Splenda/Aspartame Headaches

[andrychowski]

Ok, here goes...

I suffer LOTS of headaches. I have been reading about Splenda/Aspartame and headaches. Does anyone have any personal experiences you could share with me? I am currently doing allergy shots to help with terrible allergies and sinuses, but it is a long process. I have also tried to stop caffeine (almost complete). I am especially sensitive to weather changes. I enjoy one diet soda a day (need and trying to lose weight so can't handle regular soda). I also add some Splenda to my iced tea (1 - 2 glasses a day) and sometimes a light yogurt.

Sorry if this is too much info, just trying to make something work for these headaches!

 

[SamRoc]

I can't drink anything diet at all, i get a headache everytime. I have just switced over to rasberry and cherry seltzer. I used to love pepsi and miss it, but its been over a month and no more caffeine for me, and no headaches. Some people arent bothered at all by splenda and aspartame, but i get headaches from them.

 

[BCV MOMX2]

The first time I used Splenda I put it in my oatmeal (anything to try and sweeten that fiber-packed stuff). About 30 minutes after eating it I got a really sick headache. I didn't try it again for a while and then as soon as I did - boom - a headache. I'm still doing the week off then try it routine, but at this point I would venture to say it is Splenda that gives me headaches.

I hope you find your answers to your triggers. Take care of yourself

 

[BCV MOMX2]

Sorry - I forgot the most important question I wanted to ask.....have you talked to your doctor about them? You mentioned you were getting allergy shots....do they know about your headaches also?

 

[tiberius]

I have never had headaches from either, but have known some who suffer terribly from headaches. You might consider trying some less traditional sweeteners like stevia or xylitol.

As for myself, I have gone back to sugar for some teas and other items since I like the taste best and can limit the overall intake, without worrying about the side effects.

 

[Colleen27]

I don't have problems with Splenda in small quantities, but I do have problems with aspartame. Headaches if I have a lot of it, and a general 'off' feeling like I get at the very beginning of a headache if I have just a little. That's the reason I switched to Splenda for my special occasion baking (everything has to be diabetic friendly for my grandmother) and avoid artifical sweeteners otherwise.

 

[kkmcan]

Okay, here's my story. Everyone thinks I'm weird since I don't use Splenda. I had been using it for a year or so and I was getting these splitting headaches, you know the kind where you can't tolerate any light, noise etc. I would have to lay down in the afternoon with a pillow over my head and just try and sleep to feel better. Also, I was having these scary chest pains. My sis told me about some research she found on the internet about these same symptoms from using Splenda.

She went off Splenda and started feeling better a few days later. I decided to try it and see if that was the problem. I started feeling better the next day. No more headaches or chest pains. A couple of times I did get the chest pains again I ran to my pantry to see if anything I had recently bought had Spenda in it. Sure enough there's been a couple of times I had picked up something and not realized it was made with Splenda.

Needless to say, it's hard for me to do sugarless when dieting because of this. I feel fine using Aspartame but I do try and stay away from all artificial sweeteners.

Do some research on the internet. And maybe try not using any sweeteners for a week and see how you feel. It may take at least a couple of days for those to be out of your system so you need to give it a week to notice any difference. Good luck

Kelly

 

[TxRabbit]

I enjoy one diet soda a day (need and trying to lose weight so can't handle regular soda). I also add some Splenda to my iced tea (1 - 2 glasses a day) and sometimes a light yogurt.QUOTE]

I know several people who have headaches associated with artificial sweeteners, so you are definitely not alone. Here are my suggestions for what you mention:

I like Cascade Fresh brand yogurt. It has no artificial sweeteners added to it. It has fruit juice added to add some sweet. Once you eat it for a while, you will be surprised how weird other yogurts taste.

If you are sensitive to the artifical sweetner, that one soda could make a difference. Try this to get the bubbly fix...make ice cubes of a juice flavor that you enjoy...I think something strong like cranberry juice is good...and pour sparkling mineral water over the ice cubes. Bubbles, some added flavor, few calories.

I agree with a previous post about stevia to add to your iced tea. I know people who carry the stevia packets with them to add in restaurants, etc. If you brew your own, try mixing different flavors of ice tea to see if you come up with a combination to which you don't need to add sweetener, i.e. peppermint, mango, passion fruit, etc flavored ice tea with traditional black tea bags.