought it fit in with what was

posted yesterday

about splenda. This is about splenda and other artificial sweetners. Very

interesting. I

can see myself in much of what I read. Hope this is helpful to you. It is long

but worth the

read.

Venizia

Dr. ph Mercola

Dr. Mercola's Comment:

The following testimonials have been sent to us by people from all over the

world who feel

they have been harmed by Splenda. We have not researched each of these accounts

in-

depth, but instead are posting them to draw attention to the fact that Splenda's

safety --

or lack thereof -- is not only unknown and severely questionable, but worse

still is not

even being explored on a sufficient scale.

That Splenda is being marketed so freely and pervasively is most concerning

given that

there are currently NO large studies underway researching the safety of this

artificial

sweetener, and Splenda was released with few studies to support its safety. This

is the

same pattern that occurred with the artificial sweeteners aspartame and

saccharine--two

sweeteners that are now widely known to cause numerous health problems. In the

same

way that Splenda was released with few studies proving its safety, few studies

were

conducted on aspartame and saccharine until the negative health effects began to

be seen,

raising alarm and prompting investigations into the true (lack of) safety of the

products.

If it sounds strange that Splenda could be marketed so widely without any real

safety

studies, I ask you to consider the source behind the product. Splenda is made

from real

sugar and is then molecularly modified to be calorie-free (essentially, Splenda

is produced

by chlorinating sugar). The sugar industry, which is a huge and very powerful

government

lobby, is profiting quite nicely from this no-calorie sweetener. It is no secret

that the U.S.

government is influenced by the sugar industry, and it is not a stretch to think

that their

influence may be the real reason why no real studies have been done.

So, with that in mind, I urge you to take a look at the many Splenda

testimonials below,

and then ask yourself, is eating this largely experimental product really worth

the risk?

Have a sucralose/Splenda story others need to hear?

Click here to email it to us.

Please include your name, try to keep it to 500 words or less, and let us know

if we can

include your email address if published.

Dear Dr. Mercola,

I want to thank you for your Web site and especially for your documentation on

the

dangers of Splenda. I also want to pass on this testimonial in the hope it may

help others.

Last evening after dinner I began to feel flush. My husband commented how red my

face

was getting and, sure enough, one glance in the mirror confirmed a bright red,

tight, shiny

visage staring back at me. In the next few hours my eyes began to swell. I went

to bed

hoping I could " sleep it off. " How wrong I was.

This morning I got up and my face was still red, bright and swollen with puffy

eyes. I am a

pharmacist and I have seen many anaphylactoid (allergic) reactions before. I

began to feel

concerned that I too was having one. I have had only one other reaction like

this before in

my life--to Bactrim.

I went out for my usual morning run but by the first quarter mile I could barely

breathe so

I walked slowly back to the house. My right shoulder was burning so I went to

the mirror

and was horrified to find a HUGE 6 inch by 3 inch welt at the base of my neck

(see photo).

I also felt very panicky and shaky and immediately had two bouts of diarrhea in

rapid

succession. After 15 minutes and a cool shower on tissue that looked scalded, I

was

having difficulty breathing. I was seen in the local emergency room where the

physician

immediately gave me a dexamethasone injection in the hip and a prescription for

Epi-pen

and oral prednisone over four days.

At the time I didn't know why I looked like I had ingested a sulfa drug. My

husband and I

tried to figure out what was different in my life over the last 12 hours.

Laundry soap?

Nope. Cake? Animal dander? No and no. A dear friend came to visit me in my

misery and

mentioned that I had started to flush at church, several hours before dinner.

I remembered that I had had a cup of coffee and had tried the new creamer

sitting by the

pot. I remembered the Splenda label on it, which prompted my husband and I to

search

the Web and we found your site.

The description by Marcia in the testimonial area caused me to burst into tears.

Yes,

Marcia, there are others like you. I am throwing that stuff out when I get to

church! This

reaction that I have had looks like a drug reaction! I am appalled an

" artificial sweetener "

did this to me.

Twelve hours after treatment my eyes are no longer swollen and my face is no

longer red,

but my neck welt is the same size, same redness and as tender as a sunburn.

There are a

few blisters in the welt. Even after treatment it still looks this bad! Perhaps

the

manufacturer of Splenda can sell it as a biochemical warfare agent after it is

removed from

the market as a food additive.

Thanks for getting the word out!

Lori Hunt, RPh

Pickens, SC

I also have had horrific effects from splenda. In May of this year, I started

having drop

attacks that I thought were strokes or TIAs. Later they got so severe, I thought

they were

heart attacks caused by coronary artery spasms. At the time, I had no idea what

was

causing my attacks because all medical tests were coming back negative. But

after several

visits to the ER thinking I was having a stroke or a heart attack, I began

putting two and

two together--whenever I would drink or eat a splenda product, within a few

hours or

sometimes even a day or two, my body would go numb and tingly in different

areas. I was

tested for MS, heart disease and for brain lesions. Sometimes, it was the entire

left side of

my body, sometimes my right, sometimes just my legs, sometimes just my arms or

my lips

or face. It would get worse at night while I was sleeping, then I would wake up

and my

heart would immediately go into an arrhythmia and race at about 160 beats per

minute. I

would get dry mouth and extremely nauseous. At this point, I would be terrified

and the

numbness would get so bad I would not be able to walk. In addition, I would get

extreme

esophageal reflux, which was not affected by anything, including prevacid,

pepcid, etc.

I also had such bad IBS that I was given more drugs to control that. Since May,

I have spent

quite a lot of money going to doctors, all to no avail and with no diagnosis

ever made.

Finally I was told I was having anxiety as no one could figure out what was

wrong with my

body. I started wondering if it could be all the low carb stuff I was eating, as

this was the

only change in my life. Around the beginning of May I had started on a " low

carb " life style

and started drinking the low carb slimfast and eating the sugar-free low carb

candy that is

now so abundant in stores. I quit everything for a while and the symptoms seemed

to

subside and then almost went away. Last week, for some dumb reason, I decided to

retry

the slim fast because of my weight loss goals and today I had another attack of

numbness

and a panic attack. During these attacks, I can hardly breath and my legs and

arms are

weak, I am dizzy, numb and my muscles ache horribly. It feels like I am about to

die. To

say they are severe is an understatement.

Needless to say, I have learned my lesson and will NEVER use sucralose again. It

is

dangerous and seems like a huge toxin to the body. If just one person reacts

this way, it

CAN'T be a good thing. It seems like we are being poisoned by these huge

conglomerates

that don't care about health and only interested in lining their pockets. The

price of being

thin is definitely not worth loosing brain cells or getting huge amounts of

neurological and

cardiological damage or who knows maybe even death. My digestive track and my

arteries

were actually going into huge spasms so much so that my doctor and I both

thought that I

was having angina. My doctor prescribed nitro just in case - even though I have

low blood

pressure, low cholesterol and a low body weight. This is how serious things got

with my

health while ingesting this deadly poison.

Sincerely,

Sallie Ceideski

Charlottesville, VA.

I've been following the Paleolithic diet with some success for a couple of

years. Last year,

when Splenda became more widely available, I started using it pretty regularly.

While it's

not on my diet, I figured since it was " all natural " and not absorbed by the

body I would be

just fine.

I hadn't made the connection till now, but I have been unable to lose any weight

for the

past year which is about how long I've been using splenda in the form of drinks

like

Hansen's diet sodas, Big Red and Diet RC. Furthermore, I've had two unusual

episodes of

unexplained pain. The first, shortly after Christmas 2003, was very extreme. I

had no

diarrhea or gas, but I had terrible cramping for several hours. The pain was so

unbearable

I nearly passed out. I was a pale green color and there were a few moments where

everything started to turn white like I would pass out. Since it had been

Christmas I had

been eating a lot of goodies (many made with Splenda) and less of my usual

healthy

veggies and such. I thought maybe I had burst my intestines or something from

lack of

fiber (the only explanation I could think of for such extreme pain) so I had my

boyfriend

take me to the emergency room.

When the doctor pressed on my left lower belly I could not help but scream in

pain. They

gave me a shot of morphine but it only helped me to not mind the pain so much,

but I felt

it all the same. Thousands of dollars and a CT scan later... absolutely no

problems were

found. The pain slowly abated after about two days. I felt really crazy but

after reading

these other testimonials I really wonder if it had something

to do with the Splenda. Recently, I have associated Splenda usage and bladder

pain. I've

been getting all the symptoms--burning, pain, and frequency of a bladder

infection. But

again, after doing a urinalysis at my doctor's, no infection has been found. I

tried drinking

a lot of water to clear up the ghost infection (and less Splenda-sweetened

drinks and the

symptoms went away. But because I never thought there was a connection, I began

drinking Splenda again, and now my bladder symptoms are back. My Dad directed me

to

your site. Thank you for the information. I may have never seen the connection

because I

was so sure that Splenda was a very safe and natural product.

Austin, Texas

Dr. Mercola:

I have had a terrible ordeal of having horrible stomach problems, indigestion,

continual

pain, constipation then diarrhea. I traced it back to diet RC cola, which has

Splenda in it. I

had tried to switch off of other diet drinks and went to this drink. For four

weeks I have

had terrible, terrible abdominal pain, etc. I stopped drinking this and the pain

has left.

Amazing how this product can have such a profound effect on people. Thought you

should

know.

Greg Clore

Plano, Texas

Yesterday I went for an iced coffee with my friends. Since I have been watching

my weight I

opted for the splend a rather than my usual sugar. I finished half the coffee in

about five

minutes time and immediately my throat felt like it was closing in on me, my

arms and

legs became completely numb,I was covered in a rash, and thought yesterday was

going to

be my last day on earth. I thought I was going to die there in my friend's car.

She rushed

me to the emergency room where my blood pressure was sky high. I was given

breathing

treatments and benadryl and was told I was having an allergic reaction to this

drug called

splenda. Today the rash still covers me, my throat still feels swollen and I'm

afraid to

death that any moment I may get the feeling of my throat closing up. I am a

mother of

three children and I am highly irate there are no warnings on any splenda

product I've

come across. Monday I will call an attorney and see what my legal rights are.

Lucella

Leominster, Massachusetts

About six months ago, I decided to try the Atkins diet. They strongly recommend

Splenda

(right on their home page!) so I went out and got some packets. I also bought a

flavored

water called Fruit20, which contains Splenda. I used these products for three

days and

started feeling sick. My husband said he'd heard there were problems with

Splenda so I did

a little Web searching. It didn't take long to find reams of info on how evil

this stuff can be.

I experienced almost every symptom including bloating, abdominal pain, gas,

nausea,

headaches, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, depression and dizziness.

But here's the kicker--I STILL HAVE THEM, even though I haven't consumed any

Splenda

since those initial three days! Have you ever heard of this? I've been making

the rounds to

doctors and done several tests. An ultrasound revealed nothing. (Based on my

symptoms,

gallstones were suspected.) The motility test was slightly irregular but nothing

major.

Endoscopy suggested acid reflux, but the meds (Nexium, Aciphex, Protonix--I've

tried

them all) don't work. Based on all this, I'm told I have " nonulcer dyspepsia, "

which is

essentially symptoms without a cause. I told my gastro about the Splenda and he

poo-

pooed it. I'm at my wits end and have an appointment with my GP to discuss the

possibility

of clinical depression since it seems this is related to unexplained stomach

pain and vice

versa.

-- Keswani

I am so THANKFUL to have found your site, and the information provided on

Splenda. I

was tricked into trying it out; like most, reading the " Made from Sugar " claim

convinced

me. I am, as I write, having horrendous stomach pains, the cause of which I am

most

certain is Splenda. I have been using it to sweeten my iced green tea (oh, the

irony) for a

couple of weeks, but just recently I've noticed my body feeling worse and worse.

The other

night, I went out to dinner with friends, and had a cocktail--which I can

normally handle

quite well. After returning home, I was parched, and prepared a nice, tall glass

of said tea.

All that night, and the next day, I was plagued by diarrhea, and severe stomach

pains. And

now, having just finished another glass, here I am with the same result. I

cannot help, after

reading the stories on this site, but think that Splenda is to blame--I am

throwing it out

the moment I close this letter.

--le

New Jersey

I have been drinking one or two Propel water drinks (Gatorade water) every day

or every

other day for just over two months. I was having symptoms but blamed them on a

new

intense exercise regimen (martial arts twice a week during which time I drank

the Propel),

stress at work, and stress of dating (I was stressing over a girl at the time).

Here it turns out there is sucralose in Propel. The very real and undeniable

symptoms I

suffered included fatigue, mild stomach cramps, sudden urge to go to the

bathroom

(others apparently have suffered outright diarrhea) and at same time often a

type of

constipation where I feel the strong urge to go to the bathroom but when I try

to I can't

purge all the way or to satisfaction, irritability, sleeplessness (at 4:44 AM, I

felt totally

relaxed and awake, like it was 4:44 PM … it's like a strong caffeine or ginseng

buzz, and I

can't sleep), very tired eyes and headache (I NEVER get headaches but I've had a

couple

during this two-month period, and I remember thinking it was very strange),

inability to

concentrate and focus at work and lowered motivation, anxiety (feeling

overwhelmed and

scared, unable to cope), mild depression, itchy skin (under my armpits and also

my scalp, I

scratched my head so much that I developed small sores that scabbed over),

heightened

sensitivity to noises (smallest sounds are irritating), mild physical impotence

or reduction

of libido.

I drank one even today (before I read the Web site warnings), and so I had the

chance to

pay attention for signs of the symptoms. They took about five to eight hours to

fully set

in, I believe, from the time I took the last Propel (I believe symptoms grow,

peak and then

wane). I am sleepless, just went thru strong urge to go to the bathroom, can't

focus, and

am impatient and irritable. I also believe it makes you somewhat impotent as

well, just like

symptoms related to going to the bathroom, I still have my sex drive just like

urge to go to

bathroom, but can't really perform (am very weak in terms of being able to rise

to the

occasion and remain hard) … it reminds me of how mood-altering herbs/drugs can

often

inhibit libido. In fact, the overall effect of Splenda seems on par to me with

herbal

supplements, like St. 's Wort or Ginseng, as the effects are subtle but

undeniable,

and out of your control.

Has anyone else noticed a problem with sexual performance due to Splenda?

-- Prendergast

In the past, I had already read enough [about Splenda] to know I didn't want to

use the

product … ever. But, for some reason, I felt drawn to read the testimonials. I'm

glad I did.

My mother died almost three months ago, and I've had some emotional times, some

interference with my work, etc.--the normal grieving process. But, for about the

last three

weeks, I thought I was going downhill fast. Even when I'd sleep at night, I was

still groggy

and unable to stay awake during the day. I was irritable and uncomfortable most

of the

time. My brain didn't work in the " normal " way, I was forgetting things a minute

later,

couldn't follow-through on tasks in a logical order. This has really been

affecting my work.

The only days I noticed that I was more like myself were Sundays (I had

attributed it to the

fact that I always looked forward to going to church).

Several hours after reading through the testimonials, something occurred to me.

About

three weeks ago, the local bread store had a promotion, and if you bought so

much, you

got five loaves free...their choice of the free stuff. Well, I ended up with

Good Hearth Carb

Action Wheat Bread. I never liked it because it doesn't taste good, but it was

free, and I'm

not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, so we ate it. We ate it every day but

Sunday the

past three weeks (I make " special " meals on Sundays), either for breakfast or

lunch,

sometimes both. I just assumed they could claim lower carbs because the bread

slices

were thin and small, about one-third smaller than your average sandwich bread

slices.

(That's what a lot of " diet " breads do.) It had no taste, though. I was forever

adding salt

and garlic salt, etc., just to make it palatable.

Yesterday, I was sluggish and late getting up again. We didn't have breakfast at

all, and

lunch was leftovers. Through the day, I started noticing that my mind was

clearing, and I

wasn't nodding off to sleep every time I sat down. But, it wasn't until

suppertime that I

started connecting the dots. The only real difference in our diet the past three

weeks has

been the free bread. I pulled it out and looked at the list of ingredients, and

was mad at

myself for not guessing sooner that this stuff has sucralose in it! It also has

a great deal of

soy, which is probably why it doesn't taste good.

So, the two loaves of bread that are left are hitting the garbage can!

In just one day without the sucralose-laced bread, I can see a definite

difference. I was

able to get up this morning and my mind is clear. I hope the improvement crosses

over to

my work!

in LA

Some time ago I tried Splenda in a packet of hot chocolate. I knew I was

allergic to

aspartame (made me dizzy), but thought maybe Splenda would be a good

alternative. It

made my lips itch! This was the oddest thing. I drank about one-third of a cup

of this hot

chocolate and found that my lips stopped itching, but they felt numb. I swore

off Splenda.

About a year later I accidentally purchased a drink with Splenda (labeled as

sucralose) and

could not endure the strong chemical flavor, undoubtedly from the chlorine. I

read all

labels carefully and stick with natural sugars in my foods. I'm a runner and

figure I'll run

off any extra calories, but will be hard pressed to endure another allergic

reaction.

-- Brown

About four months ago, I started drinking Diet Rite cola. I drank it for about

two weeks

and then one day at work I got laryngitis as I finished my second drink that

morning. My

face and sides of my neck broke out in red itchy hives of varying sizes, some

had a red

streak running up from them. I didn't realize the Diet Rite was the culprit

until the next

afternoon when I drank another cola and again broke out in hives, this time more

widespread. No more Splenda for me.

--Yvette

I am writing to you to let others know of my problems with the product Splenda.

We have

been drinking a carbonated flavored water sweetened with Splenda for over a

year. During

all of this time, my husband and I were always feeling tired, under the weather,

lost

interest in doing our favorite things, all our joints were aching, nausea,

gastro problems,

and most recently I had developed this terrible rash on my neck, armpits and on

my chest.

Of course, we just attributed all of this to changes in the weather, or

arthritis, allergies, or

the " What did I eat? " syndrome, UNTIL--I was doing some research on the Internet

and

discovered your page! What a blessing! After reading your page, and all of the

testimonials

from others, we stopped the Splenda water and using it in my coffee IMMEDIATELY!

I had

sent your page to my sister, who is diabetic, and she was having all of the

symptoms also,

including the rash! She is discarding all of her Splenda as well.

We have been off Splenda for three days now, my rash is slowly going away, my

energy is

coming back, and my husband no longer has the nausea that he had experienced for

the

longest time. When is the government going to take this stuff off the market?

And, who

can we contact to get this off the market? This definitely is worse than

chemical warfare! I

hope this bit of information helps someone else out there, and they discard the

" POISON "

too!

--Terri from New York

I have been doing the low-carb thing for 18 months now. A little over three

weeks ago I

started to break out in a small itchy rash. At first I thought it was due to

some new bras,

but couldn't figure why that would be since I had washed them before wearing.

Then the

rash started to get worse. My scalp was so itchy, I felt like an animal with

fleas. Then the

rash broke out on my hairline at the back of my neck. It started to appear all

the way

across on my lower back. The itching and scratching was very intense! I couldn't

control

the scratching.

It seamed to be worse in the evening and made it harder for me to get to sleep.

It also

itched more when I first got up in the morning. After going over everything new

or

different lately that I had touched or been around, it just didn't make sense

that this

reaction came from anywhere, but from something I was eating. With doing the

low-carb

thing, I limit my diet to certain foods. So after 18 months of eating

practically the same

things, I figured I was eating too much of something and my body was reacting. I

tried

zinc oxide creams and antihistamine sprays to help with the itching, but there

was little

relief.

The rash started to appear on my upper back and shoulders. With the rash

breaking out

on my upper arms and both sides of my lower hips I figured this was going to

keep

spreading until I started to rule out one by one the things I was eating, that I

was reacting

to. I stopped eating nuts, then cut way down on eggs. The rash seemed a little

better in

the first two places that appeared, or at least the itching wouldn't start up as

often and the

scabs I got from scratching myself seemed to be heeling somewhat. The mass of

rash on

my lower back felt not like skin at all, but like a smooth large thick scar, yet

with tiny

bumps. It almost feels like something living under my skin that slows down in

the daytime

but never sleeps.

Since I was cutting out certain foods, I was increasing eating other foods. The

Atkins ice

cream bars--I would eat two to three of those a day. One day I had four of them!

I thought

it might be the ice cream bars, but I didn't want it to be, so I was going to

rule that out last

before going to the doctor. I knew they would do what I was doing, so I wanted

to try it on

my own first. I also had Carb Solutions Ranch salad dressing and Atkins candy in

the

evenings. Atkins pizza tasted good, too! Thought, oh boy … pizza!

Whenever I would grocery shop, I would look for Atkins products to buy because

they had

Splenda as the sweetener. Now there are more and more products out there using

Splenda. The TV advertises it as being made from sugar, so what can be harmful

about

that? I finally got on the Internet to investigate Splenda since I have so much

of it, and was

shocked to read what I read on the subject. I kept looking and came across your

site. I

read about Marcia who had the itching and rash like me. It took me weeks to put

it

together, but thanks to your site and all the people like Marcia, it now makes

sense. So

much for the ice cream bars and the pizza and anything else with Splenda!

Some people mentioned cramping and diarrhea, I had cramping and soft stools

about

every five to six days. Never thought it was from the Splenda. I guess if you

have too much

of a 'thought to be' " good thing " for too long, it will come back and bite 'ya.

Hopefully,

there won't be any other consequences that show up later in my life. I'm looking

forward

to no more Splenda, watching the rash disappear and being able to be out in

public again

without scratching!

UPDATE: I've been off of Splenda and everything else containing sucralose for

almost a full

week now and my rash and itching are now both gone. I have a little dry skin and

scratch

marks left from the

intense scratching, but lotion is helping that. I feel great now! I hope my

experience with

Splenda will help someone else the way the stories on your Web site helped me.

--Sue F.

I picked out what seemed to be a " to-good-to-be-true " Edy's ice cream … no fat,

no

added sugar but plenty of Splenda. I ate a moderate amount after dinner and

almost

immediately an incredibly uncomfortable, ongoing bout of stomach distress

began--

complete liquification of my insides. I'll spare you the gory details.

The next morning I awoke with a terrible headache and very tired after being

awoken in

the night with continued stomach cramps. So I did some research on the Internet

and

confirmed my suspicions about what is apparently not at all an innocuous sugar

substitute. As much as I love chocolate, this is my first and last exposure to

Splenda, if I

have a choice!

--Nina Weiss

WOW, I must say I am dumbfounded! My name is Millie and I am a single

mother of

three girls. So it would be natural to be stressed. On July 27, 2004 I woke up

and had my

normal decaf cup of coffee with two equals, however later that day it was not

unusual for

me to have a craving for something sweet. I opened a packet of Splenda and

poured it on

my tongue. That is normally what I do when I have a craving. I remember on the

Friday

before having a panicky, nervous feeling but thought nothing of it.

Well it was now Wednesday the 28th and I woke up feeling good and somewhat

excited

about the day and about myself. I had my cup of decaf with two equals and went

to work.

It was about 9 a.m. when I started to feel a bit nervous and thought that maybe

they had

served me caffeinated coffee by mistake but as the time went on the panic turned

severe. I

couldn't breath I was so nervous inside I felt like I could jump out of my skin

and my vision

was impaired. It was the scariest thing I have EVER encountered. I honestly

thought that I

was going to wind up in a mental ward. I couldn't even take my lunch for fear of

getting

into a car accident. I went on the Internet to research panic attacks when I

came across the

harmful effects of aspartame, which led me to look for the harmful effects of

Splenda

because it was my " choice sweetener. "

I wanted to cry when I read the story on this site of the pharmacist. Except for

the burn

(which I too experienced from Bactrum) our symptoms were so similar. For the

past few

weeks I have had trouble with my vision, memory loss, forgetfulness, severe

thirst, joint

pain and unexplained dizziness. I am 37 and I walk on the treadmill every day

during

lunch. I am always on the go, active but healthy (so I thought). However, now

that I took a

good hard look at everything I eat (I have been low carbing for eight years), 50

percent is

made with Splenda and 50 percent NutraSweet or Equal!

