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Sugar Free Products (Aspertame) and Fibro Pain????

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Posted 5/1/2011 5:34 PM (GMT 0)
eyes   Ok so call me CrAzy but...this is my dilema.  I was diagnosed with Type II Diabetes last month.  I switched to "sugar free" (Aspartame) products and since then have noticed that my Fibro Pain has gotten much much worse!!! nono EVERYONE thinks I'm crazy! (like always) but I blame it on the Aspartame containing products, no joke.

I switched to Truvia since it is also made from the Stevia plant and do not have a problem with that.  I just wanted to know if any one else has experience fibro flare ups with Aspertame products?  or is it "just in my head" lol.

Posted 5/1/2011 5:42 PM (GMT 0)
I'm diabetic, too.  I usually use products that have Splenda in them.  I have had aspartame (Nutrisweet) and it hasn't bothered me but the products I buy happen to have Splenda in them.

 

Your body can have reactions to many different things, and that includes artificial sweetners.  Sometimes I opt for sugar because I don't eat that many sweets to begin with.  They have "sugar-free" on them but they certainly aren't calorie free or carb free.  You have to watch that, too, because if you gain weight that can make your blood sugars go up and the weight can cause more pain, too.  It's hard to move well with excess weight on you. 

 

It's a balancing act, for sure, but you will get the hang of it and, through testing your blood sugars, you will see what affects you and what doesn't.  I know if I have too many carbs, I will have more pain.  I now am trying to keep my body's ph in balance and that seems to be working.

 

Sherrine

Posted 5/1/2011 6:05 PM (GMT 0)
Apparently, aspartame', while the body doesn't treat it as sugar, the brain does. Interesting, huh? I've read that aspartame' turns into some awful things inside us as it breaks down. I've taken years off from it and years slugging it down like no tomorrow - I'm sorry but I never noticed a difference in aching. Or weight, for that matter :) I do like using Stevia, tho, but it can bother my gut a little. We are all so different and you may simply be more sensative to it than the next guy.
Posted 5/1/2011 6:19 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks... NotSoCrazyAfterall and Sherrine,

Actually I have lost weight since my diagnosis. Wich is a good thing I guess. I play close attention to the Nutrition Facts Labels and prefer to prepare our meals from scratch. We seldomly use any canned, boxed or frozen foods. I'm doing everything I can to take care of myself. I have also increased my walking distance (I have to make myself go walk). I have also found that my dietary chances have made a great difference in my weight loss. I am stiking to the Truvia seems to be working better for me.
Posted 5/1/2011 6:21 PM (GMT 0)
I just read an article this past week on Fibro and Nutrasweet was listed as somthing to avoid if you have fibro. It said it can increase the symptoms. That peeked my curiosity since I drink at least 3 diet gingerales each day all containing Aspartame. I have read so many things online this past week that say not only can it incease the symptoms but can actually cause Fibro, MS, Lupus, High blood pressure, and the list went on and on. They all seemed to be linked to our nervous system.

They say it is poison and toxic especially over long term use but people can have reactions just after one time. I don't have any idea if this information is all true, but I know that I am going to stop using it! I just quite yesterday. They say it takes about 2 months to fully detox from it. I am not using splenda either since there were many articles on that too. I am trying the stevia. It is natural and right from a plant that can be grown in your back yard. I would like to get my hands on that plant so I don't have to pay for it. It isn't cheep. I love my soda so I found a store near my house that sells a soda that uses stevia for the sweetner. The black cherrry is pretty good. I tried the ginger root beer. It's ok but not as tasty as my A&W. I would rather sacrifice taste over pain.

Like everyone here I am anxious to stop the pain. I hope that this helps. I will let you know if I notice any improvement. If it is a big improvement I will be screeming it from the rooftops. I hate what fibro has made of me. I struggle with it each day and I don't even want to talk about it at work for fear that I will be looked at like I'm crazy. I just deal as best I can each day with the pain. My husband Is a huge support for me. He beleives me 100%. He knows above anyone I don't let anything stop me or get me down but this has. He has chronic asthma and retired early. He has dinner ready every single night when I get home from work and lets me rest in the evening so I can go back to work the next day. I took a huge pay cut to work at a job that only requires 40 hours a week. I couldn't even do that much if it wasn't for him.

I wish you the best, and agree that you should stick with your choice to stop the Aspartame. I'm am so glad to see people talking about this.

Lots of gentle hugs!
Posted 5/1/2011 9:54 PM (GMT 0)
We have had a lot of discussions about aspartame over the years on this forum.  There is a lot of misinformation out there and a lot of scare tactics, too.

