Re:

http://www.splendaexposed.com/articles/2006/01/splenda_case_hi_1.html


Posted by: Sandra on February 16, 2006 12:55 PM

I have only just become aware of the possible dangers of Splenda. Here is my story.
In the summer of 2004, a friend remarked to me that Aspartame was "bad for you". I was using Sweet N Low at the time and while that does not have aspartame, I felt it prudent to switch to the new Sugar substitute touted as being from "sugar" and natural. This new substitute was Splenda.
I will try to document health issues I have had since using Splenda.
1. Skin rash
Rash does not itch, appears on both arms
and chest, some on thighs. Rash does not respond to antihistimines. It only mildly responds to topical steriod creams in that they appear less red but do not go away. The only thing that makes them go away is a full shot of medrol or some other steroid combination. I have had at least 4 of these shots the last year and a half. Skin biopsy showed "lymphocyte" attaching to red blood cells.
As of Feb 2006, rash is still present.
2. Weight gain
I have put on at least 16 pounds and very quickly during the last year and a half. This while continuing to eat very little and following the Zone diet. While I was a huge fan of the Zone diet and was a size 4 back in the Sping of 2004, I incorporated other forms of foods and am now a size 10. I have been exercising heavily three times a week in a Interval cardio/weight training class since November of 2005. Weight did not budge. Felt better...but weight still the same. All the while I continued to use Splenda.

3. Hematuria
Micropscpic blood and small amounts of protein found in my urine. Went to Urologist and had a cat scan of kidneys...as well as a cystoscopy. Currently waiting on test results for cancer screening....but fully expect it to be negative. Hematuria and protein amounts are not longer in my urine (as of Feb 2006). kidney stone discovered in my kidneys.

4. Thyroid
TSH levels low, T3 and T4 also borderline low. Strange combination. One would expect low TSH levels would result in high T# and T4.
Ultrasound of thyroid indicated mild goiter with a small colloid cyst on isthmus.
I would often have a slight gag reponse....as if something was lodged in my throat. As of Febe 2005, gag response seems to have gone away. My doctor thinks my thyroid was/is sick and is responding to something going on in my body as oppose to any clinical hyper/hypo thryroidism. I think she is right.

5. Gallium scan performed to see if there was any infection or inflammation in my body. There was none that showed up on scan.

6. Bloating
Just very very bloated..........
7. Diarhea
Excessive.....but to date this has been resolved.
8. Stool anaylysis
Showed hyperactive pancreas.........
9. Ph of blood is slightly acidic
10. Heavy metals test showed elevated levels of Aluminum and Arsenic!!! Good minerals depleted.
Currently in the middle of a heavy metals challenge test. Arsenic could be "fish arsenic".

11. Fatigue.
I went thru a period of time when I could have slept all day.
12. Vision
Blurry vision ...but so subtle that at first I did not notice it. Eyes...red.
13. General puffiness all over, especially in face and below eyes.
14. Irritable....mental fogginess......
15. Hormones
Very high testosterone........light hair growth on arms and face that started suddenly in the summer of 2004. AFter starting Splenda.
16. Elisa test indicates strong lymphocytic reactions to nitrates and sulphites. Test was performed to see what my lymphocytes are reacting to.

17. Blood food and metal allergy test did not indicated anything other than egg whites......and pineapple....
18. Never seem to experiece "hunger pain" per se. Loss of real appetite but with weight gain. So very strange!

19. Immune system compromised....IGA low.
All of that said...and I am sure there are some things I have forgotten to write down....I went thru a period of time where I urinated all the time....at least 24 times a day. Then it was as if I was not eliminating much at all. Kidney function seems to have changed somewhat. Kidney enzymes seem to be normal but still......

My doctor is wonderful and we have eliminated most everything else from my diet that could be the culprit
Last Saturday...Feb. 11, 2006, I decided to get off of all Splenda. Within 24 hours I no longer felt as bloated. That was enough for me to think that all of my problems have been caused by Splenda. I still have the rash....and have resisted taking another steroid shot since that can depress the thyroid....but am anxious to see if topical steroid creams will be effective since I have eliminated the Splenda.
ALL of my endeavors above were to figure out what was/is causing my rash/bloating and weight gain and lack of energy....etc.

I called Splenda....to request their MSDS. They immediately patched me thru to their medical review board. I thought it odd....that they had a medical review board on a toll free customer service number. I spoke with a pharmacist...who took my history. This person verified that others had called in about rashes. ....LOTS of people.

I can link my problems to the time frame that I "switched" to Splenda. Coincidence? Don't know yet.....but if things clear up I will let you know.
I used about 10 packets a day....plus drinking Aspartame in my Diet Coke, which I have also eliminated. Could Splenda and Aspartame have caused all of this.