I am simply devastated. I can't believe that for all these years I thought I was

being so

health conscience and in turn I have been poisoning my mind and body. The word

has got

to get out to people, especially now with the low-carb craze. EVERYTHING has

Splenda

and/or NutraSweet, and we are poisoning ourselves. If you ever need to get the

word out,

you can count on me!

UPDATE: It has been a couple of weeks since I have had any [splenda] and the one

time I

decided I couldn't have my coffee without it and just one wouldn't hurt … WRONG.

I

suffered another panic attack worse than the first!

--Milagro

Port Saint Lucie, FL

My name is Karn and I am 19 years old. I live in Rhode Island. My

entire life I have

had the option of drinking diet sodas and other supposed " diet " drinks and

foods. Each

time I consume Nutrasweet, Splenda or any type of sweetener, I get a migraine

that lasts

all day. Normally I avoid anything I believe contains sucralose but sometimes I

am fooled.

Beverages claiming " less carbs " in their title instead of " diet " catch me off

guard. For

example, the Coca Cola C2. Trying this beverage caused me to have a migraine for

eight

hours. Obviously this chemical is harmful if simply drinking half a liter can

cause such

pain. Who knows what long-term effects the regular intake of this chemical could

be.

There are people who have been fooled with the notion that diet soda is better

than

regular for your body because it doesn't contain sugar. People should be more

aware of

what the results can be.

The important thing is for me to be aware of all the different foods that

contain this

substance and avoid it completely. There should be a requirement for all these

foods to

have a warning or at least a bold marking that this food/beverage contains this

substance

as I have noticed that sometimes it is only listed in the ingredients, not

anywhere else on

the packaging.

-- Karn

Rhode Island

I learned several years ago that I was highly reactive to aspartame so I began

carefully

reading labels and have eliminated it completely from my diet. The symptoms I

was having

(mild seizure-like reactions) disappeared. I lost the ability to communicate and

to even

recall the names of my children for several minutes with each episode. That was

a

frightening occurrence. Recently, I discovered sucralose and believed from the

testimony

of others, who spoke with authority even though they didn't really know, that it

was safe.

It is not. I began having the same reactions to the sucralose as I was having to

the

asparatame. Thankfully, I have begun to research it and find that it is as

dangerous for me

as is aspartame. My doctor thinks I should have an EEG and MRI as I did three

years ago,

and I may do that just to prove to myself that I am OK, but I will be surprised

if they find

anything this time either. I will not, under any circumstances, ingest any

product that uses

artificial sweeteners of any kind. I am a believer!

--Sjs2418@...

Joint and body stiffness … difficulty walking because of the pain … eating

low-carb bars

with Splenda … feel that this is the problem's origin.

--Lily

I was shocked to read your stories on Splenda and other low-calorie sweeteners.

I also

have had reactions to this product but never made the connection. My coworker

somehow

found your Web site and told me to read it. I would come to work after drinking

coffee

with low-calorie sweeteners and started breaking out in hives and my stomach

would get

upset. I noticed also when I would drink diet drinks that I had the same

problem. Not all

the time but most of the time. And I would have no energy and want to sleep all

the time. I

quit drinking and eating anything with Nutrasweet or Splenda. I just thank my

coworker

for finding this article. There is no telling what I was doing to my body.

--Rhea S Plemmons

Whitmire, SC

I have worked in a Baltimore hospital for 25yrs. I am in no way an alarmist or

one to jump

on conspiracy theories. But I strongly believe that Splenda is fatal if used

over a period of

time. My symptoms were/are:

weight gain (30 lbs in last few years)

edema-severe

diet pepsi addiction and extreme carb cravings

sexual dysfunction

eye flashes

marked hearing impairment

headaches

memory loss

drowsiness

numbing of limbs

depression

anxiety

shortness of breath'

recent high blood pressure

I stopped using Splenda products and half of these symptoms after 2 weeks

decreased or

disappeared

-- Stromberg

Click Here to Read More Splenda Testimonials

Read " The Potential Dangers of Sucralose " Article Now

Related Articles:

The Potential Dangers of Sucralose

Sucralose (Splenda®) U.S. Product List

[Guest guest]

I have no problem with Splenda and I know a lot of people that use

it and have no problems either... You can get an allergy or a

reaction to anything including the stuff they use to help

allergies... so I guess most people don't have the same reaction as

some do or they would take it off the market.

Bev

> > >

> > > Hi to all,

> > >

> > > I found this article at dr.mercola.com and thought it fit in

with

> > what was posted yesterday

> > > about splenda. This is about splenda and other artificial

> > sweetners. Very interesting. I

> > > can see myself in much of what I read. Hope this is helpful to

you.

> > It is long but worth the

> > > read.

> > >

> > > Venizia

> > >

> > > Dr. ph Mercola

> > >

> > >

> > > Dr. Mercola's Comment:

> > >

> > > The following testimonials have been sent to us by people from

all

> > over the world who feel

> > > they have been harmed by Splenda. We have not researched each

of

> > these accounts in-

> > > depth, but instead are posting them to draw attention to the

fact

> > that Splenda's safety --

> > > or lack thereof -- is not only unknown and severely

questionable,

> > but worse still is not

> > > even being explored on a sufficient scale.

> > >

> > > That Splenda is being marketed so freely and pervasively is

most

> > concerning given that

> > > there are currently NO large studies underway researching the

safety

> > of this artificial

> > > sweetener, and Splenda was released with few studies to

support its

> > safety. This is the

> > > same pattern that occurred with the artificial sweeteners

aspartame

> > and saccharine--two

> > > sweeteners that are now widely known to cause numerous health

> > problems. In the same

> > > way that Splenda was released with few studies proving its

safety,

> > few studies were

> > > conducted on aspartame and saccharine until the negative health

> > effects began to be seen,

> > > raising alarm and prompting investigations into the true (lack

of)

> > safety of the products.

> > >

> > > If it sounds strange that Splenda could be marketed so widely

> > without any real safety

> > > studies, I ask you to consider the source behind the product.

> > Splenda is made from real

> > > sugar and is then molecularly modified to be calorie-free

> > (essentially, Splenda is produced

> > > by chlorinating sugar). The sugar industry, which is a huge

and very

> > powerful government

> > > lobby, is profiting quite nicely from this no-calorie

sweetener. It

> > is no secret that the U.S.

> > > government is influenced by the sugar industry, and it is not a

> > stretch to think that their

> > > influence may be the real reason why no real studies have been

done.

> > >

> > > So, with that in mind, I urge you to take a look at the many

Splenda

> > testimonials below,

> > > and then ask yourself, is eating this largely experimental

product

> > really worth the risk?

> > >

> > > Have a sucralose/Splenda story others need to hear?

> > > Click here to email it to us.

> > >

> > > Please include your name, try to keep it to 500 words or less,

and

> > let us know if we can

> > > include your email address if published.

> > >

> > > Dear Dr. Mercola,

> > >

> > > I want to thank you for your Web site and especially for your

> > documentation on the

> > > dangers of Splenda. I also want to pass on this testimonial in

the

> > hope it may help others.

> > >

> > > Last evening after dinner I began to feel flush. My husband

> > commented how red my face

> > > was getting and, sure enough, one glance in the mirror

confirmed a

> > bright red, tight, shiny

> > > visage staring back at me. In the next few hours my eyes began

to

> > swell. I went to bed

> > > hoping I could " sleep it off. " How wrong I was.

> > >

> > > This morning I got up and my face was still red, bright and

swollen

> > with puffy eyes. I am a

> > > pharmacist and I have seen many anaphylactoid (allergic)

reactions

> > before. I began to feel

> > > concerned that I too was having one. I have had only one other

> > reaction like this before in

> > > my life--to Bactrim.

> > >

> > > I went out for my usual morning run but by the first quarter

mile I

> > could barely breathe so

> > > I walked slowly back to the house. My right shoulder was

burning so

> > I went to the mirror

> > > and was horrified to find a HUGE 6 inch by 3 inch welt at the

base

> > of my neck (see photo).

> > >

> > > I also felt very panicky and shaky and immediately had two

bouts of

> > diarrhea in rapid

> > > succession. After 15 minutes and a cool shower on tissue that

looked

> > scalded, I was

> > > having difficulty breathing. I was seen in the local emergency

room

> > where the physician

> > > immediately gave me a dexamethasone injection in the hip and a

> > prescription for Epi-pen

> > > and oral prednisone over four days.

> > >

> > > At the time I didn't know why I looked like I had ingested a

sulfa

> > drug. My husband and I

> > > tried to figure out what was different in my life over the

last 12

> > hours. Laundry soap?

> > > Nope. Cake? Animal dander? No and no. A dear friend came to

visit me

> > in my misery and

> > > mentioned that I had started to flush at church, several hours

> > before dinner.

> > >

> > > I remembered that I had had a cup of coffee and had tried the

new

> > creamer sitting by the

> > > pot. I remembered the Splenda label on it, which prompted my

husband

> > and I to search

> > > the Web and we found your site.

> > >

> > > The description by Marcia in the testimonial area caused me to

burst

> > into tears. Yes,

> > > Marcia, there are others like you. I am throwing that stuff

out when

> > I get to church! This

> > > reaction that I have had looks like a drug reaction! I am

appalled

> > an " artificial sweetener "

> > > did this to me.

> > >

> > > Twelve hours after treatment my eyes are no longer swollen and

my

> > face is no longer red,

> > > but my neck welt is the same size, same redness and as tender

as a

> > sunburn. There are a

> > > few blisters in the welt. Even after treatment it still looks

this

> > bad! Perhaps the

> > > manufacturer of Splenda can sell it as a biochemical warfare

agent

> > after it is removed from

> > > the market as a food additive.

> > >

> > > Thanks for getting the word out!

> > >

> > > Lori Hunt, RPh

> > > Pickens, SC

> > >

> > > I also have had horrific effects from splenda. In May of this

year,

> > I started having drop

> > > attacks that I thought were strokes or TIAs. Later they got so

> > severe, I thought they were

> > > heart attacks caused by coronary artery spasms. At the time, I

had

> > no idea what was

> > > causing my attacks because all medical tests were coming back

> > negative. But after several

> > > visits to the ER thinking I was having a stroke or a heart

attack, I

> > began putting two and

> > > two together--whenever I would drink or eat a splenda product,

> > within a few hours or

> > > sometimes even a day or two, my body would go numb and tingly

in

> > different areas. I was

> > > tested for MS, heart disease and for brain lesions. Sometimes,

it

> > was the entire left side of

> > > my body, sometimes my right, sometimes just my legs, sometimes

just

> > my arms or my lips

> > > or face. It would get worse at night while I was sleeping,

then I

> > would wake up and my

> > > heart would immediately go into an arrhythmia and race at

about 160

> > beats per minute. I

> > > would get dry mouth and extremely nauseous. At this point, I

would

> > be terrified and the

> > > numbness would get so bad I would not be able to walk. In

addition,

> > I would get extreme

> > > esophageal reflux, which was not affected by anything,

including

> > prevacid, pepcid, etc.

> > >

> > > I also had such bad IBS that I was given more drugs to control

that.

> > Since May, I have spent

> > > quite a lot of money going to doctors, all to no avail and

with no

> > diagnosis ever made.

> > > Finally I was told I was having anxiety as no one could figure

out

> > what was wrong with my

> > > body. I started wondering if it could be all the low carb

stuff I

> > was eating, as this was the

> > > only change in my life. Around the beginning of May I had

started on

> > a " low carb " life style

> > > and started drinking the low carb slimfast and eating the

sugar-free

> > low carb candy that is

> > > now so abundant in stores. I quit everything for a while and

the

> > symptoms seemed to

> > > subside and then almost went away. Last week, for some dumb

reason,

> > I decided to retry

> > > the slim fast because of my weight loss goals and today I had

> > another attack of numbness

> > > and a panic attack. During these attacks, I can hardly breath

and my

> > legs and arms are

> > > weak, I am dizzy, numb and my muscles ache horribly. It feels

like I

> > am about to die. To

> > > say they are severe is an understatement.

> > >

> > > Needless to say, I have learned my lesson and will NEVER use

> > sucralose again. It is

> > > dangerous and seems like a huge toxin to the body. If just one

> > person reacts this way, it

> > > CAN'T be a good thing. It seems like we are being poisoned by

these

> > huge conglomerates

> > > that don't care about health and only interested in lining

their

> > pockets. The price of being

> > > thin is definitely not worth loosing brain cells or getting

huge

> > amounts of neurological and

> > > cardiological damage or who knows maybe even death. My

digestive

> > track and my arteries

> > > were actually going into huge spasms so much so that my doctor

and I

> > both thought that I

> > > was having angina. My doctor prescribed nitro just in case -

even

> > though I have low blood

> > > pressure, low cholesterol and a low body weight. This is how

serious

> > things got with my

> > > health while ingesting this deadly poison.

> > >

> > > Sincerely,

> > > Sallie Ceideski

> > > Charlottesville, VA.

> > >

> > > I've been following the Paleolithic diet with some success for

a

> > couple of years. Last year,

> > > when Splenda became more widely available, I started using it

pretty

> > regularly. While it's

> > > not on my diet, I figured since it was " all natural " and not

> > absorbed by the body I would be

> > > just fine.

> > >

> > > I hadn't made the connection till now, but I have been unable

to

> > lose any weight for the

> > > past year which is about how long I've been using splenda in

the

> > form of drinks like

> > > Hansen's diet sodas, Big Red and Diet RC. Furthermore, I've

had two

> > unusual episodes of

> > > unexplained pain. The first, shortly after Christmas 2003, was

very

> > extreme. I had no

> > > diarrhea or gas, but I had terrible cramping for several

hours. The

> > pain was so unbearable

> > > I nearly passed out. I was a pale green color and there were a

few

> > moments where

> > > everything started to turn white like I would pass out. Since

it had

> > been Christmas I had

> > > been eating a lot of goodies (many made with Splenda) and less

of my

> > usual healthy

> > > veggies and such. I thought maybe I had burst my intestines or

> > something from lack of

> > > fiber (the only explanation I could think of for such extreme

pain)

> > so I had my boyfriend

> > > take me to the emergency room.

> > >

> > > When the doctor pressed on my left lower belly I could not

help but

> > scream in pain. They

> > > gave me a shot of morphine but it only helped me to not mind

the

> > pain so much, but I felt

> > > it all the same. Thousands of dollars and a CT scan later...

> > absolutely no problems were

> > > found. The pain slowly abated after about two days. I felt

really

> > crazy but after reading

> > > these other testimonials I really wonder if it had something

> > >

> > > to do with the Splenda. Recently, I have associated Splenda

usage

> > and bladder pain. I've

> > > been getting all the symptoms--burning, pain, and frequency of

a

> > bladder infection. But

> > > again, after doing a urinalysis at my doctor's, no infection

has

> > been found. I tried drinking

> > > a lot of water to clear up the ghost infection (and less

> > Splenda-sweetened drinks and the

> > > symptoms went away. But because I never thought there was a

> > connection, I began

> > > drinking Splenda again, and now my bladder symptoms are back.

My Dad

> > directed me to

> > > your site. Thank you for the information. I may have never

seen the

> > connection because I

> > > was so sure that Splenda was a very safe and natural product.

> > >

> > >

> > > Austin, Texas

> > >

> > > Dr. Mercola:

> > >

> > > I have had a terrible ordeal of having horrible stomach

problems,

> > indigestion, continual

> > > pain, constipation then diarrhea. I traced it back to diet RC

cola,

> > which has Splenda in it. I

> > > had tried to switch off of other diet drinks and went to this

drink.

> > For four weeks I have

> > > had terrible, terrible abdominal pain, etc. I stopped drinking

this

> > and the pain has left.

> > > Amazing how this product can have such a profound effect on

people.

> > Thought you should

> > > know.

> > >

> > > Greg Clore

> > > Plano, Texas

> > >

> > > Yesterday I went for an iced coffee with my friends. Since I

have

> > been watching my weight I

> > > opted for the splend a rather than my usual sugar. I finished

half

> > the coffee in about five

> > > minutes time and immediately my throat felt like it was

closing in

> > on me, my arms and

> > > legs became completely numb,I was covered in a rash, and

thought

> > yesterday was going to

> > > be my last day on earth. I thought I was going to die there in

my

> > friend's car. She rushed

> > > me to the emergency room where my blood pressure was sky high.

I was

> > given breathing

> > > treatments and benadryl and was told I was having an allergic

> > reaction to this drug called

> > > splenda. Today the rash still covers me, my throat still feels

> > swollen and I'm afraid to

> > > death that any moment I may get the feeling of my throat

closing up.

> > I am a mother of

> > > three children and I am highly irate there are no warnings on

any

> > splenda product I've

> > > come across. Monday I will call an attorney and see what my

legal

> > rights are.

> > >

> > > Lucella

> > > Leominster, Massachusetts

> > >

> > > About six months ago, I decided to try the Atkins diet. They

> > strongly recommend Splenda

> > > (right on their home page!) so I went out and got some

packets. I

> > also bought a flavored

> > > water called Fruit20, which contains Splenda. I used these

products

> > for three days and

> > > started feeling sick. My husband said he'd heard there were

problems

> > with Splenda so I did

> > > a little Web searching. It didn't take long to find reams of

info on

> > how evil this stuff can be.

> > > I experienced almost every symptom including bloating,

abdominal

> > pain, gas, nausea,

> > > headaches, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, depression

and

> > dizziness.

> > >

> > > But here's the kicker--I STILL HAVE THEM, even though I haven't

> > consumed any Splenda

> > > since those initial three days! Have you ever heard of this?

I've

> > been making the rounds to

> > > doctors and done several tests. An ultrasound revealed nothing.

> > (Based on my symptoms,

> > > gallstones were suspected.) The motility test was slightly

irregular

> > but nothing major.

> > > Endoscopy suggested acid reflux, but the meds (Nexium, Aciphex,

> > Protonix--I've tried

> > > them all) don't work. Based on all this, I'm told I

have " nonulcer

> > dyspepsia, " which is

> > > essentially symptoms without a cause. I told my gastro about

the

> > Splenda and he poo-

> > > pooed it. I'm at my wits end and have an appointment with my

GP to

> > discuss the possibility

> > > of clinical depression since it seems this is related to

unexplained

> > stomach pain and vice

> > > versa.

> > >

> > > -- Keswani

> > >

> > > I am so THANKFUL to have found your site, and the information

> > provided on Splenda. I

> > > was tricked into trying it out; like most, reading the " Made

from

> > Sugar " claim convinced

> > > me. I am, as I write, having horrendous stomach pains, the

cause of

> > which I am most

> > > certain is Splenda. I have been using it to sweeten my iced

green

> > tea (oh, the irony) for a

> > > couple of weeks, but just recently I've noticed my body feeling

> > worse and worse. The other

> > > night, I went out to dinner with friends, and had a cocktail--

which

> > I can normally handle

> > > quite well. After returning home, I was parched, and prepared a

> > nice, tall glass of said tea.

> > >

> > > All that night, and the next day, I was plagued by diarrhea,

and

> > severe stomach pains. And

> > > now, having just finished another glass, here I am with the

same

> > result. I cannot help, after

> > > reading the stories on this site, but think that Splenda is to

> > blame--I am throwing it out

> > > the moment I close this letter.

> > >

> > > --le

> > > New Jersey

> > >

> > > I have been drinking one or two Propel water drinks (Gatorade

water)

> > every day or every

> > > other day for just over two months. I was having symptoms but

blamed

> > them on a new

> > > intense exercise regimen (martial arts twice a week during

which

> > time I drank the Propel),

> > > stress at work, and stress of dating (I was stressing over a

girl at

> > the time).

> > >

> > > Here it turns out there is sucralose in Propel. The very real

and

> > undeniable symptoms I

> > > suffered included fatigue, mild stomach cramps, sudden urge to

go to

> > the bathroom

> > > (others apparently have suffered outright diarrhea) and at

same time

> > often a type of

> > > constipation where I feel the strong urge to go to the

bathroom but

> > when I try to I can't

> > > purge all the way or to satisfaction, irritability,

sleeplessness

> > (at 4:44 AM, I felt totally

> > > relaxed and awake, like it was 4:44 PM … it's like a strong

caffeine

> > or ginseng buzz, and I

> > > can't sleep), very tired eyes and headache (I NEVER get

headaches

> > but I've had a couple

> > > during this two-month period, and I remember thinking it was

very

> > strange), inability to

> > > concentrate and focus at work and lowered motivation, anxiety

> > (feeling overwhelmed and

> > > scared, unable to cope), mild depression, itchy skin (under my

> > armpits and also my scalp, I

> > > scratched my head so much that I developed small sores that

scabbed

> > over), heightened

> > > sensitivity to noises (smallest sounds are irritating), mild

> > physical impotence or reduction

> > > of libido.

> > >

> > > I drank one even today (before I read the Web site warnings),

and so

> > I had the chance to

> > > pay attention for signs of the symptoms. They took about five

to

> > eight hours to fully set

> > > in, I believe, from the time I took the last Propel (I believe

> > symptoms grow, peak and then

> > > wane). I am sleepless, just went thru strong urge to go to the

> > bathroom, can't focus, and

> > > am impatient and irritable. I also believe it makes you

somewhat

> > impotent as well, just like

> > > symptoms related to going to the bathroom, I still have my sex

drive

> > just like urge to go to

> > > bathroom, but can't really perform (am very weak in terms of

being

> > able to rise to the

> > > occasion and remain hard) … it reminds me of how mood-altering

> > herbs/drugs can often

> > > inhibit libido. In fact, the overall effect of Splenda seems

on par

> > to me with herbal

> > > supplements, like St. 's Wort or Ginseng, as the effects

are

> > subtle but undeniable,

> > > and out of your control.

> > >

> > > Has anyone else noticed a problem with sexual performance due

to

> > Splenda?

> > >

> > > -- Prendergast

> > >

> > > In the past, I had already read enough [about Splenda] to know

I

> > didn't want to use the

> > > product … ever. But, for some reason, I felt drawn to read the

> > testimonials. I'm glad I did.

> > >

> > > My mother died almost three months ago, and I've had some

emotional

> > times, some

> > > interference with my work, etc.--the normal grieving process.

But,

> > for about the last three

> > > weeks, I thought I was going downhill fast. Even when I'd

sleep at

> > night, I was still groggy

> > > and unable to stay awake during the day. I was irritable and

> > uncomfortable most of the

> > > time. My brain didn't work in the " normal " way, I was

forgetting

> > things a minute later,

> > > couldn't follow-through on tasks in a logical order. This has

really

> > been affecting my work.

> > > The only days I noticed that I was more like myself were

Sundays (I

> > had attributed it to the

> > > fact that I always looked forward to going to church).

> > >

> > > Several hours after reading through the testimonials, something

> > occurred to me. About

> > > three weeks ago, the local bread store had a promotion, and if

you

> > bought so much, you

> > > got five loaves free...their choice of the free stuff. Well, I

ended

> > up with Good Hearth Carb

> > > Action Wheat Bread. I never liked it because it doesn't taste

good,

> > but it was free, and I'm

> > > not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, so we ate it. We

ate it

> > every day but Sunday the

> > > past three weeks (I make " special " meals on Sundays), either

for

> > breakfast or lunch,

> > > sometimes both. I just assumed they could claim lower carbs

because

> > the bread slices

> > > were thin and small, about one-third smaller than your average

> > sandwich bread slices.

