Artificial Sweetner (flavored water mixes)

I'm diabetic and have no choices when it comes to using sweeteners. I use them and have for years. I've had symptoms of fibro since I can remember at age three & the sweeteners haven't had any effect as far as I can tell. Your mileage may vary.

I'm with Jeannie...no choice since I live on insulin. I can't see where it's made any difference in my life before or after. I've not seen anything about not using it if you have fibro, at least not any well documented sources that have solid evidence that it will affect us negatively. But I certainly haven't read everything on fibro.

There are so many 'scare' stories all over the internet and the world before the days of the web. I think it's a matter of personal choice. Some people are allergic to yeast, some to perfume and others red dye. Use what works for you but also I would suggest if you are concerned about a substance you need to research it. BUT, do use quality sources for your investigation. Make sure they are using double-blind studies, peer review and published studies. Check out the sources that are quoted. If someone claims a study by the 'National Institute of Studies' (I just made that up) says that eating bananas causes fibro I would be seriously suspicious of that source. Who the dickens are they? hmm, maybe I best see if there actually IS someone by that name. brb...

OK, a sidebar here...there actually IS a National Institute of Studies (NIS) in New Zealand. They work in the field of education in many SE Asian countries...But, you get what I'm saying about flimsy and/or bogus medical research organizations.

Be smart and do what works for you.
Chutz

I have been using either sweet n' lo or Spenda for years as my husband has high sugar levels so I just use what he uses.  I have not found that eating a certain food contributes to my pain level.  But that's just me.

Donna

I haven't found my fibro to be affected by any foods, sweeteners, etc., and I've not read any reputable studies that show a definitive link between anything ingested and fibro symptoms. Actually, for me, I think if I could lose some weight, incorporating less sugar and more lower calorie sweeteners, I would probably feel BETTER.

Hugs - Austen

The truth about sweeteners is, they are all chemicals, not natural.  I too used Equal for years, plus Nutrasweet, Splenda, etc.  I was very heavy and could not lose weight.  Nothing I tried worked, not dieting, not exercising, nothing.  I was so depressed over it all.  Then I was told by my doctor to try 1 teaspoon of Apple Cider Vinegar for health issues.  It made me very, very sick.  That's when I found out about candida and leaky gut, I talked to the doctors again.  Since then I have learned so much about different foods and such. 

On a candida diet you have to give up sugar, sweeteners, nearly anything white, all processed foods.  Candida is the bad bacteria in our bodies, and in some people, the bad bacteria takes over.  I tried continuing with my Splenda and was getting no where fast.  Once I gave up all chemical sweeteners and switched to Stevia, things started happening.  Like I have mentioned, on the candida diet I finally was able to lose the weight that had been climbing steadily over the years.  I am now at a size which I can't remember ever wearing.

I do believe artificial sweeteners are bad for all of us.  Stevia is not an artificial sweetener.  I use Truvia.  This summer I plan to grow my own stevia plants and make my own sweetener.  Hope I can do it!