Aspartame Headaches?

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Hello Everybody,

I've been reading these boards for quite some time, but never had a reason to post before. I'm a student nurse with quite a bit of CNA experience, but not much nursing clinical, yet. I'm hoping someone can help with a question.

I'm trying to lose weight, so I've switched to diet sodas instead of my regular high-octane ones. My DW heard "somewhere" that aspartame can cause or aggravate headaches, which I get rather frequently. The web search I did has a lot of conflicting information on both sides of the question.

Does anyone have any personal experience, or knowledege of a definite scientific study? Thanks in advance.

Harold

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Specializes in ED staff.

Dunno about headaches but when i was pregnant, it made me contract.

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Specializes in L & D; Postpartum.

In the mid-80's my DD and I both had horrendous and frequent headaches. We chewed gum with Aspartame. Decided to give it up and away went the headaches.

There qre more and more diet sodas available now using Splenda. I don't have any problem with that. I cook with it, bake with it, love it.

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Specializes in LTC,Hospice/palliative care,acute care.

No headaches here but the worst gas....PU!

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Specializes in ICU, CM, Geriatrics, Management.

Hi, Harold.

Aspartame is bad bad news. All kinds of crap associated with it... from headaches to heart prob's. I won't go near the stuff.

(Think there was a thread here a while ago.)

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Specializes in Neonatal.

which sodas have splenda? I haven't come across any, but like splenda way better than aspartame, and I'm addicted to sodas!!

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Specializes in Oncology/Haemetology/HIV.

Alot of holistics advise staying away from aspartame and MSG. I don't know the research on it, but I feel sick when I use either.

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Specializes in L & D; Postpartum.

Diet Hanson's has Splenda. I find it in the Low Carb section at my supermarket. So far I've seen 6 flavors: Root Beer (haven't tried that yet) but the Tangergine-Lime and Peach are yummy.

I think Diet Rite sweetens with something other than Aspartame or Splenda. Name escapes me now.

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I don't have a problem with it but my best friend gets terrible headaches if she eats anything even slightly flavored with aspartame or MSG. So it does occur in some people but I think it is more likely in those who frequently have headaches related to other things.

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I also suffered from HA after consuming products with aspartame as well as palpitations. Maybe instead of consuming the soda with aspartame just cut down on the amount of regular soda you are drinking, if you are on Atkins then just do water, water and more water because not only is aspartame unhealthy you are doing yourself a disservice with the caffeine on top of the dehydrating effects of increased protein. Did you see the documentary on aspartame that interviewed airplane pilots that had syncopal episodes due to the diet soda they drank during flight, scary stuff!

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Specializes in ICU, psych, corrections.
which sodas have splenda? I haven't come across any, but like splenda way better than aspartame, and I'm addicted to sodas!!

I buy Diet Rite at Walmart...they come in lots of flavors, besides the typical cola flavor. My favorite is the tangerine. And they best part is they are cheap...I think around $2 for a 12 pack.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

Don't have any research handy. But my sister gets headaches from it, so it does happen to people. She's researched it and found the side effects not worth it.

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