> > > (That's what a lot of " diet " breads do.) It had no taste,

though. I

> > was forever adding salt

> > > and garlic salt, etc., just to make it palatable.

> > >

> > > Yesterday, I was sluggish and late getting up again. We didn't

have

> > breakfast at all, and

> > > lunch was leftovers. Through the day, I started noticing that

my

> > mind was clearing, and I

> > > wasn't nodding off to sleep every time I sat down. But, it

wasn't

> > until suppertime that I

> > > started connecting the dots. The only real difference in our

diet

> > the past three weeks has

> > > been the free bread. I pulled it out and looked at the list of

> > ingredients, and was mad at

> > > myself for not guessing sooner that this stuff has sucralose

in it!

> > It also has a great deal of

> > > soy, which is probably why it doesn't taste good.

> > >

> > > So, the two loaves of bread that are left are hitting the

garbage can!

> > >

> > > In just one day without the sucralose-laced bread, I can see a

> > definite difference. I was

> > > able to get up this morning and my mind is clear. I hope the

> > improvement crosses over to

> > > my work!

> > >

> > > in LA

> > >

> > > Some time ago I tried Splenda in a packet of hot chocolate. I

knew I

> > was allergic to

> > > aspartame (made me dizzy), but thought maybe Splenda would be

a good

> > alternative. It

> > > made my lips itch! This was the oddest thing. I drank about

> > one-third of a cup of this hot

> > > chocolate and found that my lips stopped itching, but they felt

> > numb. I swore off Splenda.

> > > About a year later I accidentally purchased a drink with

Splenda

> > (labeled as sucralose) and

> > > could not endure the strong chemical flavor, undoubtedly from

the

> > chlorine. I read all

> > > labels carefully and stick with natural sugars in my foods.

I'm a

> > runner and figure I'll run

> > > off any extra calories, but will be hard pressed to endure

another

> > allergic reaction.

> > >

> > > -- Brown

> > >

> > > About four months ago, I started drinking Diet Rite cola. I

drank it

> > for about two weeks

> > > and then one day at work I got laryngitis as I finished my

second

> > drink that morning. My

> > > face and sides of my neck broke out in red itchy hives of

varying

> > sizes, some had a red

> > > streak running up from them. I didn't realize the Diet Rite

was the

> > culprit until the next

> > > afternoon when I drank another cola and again broke out in

hives,

> > this time more

> > > widespread. No more Splenda for me.

> > >

> > > --Yvette

> > >

> > > I am writing to you to let others know of my problems with the

> > product Splenda. We have

> > > been drinking a carbonated flavored water sweetened with

Splenda for

> > over a year. During

> > > all of this time, my husband and I were always feeling tired,

under

> > the weather, lost

> > > interest in doing our favorite things, all our joints were

aching,

> > nausea, gastro problems,

> > > and most recently I had developed this terrible rash on my

neck,

> > armpits and on my chest.

> > >

> > > Of course, we just attributed all of this to changes in the

weather,

> > or arthritis, allergies, or

> > > the " What did I eat? " syndrome, UNTIL--I was doing some

research on

> > the Internet and

> > > discovered your page! What a blessing! After reading your

page, and

> > all of the testimonials

> > > from others, we stopped the Splenda water and using it in my

coffee

> > IMMEDIATELY! I had

> > > sent your page to my sister, who is diabetic, and she was

having all

> > of the symptoms also,

> > > including the rash! She is discarding all of her Splenda as

well.

> > >

> > > We have been off Splenda for three days now, my rash is slowly

going

> > away, my energy is

> > > coming back, and my husband no longer has the nausea that he

had

> > experienced for the

> > > longest time. When is the government going to take this stuff

off

> > the market? And, who

> > > can we contact to get this off the market? This definitely is

worse

> > than chemical warfare! I

> > > hope this bit of information helps someone else out there, and

they

> > discard the " POISON "

> > > too!

> > >

> > > --Terri from New York

> > >

> > > I have been doing the low-carb thing for 18 months now. A

little

> > over three weeks ago I

> > > started to break out in a small itchy rash. At first I thought

it

> > was due to some new bras,

> > > but couldn't figure why that would be since I had washed them

before

> > wearing. Then the

> > > rash started to get worse. My scalp was so itchy, I felt like

an

> > animal with fleas. Then the

> > > rash broke out on my hairline at the back of my neck. It

started to

> > appear all the way

> > > across on my lower back. The itching and scratching was very

> > intense! I couldn't control

> > > the scratching.

> > >

> > > It seamed to be worse in the evening and made it harder for me

to

> > get to sleep. It also

> > > itched more when I first got up in the morning. After going

over

> > everything new or

> > > different lately that I had touched or been around, it just

didn't

> > make sense that this

> > > reaction came from anywhere, but from something I was eating.

With

> > doing the low-carb

> > > thing, I limit my diet to certain foods. So after 18 months of

> > eating practically the same

> > > things, I figured I was eating too much of something and my

body was

> > reacting. I tried

> > > zinc oxide creams and antihistamine sprays to help with the

itching,

> > but there was little

> > > relief.

> > >

> > > The rash started to appear on my upper back and shoulders.

With the

> > rash breaking out

> > > on my upper arms and both sides of my lower hips I figured

this was

> > going to keep

> > > spreading until I started to rule out one by one the things I

was

> > eating, that I was reacting

> > > to. I stopped eating nuts, then cut way down on eggs. The rash

> > seemed a little better in

> > > the first two places that appeared, or at least the itching

wouldn't

> > start up as often and the

> > > scabs I got from scratching myself seemed to be heeling

somewhat.

> > The mass of rash on

> > > my lower back felt not like skin at all, but like a smooth

large

> > thick scar, yet with tiny

> > > bumps. It almost feels like something living under my skin that

> > slows down in the daytime

> > > but never sleeps.

> > >

> > > Since I was cutting out certain foods, I was increasing eating

other

> > foods. The Atkins ice

> > > cream bars--I would eat two to three of those a day. One day I

had

> > four of them! I thought

> > > it might be the ice cream bars, but I didn't want it to be, so

I was

> > going to rule that out last

> > > before going to the doctor. I knew they would do what I was

doing,

> > so I wanted to try it on

> > > my own first. I also had Carb Solutions Ranch salad dressing

and

> > Atkins candy in the

> > > evenings. Atkins pizza tasted good, too! Thought, oh boy …

pizza!

> > >

> > > Whenever I would grocery shop, I would look for Atkins

products to

> > buy because they had

> > > Splenda as the sweetener. Now there are more and more products

out

> > there using

> > > Splenda. The TV advertises it as being made from sugar, so

what can

> > be harmful about

> > > that? I finally got on the Internet to investigate Splenda

since I

> > have so much of it, and was

> > > shocked to read what I read on the subject. I kept looking and

came

> > across your site. I

> > > read about Marcia who had the itching and rash like me. It

took me

> > weeks to put it

> > > together, but thanks to your site and all the people like

Marcia, it

> > now makes sense. So

> > > much for the ice cream bars and the pizza and anything else

with

> > Splenda!

> > >

> > > Some people mentioned cramping and diarrhea, I had cramping

and soft

> > stools about

> > > every five to six days. Never thought it was from the Splenda.

I

> > guess if you have too much

> > > of a 'thought to be' " good thing " for too long, it will come

back

> > and bite 'ya. Hopefully,

> > > there won't be any other consequences that show up later in my

life.

> > I'm looking forward

> > > to no more Splenda, watching the rash disappear and being able

to be

> > out in public again

> > > without scratching!

> > >

> > > UPDATE: I've been off of Splenda and everything else containing

> > sucralose for almost a full

> > > week now and my rash and itching are now both gone. I have a

little

> > dry skin and scratch

> > > marks left from the

> > > intense scratching, but lotion is helping that. I feel great

now! I

> > hope my experience with

> > > Splenda will help someone else the way the stories on your Web

site

> > helped me.

> > >

> > > --Sue F.

> > >

> > > I picked out what seemed to be a " to-good-to-be-true " Edy's ice

> > cream … no fat, no

> > > added sugar but plenty of Splenda. I ate a moderate amount

after

> > dinner and almost

> > > immediately an incredibly uncomfortable, ongoing bout of

stomach

> > distress began--

> > > complete liquification of my insides. I'll spare you the gory

details.

> > >

> > > The next morning I awoke with a terrible headache and very

tired

> > after being awoken in

> > > the night with continued stomach cramps. So I did some

research on

> > the Internet and

> > > confirmed my suspicions about what is apparently not at all an

> > innocuous sugar

> > > substitute. As much as I love chocolate, this is my first and

last

> > exposure to Splenda, if I

> > > have a choice!

> > >

> > > --Nina Weiss

> > >

> > > WOW, I must say I am dumbfounded! My name is Millie and

I am

> > a single mother of

> > > three girls. So it would be natural to be stressed. On July

27, 2004

> > I woke up and had my

> > > normal decaf cup of coffee with two equals, however later that

day

> > it was not unusual for

> > > me to have a craving for something sweet. I opened a packet of

> > Splenda and poured it on

> > > my tongue. That is normally what I do when I have a craving. I

> > remember on the Friday

> > > before having a panicky, nervous feeling but thought nothing

of it.

> > >

> > > Well it was now Wednesday the 28th and I woke up feeling good

and

> > somewhat excited

> > > about the day and about myself. I had my cup of decaf with two

> > equals and went to work.

> > > It was about 9 a.m. when I started to feel a bit nervous and

thought

> > that maybe they had

> > > served me caffeinated coffee by mistake but as the time went

on the

> > panic turned severe. I

> > > couldn't breath I was so nervous inside I felt like I could

jump out

> > of my skin and my vision

> > > was impaired. It was the scariest thing I have EVER

encountered. I

> > honestly thought that I

> > > was going to wind up in a mental ward. I couldn't even take my

lunch

> > for fear of getting

> > > into a car accident. I went on the Internet to research panic

> > attacks when I came across the

> > > harmful effects of aspartame, which led me to look for the

harmful

> > effects of Splenda

> > > because it was my " choice sweetener. "

> > >

> > > I wanted to cry when I read the story on this site of the

> > pharmacist. Except for the burn

> > > (which I too experienced from Bactrum) our symptoms were so

similar.

> > For the past few

> > > weeks I have had trouble with my vision, memory loss,

forgetfulness,

> > severe thirst, joint

> > > pain and unexplained dizziness. I am 37 and I walk on the

treadmill

> > every day during

> > > lunch. I am always on the go, active but healthy (so I

thought).

> > However, now that I took a

> > > good hard look at everything I eat (I have been low carbing for

> > eight years), 50 percent is

> > > made with Splenda and 50 percent NutraSweet or Equal!

> > >

> > > I am simply devastated. I can't believe that for all these

years I

> > thought I was being so

> > > health conscience and in turn I have been poisoning my mind and

> > body. The word has got

> > > to get out to people, especially now with the low-carb craze.

> > EVERYTHING has Splenda

> > > and/or NutraSweet, and we are poisoning ourselves. If you ever

need

> > to get the word out,

> > > you can count on me!

> > >

> > > UPDATE: It has been a couple of weeks since I have had any

[splenda]

> > and the one time I

> > > decided I couldn't have my coffee without it and just one

wouldn't

> > hurt … WRONG. I

> > > suffered another panic attack worse than the first!

> > >

> > > --Milagro

> > > Port Saint Lucie, FL

> > >

> > > My name is Karn and I am 19 years old. I live in Rhode

> > Island. My entire life I have

> > > had the option of drinking diet sodas and other supposed " diet "

> > drinks and foods. Each

> > > time I consume Nutrasweet, Splenda or any type of sweetener, I

get a

> > migraine that lasts

> > > all day. Normally I avoid anything I believe contains

sucralose but

> > sometimes I am fooled.

> > > Beverages claiming " less carbs " in their title instead

of " diet "

> > catch me off guard. For

> > > example, the Coca Cola C2. Trying this beverage caused me to

have a

> > migraine for eight

> > > hours. Obviously this chemical is harmful if simply drinking

half a

> > liter can cause such

> > > pain. Who knows what long-term effects the regular intake of

this

> > chemical could be.

> > > There are people who have been fooled with the notion that

diet soda

> > is better than

> > > regular for your body because it doesn't contain sugar. People

> > should be more aware of

> > > what the results can be.

> > >

> > > The important thing is for me to be aware of all the different

foods

> > that contain this

> > > substance and avoid it completely. There should be a

requirement for

> > all these foods to

> > > have a warning or at least a bold marking that this

food/beverage

> > contains this substance

> > > as I have noticed that sometimes it is only listed in the

> > ingredients, not anywhere else on

> > > the packaging.

> > >

> > > -- Karn

> > > Rhode Island

> > >

> > > I learned several years ago that I was highly reactive to

aspartame

> > so I began carefully

> > > reading labels and have eliminated it completely from my diet.

The

> > symptoms I was having

> > > (mild seizure-like reactions) disappeared. I lost the ability

to

> > communicate and to even

> > > recall the names of my children for several minutes with each

> > episode. That was a

> > > frightening occurrence. Recently, I discovered sucralose and

> > believed from the testimony

> > > of others, who spoke with authority even though they didn't

really

> > know, that it was safe.

> > >

> > > It is not. I began having the same reactions to the sucralose

as I

> > was having to the

> > > asparatame. Thankfully, I have begun to research it and find

that it

> > is as dangerous for me

> > > as is aspartame. My doctor thinks I should have an EEG and MRI

as I

> > did three years ago,

> > > and I may do that just to prove to myself that I am OK, but I

will

> > be surprised if they find

> > > anything this time either. I will not, under any circumstances,

> > ingest any product that uses

> > > artificial sweeteners of any kind. I am a believer!

> > >

> > > --Sjs2418@

> > >

> > > Joint and body stiffness … difficulty walking because of the

pain …

> > eating low-carb bars

> > > with Splenda … feel that this is the problem's origin.

> > >

> > > --Lily

> > >

> > > I was shocked to read your stories on Splenda and other low-

calorie

> > sweeteners. I also

> > > have had reactions to this product but never made the

connection. My

> > coworker somehow

> > > found your Web site and told me to read it. I would come to

work

> > after drinking coffee

> > > with low-calorie sweeteners and started breaking out in hives

and my

> > stomach would get

> > > upset. I noticed also when I would drink diet drinks that I

had the

> > same problem. Not all

> > > the time but most of the time. And I would have no energy and

want

> > to sleep all the time. I

> > > quit drinking and eating anything with Nutrasweet or Splenda.

I just

> > thank my coworker

> > > for finding this article. There is no telling what I was doing

to my

> > body.

> > >

> > > --Rhea S Plemmons

> > > Whitmire, SC

> > >

> > > I have worked in a Baltimore hospital for 25yrs. I am in no

way an

> > alarmist or one to jump

> > > on conspiracy theories. But I strongly believe that Splenda is

fatal

> > if used over a period of

> > > time. My symptoms were/are:

> > >

> > > weight gain (30 lbs in last few years)

> > > edema-severe

> > > diet pepsi addiction and extreme carb cravings

> > > sexual dysfunction

> > > eye flashes

> > > marked hearing impairment

> > > headaches

> > > memory loss

> > > drowsiness

> > > numbing of limbs

> > > depression

> > > anxiety

> > > shortness of breath'

> > > recent high blood pressure

> > >

> > > I stopped using Splenda products and half of these symptoms

after 2

> > weeks decreased or

> > > disappeared

> > >

> > >

> > > -- Stromberg

> > >

> > > Click Here to Read More Splenda Testimonials

> > >

> > >

> > > Read " The Potential Dangers of Sucralose " Article Now

> > > Related Articles:

> > >

> > > The Potential Dangers of Sucralose

> > >

> > > Sucralose (Splenda®) U.S. Product List

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Bev did you even read the article?

-- Re: splenda

I have no problem with Splenda and I know a lot of people that use

it and have no problems either... You can get an allergy or a

reaction to anything including the stuff they use to help

allergies... so I guess most people don't have the same reaction as

some do or they would take it off the market.

Bev

> > >

> > > Hi to all,

> > >

> > > I found this article at dr.mercola.com and thought it fit in

with

> > what was posted yesterday

> > > about splenda. This is about splenda and other artificial

> > sweetners. Very interesting. I

> > > can see myself in much of what I read. Hope this is helpful to

you.

> > It is long but worth the

> > > read.

> > >

> > > Venizia

> > >

> > > Dr. ph Mercola

> > >

> > >

> > > Dr. Mercola's Comment:

> > >

> > > The following testimonials have been sent to us by people from

all

> > over the world who feel

> > > they have been harmed by Splenda. We have not researched each

of

> > these accounts in-

> > > depth, but instead are posting them to draw attention to the

fact

> > that Splenda's safety --

> > > or lack thereof -- is not only unknown and severely

questionable,

> > but worse still is not

> > > even being explored on a sufficient scale.

> > >

> > > That Splenda is being marketed so freely and pervasively is

most

> > concerning given that

> > > there are currently NO large studies underway researching the

safety

> > of this artificial

> > > sweetener, and Splenda was released with few studies to

support its

> > safety. This is the

> > > same pattern that occurred with the artificial sweeteners

aspartame

> > and saccharine--two

> > > sweeteners that are now widely known to cause numerous health

> > problems. In the same

> > > way that Splenda was released with few studies proving its

safety,

> > few studies were

> > > conducted on aspartame and saccharine until the negative health

> > effects began to be seen,

> > > raising alarm and prompting investigations into the true (lack

of)

> > safety of the products.

> > >

> > > If it sounds strange that Splenda could be marketed so widely

> > without any real safety

> > > studies, I ask you to consider the source behind the product.

> > Splenda is made from real

> > > sugar and is then molecularly modified to be calorie-free

> > (essentially, Splenda is produced

> > > by chlorinating sugar). The sugar industry, which is a huge

and very

> > powerful government

> > > lobby, is profiting quite nicely from this no-calorie

sweetener. It

> > is no secret that the U.S.

> > > government is influenced by the sugar industry, and it is not a

> > stretch to think that their

> > > influence may be the real reason why no real studies have been

done.

> > >

> > > So, with that in mind, I urge you to take a look at the many

Splenda

> > testimonials below,

> > > and then ask yourself, is eating this largely experimental

product

> > really worth the risk?

> > >

> > > Have a sucralose/Splenda story others need to hear?

> > > Click here to email it to us.

> > >

> > > Please include your name, try to keep it to 500 words or less,

and

> > let us know if we can

> > > include your email address if published.

> > >

> > > Dear Dr. Mercola,

> > >

> > > I want to thank you for your Web site and especially for your

> > documentation on the

> > > dangers of Splenda. I also want to pass on this testimonial in

the

> > hope it may help others.

> > >

> > > Last evening after dinner I began to feel flush. My husband

> > commented how red my face

> > > was getting and, sure enough, one glance in the mirror

confirmed a

> > bright red, tight, shiny

> > > visage staring back at me. In the next few hours my eyes began

to

> > swell. I went to bed

> > > hoping I could " sleep it off. " How wrong I was.

> > >

> > > This morning I got up and my face was still red, bright and

swollen

> > with puffy eyes. I am a

> > > pharmacist and I have seen many anaphylactoid (allergic)

reactions

> > before. I began to feel

> > > concerned that I too was having one. I have had only one other

> > reaction like this before in

> > > my life--to Bactrim.

> > >

> > > I went out for my usual morning run but by the first quarter

mile I

> > could barely breathe so

> > > I walked slowly back to the house. My right shoulder was

burning so

> > I went to the mirror

> > > and was horrified to find a HUGE 6 inch by 3 inch welt at the

base

> > of my neck (see photo).

> > >

> > > I also felt very panicky and shaky and immediately had two

bouts of

> > diarrhea in rapid

> > > succession. After 15 minutes and a cool shower on tissue that

looked

> > scalded, I was

> > > having difficulty breathing. I was seen in the local emergency

room

> > where the physician

> > > immediately gave me a dexamethasone injection in the hip and a

> > prescription for Epi-pen

> > > and oral prednisone over four days.

> > >

> > > At the time I didn't know why I looked like I had ingested a

sulfa

> > drug. My husband and I

> > > tried to figure out what was different in my life over the

last 12

> > hours. Laundry soap?

> > > Nope. Cake? Animal dander? No and no. A dear friend came to

visit me

> > in my misery and

> > > mentioned that I had started to flush at church, several hours

> > before dinner.

> > >

> > > I remembered that I had had a cup of coffee and had tried the

new

> > creamer sitting by the

> > > pot. I remembered the Splenda label on it, which prompted my

husband

> > and I to search

> > > the Web and we found your site.

> > >

> > > The description by Marcia in the testimonial area caused me to

burst

> > into tears. Yes,

> > > Marcia, there are others like you. I am throwing that stuff

out when

> > I get to church! This

> > > reaction that I have had looks like a drug reaction! I am

appalled

> > an " artificial sweetener "

> > > did this to me.

> > >

> > > Twelve hours after treatment my eyes are no longer swollen and

my

> > face is no longer red,

> > > but my neck welt is the same size, same redness and as tender

as a

> > sunburn. There are a

> > > few blisters in the welt. Even after treatment it still looks

this

> > bad! Perhaps the

> > > manufacturer of Splenda can sell it as a biochemical warfare

agent

> > after it is removed from

> > > the market as a food additive.

> > >

> > > Thanks for getting the word out!

> > >

> > > Lori Hunt, RPh

> > > Pickens, SC

> > >

> > > I also have had horrific effects from splenda. In May of this

year,

> > I started having drop

> > > attacks that I thought were strokes or TIAs. Later they got so

> > severe, I thought they were

> > > heart attacks caused by coronary artery spasms. At the time, I

had

> > no idea what was

> > > causing my attacks because all medical tests were coming back

> > negative. But after several

> > > visits to the ER thinking I was having a stroke or a heart

attack, I

> > began putting two and

> > > two together--whenever I would drink or eat a splenda product,

> > within a few hours or

> > > sometimes even a day or two, my body would go numb and tingly

in

> > different areas. I was

> > > tested for MS, heart disease and for brain lesions. Sometimes,

it

> > was the entire left side of

> > > my body, sometimes my right, sometimes just my legs, sometimes

just

> > my arms or my lips

> > > or face. It would get worse at night while I was sleeping,

then I

> > would wake up and my

> > > heart would immediately go into an arrhythmia and race at

about 160

> > beats per minute. I

> > > would get dry mouth and extremely nauseous. At this point, I

would

> > be terrified and the

> > > numbness would get so bad I would not be able to walk. In

addition,

> > I would get extreme

> > > esophageal reflux, which was not affected by anything,

including

> > prevacid, pepcid, etc.

> > >

> > > I also had such bad IBS that I was given more drugs to control

that.

> > Since May, I have spent

> > > quite a lot of money going to doctors, all to no avail and

with no

> > diagnosis ever made.

> > > Finally I was told I was having anxiety as no one could figure

out

> > what was wrong with my

> > > body. I started wondering if it could be all the low carb

stuff I

> > was eating, as this was the

> > > only change in my life. Around the beginning of May I had

started on

> > a " low carb " life style

> > > and started drinking the low carb slimfast and eating the

sugar-free

> > low carb candy that is

> > > now so abundant in stores. I quit everything for a while and

the

> > symptoms seemed to

> > > subside and then almost went away. Last week, for some dumb

reason,

> > I decided to retry

> > > the slim fast because of my weight loss goals and today I had

> > another attack of numbness

> > > and a panic attack. During these attacks, I can hardly breath

and my

> > legs and arms are

> > > weak, I am dizzy, numb and my muscles ache horribly. It feels

like I

> > am about to die. To

> > > say they are severe is an understatement.

