Splenda and Hallucinations?

weetziebat · Oct 30, 2004

Oh, your poor mom. I haven't heard anything about Splenda causing hallucinations, but perhaps others have. I've used it for almost a year now with no ill effects. Why not try her off of it for a few weeks and see what happens? Hope things improve :)

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Oct 30, 2004

I'd be more suspicious of UTI causing hallucinations in an 86-year-old than an artificial sweetener. Can't say it wouldn't happen, of course, but in keeping with the idea that you should look for a horse, not a zebra, when you hear hoofbeats in the yard, I should think you'd want to have the more common causes ruled out first. :)

avahsmiles · Oct 30, 2004

I've been using splenda for the past two years, about 3-4 packets in my coffee per day. Plus the amount i use in baking & cooking. No problems here. I'd be more wary of the effects of sugar than artifical sweetener. You should get her to her doctor though. Could be something else causing this, perhaps.

PJRNC2 · Oct 30, 2004

Thaks All. I've made new tea with a small amt of sugar. Also, She uses the Bedside comode early in the A.M.s - urine nice and clear,no new c/o infect. symp.(had urology work up due to feeling of having to 'go'. Physician Rx hormone cream-is improving / no temp. Has good intake. She will be going next week to her Dr. for flu shot so will mention this occursnce. Hopefully will be the last. Could not really post it all at first because of time - When I started to look for the 'lizard' I suggested she move to the kitched or away from the chair she wanted to know why. I really didn't want to tell her if I saw the 'lizard' I might be jumping and sreaming around while I capture it so I said "it might jump on you". Her answer was "No it couldn't because its legs were too short!"

obeyacts2 · Oct 30, 2004

Thaks All. I've made new tea with a small amt of sugar. Also, She uses the Bedside comode early in the A.M.s - urine nice and clear,no new c/o infect. symp.(had urology work up due to feeling of having to 'go'. Physician Rx hormone cream-is improving / no temp. Has good intake. She will be going next week to her Dr. for flu shot so will mention this occursnce. Hopefully will be the last. Could not really post it all at first because of time - When I started to look for the 'lizard' I suggested she move to the kitched or away from the chair she wanted to know why. I really didn't want to tell her if I saw the 'lizard' I might be jumping and sreaming around while I capture it so I said "it might jump on you". Her answer was "No it couldn't because its legs were too short!"

Well, Ive never heard of Splenda causing hallucinations, I have had the probelm of the artificial sweeteners (not only Splenda) triggering migraines. Common sense tells me if they could cause one neurological problem they could trigger another. I agree with the poster about r/o UTI tho.

Laura

mrdoc2005 · Oct 30, 2004

I use spenlda all the time. However, I know that we (US) are one of the few countries not to band this product. I read about this in a Nutritional mag afew weeks ago. I would also do like the other have said and look for an UTI or NA problem.

weetziebat · Oct 30, 2004

When I started to look for the 'lizard' I suggested she move to the kitched or away from the chair she wanted to know why. I really didn't want to tell her if I saw the 'lizard' I might be jumping and sreaming around while I capture it so I said "it might jump on you". Her answer was "No it couldn't because its legs were too short!"

Sorry, its not a funny situation, but this made me laugh out loud :rotfl:

Monica RN,BSN · Oct 30, 2004

I'd be more suspicious of UTI causing hallucinations in an 86-year-old than an artificial sweetener. Can't say it wouldn't happen, of course, but in keeping with the idea that you should look for a horse, not a zebra, when you hear hoofbeats in the yard, I should think you'd want to have the more common causes ruled out first. :)

Yes.. I believe this poster mjlrnn97 is right on target with this one... and maybe the possibility of a bit of dementia developing? She is in the 80's, not that all elderly get dementia.. but maybe the beginning? (just a thought)

mattsmom81 · Oct 31, 2004

When my son was little he kept yelling at me about lizards....I thought he was yanking my chain but they were geckos...ya know those small salamanders that get into the house in the south...LOL. Perhaps your mom DID see one...maybe there was also a man outside reading the meter, etc and she saw him through the window. At age 80 the eyesight may be a bit off and sometimes truth is stranger than fiction.

You know your mom so use your best judgment. I've been known myself to misinterpret something when I'm tired or stressed or whatever and I'm only 50... LOL!

UM Review RN, ASN, RN · Oct 31, 2004

No hallucinations, but I have suffered from the delusion that if I use Splenda, I will lose weight. So far, nothing. :chuckle Anyhow--even though she's not on any new meds, is it possible that she took an extra one that day? Or does she take Dig or something else that could cause a problem?

I'd also check out the UTI even if there's no cloudiness to the urine, because I've been surprised with positive results there a few times, and it can be a source of confusion.

Other than that, here's a link I found that might give you some other possibilities. Good luck, and I hope it doesn't happen again.

http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/sym/hallucinations.htm

akcarmean, LPN · Oct 31, 2004

I have been using Splenda for 2 years, actually the whole family does. We have had no problems with hallucinations. Hope you can get the problem figuredout. Good Luck. Angelia