 

According to the Mayo Clinic and other health agencies, aspartame and other sweetners are safe in limited quantities.  Here is the link.  It talks about all sweetners and this is good info to know.  Most of us struggle with extra weight due to medications and/or lack of exercise because of pain.  I know I enjoy my glass of diet soda with dinner and some special treats occasionally that have artificial sweetners in them.  I, myself, haven't noticed any difference in my pain but I'm sure there are some that this bothers.  I can't eat anything with MSG in it but many can so we are all so different.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/artificial-sweeteners/MY00073

Sherrine 

Posted 5/1/2011 11:02 PM (GMT 0)
When it comes to aspertame for me it is the taste - GROSS GROSS GROSS AND GROSS AGAIN!! :P I taste like sheet rock dust. :P
I had gestinal diabetes with 3 of my pregnancys. The health food stores sells well healthier soda.
Posted 5/1/2011 11:22 PM (GMT 0)
I don't think the Mayo Clinic specifically is saying artificial sweeteners are good for us, they just say the should be safe.   Most of them are chemicals, if we hate taking meds, which are chemicals, then why would we want to use artificial sweeteners, which are chemicals also?  Just a thought!

Stevia is not a chemical, it's a natural product from a plant.  I am raising my own this year, have 2 plants as I type.  I tried for years to lose weight and never could..the harder I tried, the more upset I became.  Through it all I used Splenda, Equal, and Nutrataste/Nutrasweet.  When I gave them up and only used Truvia, the weight started coming off.  I will not go back to artificial sweeteners ever again.

Not all Stevia products are the same.  Some have maltodextrim in them and that product isn't as good for us.

I'm glad artificial sweeteners do not seem to bother everyone, we should all be able to enjoy things we like.

Posted 5/1/2011 11:33 PM (GMT 0)
You do have to be careful with Stevia, too.  It is an herb and it could possibly cause problems, too.  But, anything in moderation should be fine.

 

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/stevia/AN01733

 

Sherrine

Posted 5/2/2011 3:30 AM (GMT 0)
thank you all for your advice/suggestions.  I really don't do much research since I don't have a list of liggit websites.  I have heard so many different things about artificial sweetners.  I would have to agree with my brother and Deb25 regarding the Stevia plant though, being safer than artificial sweetners.  I just don't see how Stevia could be harmful to you if it comes from a natural source.  thanks Erieislander for the info on the artificial sweetners. i will look into that but over all I have been doing good with Truvia.  I am loosing weight at a steady rate since I changed from sugar to Truvia.
Posted 5/2/2011 10:09 AM (GMT 0)
I lost weight at a steady rate after giving up artificial sweeteners...95# last year.  Some of us just can not tolerate sugar or artificial sweeteners.  When I think about all the years I used them, all the years of trying to lose weight and being disappointed, it just fathoms my mind.  I listen to those ridiculous corn commercials on tv, you know the ones, where they say, "Our bodies do not know the difference between sugar and corn sugar."  Of course our bodies don't know the difference, doesn't make it a good thing though.

Good luck with your weight loss Mysoulsings! smilewinkgrin

Posted 5/2/2011 11:32 AM (GMT 0)
Just because a product is sold as 'all natural and made from plants' does not mean it is safe.  Opium comes from poppies.  Digitalis comes from the purpurea plant which is very deadly.  Willowbark is marketd as a 'safe and natural pain killer'...it has the same properties as aspirin and it could kill you if taken with a blood thinner.  Many many prescsription drugs are devrived from plants and herbs.  I have a friend who developed severe tachycardia from drinking herbal tea.  So...it's good to do your research and not assume that just because a product is in a health food store you can trust it to be safe.

I use Sweet n Low for my tea but use real sugar in baking etc.  I have not noticed any change in my symptoms.  I have never used Nutrasweet because I don't like the lingering aftertaste.  Every one reacts differently...especially fibromites!

Donna

 

Posted 5/2/2011 2:32 PM (GMT 0)
Mysoulsings,

I gave up Aspartame a few years ago and notice a significant difference in my symptoms. It may not be "common" for all the have positive results, but I did.

I now avoid all items (and there are tons) with Aspartame.

I am convinced and quite sure that Aspartame exasperated my Fibro symptoms.

Posted 5/6/2011 1:05 AM (GMT 0)
Jokat... good to know that there is at least one person with similar symptom to mine.  may i ask what kind of sweetner you use (if any).  thanks a bunch! :-)
Posted 5/6/2011 1:27 PM (GMT 0)
mysoulsings,

I dont use sweetner normally.....but if I do, I use Splenda.

 

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