> > >

> > > Needless to say, I have learned my lesson and will NEVER use

> > sucralose again. It is

> > > dangerous and seems like a huge toxin to the body. If just one

> > person reacts this way, it

> > > CAN'T be a good thing. It seems like we are being poisoned by

these

> > huge conglomerates

> > > that don't care about health and only interested in lining

their

> > pockets. The price of being

> > > thin is definitely not worth loosing brain cells or getting

huge

> > amounts of neurological and

> > > cardiological damage or who knows maybe even death. My

digestive

> > track and my arteries

> > > were actually going into huge spasms so much so that my doctor

and I

> > both thought that I

> > > was having angina. My doctor prescribed nitro just in case -

even

> > though I have low blood

> > > pressure, low cholesterol and a low body weight. This is how

serious

> > things got with my

> > > health while ingesting this deadly poison.

> > >

> > > Sincerely,

> > > Sallie Ceideski

> > > Charlottesville, VA.

> > >

> > > I've been following the Paleolithic diet with some success for

a

> > couple of years. Last year,

> > > when Splenda became more widely available, I started using it

pretty

> > regularly. While it's

> > > not on my diet, I figured since it was " all natural " and not

> > absorbed by the body I would be

> > > just fine.

> > >

> > > I hadn't made the connection till now, but I have been unable

to

> > lose any weight for the

> > > past year which is about how long I've been using splenda in

the

> > form of drinks like

> > > Hansen's diet sodas, Big Red and Diet RC. Furthermore, I've

had two

> > unusual episodes of

> > > unexplained pain. The first, shortly after Christmas 2003, was

very

> > extreme. I had no

> > > diarrhea or gas, but I had terrible cramping for several

hours. The

> > pain was so unbearable

> > > I nearly passed out. I was a pale green color and there were a

few

> > moments where

> > > everything started to turn white like I would pass out. Since

it had

> > been Christmas I had

> > > been eating a lot of goodies (many made with Splenda) and less

of my

> > usual healthy

> > > veggies and such. I thought maybe I had burst my intestines or

> > something from lack of

> > > fiber (the only explanation I could think of for such extreme

pain)

> > so I had my boyfriend

> > > take me to the emergency room.

> > >

> > > When the doctor pressed on my left lower belly I could not

help but

> > scream in pain. They

> > > gave me a shot of morphine but it only helped me to not mind

the

> > pain so much, but I felt

> > > it all the same. Thousands of dollars and a CT scan later...

> > absolutely no problems were

> > > found. The pain slowly abated after about two days. I felt

really

> > crazy but after reading

> > > these other testimonials I really wonder if it had something

> > >

> > > to do with the Splenda. Recently, I have associated Splenda

usage

> > and bladder pain. I've

> > > been getting all the symptoms--burning, pain, and frequency of

a

> > bladder infection. But

> > > again, after doing a urinalysis at my doctor's, no infection

has

> > been found. I tried drinking

> > > a lot of water to clear up the ghost infection (and less

> > Splenda-sweetened drinks and the

> > > symptoms went away. But because I never thought there was a

> > connection, I began

> > > drinking Splenda again, and now my bladder symptoms are back.

My Dad

> > directed me to

> > > your site. Thank you for the information. I may have never

seen the

> > connection because I

> > > was so sure that Splenda was a very safe and natural product.

> > >

> > >

> > > Austin, Texas

> > >

> > > Dr. Mercola:

> > >

> > > I have had a terrible ordeal of having horrible stomach

problems,

> > indigestion, continual

> > > pain, constipation then diarrhea. I traced it back to diet RC

cola,

> > which has Splenda in it. I

> > > had tried to switch off of other diet drinks and went to this

drink.

> > For four weeks I have

> > > had terrible, terrible abdominal pain, etc. I stopped drinking

this

> > and the pain has left.

> > > Amazing how this product can have such a profound effect on

people.

> > Thought you should

> > > know.

> > >

> > > Greg Clore

> > > Plano, Texas

> > >

> > > Yesterday I went for an iced coffee with my friends. Since I

have

> > been watching my weight I

> > > opted for the splend a rather than my usual sugar. I finished

half

> > the coffee in about five

> > > minutes time and immediately my throat felt like it was

closing in

> > on me, my arms and

> > > legs became completely numb,I was covered in a rash, and

thought

> > yesterday was going to

> > > be my last day on earth. I thought I was going to die there in

my

> > friend's car. She rushed

> > > me to the emergency room where my blood pressure was sky high.

I was

> > given breathing

> > > treatments and benadryl and was told I was having an allergic

> > reaction to this drug called

> > > splenda. Today the rash still covers me, my throat still feels

> > swollen and I'm afraid to

> > > death that any moment I may get the feeling of my throat

closing up.

> > I am a mother of

> > > three children and I am highly irate there are no warnings on

any

> > splenda product I've

> > > come across. Monday I will call an attorney and see what my

legal

> > rights are.

> > >

> > > Lucella

> > > Leominster, Massachusetts

> > >

> > > About six months ago, I decided to try the Atkins diet. They

> > strongly recommend Splenda

> > > (right on their home page!) so I went out and got some

packets. I

> > also bought a flavored

> > > water called Fruit20, which contains Splenda. I used these

products

> > for three days and

> > > started feeling sick. My husband said he'd heard there were

problems

> > with Splenda so I did

> > > a little Web searching. It didn't take long to find reams of

info on

> > how evil this stuff can be.

> > > I experienced almost every symptom including bloating,

abdominal

> > pain, gas, nausea,

> > > headaches, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, depression

and

> > dizziness.

> > >

> > > But here's the kicker--I STILL HAVE THEM, even though I haven't

> > consumed any Splenda

> > > since those initial three days! Have you ever heard of this?

I've

> > been making the rounds to

> > > doctors and done several tests. An ultrasound revealed nothing.

> > (Based on my symptoms,

> > > gallstones were suspected.) The motility test was slightly

irregular

> > but nothing major.

> > > Endoscopy suggested acid reflux, but the meds (Nexium, Aciphex,

> > Protonix--I've tried

> > > them all) don't work. Based on all this, I'm told I

have " nonulcer

> > dyspepsia, " which is

> > > essentially symptoms without a cause. I told my gastro about

the

> > Splenda and he poo-

> > > pooed it. I'm at my wits end and have an appointment with my

GP to

> > discuss the possibility

> > > of clinical depression since it seems this is related to

unexplained

> > stomach pain and vice

> > > versa.

> > >

> > > -- Keswani

> > >

> > > I am so THANKFUL to have found your site, and the information

> > provided on Splenda. I

> > > was tricked into trying it out; like most, reading the " Made

from

> > Sugar " claim convinced

> > > me. I am, as I write, having horrendous stomach pains, the

cause of

> > which I am most

> > > certain is Splenda. I have been using it to sweeten my iced

green

> > tea (oh, the irony) for a

> > > couple of weeks, but just recently I've noticed my body feeling

> > worse and worse. The other

> > > night, I went out to dinner with friends, and had a cocktail--

which

> > I can normally handle

> > > quite well. After returning home, I was parched, and prepared a

> > nice, tall glass of said tea.

> > >

> > > All that night, and the next day, I was plagued by diarrhea,

and

> > severe stomach pains. And

> > > now, having just finished another glass, here I am with the

same

> > result. I cannot help, after

> > > reading the stories on this site, but think that Splenda is to

> > blame--I am throwing it out

> > > the moment I close this letter.

> > >

> > > --le

> > > New Jersey

> > >

> > > I have been drinking one or two Propel water drinks (Gatorade

water)

> > every day or every

> > > other day for just over two months. I was having symptoms but

blamed

> > them on a new

> > > intense exercise regimen (martial arts twice a week during

which

> > time I drank the Propel),

> > > stress at work, and stress of dating (I was stressing over a

girl at

> > the time).

> > >

> > > Here it turns out there is sucralose in Propel. The very real

and

> > undeniable symptoms I

> > > suffered included fatigue, mild stomach cramps, sudden urge to

go to

> > the bathroom

> > > (others apparently have suffered outright diarrhea) and at

same time

> > often a type of

> > > constipation where I feel the strong urge to go to the

bathroom but

> > when I try to I can't

> > > purge all the way or to satisfaction, irritability,

sleeplessness

> > (at 4:44 AM, I felt totally

> > > relaxed and awake, like it was 4:44 PM … it's like a strong

caffeine

> > or ginseng buzz, and I

> > > can't sleep), very tired eyes and headache (I NEVER get

headaches

> > but I've had a couple

> > > during this two-month period, and I remember thinking it was

very

> > strange), inability to

> > > concentrate and focus at work and lowered motivation, anxiety

> > (feeling overwhelmed and

> > > scared, unable to cope), mild depression, itchy skin (under my

> > armpits and also my scalp, I

> > > scratched my head so much that I developed small sores that

scabbed

> > over), heightened

> > > sensitivity to noises (smallest sounds are irritating), mild

> > physical impotence or reduction

> > > of libido.

> > >

> > > I drank one even today (before I read the Web site warnings),

and so

> > I had the chance to

> > > pay attention for signs of the symptoms. They took about five

to

> > eight hours to fully set

> > > in, I believe, from the time I took the last Propel (I believe

> > symptoms grow, peak and then

> > > wane). I am sleepless, just went thru strong urge to go to the

> > bathroom, can't focus, and

> > > am impatient and irritable. I also believe it makes you

somewhat

> > impotent as well, just like

> > > symptoms related to going to the bathroom, I still have my sex

drive

> > just like urge to go to

> > > bathroom, but can't really perform (am very weak in terms of

being

> > able to rise to the

> > > occasion and remain hard) … it reminds me of how mood-altering

> > herbs/drugs can often

> > > inhibit libido. In fact, the overall effect of Splenda seems

on par

> > to me with herbal

> > > supplements, like St. 's Wort or Ginseng, as the effects

are

> > subtle but undeniable,

> > > and out of your control.

> > >

> > > Has anyone else noticed a problem with sexual performance due

to

> > Splenda?

> > >

> > > -- Prendergast

> > >

> > > In the past, I had already read enough [about Splenda] to know

I

> > didn't want to use the

> > > product … ever. But, for some reason, I felt drawn to read the

> > testimonials. I'm glad I did.

> > >

> > > My mother died almost three months ago, and I've had some

emotional

> > times, some

> > > interference with my work, etc.--the normal grieving process.

But,

> > for about the last three

> > > weeks, I thought I was going downhill fast. Even when I'd

sleep at

> > night, I was still groggy

> > > and unable to stay awake during the day. I was irritable and

> > uncomfortable most of the

> > > time. My brain didn't work in the " normal " way, I was

forgetting

> > things a minute later,

> > > couldn't follow-through on tasks in a logical order. This has

really

> > been affecting my work.

> > > The only days I noticed that I was more like myself were

Sundays (I

> > had attributed it to the

> > > fact that I always looked forward to going to church).

> > >

> > > Several hours after reading through the testimonials, something

> > occurred to me. About

> > > three weeks ago, the local bread store had a promotion, and if

you

> > bought so much, you

> > > got five loaves free...their choice of the free stuff. Well, I

ended

> > up with Good Hearth Carb

> > > Action Wheat Bread. I never liked it because it doesn't taste

good,

> > but it was free, and I'm

> > > not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, so we ate it. We

ate it

> > every day but Sunday the

> > > past three weeks (I make " special " meals on Sundays), either

for

> > breakfast or lunch,

> > > sometimes both. I just assumed they could claim lower carbs

because

> > the bread slices

> > > were thin and small, about one-third smaller than your average

> > sandwich bread slices.

> > > (That's what a lot of " diet " breads do.) It had no taste,

though. I

> > was forever adding salt

> > > and garlic salt, etc., just to make it palatable.

> > >

> > > Yesterday, I was sluggish and late getting up again. We didn't

have

> > breakfast at all, and

> > > lunch was leftovers. Through the day, I started noticing that

my

> > mind was clearing, and I

> > > wasn't nodding off to sleep every time I sat down. But, it

wasn't

> > until suppertime that I

> > > started connecting the dots. The only real difference in our

diet

> > the past three weeks has

> > > been the free bread. I pulled it out and looked at the list of

> > ingredients, and was mad at

> > > myself for not guessing sooner that this stuff has sucralose

in it!

> > It also has a great deal of

> > > soy, which is probably why it doesn't taste good.

> > >

> > > So, the two loaves of bread that are left are hitting the

garbage can!

> > >

> > > In just one day without the sucralose-laced bread, I can see a

> > definite difference. I was

> > > able to get up this morning and my mind is clear. I hope the

> > improvement crosses over to

> > > my work!

> > >

> > > in LA

> > >

> > > Some time ago I tried Splenda in a packet of hot chocolate. I

knew I

> > was allergic to

> > > aspartame (made me dizzy), but thought maybe Splenda would be

a good

> > alternative. It

> > > made my lips itch! This was the oddest thing. I drank about

> > one-third of a cup of this hot

> > > chocolate and found that my lips stopped itching, but they felt

> > numb. I swore off Splenda.

> > > About a year later I accidentally purchased a drink with

Splenda

> > (labeled as sucralose) and

> > > could not endure the strong chemical flavor, undoubtedly from

the

> > chlorine. I read all

> > > labels carefully and stick with natural sugars in my foods.

I'm a

> > runner and figure I'll run

> > > off any extra calories, but will be hard pressed to endure

another

> > allergic reaction.

> > >

> > > -- Brown

> > >

> > > About four months ago, I started drinking Diet Rite cola. I

drank it

> > for about two weeks

> > > and then one day at work I got laryngitis as I finished my

second

> > drink that morning. My

> > > face and sides of my neck broke out in red itchy hives of

varying

> > sizes, some had a red

> > > streak running up from them. I didn't realize the Diet Rite

was the

> > culprit until the next

> > > afternoon when I drank another cola and again broke out in

hives,

> > this time more

> > > widespread. No more Splenda for me.

> > >

> > > --Yvette

> > >

> > > I am writing to you to let others know of my problems with the

> > product Splenda. We have

> > > been drinking a carbonated flavored water sweetened with

Splenda for

> > over a year. During

> > > all of this time, my husband and I were always feeling tired,

under

> > the weather, lost

> > > interest in doing our favorite things, all our joints were

aching,

> > nausea, gastro problems,

> > > and most recently I had developed this terrible rash on my

neck,

> > armpits and on my chest.

> > >

> > > Of course, we just attributed all of this to changes in the

weather,

> > or arthritis, allergies, or

> > > the " What did I eat? " syndrome, UNTIL--I was doing some

research on

> > the Internet and

> > > discovered your page! What a blessing! After reading your

page, and

> > all of the testimonials

> > > from others, we stopped the Splenda water and using it in my

coffee

> > IMMEDIATELY! I had

> > > sent your page to my sister, who is diabetic, and she was

having all

> > of the symptoms also,

> > > including the rash! She is discarding all of her Splenda as

well.

> > >

> > > We have been off Splenda for three days now, my rash is slowly

going

> > away, my energy is

> > > coming back, and my husband no longer has the nausea that he

had

> > experienced for the

> > > longest time. When is the government going to take this stuff

off

> > the market? And, who

> > > can we contact to get this off the market? This definitely is

worse

> > than chemical warfare! I

> > > hope this bit of information helps someone else out there, and

they

> > discard the " POISON "

> > > too!

> > >

> > > --Terri from New York

> > >

> > > I have been doing the low-carb thing for 18 months now. A

little

> > over three weeks ago I

> > > started to break out in a small itchy rash. At first I thought

it

> > was due to some new bras,

> > > but couldn't figure why that would be since I had washed them

before

> > wearing. Then the

> > > rash started to get worse. My scalp was so itchy, I felt like

an

> > animal with fleas. Then the

> > > rash broke out on my hairline at the back of my neck. It

started to

> > appear all the way

> > > across on my lower back. The itching and scratching was very

> > intense! I couldn't control

> > > the scratching.

> > >

> > > It seamed to be worse in the evening and made it harder for me

to

> > get to sleep. It also

> > > itched more when I first got up in the morning. After going

over

> > everything new or

> > > different lately that I had touched or been around, it just

didn't

> > make sense that this

> > > reaction came from anywhere, but from something I was eating.

With

> > doing the low-carb

> > > thing, I limit my diet to certain foods. So after 18 months of

> > eating practically the same

> > > things, I figured I was eating too much of something and my

body was

> > reacting. I tried

> > > zinc oxide creams and antihistamine sprays to help with the

itching,

> > but there was little

> > > relief.

> > >

> > > The rash started to appear on my upper back and shoulders.

With the

> > rash breaking out

> > > on my upper arms and both sides of my lower hips I figured

this was

> > going to keep

> > > spreading until I started to rule out one by one the things I

was

> > eating, that I was reacting

> > > to. I stopped eating nuts, then cut way down on eggs. The rash

> > seemed a little better in

> > > the first two places that appeared, or at least the itching

wouldn't

> > start up as often and the

> > > scabs I got from scratching myself seemed to be heeling

somewhat.

> > The mass of rash on

> > > my lower back felt not like skin at all, but like a smooth

large

> > thick scar, yet with tiny

> > > bumps. It almost feels like something living under my skin that

> > slows down in the daytime

> > > but never sleeps.

> > >

> > > Since I was cutting out certain foods, I was increasing eating

other

> > foods. The Atkins ice

> > > cream bars--I would eat two to three of those a day. One day I

had

> > four of them! I thought

> > > it might be the ice cream bars, but I didn't want it to be, so

I was

> > going to rule that out last

> > > before going to the doctor. I knew they would do what I was

doing,

> > so I wanted to try it on

> > > my own first. I also had Carb Solutions Ranch salad dressing

and

> > Atkins candy in the

> > > evenings. Atkins pizza tasted good, too! Thought, oh boy …

pizza!

> > >

> > > Whenever I would grocery shop, I would look for Atkins

products to

> > buy because they had

> > > Splenda as the sweetener. Now there are more and more products

out

> > there using

> > > Splenda. The TV advertises it as being made from sugar, so

what can

> > be harmful about

> > > that? I finally got on the Internet to investigate Splenda

since I

> > have so much of it, and was

> > > shocked to read what I read on the subject. I kept looking and

came

> > across your site. I

> > > read about Marcia who had the itching and rash like me. It

took me

> > weeks to put it

> > > together, but thanks to your site and all the people like

Marcia, it

> > now makes sense. So

> > > much for the ice cream bars and the pizza and anything else

with

> > Splenda!

> > >

> > > Some people mentioned cramping and diarrhea, I had cramping

and soft

> > stools about

> > > every five to six days. Never thought it was from the Splenda.

I

> > guess if you have too much

> > > of a 'thought to be' " good thing " for too long, it will come

back

> > and bite 'ya. Hopefully,

> > > there won't be any other consequences that show up later in my

life.

> > I'm looking forward

> > > to no more Splenda, watching the rash disappear and being able

to be

> > out in public again

> > > without scratching!

> > >

> > > UPDATE: I've been off of Splenda and everything else containing

> > sucralose for almost a full

> > > week now and my rash and itching are now both gone. I have a

little

> > dry skin and scratch

> > > marks left from the

> > > intense scratching, but lotion is helping that. I feel great

now! I

> > hope my experience with

> > > Splenda will help someone else the way the stories on your Web

site

> > helped me.

> > >

> > > --Sue F.

> > >

> > > I picked out what seemed to be a " to-good-to-be-true " Edy's ice

> > cream … no fat, no

> > > added sugar but plenty of Splenda. I ate a moderate amount

after

> > dinner and almost

> > > immediately an incredibly uncomfortable, ongoing bout of

stomach

> > distress began--

> > > complete liquification of my insides. I'll spare you the gory

details.

> > >

> > > The next morning I awoke with a terrible headache and very

tired

> > after being awoken in

> > > the night with continued stomach cramps. So I did some

research on

> > the Internet and

> > > confirmed my suspicions about what is apparently not at all an

> > innocuous sugar

> > > substitute. As much as I love chocolate, this is my first and

last

> > exposure to Splenda, if I

> > > have a choice!

> > >

> > > --Nina Weiss

> > >

> > > WOW, I must say I am dumbfounded! My name is Millie and

I am

> > a single mother of

> > > three girls. So it would be natural to be stressed. On July

27, 2004

> > I woke up and had my

> > > normal decaf cup of coffee with two equals, however later that

day

> > it was not unusual for

> > > me to have a craving for something sweet. I opened a packet of

> > Splenda and poured it on

> > > my tongue. That is normally what I do when I have a craving. I

> > remember on the Friday

> > > before having a panicky, nervous feeling but thought nothing

of it.

> > >

> > > Well it was now Wednesday the 28th and I woke up feeling good

and

> > somewhat excited

> > > about the day and about myself. I had my cup of decaf with two

> > equals and went to work.

> > > It was about 9 a.m. when I started to feel a bit nervous and

thought

> > that maybe they had

> > > served me caffeinated coffee by mistake but as the time went

on the

> > panic turned severe. I

> > > couldn't breath I was so nervous inside I felt like I could

jump out

> > of my skin and my vision

> > > was impaired. It was the scariest thing I have EVER

encountered. I

> > honestly thought that I

> > > was going to wind up in a mental ward. I couldn't even take my

lunch

> > for fear of getting

> > > into a car accident. I went on the Internet to research panic

> > attacks when I came across the

> > > harmful effects of aspartame, which led me to look for the

harmful

> > effects of Splenda

> > > because it was my " choice sweetener. "

> > >

> > > I wanted to cry when I read the story on this site of the

> > pharmacist. Except for the burn

> > > (which I too experienced from Bactrum) our symptoms were so

similar.

> > For the past few

> > > weeks I have had trouble with my vision, memory loss,

forgetfulness,

> > severe thirst, joint

> > > pain and unexplained dizziness. I am 37 and I walk on the

treadmill

> > every day during

> > > lunch. I am always on the go, active but healthy (so I

thought).

> > However, now that I took a

> > > good hard look at everything I eat (I have been low carbing for

> > eight years), 50 percent is

> > > made with Splenda and 50 percent NutraSweet or Equal!

> > >

> > > I am simply devastated. I can't believe that for all these

years I

> > thought I was being so

> > > health conscience and in turn I have been poisoning my mind and

> > body. The word has got

> > > to get out to people, especially now with the low-carb craze.

> > EVERYTHING has Splenda

> > > and/or NutraSweet, and we are poisoning ourselves. If you ever

need

> > to get the word out,

> > > you can count on me!

> > >

> > > UPDATE: It has been a couple of weeks since I have had any

[splenda]

> > and the one time I

> > > decided I couldn't have my coffee without it and just one

wouldn't

> > hurt … WRONG. I

> > > suffered another panic attack worse than the first!

> > >

> > > --Milagro

> > > Port Saint Lucie, FL

> > >

> > > My name is Karn and I am 19 years old. I live in Rhode

> > Island. My entire life I have

> > > had the option of drinking diet sodas and other supposed " diet "

> > drinks and foods. Each

> > > time I consume Nutrasweet, Splenda or any type of sweetener, I

get a

> > migraine that lasts

> > > all day. Normally I avoid anything I believe contains

sucralose but

> > sometimes I am fooled.

> > > Beverages claiming " less carbs " in their title instead

of " diet "

> > catch me off guard. For

> > > example, the Coca Cola C2. Trying this beverage caused me to

have a

> > migraine for eight

> > > hours. Obviously this chemical is harmful if simply drinking

half a

> > liter can cause such

> > > pain. Who knows what long-term effects the regular intake of

this

> > chemical could be.

> > > There are people who have been fooled with the notion that

diet soda

> > is better than

> > > regular for your body because it doesn't contain sugar. People

> > should be more aware of

> > > what the results can be.

> > >

> > > The important thing is for me to be aware of all the different

foods

> > that contain this

> > > substance and avoid it completely. There should be a

requirement for

> > all these foods to

> > > have a warning or at least a bold marking that this

food/beverage

> > contains this substance

> > > as I have noticed that sometimes it is only listed in the

> > ingredients, not anywhere else on

> > > the packaging.

> > >

> > > -- Karn

> > > Rhode Island

> > >

> > > I learned several years ago that I was highly reactive to

aspartame

> > so I began carefully

> > > reading labels and have eliminated it completely from my diet.

The

> > symptoms I was having

> > > (mild seizure-like reactions) disappeared. I lost the ability

to

> > communicate and to even

> > > recall the names of my children for several minutes with each

> > episode. That was a

> > > frightening occurrence. Recently, I discovered sucralose and

> > believed from the testimony

> > > of others, who spoke with authority even though they didn't

really

> > know, that it was safe.

> > >

> > > It is not. I began having the same reactions to the sucralose

as I

> > was having to the

> > > asparatame. Thankfully, I have begun to research it and find

that it

> > is as dangerous for me

> > > as is aspartame. My doctor thinks I should have an EEG and MRI

as I

> > did three years ago,

> > > and I may do that just to prove to myself that I am OK, but I

will

> > be surprised if they find

> > > anything this time either. I will not, under any circumstances,

> > ingest any product that uses

> > > artificial sweeteners of any kind. I am a believer!

> > >

> > > --Sjs2418@

> > >

> > > Joint and body stiffness … difficulty walking because of the

pain …

> > eating low-carb bars

> > > with Splenda … feel that this is the problem's origin.

> > >

> > > --Lily

> > >

> > > I was shocked to read your stories on Splenda and other low-

calorie

> > sweeteners. I also

> > > have had reactions to this product but never made the

connection. My

> > coworker somehow

> > > found your Web site and told me to read it. I would come to

work

> > after drinking coffee

> > > with low-calorie sweeteners and started breaking out in hives

and my

> > stomach would get

> > > upset. I noticed also when I would drink diet drinks that I

had the

> > same problem. Not all

> > > the time but most of the time. And I would have no energy and

want

> > to sleep all the time. I

> > > quit drinking and eating anything with Nutrasweet or Splenda.

I just

> > thank my coworker

> > > for finding this article. There is no telling what I was doing

to my

> > body.

> > >

> > > --Rhea S Plemmons

> > > Whitmire, SC

> > >

> > > I have worked in a Baltimore hospital for 25yrs. I am in no

way an

> > alarmist or one to jump

> > > on conspiracy theories. But I strongly believe that Splenda is

fatal

> > if used over a period of

> > > time. My symptoms were/are:

> > >

> > > weight gain (30 lbs in last few years)

> > > edema-severe

> > > diet pepsi addiction and extreme carb cravings

> > > sexual dysfunction

> > > eye flashes

> > > marked hearing impairment

> > > headaches

> > > memory loss

> > > drowsiness

> > > numbing of limbs

> > > depression

> > > anxiety

> > > shortness of breath'

> > > recent high blood pressure

> > >

> > > I stopped using Splenda products and half of these symptoms

after 2

> > weeks decreased or

> > > disappeared

> > >

> > >

> > > -- Stromberg

> > >

> > > Click Here to Read More Splenda Testimonials

> > >

> > >

> > > Read " The Potential Dangers of Sucralose " Article Now

> > > Related Articles:

> > >

> > > The Potential Dangers of Sucralose

> > >

> > > Sucralose (Splenda®) U.S. Product List

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

I heard an interview with Barbara Kingsolver who wrote Animal Vegetable

Miracle. This book sounds very sane, about the importance of putting real food

back into our lives. She writes about her year of raising her own food with her

family.There is so much confusion about what to eat these days, fear of food, as

Kingsolver says we talk about food using the language of sin.

Gracia

I think we should get this info out to as many people as we can. Maybe if

enough people

stop buying this junk, they will do something about it. I cannot believe how

many of the

same symptoms I have had like these people that wrote in. Send this to all you

know!

Venizia

---

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[Guest guest]

Hey Venizia-

I totally agree with you about the splenda and the quality of things now.

It's too bad that we even have organic sections - shouldn't all things just be

grown that way? Oh by the way, I went to the Duane Reade by my work and got my

Armour no problem. so I'm not sure what that whole situation was about but it

worked out in the end.

:-)

> Hi,

>

> I am starting a new post for splenda so that we don't have that long article

> attached each

> time we respond back and forth. I am not sure how to edit on this forum.

> Sorry.

>

> Anyway, It was reported that by 2015, 75% of us will be overweight.. Anyway,

> It was repor

> not all are overweight or obese because of the fat we eat or because we are

> not getting

> enough excercise. To some extent that may be true but I believe it is what

> is added to our

> food, things like splenda and other things that are really causing a lot of

> this. Even the way

> our food is grown now, we are not getting the nutrients like we did many

> years ago.

> Well, that my two cents worth. It's very frustrating.

>

> Venizia

>

>

**************************************

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[Guest guest]

I think there is deffinitely something weird with all that splenda type

stuff. My mom (also has hashi's) always felt her carpal tunnel get bad when

she

drank things with splenda in it or drank too much diet coke or stuff like that.

As soon as she'd stop consuming things with it in them the pain, numbness,

etc. would go away. I'm sure many people will react differently to it though.

In a message dated 7/22/07 7:24:33 PM, bdowns45681@... writes:

>

> I have no problem with Splenda and I know a lot of people that use

> it and have no problems either... You can get an allergy or a

> reaction to anything including the stuff they use to help

> allergies... so I guess most people don't have the same reaction as

> some do or they would take it off the market.

> Bev

>

>

> >

> > I think we should get this info out to as many people as we can.

> Maybe if enough people

> > stop buying this junk, they will do something about it. I cannot

> believe how many of the

> > same symptoms I have had like these people that wrote in. Send

> this to all you know!

> >

> > Venizia

> >

>

>

>

**************************************

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[Guest guest]

Gracia-

Is this the same Barbara Kingsolver that also wrote " The Poisonwood Bible "

and " The Bean Trees " ? If so, she's great!

:-)

In a message dated 7/23/07 10:52:55 AM, circe@... writes:

>

> I heard an interview with Barbara Kingsolver who wrote Animal Vegetable

> Miracle. This book sounds very sane, about the importance of putting real food

> back into our lives. She writes about her year of raising her own food with

her

> family.There is so much confusion about what to eat these days, fear of

> food, as Kingsolver says we talk about food using the language of sin.

> Gracia

>

> I think we should get this info out to as many people as we can. Maybe if

> enough people

> stop buying this junk, they will do something about it. I cannot believe how

> many of the

> same symptoms I have had like these people that wrote in. Send this to all

> you know!

>

> Venizia

>

>

**************************************

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[Guest guest]

Man, I wish I could have a vegetable garden! The only thing I could think of

doing here in the city is growing them in pots and putting them out on our

fire escape ... unfortunately I would risk getting a hefty ticket. Oh, oh, maybe

my building could start a veggie garden on the roof ... I bet it would be a

great hit lol.

Still brainstorming,

:-)

In a message dated 7/23/07 12:17:56 PM, dauphine999@... writes:

>

> Hi! I am growing my own vegetables in pots. I have been eating lettuce and

> tomatoes and all the rest right from my garden. What a difference. I feel much

> stronger and I don't have too much stomach upset as I used to with the store

> bought kinds of vegetables. This winter I will still have my vegetables

> because I will put them in jars and save them, and take some plants and bring

> them indoors to grow inside. D999

>

> venizia1948 <nelsonck@...> wrote: Gracia,

>

> Welcome back! Was your trip all you hoped for?

>

> I am very confused about what to eat. Now even tomatoes with licopene don't

> do what all

> the " experts " said it would do. They change their minds every few months, it

> seems. We

> should just go back to doing our own farming.

>

> Venizia

>

>

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[Guest guest]

Hey Venizia-

Yeah, I know the pharmacist made a request to get it shipped over, so maybe

someone was just too lazy to make the trip lol. The duane reade that already

had it in stock said they weren't aware of any problems, so that's good.

Venizia's Wholesome Food Market sounds fantastic! I still get fatigued kind of

easily from the Hashi's but I'd deffinitely help you to the best of my abilities

with the farming process as well LoL.

:-)

In a message dated 7/23/07 3:17:02 PM, nelsonck@... writes:

>

> Hi ,

>

> Glad you were able to find the Armour! It can be a little scary when that

> happens. I

> suspected when my pharmacist said there were no problems in our area getting

> it, that

> perhaps your pharmacist just didn't bother to order it and didn't want to

> tell you that.

> When you went to Duane Reade did they mention they were having any problems?

>

> I think I am going to start the " Venizia's Wholesome Food Market. " It maybe

> be hard to

> find any wholesome food though so maybe I should start with " Venizia's

> Wholesome

> Farming. " Gotta have a sense of humor these days!

>

> Venizia

>

> -- In hypothyroidism@hypothyroidihyp, bear339@, be

> >

> > Hey Venizia-

> > I totally agree with you about the splenda and the quality of things now.

> > It's too bad that we even have organic sections - shouldn't all things

> just be

> > grown that way? Oh by the way, I went to the Duane Reade by my work and

> got my

> > Armour no problem. so I'm not sure what that whole situation was about but

> it

> > worked out in the end.

> >

> > :-)

> >

> > > Hi,

> > >

> > > I am starting a new post for splenda so that we don't have that long

> article

> > > attached each

> > > time we respond back and forth. I am not sure how to edit on this forum.

> > > Sorry.

> > >

> > > Anyway, It was reported that by 2015, 75% of us will be overweight..

> Anyway,

> > > It was repor

> > > not all are overweight or obese because of the fat we eat or because we

> are

> > > not getting

> > > enough excercise. To some extent that may be true but I believe it is

> what

> > > is added to our

> > > food, things like splenda and other things that are really causing a lot

> of

> > > this. Even the way

> > > our food is grown now, we are not getting the nutrients like we did many

> > > years ago.

> > > Well, that my two cents worth. It's very frustrating.

> > >

> > > Venizia

> > >

>

>

>

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[Guest guest]

Gracia,

Welcome back! Was your trip all you hoped for?

I am very confused about what to eat. Now even tomatoes with licopene don't do

what all

the " experts " said it would do. They change their minds every few months, it

seems. We

should just go back to doing our own farming.

Venizia

>

>

> I heard an interview with Barbara Kingsolver who wrote Animal Vegetable

Miracle. This

book sounds very sane, about the importance of putting real food back into our

lives. She

writes about her year of raising her own food with her family.There is so much

confusion

about what to eat these days, fear of food, as Kingsolver says we talk about

food using the

language of sin.

> Gracia

>

> I think we should get this info out to as many people as we can. Maybe if

enough

people

> stop buying this junk, they will do something about it. I cannot believe how

many of

the

> same symptoms I have had like these people that wrote in. Send this to all

you know!

>

> Venizia

>

> ---

> Recent Activity

> a.. 8New Members

> Visit Your Group

>

[Guest guest]

Hi! I am growing my own vegetables in pots. I have been eating lettuce and

tomatoes and all the rest right from my garden. What a difference. I feel much

stronger and I don't have too much stomach upset as I used to with the store

bought kinds of vegetables. This winter I will still have my vegetables because

I will put them in jars and save them, and take some plants and bring them

indoors to grow inside. D999

venizia1948 <nelsonck@...> wrote: Gracia,

Welcome back! Was your trip all you hoped for?

I am very confused about what to eat. Now even tomatoes with licopene don't do

what all

the " experts " said it would do. They change their minds every few months, it

seems. We

should just go back to doing our own farming.

Venizia

>

>

> I heard an interview with Barbara Kingsolver who wrote Animal Vegetable

Miracle. This

book sounds very sane, about the importance of putting real food back into our

lives. She

writes about her year of raising her own food with her family.There is so much

confusion

about what to eat these days, fear of food, as Kingsolver says we talk about

food using the

language of sin.

> Gracia

>

> I think we should get this info out to as many people as we can. Maybe if

enough

people

> stop buying this junk, they will do something about it. I cannot believe how

many of

the

> same symptoms I have had like these people that wrote in. Send this to all you

know!

>

> Venizia

>

> ---

> Recent Activity

> a.. 8New Members

> Visit Your Group

>

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Glad you were able to find the Armour! It can be a little scary when that

happens. I

suspected when my pharmacist said there were no problems in our area getting it,

that

perhaps your pharmacist just didn't bother to order it and didn't want to tell

you that.

When you went to Duane Reade did they mention they were having any problems?

I think I am going to start the " Venizia's Wholesome Food Market. " It maybe be

hard to

find any wholesome food though so maybe I should start with " Venizia's Wholesome

Farming. " Gotta have a sense of humor these days!

Venizia

-- In hypothyroidism , bear339@... wrote:

>

> Hey Venizia-

> I totally agree with you about the splenda and the quality of things now.

> It's too bad that we even have organic sections - shouldn't all things just be

> grown that way? Oh by the way, I went to the Duane Reade by my work and got my

> Armour no problem. so I'm not sure what that whole situation was about but it

> worked out in the end.

>

> :-)

>

> > Hi,

> >

> > I am starting a new post for splenda so that we don't have that long article

> > attached each

> > time we respond back and forth. I am not sure how to edit on this forum.

> > Sorry.

> >

> > Anyway, It was reported that by 2015, 75% of us will be overweight.. Anyway,

> > It was repor

> > not all are overweight or obese because of the fat we eat or because we are

> > not getting

> > enough excercise. To some extent that may be true but I believe it is what

> > is added to our

> > food, things like splenda and other things that are really causing a lot of

> > this. Even the way

> > our food is grown now, we are not getting the nutrients like we did many

> > years ago.

> > Well, that my two cents worth. It's very frustrating.

> >

> > Venizia

> >

> >

>

>

>

>

> **************************************

> Get a sneak peek of the all-new AOL at

> http://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I just sent this article to my sister and she couldn't believe it because she

suspected the

splenda in the soda she was drinking.....would always get a headache....she

stopped it and

it went away. There are too many people having a problem with this stuff for it

not to be a

concern.

Venizia

> > >

> > > I think we should get this info out to as many people as we can.

> > Maybe if enough people

> > > stop buying this junk, they will do something about it. I cannot

> > believe how many of the

> > > same symptoms I have had like these people that wrote in. Send

> > this to all you know!

> > >

> > > Venizia

> > >

> >

> >

> >

>

>

>

>

> **************************************

> Get a sneak peek of the all-new AOL at

> http://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Splenda is composed of something called sucralose which is similiar to

aspartame ... they are all artificial sweeteners.

In a message dated 7/24/07 12:16:40 AM, bdowns45681@... writes:

>

> Crystal, I thought for sure I read splenda.. I was talking about

> splenda, not aspartme...

> Bev

>

> >

> > Hi Bev, here is a link to an article on aspartme that you can print

> out and

> > read on your own time. Let me know if you don't get it. http://www

> > healthmasters. healthmas healthmas healthmast healthma he

>

>

>

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[Guest guest]

Hi Crystal,

If you mean what's below, I read most of it. And I don't what

else..my mind is bad. it's been a while..

Bev

-- In hypothyroidism , " Crystal "

<sweetnwright@...> wrote:

>

> Bev did you even read the article?

>

> -- Re: splenda

>

> I have no problem with Splenda and I know a lot of people that use

> it and have no problems either... You can get an allergy or a

> reaction to anything including the stuff they use to help

> allergies... so I guess most people don't have the same reaction

as

> some do or they would take it off the market.

> Bev

>

>

> > > >

> > > > Hi to all,

> > > >

> > > > I found this article at dr.mercola.com and thought it fit in

> with

> > > what was posted yesterday

> > > > about splenda. This is about splenda and other artificial

> > > sweetners. Very interesting. I

> > > > can see myself in much of what I read. Hope this is helpful

to

> you.

> > > It is long but worth the

> > > > read.

> > > >

> > > > Venizia

> > > >

> > > > Dr. ph Mercola

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > Dr. Mercola's Comment:

> > > >

> > > > The following testimonials have been sent to us by people

from

> all

> > > over the world who feel

> > > > they have been harmed by Splenda. We have not researched

each

> of

> > > these accounts in-

> > > > depth, but instead are posting them to draw attention to the

> fact

> > > that Splenda's safety --

> > > > or lack thereof -- is not only unknown and severely

> questionable,

> > > but worse still is not

> > > > even being explored on a sufficient scale.

> > > >

> > > > That Splenda is being marketed so freely and pervasively is

> most

> > > concerning given that

> > > > there are currently NO large studies underway researching

the

> safety

> > > of this artificial

> > > > sweetener, and Splenda was released with few studies to

> support its

> > > safety. This is the

> > > > same pattern that occurred with the artificial sweeteners

> aspartame

> > > and saccharine--two

> > > > sweeteners that are now widely known to cause numerous health

> > > problems. In the same

> > > > way that Splenda was released with few studies proving its

> safety,

> > > few studies were

> > > > conducted on aspartame and saccharine until the negative

health

> > > effects began to be seen,

> > > > raising alarm and prompting investigations into the true

(lack

> of)

> > > safety of the products.

> > > >

> > > > If it sounds strange that Splenda could be marketed so widely

> > > without any real safety

> > > > studies, I ask you to consider the source behind the product.

> > > Splenda is made from real

> > > > sugar and is then molecularly modified to be calorie-free

> > > (essentially, Splenda is produced

> > > > by chlorinating sugar). The sugar industry, which is a huge

> and very

> > > powerful government

> > > > lobby, is profiting quite nicely from this no-calorie

> sweetener. It

> > > is no secret that the U.S.

> > > > government is influenced by the sugar industry, and it is

not a

> > > stretch to think that their

> > > > influence may be the real reason why no real studies have

been

> done.

> > > >

> > > > So, with that in mind, I urge you to take a look at the many

> Splenda

> > > testimonials below,

> > > > and then ask yourself, is eating this largely experimental

> product

> > > really worth the risk?

> > > >

> > > > Have a sucralose/Splenda story others need to hear?

> > > > Click here to email it to us.

> > > >

> > > > Please include your name, try to keep it to 500 words or

less,

> and

> > > let us know if we can

> > > > include your email address if published.

> > > >

> > > > Dear Dr. Mercola,

> > > >

> > > > I want to thank you for your Web site and especially for your

> > > documentation on the

> > > > dangers of Splenda. I also want to pass on this testimonial

in

> the

> > > hope it may help others.

> > > >

> > > > Last evening after dinner I began to feel flush. My husband

> > > commented how red my face

> > > > was getting and, sure enough, one glance in the mirror

> confirmed a

> > > bright red, tight, shiny

> > > > visage staring back at me. In the next few hours my eyes

began

> to

> > > swell. I went to bed

> > > > hoping I could " sleep it off. " How wrong I was.

> > > >

> > > > This morning I got up and my face was still red, bright and

> swollen

> > > with puffy eyes. I am a

> > > > pharmacist and I have seen many anaphylactoid (allergic)

> reactions

> > > before. I began to feel

> > > > concerned that I too was having one. I have had only one

other

> > > reaction like this before in

> > > > my life--to Bactrim.

> > > >

> > > > I went out for my usual morning run but by the first quarter

> mile I

> > > could barely breathe so

> > > > I walked slowly back to the house. My right shoulder was

> burning so

> > > I went to the mirror

> > > > and was horrified to find a HUGE 6 inch by 3 inch welt at

the

> base

> > > of my neck (see photo).

> > > >

> > > > I also felt very panicky and shaky and immediately had two

> bouts of

> > > diarrhea in rapid

> > > > succession. After 15 minutes and a cool shower on tissue

that

> looked

> > > scalded, I was

> > > > having difficulty breathing. I was seen in the local

emergency

> room

> > > where the physician

> > > > immediately gave me a dexamethasone injection in the hip and

a

> > > prescription for Epi-pen

> > > > and oral prednisone over four days.

> > > >

> > > > At the time I didn't know why I looked like I had ingested a

> sulfa

> > > drug. My husband and I

> > > > tried to figure out what was different in my life over the

> last 12

> > > hours. Laundry soap?

> > > > Nope. Cake? Animal dander? No and no. A dear friend came to

> visit me

> > > in my misery and

> > > > mentioned that I had started to flush at church, several

hours

> > > before dinner.

> > > >

> > > > I remembered that I had had a cup of coffee and had tried

the

> new

> > > creamer sitting by the

> > > > pot. I remembered the Splenda label on it, which prompted my

> husband

> > > and I to search

> > > > the Web and we found your site.

> > > >

> > > > The description by Marcia in the testimonial area caused me

to

> burst

> > > into tears. Yes,

> > > > Marcia, there are others like you. I am throwing that stuff

> out when

> > > I get to church! This

> > > > reaction that I have had looks like a drug reaction! I am

> appalled

> > > an " artificial sweetener "

> > > > did this to me.

> > > >

> > > > Twelve hours after treatment my eyes are no longer swollen

and

> my

> > > face is no longer red,

> > > > but my neck welt is the same size, same redness and as

tender

> as a

> > > sunburn. There are a

> > > > few blisters in the welt. Even after treatment it still

looks

> this

> > > bad! Perhaps the

> > > > manufacturer of Splenda can sell it as a biochemical warfare

> agent

> > > after it is removed from

> > > > the market as a food additive.

> > > >

> > > > Thanks for getting the word out!

> > > >

> > > > Lori Hunt, RPh

> > > > Pickens, SC

> > > >

> > > > I also have had horrific effects from splenda. In May of

this

> year,

> > > I started having drop

> > > > attacks that I thought were strokes or TIAs. Later they got

so

> > > severe, I thought they were

> > > > heart attacks caused by coronary artery spasms. At the time,

I

> had

> > > no idea what was

> > > > causing my attacks because all medical tests were coming back

> > > negative. But after several

> > > > visits to the ER thinking I was having a stroke or a heart

> attack, I

> > > began putting two and

> > > > two together--whenever I would drink or eat a splenda

product,

> > > within a few hours or

> > > > sometimes even a day or two, my body would go numb and

tingly

> in

> > > different areas. I was

> > > > tested for MS, heart disease and for brain lesions.

Sometimes,

> it

> > > was the entire left side of

> > > > my body, sometimes my right, sometimes just my legs,

sometimes

> just

> > > my arms or my lips

> > > > or face. It would get worse at night while I was sleeping,

> then I

> > > would wake up and my

> > > > heart would immediately go into an arrhythmia and race at

> about 160

> > > beats per minute. I

> > > > would get dry mouth and extremely nauseous. At this point, I

> would

> > > be terrified and the

> > > > numbness would get so bad I would not be able to walk. In

> addition,

> > > I would get extreme

> > > > esophageal reflux, which was not affected by anything,

> including

> > > prevacid, pepcid, etc.

> > > >

> > > > I also had such bad IBS that I was given more drugs to

control

> that.

> > > Since May, I have spent

> > > > quite a lot of money going to doctors, all to no avail and

> with no

> > > diagnosis ever made.

> > > > Finally I was told I was having anxiety as no one could

figure

> out

> > > what was wrong with my

> > > > body. I started wondering if it could be all the low carb

> stuff I

> > > was eating, as this was the

> > > > only change in my life. Around the beginning of May I had

> started on

> > > a " low carb " life style

> > > > and started drinking the low carb slimfast and eating the

> sugar-free

> > > low carb candy that is

> > > > now so abundant in stores. I quit everything for a while and

> the

> > > symptoms seemed to

> > > > subside and then almost went away. Last week, for some dumb

> reason,

> > > I decided to retry

> > > > the slim fast because of my weight loss goals and today I had

> > > another attack of numbness

> > > > and a panic attack. During these attacks, I can hardly

breath

> and my

> > > legs and arms are

> > > > weak, I am dizzy, numb and my muscles ache horribly. It

feels

> like I

> > > am about to die. To

> > > > say they are severe is an understatement.

> > > >

> > > > Needless to say, I have learned my lesson and will NEVER use

> > > sucralose again. It is

> > > > dangerous and seems like a huge toxin to the body. If just

one

> > > person reacts this way, it

> > > > CAN'T be a good thing. It seems like we are being poisoned

by

> these

> > > huge conglomerates

> > > > that don't care about health and only interested in lining

> their

> > > pockets. The price of being

> > > > thin is definitely not worth loosing brain cells or getting

> huge

> > > amounts of neurological and

> > > > cardiological damage or who knows maybe even death. My

> digestive

> > > track and my arteries

> > > > were actually going into huge spasms so much so that my

doctor

> and I

> > > both thought that I

> > > > was having angina. My doctor prescribed nitro just in case -

> even

> > > though I have low blood

> > > > pressure, low cholesterol and a low body weight. This is how

> serious

> > > things got with my

> > > > health while ingesting this deadly poison.

> > > >

> > > > Sincerely,

> > > > Sallie Ceideski

> > > > Charlottesville, VA.

> > > >

> > > > I've been following the Paleolithic diet with some success

for

> a

> > > couple of years. Last year,

> > > > when Splenda became more widely available, I started using

it

> pretty

> > > regularly. While it's

> > > > not on my diet, I figured since it was " all natural " and not

> > > absorbed by the body I would be

> > > > just fine.

> > > >

> > > > I hadn't made the connection till now, but I have been

unable

> to

> > > lose any weight for the

> > > > past year which is about how long I've been using splenda in

> the

> > > form of drinks like

> > > > Hansen's diet sodas, Big Red and Diet RC. Furthermore, I've

> had two

> > > unusual episodes of

> > > > unexplained pain. The first, shortly after Christmas 2003,

was

> very

> > > extreme. I had no

> > > > diarrhea or gas, but I had terrible cramping for several

> hours. The

> > > pain was so unbearable

> > > > I nearly passed out. I was a pale green color and there were

a

> few

> > > moments where

> > > > everything started to turn white like I would pass out.

Since

> it had

> > > been Christmas I had

> > > > been eating a lot of goodies (many made with Splenda) and

less

> of my

> > > usual healthy

> > > > veggies and such. I thought maybe I had burst my intestines

or

> > > something from lack of

> > > > fiber (the only explanation I could think of for such

extreme

> pain)

> > > so I had my boyfriend

> > > > take me to the emergency room.

> > > >

> > > > When the doctor pressed on my left lower belly I could not

> help but

> > > scream in pain. They

> > > > gave me a shot of morphine but it only helped me to not mind

> the

> > > pain so much, but I felt

> > > > it all the same. Thousands of dollars and a CT scan later...

> > > absolutely no problems were

> > > > found. The pain slowly abated after about two days. I felt

> really

> > > crazy but after reading

> > > > these other testimonials I really wonder if it had something

> > > >

> > > > to do with the Splenda. Recently, I have associated Splenda

> usage

> > > and bladder pain. I've

> > > > been getting all the symptoms--burning, pain, and frequency

of

> a

> > > bladder infection. But

> > > > again, after doing a urinalysis at my doctor's, no infection

> has

> > > been found. I tried drinking

> > > > a lot of water to clear up the ghost infection (and less

> > > Splenda-sweetened drinks and the

> > > > symptoms went away. But because I never thought there was a

> > > connection, I began

> > > > drinking Splenda again, and now my bladder symptoms are

back.

> My Dad

> > > directed me to

> > > > your site. Thank you for the information. I may have never

> seen the

> > > connection because I

> > > > was so sure that Splenda was a very safe and natural product.

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > Austin, Texas

> > > >

> > > > Dr. Mercola:

> > > >

> > > > I have had a terrible ordeal of having horrible stomach

> problems,

> > > indigestion, continual

> > > > pain, constipation then diarrhea. I traced it back to diet

RC

> cola,

> > > which has Splenda in it. I

> > > > had tried to switch off of other diet drinks and went to

this

> drink.

> > > For four weeks I have

> > > > had terrible, terrible abdominal pain, etc. I stopped

drinking

> this

> > > and the pain has left.

> > > > Amazing how this product can have such a profound effect on

> people.

> > > Thought you should

> > > > know.

> > > >

> > > > Greg Clore

> > > > Plano, Texas

> > > >

> > > > Yesterday I went for an iced coffee with my friends. Since I

> have

> > > been watching my weight I

> > > > opted for the splend a rather than my usual sugar. I

finished

> half

> > > the coffee in about five

> > > > minutes time and immediately my throat felt like it was

> closing in

> > > on me, my arms and

> > > > legs became completely numb,I was covered in a rash, and

> thought

> > > yesterday was going to

> > > > be my last day on earth. I thought I was going to die there

in

> my

> > > friend's car. She rushed

> > > > me to the emergency room where my blood pressure was sky

high.

> I was

> > > given breathing

> > > > treatments and benadryl and was told I was having an allergic

> > > reaction to this drug called

> > > > splenda. Today the rash still covers me, my throat still

feels

> > > swollen and I'm afraid to

> > > > death that any moment I may get the feeling of my throat

> closing up.

> > > I am a mother of

> > > > three children and I am highly irate there are no warnings

on

> any

> > > splenda product I've

> > > > come across. Monday I will call an attorney and see what my

> legal

> > > rights are.

> > > >

> > > > Lucella

> > > > Leominster, Massachusetts

> > > >

> > > > About six months ago, I decided to try the Atkins diet. They

> > > strongly recommend Splenda

> > > > (right on their home page!) so I went out and got some

> packets. I

> > > also bought a flavored

> > > > water called Fruit20, which contains Splenda. I used these

> products

> > > for three days and

> > > > started feeling sick. My husband said he'd heard there were

> problems

> > > with Splenda so I did

> > > > a little Web searching. It didn't take long to find reams of

> info on

> > > how evil this stuff can be.

> > > > I experienced almost every symptom including bloating,

> abdominal

> > > pain, gas, nausea,

> > > > headaches, heart palpitations, shortness of breath,

depression

> and

> > > dizziness.

> > > >

> > > > But here's the kicker--I STILL HAVE THEM, even though I

haven't

> > > consumed any Splenda

> > > > since those initial three days! Have you ever heard of this?

> I've

> > > been making the rounds to

> > > > doctors and done several tests. An ultrasound revealed

nothing.

> > > (Based on my symptoms,

> > > > gallstones were suspected.) The motility test was slightly

> irregular

> > > but nothing major.

> > > > Endoscopy suggested acid reflux, but the meds (Nexium,

Aciphex,

> > > Protonix--I've tried

> > > > them all) don't work. Based on all this, I'm told I

> have " nonulcer

> > > dyspepsia, " which is

> > > > essentially symptoms without a cause. I told my gastro about

> the

> > > Splenda and he poo-

> > > > pooed it. I'm at my wits end and have an appointment with my

> GP to

> > > discuss the possibility

> > > > of clinical depression since it seems this is related to

> unexplained

> > > stomach pain and vice

> > > > versa.

> > > >

> > > > -- Keswani

> > > >

> > > > I am so THANKFUL to have found your site, and the information

> > > provided on Splenda. I

> > > > was tricked into trying it out; like most, reading the " Made

> from

> > > Sugar " claim convinced

> > > > me. I am, as I write, having horrendous stomach pains, the

> cause of

> > > which I am most

> > > > certain is Splenda. I have been using it to sweeten my iced

> green

> > > tea (oh, the irony) for a

> > > > couple of weeks, but just recently I've noticed my body

feeling

> > > worse and worse. The other

> > > > night, I went out to dinner with friends, and had a cocktail-

-

> which

> > > I can normally handle

> > > > quite well. After returning home, I was parched, and

prepared a

> > > nice, tall glass of said tea.

> > > >

> > > > All that night, and the next day, I was plagued by diarrhea,

> and

> > > severe stomach pains. And

> > > > now, having just finished another glass, here I am with the

> same

> > > result. I cannot help, after

> > > > reading the stories on this site, but think that Splenda is

to

> > > blame--I am throwing it out

> > > > the moment I close this letter.

> > > >

> > > > --le

> > > > New Jersey

> > > >

> > > > I have been drinking one or two Propel water drinks

(Gatorade

> water)

> > > every day or every

> > > > other day for just over two months. I was having symptoms

but

> blamed

> > > them on a new

> > > > intense exercise regimen (martial arts twice a week during

> which

> > > time I drank the Propel),

> > > > stress at work, and stress of dating (I was stressing over a

> girl at

> > > the time).

> > > >

> > > > Here it turns out there is sucralose in Propel. The very

real

> and

> > > undeniable symptoms I

> > > > suffered included fatigue, mild stomach cramps, sudden urge

to

> go to

> > > the bathroom

> > > > (others apparently have suffered outright diarrhea) and at

> same time

> > > often a type of

> > > > constipation where I feel the strong urge to go to the

> bathroom but

> > > when I try to I can't

> > > > purge all the way or to satisfaction, irritability,

> sleeplessness

> > > (at 4:44 AM, I felt totally

> > > > relaxed and awake, like it was 4:44 PM … it's like a strong

> caffeine

> > > or ginseng buzz, and I

> > > > can't sleep), very tired eyes and headache (I NEVER get

> headaches

> > > but I've had a couple

> > > > during this two-month period, and I remember thinking it was

> very

> > > strange), inability to

> > > > concentrate and focus at work and lowered motivation, anxiety

> > > (feeling overwhelmed and

> > > > scared, unable to cope), mild depression, itchy skin (under

my

> > > armpits and also my scalp, I

> > > > scratched my head so much that I developed small sores that

> scabbed

> > > over), heightened

> > > > sensitivity to noises (smallest sounds are irritating), mild

> > > physical impotence or reduction

> > > > of libido.

> > > >

> > > > I drank one even today (before I read the Web site

warnings),

> and so

> > > I had the chance to

> > > > pay attention for signs of the symptoms. They took about

five

> to

> > > eight hours to fully set

> > > > in, I believe, from the time I took the last Propel (I

believe

> > > symptoms grow, peak and then

> > > > wane). I am sleepless, just went thru strong urge to go to

the

> > > bathroom, can't focus, and

> > > > am impatient and irritable. I also believe it makes you

> somewhat

> > > impotent as well, just like

> > > > symptoms related to going to the bathroom, I still have my

sex

> drive

> > > just like urge to go to

> > > > bathroom, but can't really perform (am very weak in terms of

> being

> > > able to rise to the

> > > > occasion and remain hard) … it reminds me of how mood-

altering

> > > herbs/drugs can often

> > > > inhibit libido. In fact, the overall effect of Splenda seems

> on par

> > > to me with herbal

> > > > supplements, like St. 's Wort or Ginseng, as the effects

> are

> > > subtle but undeniable,

> > > > and out of your control.

> > > >

> > > > Has anyone else noticed a problem with sexual performance

due

> to

> > > Splenda?

> > > >

> > > > -- Prendergast

> > > >

> > > > In the past, I had already read enough [about Splenda] to

know

> I

> > > didn't want to use the

> > > > product … ever. But, for some reason, I felt drawn to read

the

> > > testimonials. I'm glad I did.

> > > >

> > > > My mother died almost three months ago, and I've had some

> emotional

> > > times, some

> > > > interference with my work, etc.--the normal grieving

process.

> But,

> > > for about the last three

> > > > weeks, I thought I was going downhill fast. Even when I'd

> sleep at

> > > night, I was still groggy

> > > > and unable to stay awake during the day. I was irritable and

> > > uncomfortable most of the

> > > > time. My brain didn't work in the " normal " way, I was

> forgetting

> > > things a minute later,

> > > > couldn't follow-through on tasks in a logical order. This

has

> really

> > > been affecting my work.

> > > > The only days I noticed that I was more like myself were

> Sundays (I

> > > had attributed it to the

> > > > fact that I always looked forward to going to church).

> > > >

> > > > Several hours after reading through the testimonials,

something

> > > occurred to me. About

> > > > three weeks ago, the local bread store had a promotion, and

if

> you

> > > bought so much, you

> > > > got five loaves free...their choice of the free stuff. Well,

I

> ended

> > > up with Good Hearth Carb

> > > > Action Wheat Bread. I never liked it because it doesn't

taste

> good,

> > > but it was free, and I'm

> > > > not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, so we ate it. We

> ate it

> > > every day but Sunday the

> > > > past three weeks (I make " special " meals on Sundays), either

> for

> > > breakfast or lunch,

> > > > sometimes both. I just assumed they could claim lower carbs

> because

> > > the bread slices

> > > > were thin and small, about one-third smaller than your

average

> > > sandwich bread slices.

> > > > (That's what a lot of " diet " breads do.) It had no taste,

> though. I

> > > was forever adding salt

> > > > and garlic salt, etc., just to make it palatable.

> > > >

> > > > Yesterday, I was sluggish and late getting up again. We

didn't

> have

> > > breakfast at all, and

> > > > lunch was leftovers. Through the day, I started noticing

that

> my

> > > mind was clearing, and I

> > > > wasn't nodding off to sleep every time I sat down. But, it

> wasn't

> > > until suppertime that I

> > > > started connecting the dots. The only real difference in our

> diet

> > > the past three weeks has

> > > > been the free bread. I pulled it out and looked at the list

of

> > > ingredients, and was mad at

> > > > myself for not guessing sooner that this stuff has sucralose

> in it!

> > > It also has a great deal of

> > > > soy, which is probably why it doesn't taste good.

> > > >

> > > > So, the two loaves of bread that are left are hitting the

> garbage can!

> > > >

> > > > In just one day without the sucralose-laced bread, I can see

a

> > > definite difference. I was

> > > > able to get up this morning and my mind is clear. I hope the

> > > improvement crosses over to

> > > > my work!

> > > >

> > > > in LA

> > > >

> > > > Some time ago I tried Splenda in a packet of hot chocolate.

I

> knew I

> > > was allergic to

> > > > aspartame (made me dizzy), but thought maybe Splenda would

be

> a good

> > > alternative. It

> > > > made my lips itch! This was the oddest thing. I drank about

> > > one-third of a cup of this hot

> > > > chocolate and found that my lips stopped itching, but they

felt

> > > numb. I swore off Splenda.

> > > > About a year later I accidentally purchased a drink with

> Splenda

> > > (labeled as sucralose) and

> > > > could not endure the strong chemical flavor, undoubtedly

from

> the

> > > chlorine. I read all

> > > > labels carefully and stick with natural sugars in my foods.

> I'm a

> > > runner and figure I'll run

> > > > off any extra calories, but will be hard pressed to endure

> another

> > > allergic reaction.

> > > >

> > > > -- Brown

> > > >

> > > > About four months ago, I started drinking Diet Rite cola. I

> drank it

> > > for about two weeks

> > > > and then one day at work I got laryngitis as I finished my

> second

> > > drink that morning. My

> > > > face and sides of my neck broke out in red itchy hives of

> varying

> > > sizes, some had a red

> > > > streak running up from them. I didn't realize the Diet Rite

> was the

> > > culprit until the next

> > > > afternoon when I drank another cola and again broke out in

> hives,

> > > this time more

> > > > widespread. No more Splenda for me.

> > > >

> > > > --Yvette

> > > >

> > > > I am writing to you to let others know of my problems with

the

> > > product Splenda. We have

> > > > been drinking a carbonated flavored water sweetened with

> Splenda for

> > > over a year. During

> > > > all of this time, my husband and I were always feeling

tired,

> under

> > > the weather, lost

> > > > interest in doing our favorite things, all our joints were

> aching,

> > > nausea, gastro problems,

> > > > and most recently I had developed this terrible rash on my

> neck,

> > > armpits and on my chest.

> > > >

> > > > Of course, we just attributed all of this to changes in the

> weather,

> > > or arthritis, allergies, or

> > > > the " What did I eat? " syndrome, UNTIL--I was doing some

> research on

> > > the Internet and

> > > > discovered your page! What a blessing! After reading your

> page, and

> > > all of the testimonials

> > > > from others, we stopped the Splenda water and using it in my

> coffee

> > > IMMEDIATELY! I had

> > > > sent your page to my sister, who is diabetic, and she was

> having all

> > > of the symptoms also,

> > > > including the rash! She is discarding all of her Splenda as

> well.

> > > >

> > > > We have been off Splenda for three days now, my rash is

slowly

> going

> > > away, my energy is

> > > > coming back, and my husband no longer has the nausea that he

> had

> > > experienced for the

> > > > longest time. When is the government going to take this

stuff

> off

> > > the market? And, who

> > > > can we contact to get this off the market? This definitely

is

> worse

> > > than chemical warfare! I

> > > > hope this bit of information helps someone else out there,

and

> they

> > > discard the " POISON "

> > > > too!

> > > >

> > > > --Terri from New York

> > > >

> > > > I have been doing the low-carb thing for 18 months now. A

> little

> > > over three weeks ago I

> > > > started to break out in a small itchy rash. At first I

thought

> it

> > > was due to some new bras,

> > > > but couldn't figure why that would be since I had washed

them

> before

> > > wearing. Then the

> > > > rash started to get worse. My scalp was so itchy, I felt

like

> an

> > > animal with fleas. Then the

> > > > rash broke out on my hairline at the back of my neck. It

> started to

> > > appear all the way

> > > > across on my lower back. The itching and scratching was very

> > > intense! I couldn't control

> > > > the scratching.

> > > >

> > > > It seamed to be worse in the evening and made it harder for

me

> to

> > > get to sleep. It also

> > > > itched more when I first got up in the morning. After going

> over

> > > everything new or

> > > > different lately that I had touched or been around, it just

> didn't

> > > make sense that this

> > > > reaction came from anywhere, but from something I was

eating.

> With

> > > doing the low-carb

> > > > thing, I limit my diet to certain foods. So after 18 months

of

> > > eating practically the same

> > > > things, I figured I was eating too much of something and my

> body was

> > > reacting. I tried

> > > > zinc oxide creams and antihistamine sprays to help with the

> itching,

> > > but there was little

> > > > relief.

> > > >

> > > > The rash started to appear on my upper back and shoulders.

> With the

> > > rash breaking out

> > > > on my upper arms and both sides of my lower hips I figured

> this was

> > > going to keep

> > > > spreading until I started to rule out one by one the things

I

> was

> > > eating, that I was reacting

> > > > to. I stopped eating nuts, then cut way down on eggs. The

rash

> > > seemed a little better in

> > > > the first two places that appeared, or at least the itching

> wouldn't

> > > start up as often and the

> > > > scabs I got from scratching myself seemed to be heeling

> somewhat.

> > > The mass of rash on

> > > > my lower back felt not like skin at all, but like a smooth

> large

> > > thick scar, yet with tiny

> > > > bumps. It almost feels like something living under my skin

that

> > > slows down in the daytime

> > > > but never sleeps.

> > > >

> > > > Since I was cutting out certain foods, I was increasing

eating

> other

> > > foods. The Atkins ice

> > > > cream bars--I would eat two to three of those a day. One day

I

> had

> > > four of them! I thought

> > > > it might be the ice cream bars, but I didn't want it to be,

so

> I was

> > > going to rule that out last

> > > > before going to the doctor. I knew they would do what I was

> doing,

> > > so I wanted to try it on

> > > > my own first. I also had Carb Solutions Ranch salad dressing

> and

> > > Atkins candy in the

> > > > evenings. Atkins pizza tasted good, too! Thought, oh boy …

> pizza!

> > > >

> > > > Whenever I would grocery shop, I would look for Atkins

> products to

> > > buy because they had

> > > > Splenda as the sweetener. Now there are more and more

products

> out

> > > there using

> > > > Splenda. The TV advertises it as being made from sugar, so

> what can

> > > be harmful about

> > > > that? I finally got on the Internet to investigate Splenda

> since I

> > > have so much of it, and was

> > > > shocked to read what I read on the subject. I kept looking

and

> came

> > > across your site. I

> > > > read about Marcia who had the itching and rash like me. It

> took me

> > > weeks to put it

> > > > together, but thanks to your site and all the people like

> Marcia, it

> > > now makes sense. So

> > > > much for the ice cream bars and the pizza and anything else

> with

> > > Splenda!

> > > >

> > > > Some people mentioned cramping and diarrhea, I had cramping

> and soft

> > > stools about

> > > > every five to six days. Never thought it was from the

Splenda.

> I

> > > guess if you have too much

> > > > of a 'thought to be' " good thing " for too long, it will come

> back

> > > and bite 'ya. Hopefully,

> > > > there won't be any other consequences that show up later in

my

> life.

> > > I'm looking forward

> > > > to no more Splenda, watching the rash disappear and being

able

> to be

> > > out in public again

> > > > without scratching!

> > > >

> > > > UPDATE: I've been off of Splenda and everything else

containing

> > > sucralose for almost a full

> > > > week now and my rash and itching are now both gone. I have a

> little

> > > dry skin and scratch

> > > > marks left from the

> > > > intense scratching, but lotion is helping that. I feel great

> now! I

> > > hope my experience with

> > > > Splenda will help someone else the way the stories on your

Web

> site

> > > helped me.

> > > >

> > > > --Sue F.

> > > >

> > > > I picked out what seemed to be a " to-good-to-be-true " Edy's

ice

> > > cream … no fat, no

> > > > added sugar but plenty of Splenda. I ate a moderate amount

> after

> > > dinner and almost

> > > > immediately an incredibly uncomfortable, ongoing bout of

> stomach

> > > distress began--

> > > > complete liquification of my insides. I'll spare you the

gory

> details.

> > > >

> > > > The next morning I awoke with a terrible headache and very

> tired

> > > after being awoken in

> > > > the night with continued stomach cramps. So I did some

> research on

> > > the Internet and

> > > > confirmed my suspicions about what is apparently not at all

an

> > > innocuous sugar

> > > > substitute. As much as I love chocolate, this is my first

and

> last

> > > exposure to Splenda, if I

> > > > have a choice!

> > > >

> > > > --Nina Weiss

> > > >

> > > > WOW, I must say I am dumbfounded! My name is Millie

and

> I am

> > > a single mother of

> > > > three girls. So it would be natural to be stressed. On July

> 27, 2004

> > > I woke up and had my

> > > > normal decaf cup of coffee with two equals, however later

that

> day

> > > it was not unusual for

> > > > me to have a craving for something sweet. I opened a packet

of

> > > Splenda and poured it on

> > > > my tongue. That is normally what I do when I have a craving.

I

> > > remember on the Friday

> > > > before having a panicky, nervous feeling but thought nothing

> of it.

> > > >

> > > > Well it was now Wednesday the 28th and I woke up feeling

good

> and

> > > somewhat excited

> > > > about the day and about myself. I had my cup of decaf with

two

> > > equals and went to work.

> > > > It was about 9 a.m. when I started to feel a bit nervous and

> thought

> > > that maybe they had

> > > > served me caffeinated coffee by mistake but as the time went

> on the

> > > panic turned severe. I

> > > > couldn't breath I was so nervous inside I felt like I could

> jump out

> > > of my skin and my vision

> > > > was impaired. It was the scariest thing I have EVER

> encountered. I

> > > honestly thought that I

> > > > was going to wind up in a mental ward. I couldn't even take

my

> lunch

> > > for fear of getting

> > > > into a car accident. I went on the Internet to research panic

> > > attacks when I came across the

> > > > harmful effects of aspartame, which led me to look for the

> harmful

> > > effects of Splenda

> > > > because it was my " choice sweetener. "

> > > >

> > > > I wanted to cry when I read the story on this site of the

> > > pharmacist. Except for the burn

> > > > (which I too experienced from Bactrum) our symptoms were so

> similar.

> > > For the past few

> > > > weeks I have had trouble with my vision, memory loss,

> forgetfulness,

> > > severe thirst, joint

> > > > pain and unexplained dizziness. I am 37 and I walk on the

> treadmill

> > > every day during

> > > > lunch. I am always on the go, active but healthy (so I

> thought).

> > > However, now that I took a

> > > > good hard look at everything I eat (I have been low carbing

for

> > > eight years), 50 percent is

> > > > made with Splenda and 50 percent NutraSweet or Equal!

> > > >

> > > > I am simply devastated. I can't believe that for all these

> years I

> > > thought I was being so

> > > > health conscience and in turn I have been poisoning my mind

and

> > > body. The word has got

> > > > to get out to people, especially now with the low-carb craze.

> > > EVERYTHING has Splenda

> > > > and/or NutraSweet, and we are poisoning ourselves. If you

ever

> need

> > > to get the word out,

> > > > you can count on me!

> > > >

> > > > UPDATE: It has been a couple of weeks since I have had any

> [splenda]

> > > and the one time I

> > > > decided I couldn't have my coffee without it and just one

> wouldn't

> > > hurt … WRONG. I

> > > > suffered another panic attack worse than the first!

> > > >

> > > > --Milagro

> > > > Port Saint Lucie, FL

> > > >

> > > > My name is Karn and I am 19 years old. I live in

Rhode

> > > Island. My entire life I have

> > > > had the option of drinking diet sodas and other

supposed " diet "

> > > drinks and foods. Each

> > > > time I consume Nutrasweet, Splenda or any type of sweetener,

I

> get a

> > > migraine that lasts

> > > > all day. Normally I avoid anything I believe contains

> sucralose but

> > > sometimes I am fooled.

> > > > Beverages claiming " less carbs " in their title instead

> of " diet "

> > > catch me off guard. For

> > > > example, the Coca Cola C2. Trying this beverage caused me to

> have a

> > > migraine for eight

> > > > hours. Obviously this chemical is harmful if simply drinking

> half a

> > > liter can cause such

> > > > pain. Who knows what long-term effects the regular intake of

> this

> > > chemical could be.

> > > > There are people who have been fooled with the notion that

> diet soda

> > > is better than

> > > > regular for your body because it doesn't contain sugar.

People

> > > should be more aware of

> > > > what the results can be.

> > > >

> > > > The important thing is for me to be aware of all the

different

> foods

> > > that contain this

> > > > substance and avoid it completely. There should be a

> requirement for

> > > all these foods to

> > > > have a warning or at least a bold marking that this

> food/beverage

> > > contains this substance

> > > > as I have noticed that sometimes it is only listed in the

> > > ingredients, not anywhere else on

> > > > the packaging.

> > > >

> > > > -- Karn

> > > > Rhode Island

> > > >

> > > > I learned several years ago that I was highly reactive to

> aspartame

> > > so I began carefully

> > > > reading labels and have eliminated it completely from my

diet.

> The

> > > symptoms I was having

> > > > (mild seizure-like reactions) disappeared. I lost the

ability

> to

> > > communicate and to even

> > > > recall the names of my children for several minutes with each

> > > episode. That was a

> > > > frightening occurrence. Recently, I discovered sucralose and

> > > believed from the testimony

> > > > of others, who spoke with authority even though they didn't

> really

> > > know, that it was safe.

> > > >

> > > > It is not. I began having the same reactions to the

sucralose

> as I

> > > was having to the

> > > > asparatame. Thankfully, I have begun to research it and find

> that it

> > > is as dangerous for me

> > > > as is aspartame. My doctor thinks I should have an EEG and

MRI

> as I

> > > did three years ago,

> > > > and I may do that just to prove to myself that I am OK, but

I

> will

> > > be surprised if they find

> > > > anything this time either. I will not, under any

circumstances,

> > > ingest any product that uses

> > > > artificial sweeteners of any kind. I am a believer!

> > > >

> > > > --Sjs2418@

> > > >

> > > > Joint and body stiffness … difficulty walking because of the

> pain …

> > > eating low-carb bars

> > > > with Splenda … feel that this is the problem's origin.

> > > >

> > > > --Lily

> > > >

> > > > I was shocked to read your stories on Splenda and other low-

> calorie

> > > sweeteners. I also

> > > > have had reactions to this product but never made the

> connection. My

> > > coworker somehow

> > > > found your Web site and told me to read it. I would come to

> work

> > > after drinking coffee

> > > > with low-calorie sweeteners and started breaking out in

hives

> and my

> > > stomach would get

> > > > upset. I noticed also when I would drink diet drinks that I

> had the

> > > same problem. Not all

> > > > the time but most of the time. And I would have no energy

and

> want

> > > to sleep all the time. I

> > > > quit drinking and eating anything with Nutrasweet or

Splenda.

> I just

> > > thank my coworker

> > > > for finding this article. There is no telling what I was

doing

> to my

> > > body.

> > > >

> > > > --Rhea S Plemmons

> > > > Whitmire, SC

> > > >

> > > > I have worked in a Baltimore hospital for 25yrs. I am in no

> way an

> > > alarmist or one to jump

> > > > on conspiracy theories. But I strongly believe that Splenda

is

> fatal

> > > if used over a period of

> > > > time. My symptoms were/are:

> > > >

> > > > weight gain (30 lbs in last few years)

> > > > edema-severe

> > > > diet pepsi addiction and extreme carb cravings

> > > > sexual dysfunction

> > > > eye flashes

> > > > marked hearing impairment

> > > > headaches

> > > > memory loss

> > > > drowsiness

> > > > numbing of limbs

> > > > depression

> > > > anxiety

> > > > shortness of breath'

> > > > recent high blood pressure

> > > >

> > > > I stopped using Splenda products and half of these symptoms

> after 2

> > > weeks decreased or

> > > > disappeared

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > -- Stromberg

> > > >

> > > > Click Here to Read More Splenda Testimonials

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > Read " The Potential Dangers of Sucralose " Article Now

> > > > Related Articles:

> > > >

> > > > The Potential Dangers of Sucralose

> > > >

> > > > Sucralose (Splenda®) U.S. Product List

> > > >

> > >

> >

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Bev, here is a link to an article on aspartme that you can print out and

read on your own time. Let me know if you don't get it. http://www

healthmasters.com/stuff/ASPARTAME--BODY%20OF%20REPORT.pdf

-- Re: splenda

>

> I have no problem with Splenda and I know a lot of people that use

> it and have no problems either... You can get an allergy or a

> reaction to anything including the stuff they use to help

> allergies... so I guess most people don't have the same reaction

as

> some do or they would take it off the market.

> Bev

>

>

> > > >

> > > > Hi to all,

> > > >

> > > > I found this article at dr.mercola.com and thought it fit in

> with

> > > what was posted yesterday

> > > > about splenda. This is about splenda and other artificial

> > > sweetners. Very interesting. I

> > > > can see myself in much of what I read. Hope this is helpful

to

> you.

> > > It is long but worth the

> > > > read.

> > > >

> > > > Venizia

> > > >

> > > > Dr. ph Mercola

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > Dr. Mercola's Comment:

> > > >

> > > > The following testimonials have been sent to us by people

from

> all

> > > over the world who feel

> > > > they have been harmed by Splenda. We have not researched

each

> of

> > > these accounts in-

> > > > depth, but instead are posting them to draw attention to the

> fact

> > > that Splenda's safety --

> > > > or lack thereof -- is not only unknown and severely

> questionable,

> > > but worse still is not

> > > > even being explored on a sufficient scale.

> > > >

> > > > That Splenda is being marketed so freely and pervasively is

> most

> > > concerning given that

> > > > there are currently NO large studies underway researching

the

> safety

> > > of this artificial

> > > > sweetener, and Splenda was released with few studies to

> support its

> > > safety. This is the

> > > > same pattern that occurred with the artificial sweeteners

> aspartame

> > > and saccharine--two

> > > > sweeteners that are now widely known to cause numerous health

> > > problems. In the same

> > > > way that Splenda was released with few studies proving its

> safety,

> > > few studies were

> > > > conducted on aspartame and saccharine until the negative

health

> > > effects began to be seen,

> > > > raising alarm and prompting investigations into the true

(lack

> of)

> > > safety of the products.

> > > >

> > > > If it sounds strange that Splenda could be marketed so widely

> > > without any real safety

> > > > studies, I ask you to consider the source behind the product.

> > > Splenda is made from real

> > > > sugar and is then molecularly modified to be calorie-free

> > > (essentially, Splenda is produced

> > > > by chlorinating sugar). The sugar industry, which is a huge

> and very

> > > powerful government

> > > > lobby, is profiting quite nicely from this no-calorie

> sweetener. It

> > > is no secret that the U.S.

> > > > government is influenced by the sugar industry, and it is

not a

> > > stretch to think that their

> > > > influence may be the real reason why no real studies have

been

> done.

> > > >

> > > > So, with that in mind, I urge you to take a look at the many

> Splenda

> > > testimonials below,

> > > > and then ask yourself, is eating this largely experimental

> product

> > > really worth the risk?

> > > >

> > > > Have a sucralose/Splenda story others need to hear?

> > > > Click here to email it to us.

> > > >

> > > > Please include your name, try to keep it to 500 words or

less,

> and

> > > let us know if we can

> > > > include your email address if published.

> > > >

> > > > Dear Dr. Mercola,

> > > >

> > > > I want to thank you for your Web site and especially for your

> > > documentation on the

> > > > dangers of Splenda. I also want to pass on this testimonial

in

> the

> > > hope it may help others.

> > > >

> > > > Last evening after dinner I began to feel flush. My husband

> > > commented how red my face

> > > > was getting and, sure enough, one glance in the mirror

> confirmed a

> > > bright red, tight, shiny

> > > > visage staring back at me. In the next few hours my eyes

began

> to

> > > swell. I went to bed

> > > > hoping I could " sleep it off. " How wrong I was.

> > > >

> > > > This morning I got up and my face was still red, bright and

> swollen

> > > with puffy eyes. I am a

> > > > pharmacist and I have seen many anaphylactoid (allergic)

> reactions

> > > before. I began to feel

> > > > concerned that I too was having one. I have had only one

other

> > > reaction like this before in

> > > > my life--to Bactrim.

> > > >

> > > > I went out for my usual morning run but by the first quarter

> mile I

> > > could barely breathe so

> > > > I walked slowly back to the house. My right shoulder was

> burning so

> > > I went to the mirror

> > > > and was horrified to find a HUGE 6 inch by 3 inch welt at

the

> base

> > > of my neck (see photo).

> > > >

> > > > I also felt very panicky and shaky and immediately had two

> bouts of

> > > diarrhea in rapid

> > > > succession. After 15 minutes and a cool shower on tissue

that

> looked

> > > scalded, I was

> > > > having difficulty breathing. I was seen in the local

emergency

> room

> > > where the physician

> > > > immediately gave me a dexamethasone injection in the hip and

a

> > > prescription for Epi-pen

> > > > and oral prednisone over four days.

> > > >

> > > > At the time I didn't know why I looked like I had ingested a

> sulfa

> > > drug. My husband and I

> > > > tried to figure out what was different in my life over the

> last 12

> > > hours. Laundry soap?

> > > > Nope. Cake? Animal dander? No and no. A dear friend came to

> visit me

> > > in my misery and

> > > > mentioned that I had started to flush at church, several

hours

> > > before dinner.

> > > >

> > > > I remembered that I had had a cup of coffee and had tried

the

> new

> > > creamer sitting by the

> > > > pot. I remembered the Splenda label on it, which prompted my

> husband

> > > and I to search

> > > > the Web and we found your site.

> > > >

> > > > The description by Marcia in the testimonial area caused me

to

> burst

> > > into tears. Yes,

> > > > Marcia, there are others like you. I am throwing that stuff

> out when

> > > I get to church! This

> > > > reaction that I have had looks like a drug reaction! I am

> appalled

> > > an " artificial sweetener "

> > > > did this to me.

> > > >

> > > > Twelve hours after treatment my eyes are no longer swollen

and

> my

> > > face is no longer red,

> > > > but my neck welt is the same size, same redness and as

tender

> as a

> > > sunburn. There are a

> > > > few blisters in the welt. Even after treatment it still

looks

> this

> > > bad! Perhaps the

> > > > manufacturer of Splenda can sell it as a biochemical warfare

> agent

> > > after it is removed from

> > > > the market as a food additive.

> > > >

> > > > Thanks for getting the word out!

> > > >

> > > > Lori Hunt, RPh

> > > > Pickens, SC

> > > >

> > > > I also have had horrific effects from splenda. In May of

this

> year,

> > > I started having drop

> > > > attacks that I thought were strokes or TIAs. Later they got

so

> > > severe, I thought they were

> > > > heart attacks caused by coronary artery spasms. At the time,

I

> had

> > > no idea what was

> > > > causing my attacks because all medical tests were coming back

> > > negative. But after several

> > > > visits to the ER thinking I was having a stroke or a heart

> attack, I

> > > began putting two and

> > > > two together--whenever I would drink or eat a splenda

product,

> > > within a few hours or

> > > > sometimes even a day or two, my body would go numb and

tingly

> in

> > > different areas. I was

> > > > tested for MS, heart disease and for brain lesions.

Sometimes,

> it

> > > was the entire left side of

> > > > my body, sometimes my right, sometimes just my legs,

sometimes

> just

> > > my arms or my lips

> > > > or face. It would get worse at night while I was sleeping,

> then I

> > > would wake up and my

> > > > heart would immediately go into an arrhythmia and race at

> about 160

> > > beats per minute. I

> > > > would get dry mouth and extremely nauseous. At this point, I

> would

> > > be terrified and the

> > > > numbness would get so bad I would not be able to walk. In

> addition,

> > > I would get extreme

> > > > esophageal reflux, which was not affected by anything,

> including

> > > prevacid, pepcid, etc.

> > > >

> > > > I also had such bad IBS that I was given more drugs to

control

> that.

> > > Since May, I have spent

> > > > quite a lot of money going to doctors, all to no avail and

> with no

> > > diagnosis ever made.

> > > > Finally I was told I was having anxiety as no one could

figure

> out

> > > what was wrong with my

> > > > body. I started wondering if it could be all the low carb

> stuff I

> > > was eating, as this was the

> > > > only change in my life. Around the beginning of May I had

> started on

> > > a " low carb " life style

> > > > and started drinking the low carb slimfast and eating the

> sugar-free

> > > low carb candy that is

> > > > now so abundant in stores. I quit everything for a while and

> the

> > > symptoms seemed to

> > > > subside and then almost went away. Last week, for some dumb

> reason,

> > > I decided to retry

> > > > the slim fast because of my weight loss goals and today I had

> > > another attack of numbness

> > > > and a panic attack. During these attacks, I can hardly

breath

> and my

> > > legs and arms are

> > > > weak, I am dizzy, numb and my muscles ache horribly. It

feels

> like I

> > > am about to die. To

> > > > say they are severe is an understatement.

> > > >

> > > > Needless to say, I have learned my lesson and will NEVER use

> > > sucralose again. It is

> > > > dangerous and seems like a huge toxin to the body. If just

one

> > > person reacts this way, it

> > > > CAN'T be a good thing. It seems like we are being poisoned

by

> these

> > > huge conglomerates

> > > > that don't care about health and only interested in lining

> their

> > > pockets. The price of being

> > > > thin is definitely not worth loosing brain cells or getting

> huge

> > > amounts of neurological and

> > > > cardiological damage or who knows maybe even death. My

> digestive

> > > track and my arteries

> > > > were actually going into huge spasms so much so that my

doctor

> and I

> > > both thought that I

> > > > was having angina. My doctor prescribed nitro just in case -

> even

> > > though I have low blood

> > > > pressure, low cholesterol and a low body weight. This is how

> serious

> > > things got with my

> > > > health while ingesting this deadly poison.

> > > >

> > > > Sincerely,

> > > > Sallie Ceideski

> > > > Charlottesville, VA.

> > > >

> > > > I've been following the Paleolithic diet with some success

for

> a

> > > couple of years. Last year,

> > > > when Splenda became more widely available, I started using

it

> pretty

> > > regularly. While it's

> > > > not on my diet, I figured since it was " all natural " and not

> > > absorbed by the body I would be

> > > > just fine.

> > > >

> > > > I hadn't made the connection till now, but I have been

unable

> to

> > > lose any weight for the

> > > > past year which is about how long I've been using splenda in

> the

> > > form of drinks like

> > > > Hansen's diet sodas, Big Red and Diet RC. Furthermore, I've

> had two

> > > unusual episodes of

> > > > unexplained pain. The first, shortly after Christmas 2003,

was

> very

> > > extreme. I had no

> > > > diarrhea or gas, but I had terrible cramping for several

> hours. The

> > > pain was so unbearable

> > > > I nearly passed out. I was a pale green color and there were

a

> few

> > > moments where

> > > > everything started to turn white like I would pass out.

Since

> it had

> > > been Christmas I had

> > > > been eating a lot of goodies (many made with Splenda) and

less

> of my

> > > usual healthy

> > > > veggies and such. I thought maybe I had burst my intestines

or

> > > something from lack of

> > > > fiber (the only explanation I could think of for such

extreme

> pain)

> > > so I had my boyfriend

> > > > take me to the emergency room.

> > > >

> > > > When the doctor pressed on my left lower belly I could not

> help but

> > > scream in pain. They

> > > > gave me a shot of morphine but it only helped me to not mind

> the

> > > pain so much, but I felt

> > > > it all the same. Thousands of dollars and a CT scan later...

> > > absolutely no problems were

> > > > found. The pain slowly abated after about two days. I felt

> really

> > > crazy but after reading

> > > > these other testimonials I really wonder if it had something

> > > >

> > > > to do with the Splenda. Recently, I have associated Splenda

> usage

> > > and bladder pain. I've

> > > > been getting all the symptoms--burning, pain, and frequency

of

> a

> > > bladder infection. But

> > > > again, after doing a urinalysis at my doctor's, no infection

> has

> > > been found. I tried drinking

> > > > a lot of water to clear up the ghost infection (and less

> > > Splenda-sweetened drinks and the

> > > > symptoms went away. But because I never thought there was a

> > > connection, I began

> > > > drinking Splenda again, and now my bladder symptoms are

back.

> My Dad

> > > directed me to

> > > > your site. Thank you for the information. I may have never

> seen the

> > > connection because I

> > > > was so sure that Splenda was a very safe and natural product.

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > Austin, Texas

> > > >

> > > > Dr. Mercola:

> > > >

> > > > I have had a terrible ordeal of having horrible stomach

> problems,

> > > indigestion, continual

> > > > pain, constipation then diarrhea. I traced it back to diet

RC

> cola,

> > > which has Splenda in it. I

> > > > had tried to switch off of other diet drinks and went to

this

> drink.

> > > For four weeks I have

> > > > had terrible, terrible abdominal pain, etc. I stopped

drinking

> this

> > > and the pain has left.

> > > > Amazing how this product can have such a profound effect on

> people.

> > > Thought you should

> > > > know.

> > > >

> > > > Greg Clore

> > > > Plano, Texas

> > > >

> > > > Yesterday I went for an iced coffee with my friends. Since I

> have

> > > been watching my weight I

> > > > opted for the splend a rather than my usual sugar. I

finished

> half

> > > the coffee in about five

> > > > minutes time and immediately my throat felt like it was

> closing in

> > > on me, my arms and

> > > > legs became completely numb,I was covered in a rash, and

> thought

> > > yesterday was going to

> > > > be my last day on earth. I thought I was going to die there

in

> my

> > > friend's car. She rushed

> > > > me to the emergency room where my blood pressure was sky

high.

> I was

> > > given breathing

> > > > treatments and benadryl and was told I was having an allergic

> > > reaction to this drug called

> > > > splenda. Today the rash still covers me, my throat still

feels

> > > swollen and I'm afraid to

> > > > death that any moment I may get the feeling of my throat

> closing up.

> > > I am a mother of

> > > > three children and I am highly irate there are no warnings

on

> any

> > > splenda product I've

> > > > come across. Monday I will call an attorney and see what my

> legal

> > > rights are.

> > > >

> > > > Lucella

> > > > Leominster, Massachusetts

> > > >

> > > > About six months ago, I decided to try the Atkins diet. They

> > > strongly recommend Splenda

> > > > (right on their home page!) so I went out and got some

> packets. I

> > > also bought a flavored

> > > > water called Fruit20, which contains Splenda. I used these

> products

> > > for three days and

> > > > started feeling sick. My husband said he'd heard there were

> problems

> > > with Splenda so I did

> > > > a little Web searching. It didn't take long to find reams of

> info on

> > > how evil this stuff can be.

> > > > I experienced almost every symptom including bloating,

> abdominal

> > > pain, gas, nausea,

> > > > headaches, heart palpitations, shortness of breath,

depression

> and

> > > dizziness.

> > > >

> > > > But here's the kicker--I STILL HAVE THEM, even though I

haven't

> > > consumed any Splenda

> > > > since those initial three days! Have you ever heard of this?

> I've

> > > been making the rounds to

> > > > doctors and done several tests. An ultrasound revealed

nothing.

> > > (Based on my symptoms,

> > > > gallstones were suspected.) The motility test was slightly

> irregular

> > > but nothing major.

> > > > Endoscopy suggested acid reflux, but the meds (Nexium,

Aciphex,

> > > Protonix--I've tried

> > > > them all) don't work. Based on all this, I'm told I

> have " nonulcer

> > > dyspepsia, " which is

> > > > essentially symptoms without a cause. I told my gastro about

> the

> > > Splenda and he poo-

> > > > pooed it. I'm at my wits end and have an appointment with my

> GP to

> > > discuss the possibility

> > > > of clinical depression since it seems this is related to

> unexplained

> > > stomach pain and vice

> > > > versa.

> > > >

> > > > -- Keswani

> > > >

> > > > I am so THANKFUL to have found your site, and the information

> > > provided on Splenda. I

> > > > was tricked into trying it out; like most, reading the " Made

> from

> > > Sugar " claim convinced

> > > > me. I am, as I write, having horrendous stomach pains, the

> cause of

> > > which I am most

> > > > certain is Splenda. I have been using it to sweeten my iced

> green

> > > tea (oh, the irony) for a

> > > > couple of weeks, but just recently I've noticed my body

feeling

> > > worse and worse. The other

> > > > night, I went out to dinner with friends, and had a cocktail-

-

> which

> > > I can normally handle

> > > > quite well. After returning home, I was parched, and

prepared a

> > > nice, tall glass of said tea.

> > > >

> > > > All that night, and the next day, I was plagued by diarrhea,

> and

> > > severe stomach pains. And

> > > > now, having just finished another glass, here I am with the

> same

> > > result. I cannot help, after

> > > > reading the stories on this site, but think that Splenda is

to

> > > blame--I am throwing it out

> > > > the moment I close this letter.

> > > >

> > > > --le

> > > > New Jersey

> > > >

> > > > I have been drinking one or two Propel water drinks

(Gatorade

> water)

> > > every day or every

> > > > other day for just over two months. I was having symptoms

but

> blamed

> > > them on a new

> > > > intense exercise regimen (martial arts twice a week during

> which

> > > time I drank the Propel),

> > > > stress at work, and stress of dating (I was stressing over a

> girl at

> > > the time).

> > > >

> > > > Here it turns out there is sucralose in Propel. The very

real

> and

> > > undeniable symptoms I

> > > > suffered included fatigue, mild stomach cramps, sudden urge

to

> go to

> > > the bathroom

> > > > (others apparently have suffered outright diarrhea) and at

> same time

> > > often a type of

> > > > constipation where I feel the strong urge to go to the

> bathroom but

> > > when I try to I can't

> > > > purge all the way or to satisfaction, irritability,

> sleeplessness

> > > (at 4:44 AM, I felt totally

> > > > relaxed and awake, like it was 4:44 PM … it's like a strong

> caffeine

> > > or ginseng buzz, and I

> > > > can't sleep), very tired eyes and headache (I NEVER get

> headaches

> > > but I've had a couple

> > > > during this two-month period, and I remember thinking it was

> very

> > > strange), inability to

> > > > concentrate and focus at work and lowered motivation, anxiety

> > > (feeling overwhelmed and

> > > > scared, unable to cope), mild depression, itchy skin (under

my

> > > armpits and also my scalp, I

> > > > scratched my head so much that I developed small sores that

> scabbed

> > > over), heightened

> > > > sensitivity to noises (smallest sounds are irritating), mild

> > > physical impotence or reduction

> > > > of libido.

> > > >

> > > > I drank one even today (before I read the Web site

warnings),

> and so

> > > I had the chance to

> > > > pay attention for signs of the symptoms. They took about

five

> to

> > > eight hours to fully set

> > > > in, I believe, from the time I took the last Propel (I

believe

> > > symptoms grow, peak and then

> > > > wane). I am sleepless, just went thru strong urge to go to

the

> > > bathroom, can't focus, and

> > > > am impatient and irritable. I also believe it makes you

> somewhat

> > > impotent as well, just like

> > > > symptoms related to going to the bathroom, I still have my

sex

> drive

> > > just like urge to go to

> > > > bathroom, but can't really perform (am very weak in terms of

> being

> > > able to rise to the

> > > > occasion and remain hard) … it reminds me of how mood-

altering

> > > herbs/drugs can often

> > > > inhibit libido. In fact, the overall effect of Splenda seems

> on par

> > > to me with herbal

> > > > supplements, like St. 's Wort or Ginseng, as the effects

> are

> > > subtle but undeniable,

> > > > and out of your control.

> > > >

> > > > Has anyone else noticed a problem with sexual performance

due

> to

> > > Splenda?

> > > >

> > > > -- Prendergast

> > > >

> > > > In the past, I had already read enough [about Splenda] to

know

> I

> > > didn't want to use the

> > > > product … ever. But, for some reason, I felt drawn to read

the

> > > testimonials. I'm glad I did.

> > > >

> > > > My mother died almost three months ago, and I've had some

> emotional

> > > times, some

> > > > interference with my work, etc.--the normal grieving

process.

> But,

> > > for about the last three

> > > > weeks, I thought I was going downhill fast. Even when I'd

> sleep at

> > > night, I was still groggy

> > > > and unable to stay awake during the day. I was irritable and

> > > uncomfortable most of the

> > > > time. My brain didn't work in the " normal " way, I was

> forgetting

> > > things a minute later,

> > > > couldn't follow-through on tasks in a logical order. This

has

> really

> > > been affecting my work.

> > > > The only days I noticed that I was more like myself were

> Sundays (I

> > > had attributed it to the

> > > > fact that I always looked forward to going to church).

> > > >

> > > > Several hours after reading through the testimonials,

something

> > > occurred to me. About

> > > > three weeks ago, the local bread store had a promotion, and

if

> you

> > > bought so much, you

> > > > got five loaves free...their choice of the free stuff. Well,

I

> ended

> > > up with Good Hearth Carb

> > > > Action Wheat Bread. I never liked it because it doesn't

taste

> good,

> > > but it was free, and I'm

> > > > not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, so we ate it. We

> ate it

> > > every day but Sunday the

> > > > past three weeks (I make " special " meals on Sundays), either

> for

> > > breakfast or lunch,

> > > > sometimes both. I just assumed they could claim lower carbs

> because

> > > the bread slices

> > > > were thin and small, about one-third smaller than your

average

> > > sandwich bread slices.

> > > > (That's what a lot of " diet " breads do.) It had no taste,

> though. I

> > > was forever adding salt

> > > > and garlic salt, etc., just to make it palatable.

> > > >

> > > > Yesterday, I was sluggish and late getting up again. We

didn't

> have

> > > breakfast at all, and

> > > > lunch was leftovers. Through the day, I started noticing

that

> my

> > > mind was clearing, and I

> > > > wasn't nodding off to sleep every time I sat down. But, it

> wasn't

> > > until suppertime that I

> > > > started connecting the dots. The only real difference in our

> diet

> > > the past three weeks has

> > > > been the free bread. I pulled it out and looked at the list

of

> > > ingredients, and was mad at

> > > > myself for not guessing sooner that this stuff has sucralose

> in it!

> > > It also has a great deal of

> > > > soy, which is probably why it doesn't taste good.

> > > >

> > > > So, the two loaves of bread that are left are hitting the

> garbage can!

> > > >

> > > > In just one day without the sucralose-laced bread, I can see

a

> > > definite difference. I was

> > > > able to get up this morning and my mind is clear. I hope the

> > > improvement crosses over to

> > > > my work!

> > > >

> > > > in LA

> > > >

> > > > Some time ago I tried Splenda in a packet of hot chocolate.

I

> knew I

> > > was allergic to

> > > > aspartame (made me dizzy), but thought maybe Splenda would

be

> a good

> > > alternative. It

> > > > made my lips itch! This was the oddest thing. I drank about

> > > one-third of a cup of this hot

> > > > chocolate and found that my lips stopped itching, but they

felt

> > > numb. I swore off Splenda.

> > > > About a year later I accidentally purchased a drink with

> Splenda

> > > (labeled as sucralose) and

> > > > could not endure the strong chemical flavor, undoubtedly

from

> the

> > > chlorine. I read all

> > > > labels carefully and stick with natural sugars in my foods.

> I'm a

> > > runner and figure I'll run

> > > > off any extra calories, but will be hard pressed to endure

> another

> > > allergic reaction.

> > > >

> > > > -- Brown

> > > >

> > > > About four months ago, I started drinking Diet Rite cola. I

> drank it

> > > for about two weeks

> > > > and then one day at work I got laryngitis as I finished my

> second

> > > drink that morning. My

> > > > face and sides of my neck broke out in red itchy hives of

> varying

> > > sizes, some had a red

> > > > streak running up from them. I didn't realize the Diet Rite

> was the

> > > culprit until the next

> > > > afternoon when I drank another cola and again broke out in

> hives,

> > > this time more

> > > > widespread. No more Splenda for me.

> > > >

> > > > --Yvette

> > > >

> > > > I am writing to you to let others know of my problems with

the

> > > product Splenda. We have

> > > > been drinking a carbonated flavored water sweetened with

> Splenda for

> > > over a year. During

> > > > all of this time, my husband and I were always feeling

tired,

> under

> > > the weather, lost

> > > > interest in doing our favorite things, all our joints were

> aching,

> > > nausea, gastro problems,

> > > > and most recently I had developed this terrible rash on my

> neck,

> > > armpits and on my chest.

> > > >

> > > > Of course, we just attributed all of this to changes in the

> weather,

> > > or arthritis, allergies, or

> > > > the " What did I eat? " syndrome, UNTIL--I was doing some

> research on

> > > the Internet and

> > > > discovered your page! What a blessing! After reading your

> page, and

> > > all of the testimonials

> > > > from others, we stopped the Splenda water and using it in my

> coffee

> > > IMMEDIATELY! I had

> > > > sent your page to my sister, who is diabetic, and she was

> having all

> > > of the symptoms also,

> > > > including the rash! She is discarding all of her Splenda as

> well.

> > > >

> > > > We have been off Splenda for three days now, my rash is

slowly

> going

> > > away, my energy is

> > > > coming back, and my husband no longer has the nausea that he

> had

> > > experienced for the

> > > > longest time. When is the government going to take this

stuff

> off

> > > the market? And, who

> > > > can we contact to get this off the market? This definitely

is

> worse

> > > than chemical warfare! I

> > > > hope this bit of information helps someone else out there,

and

> they

> > > discard the " POISON "

> > > > too!

> > > >

> > > > --Terri from New York

> > > >

> > > > I have been doing the low-carb thing for 18 months now. A

> little

> > > over three weeks ago I

> > > > started to break out in a small itchy rash. At first I

thought

> it

> > > was due to some new bras,

> > > > but couldn't figure why that would be since I had washed

them

> before

> > > wearing. Then the

> > > > rash started to get worse. My scalp was so itchy, I felt

like

> an

> > > animal with fleas. Then the

> > > > rash broke out on my hairline at the back of my neck. It

> started to

> > > appear all the way

> > > > across on my lower back. The itching and scratching was very

> > > intense! I couldn't control

> > > > the scratching.

> > > >

> > > > It seamed to be worse in the evening and made it harder for

me

> to

> > > get to sleep. It also

> > > > itched more when I first got up in the morning. After going

> over

> > > everything new or

> > > > different lately that I had touched or been around, it just

> didn't

> > > make sense that this

> > > > reaction came from anywhere, but from something I was

eating.

> With

> > > doing the low-carb

> > > > thing, I limit my diet to certain foods. So after 18 months

of

> > > eating practically the same

> > > > things, I figured I was eating too much of something and my

> body was

> > > reacting. I tried

> > > > zinc oxide creams and antihistamine sprays to help with the

> itching,

> > > but there was little

> > > > relief.

> > > >

> > > > The rash started to appear on my upper back and shoulders.

> With the

> > > rash breaking out

> > > > on my upper arms and both sides of my lower hips I figured

> this was

> > > going to keep

> > > > spreading until I started to rule out one by one the things

I

> was

> > > eating, that I was reacting

> > > > to. I stopped eating nuts, then cut way down on eggs. The

rash

> > > seemed a little better in

> > > > the first two places that appeared, or at least the itching

> wouldn't

> > > start up as often and the

> > > > scabs I got from scratching myself seemed to be heeling

> somewhat.

> > > The mass of rash on

> > > > my lower back felt not like skin at all, but like a smooth

> large

> > > thick scar, yet with tiny

> > > > bumps. It almost feels like something living under my skin

that

> > > slows down in the daytime

> > > > but never sleeps.

> > > >

> > > > Since I was cutting out certain foods, I was increasing

eating

> other

> > > foods. The Atkins ice

> > > > cream bars--I would eat two to three of those a day. One day

I

> had

> > > four of them! I thought

> > > > it might be the ice cream bars, but I didn't want it to be,

so

> I was

> > > going to rule that out last

> > > > before going to the doctor. I knew they would do what I was

> doing,

> > > so I wanted to try it on

> > > > my own first. I also had Carb Solutions Ranch salad dressing

> and

> > > Atkins candy in the

> > > > evenings. Atkins pizza tasted good, too! Thought, oh boy …

> pizza!

> > > >

> > > > Whenever I would grocery shop, I would look for Atkins

> products to

> > > buy because they had

> > > > Splenda as the sweetener. Now there are more and more

products

> out

> > > there using

> > > > Splenda. The TV advertises it as being made from sugar, so

> what can

> > > be harmful about

> > > > that? I finally got on the Internet to investigate Splenda

> since I

> > > have so much of it, and was

> > > > shocked to read what I read on the subject. I kept looking

and

> came

> > > across your site. I

> > > > read about Marcia who had the itching and rash like me. It

> took me

> > > weeks to put it

> > > > together, but thanks to your site and all the people like

> Marcia, it

> > > now makes sense. So

> > > > much for the ice cream bars and the pizza and anything else

> with

> > > Splenda!

> > > >

> > > > Some people mentioned cramping and diarrhea, I had cramping

> and soft

> > > stools about

> > > > every five to six days. Never thought it was from the

Splenda.

> I

> > > guess if you have too much

> > > > of a 'thought to be' " good thing " for too long, it will come

> back

> > > and bite 'ya. Hopefully,

> > > > there won't be any other consequences that show up later in

my

> life.

> > > I'm looking forward

> > > > to no more Splenda, watching the rash disappear and being

able

> to be

> > > out in public again

> > > > without scratching!

> > > >

> > > > UPDATE: I've been off of Splenda and everything else

containing

> > > sucralose for almost a full

> > > > week now and my rash and itching are now both gone. I have a

> little

> > > dry skin and scratch

> > > > marks left from the

> > > > intense scratching, but lotion is helping that. I feel great

> now! I

> > > hope my experience with

> > > > Splenda will help someone else the way the stories on your

Web

> site

> > > helped me.

> > > >

> > > > --Sue F.

> > > >

> > > > I picked out what seemed to be a " to-good-to-be-true " Edy's

ice

> > > cream … no fat, no

> > > > added sugar but plenty of Splenda. I ate a moderate amount

> after

> > > dinner and almost

> > > > immediately an incredibly uncomfortable, ongoing bout of

> stomach

> > > distress began--

> > > > complete liquification of my insides. I'll spare you the

gory

> details.

> > > >

> > > > The next morning I awoke with a terrible headache and very

> tired

> > > after being awoken in

> > > > the night with continued stomach cramps. So I did some

> research on

> > > the Internet and

> > > > confirmed my suspicions about what is apparently not at all

an

> > > innocuous sugar

> > > > substitute. As much as I love chocolate, this is my first

and

> last

> > > exposure to Splenda, if I

> > > > have a choice!

> > > >

> > > > --Nina Weiss

> > > >

> > > > WOW, I must say I am dumbfounded! My name is Millie

and

> I am

> > > a single mother of

> > > > three girls. So it would be natural to be stressed. On July

> 27, 2004

> > > I woke up and had my

> > > > normal decaf cup of coffee with two equals, however later

that

> day

> > > it was not unusual for

> > > > me to have a craving for something sweet. I opened a packet

of

> > > Splenda and poured it on

> > > > my tongue. That is normally what I do when I have a craving.

I

> > > remember on the Friday

> > > > before having a panicky, nervous feeling but thought nothing

> of it.

> > > >

> > > > Well it was now Wednesday the 28th and I woke up feeling

good

> and

> > > somewhat excited

> > > > about the day and about myself. I had my cup of decaf with

two

> > > equals and went to work.

> > > > It was about 9 a.m. when I started to feel a bit nervous and

> thought

> > > that maybe they had

> > > > served me caffeinated coffee by mistake but as the time went

> on the

> > > panic turned severe. I

> > > > couldn't breath I was so nervous inside I felt like I could

> jump out

> > > of my skin and my vision

> > > > was impaired. It was the scariest thing I have EVER

> encountered. I

> > > honestly thought that I

> > > > was going to wind up in a mental ward. I couldn't even take

my

> lunch

> > > for fear of getting

> > > > into a car accident. I went on the Internet to research panic

> > > attacks when I came across the

> > > > harmful effects of aspartame, which led me to look for the

> harmful

> > > effects of Splenda

> > > > because it was my " choice sweetener. "

> > > >

> > > > I wanted to cry when I read the story on this site of the

> > > pharmacist. Except for the burn

> > > > (which I too experienced from Bactrum) our symptoms were so

> similar.

> > > For the past few

> > > > weeks I have had trouble with my vision, memory loss,

> forgetfulness,

> > > severe thirst, joint

> > > > pain and unexplained dizziness. I am 37 and I walk on the

> treadmill

> > > every day during

> > > > lunch. I am always on the go, active but healthy (so I

> thought).

> > > However, now that I took a

> > > > good hard look at everything I eat (I have been low carbing

for

> > > eight years), 50 percent is

> > > > made with Splenda and 50 percent NutraSweet or Equal!

> > > >

> > > > I am simply devastated. I can't believe that for all these

> years I

> > > thought I was being so

> > > > health conscience and in turn I have been poisoning my mind

and

> > > body. The word has got

> > > > to get out to people, especially now with the low-carb craze.

> > > EVERYTHING has Splenda

> > > > and/or NutraSweet, and we are poisoning ourselves. If you

ever

> need

> > > to get the word out,

> > > > you can count on me!

> > > >

> > > > UPDATE: It has been a couple of weeks since I have had any

> [splenda]

> > > and the one time I

> > > > decided I couldn't have my coffee without it and just one

> wouldn't

> > > hurt … WRONG. I

> > > > suffered another panic attack worse than the first!

> > > >

> > > > --Milagro

> > > > Port Saint Lucie, FL

> > > >

> > > > My name is Karn and I am 19 years old. I live in

Rhode

> > > Island. My entire life I have

> > > > had the option of drinking diet sodas and other

supposed " diet "

> > > drinks and foods. Each

> > > > time I consume Nutrasweet, Splenda or any type of sweetener,

I

> get a

> > > migraine that lasts

> > > > all day. Normally I avoid anything I believe contains

> sucralose but

> > > sometimes I am fooled.

> > > > Beverages claiming " less carbs " in their title instead

> of " diet "

> > > catch me off guard. For

> > > > example, the Coca Cola C2. Trying this beverage caused me to

> have a

> > > migraine for eight

> > > > hours. Obviously this chemical is harmful if simply drinking

> half a

> > > liter can cause such

> > > > pain. Who knows what long-term effects the regular intake of

> this

> > > chemical could be.

> > > > There are people who have been fooled with the notion that

> diet soda

> > > is better than

> > > > regular for your body because it doesn't contain sugar.

People

> > > should be more aware of

> > > > what the results can be.

> > > >

> > > > The important thing is for me to be aware of all the

different

> foods

> > > that contain this

> > > > substance and avoid it completely. There should be a

> requirement for

> > > all these foods to

> > > > have a warning or at least a bold marking that this

> food/beverage

> > > contains this substance

> > > > as I have noticed that sometimes it is only listed in the

> > > ingredients, not anywhere else on

> > > > the packaging.

> > > >

> > > > -- Karn

> > > > Rhode Island

> > > >

> > > > I learned several years ago that I was highly reactive to

> aspartame

> > > so I began carefully

> > > > reading labels and have eliminated it completely from my

diet.

> The

> > > symptoms I was having

> > > > (mild seizure-like reactions) disappeared. I lost the

ability

> to

> > > communicate and to even

> > > > recall the names of my children for several minutes with each

> > > episode. That was a

> > > > frightening occurrence. Recently, I discovered sucralose and

> > > believed from the testimony

> > > > of others, who spoke with authority even though they didn't

> really

> > > know, that it was safe.

> > > >

> > > > It is not. I began having the same reactions to the

sucralose

> as I

> > > was having to the

> > > > asparatame. Thankfully, I have begun to research it and find

> that it

> > > is as dangerous for me

> > > > as is aspartame. My doctor thinks I should have an EEG and

MRI

> as I

> > > did three years ago,

> > > > and I may do that just to prove to myself that I am OK, but

I

> will

> > > be surprised if they find

> > > > anything this time either. I will not, under any

circumstances,

> > > ingest any product that uses

> > > > artificial sweeteners of any kind. I am a believer!

> > > >

> > > > --Sjs2418@

> > > >

> > > > Joint and body stiffness … difficulty walking because of the

> pain …

> > > eating low-carb bars

> > > > with Splenda … feel that this is the problem's origin.

> > > >

> > > > --Lily

> > > >

> > > > I was shocked to read your stories on Splenda and other low-

> calorie

> > > sweeteners. I also

> > > > have had reactions to this product but never made the

> connection. My

> > > coworker somehow

> > > > found your Web site and told me to read it. I would come to

> work

> > > after drinking coffee

> > > > with low-calorie sweeteners and started breaking out in

hives

> and my

> > > stomach would get

> > > > upset. I noticed also when I would drink diet drinks that I

> had the

> > > same problem. Not all

> > > > the time but most of the time. And I would have no energy

and

> want

> > > to sleep all the time. I

> > > > quit drinking and eating anything with Nutrasweet or

Splenda.

> I just

> > > thank my coworker

> > > > for finding this article. There is no telling what I was

doing

> to my

> > > body.

> > > >

> > > > --Rhea S Plemmons

> > > > Whitmire, SC

> > > >

> > > > I have worked in a Baltimore hospital for 25yrs. I am in no

> way an

> > > alarmist or one to jump

> > > > on conspiracy theories. But I strongly believe that Splenda

is

> fatal

> > > if used over a period of

> > > > time. My symptoms were/are:

> > > >

> > > > weight gain (30 lbs in last few years)

> > > > edema-severe

> > > > diet pepsi addiction and extreme carb cravings

> > > > sexual dysfunction

> > > > eye flashes

> > > > marked hearing impairment

> > > > headaches

> > > > memory loss

> > > > drowsiness

> > > > numbing of limbs

> > > > depression

> > > > anxiety

> > > > shortness of breath'

> > > > recent high blood pressure

> > > >

> > > > I stopped using Splenda products and half of these symptoms

> after 2

> > > weeks decreased or

> > > > disappeared

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > -- Stromberg

> > > >

> > > > Click Here to Read More Splenda Testimonials

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > Read " The Potential Dangers of Sucralose " Article Now

> > > > Related Articles:

> > > >

> > > > The Potential Dangers of Sucralose

> > > >

> > > > Sucralose (Splenda®) U.S. Product List

> > > >

> > >

> >

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Crystal, I thought for sure I read splenda.. I was talking about

splenda, not aspartme...

Bev

>

> Hi Bev, here is a link to an article on aspartme that you can print

out and

> read on your own time. Let me know if you don't get it. http://www

> healthmasters.com/stuff/ASPARTAME--BODY%20OF%20REPORT.pdf

>

>

[Guest guest]

I loved the Union Square farmers market! still expensive though. beutiful

cheese that was $20 a lb.

gracia

Man, I wish I could have a vegetable garden! The only thing I could think of

doing here in the city is growing them in pots and putting them out on our

fire escape ... unfortunately I would risk getting a hefty ticket. Oh, oh,

maybe

my building could start a veggie garden on the roof ... I bet it would be a

great hit lol.

Still brainstorming,

:-)

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[Guest guest]

yes, the same one.

gracia

Gracia-

Is this the same Barbara Kingsolver that also wrote " The Poisonwood Bible "

and " The Bean Trees " ? If so, she's great!

:-)

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[Guest guest]

Hi Val! You are Welcome I am not surprised that they took the articles off

the Internet. I have a cousin that lives in England. She has blueyonder also.

LOL Sending good vibes your way D999

<veetee@...> wrote: Hi (Renaud),

Thank you for posting the testimonals on Splenda. When I logged onto Mercola's

site there was a banner saying the site articles had been removed to U.K,

subscribers, so thanks again. It made interesting reading.

Val

[Guest guest]

He discusses all the different kinds. You will be amazed at the

article and the stuff our govt. knows, but refuses to be concerned

about. Ta-ta

Crystal

>

> Crystal, I thought for sure I read splenda.. I was talking about

> splenda, not aspartme...

> Bev

>

>

> >

> > Hi Bev, here is a link to an article on aspartme that you can print

> out and

> > read on your own time. Let me know if you don't get it. http://www

> > healthmasters.com/stuff/ASPARTAME--BODY%20OF%20REPORT.pdf

> >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Things sure have changed. I remember when I was a kid

and lived in the Bronx, NY, and the mothers that would

plant herbs and such in boxes on the fire escapes.

Nobody got any fines.

Roni

--- Gracia <circe@...> wrote:

>

> I loved the Union Square farmers market! still

> expensive though. beutiful cheese that was $20 a

> lb.

> gracia

>

> Man, I wish I could have a vegetable garden! The

> only thing I could think of

> doing here in the city is growing them in pots and

> putting them out on our

> fire escape ... unfortunately I would risk getting

> a hefty ticket. Oh, oh, maybe

> my building could start a veggie garden on the

> roof ... I bet it would be a

> great hit lol.

>

> Still brainstorming,

> :-)

>

>

> Recent Activity

> a.. 8New Members

> Visit Your Group

>