Community Forum Archive
Diet Coke Aspartame Seizure Link?
Mon, 08/24/2009 - 17:12Hi,
I am new to the site today and have been doing my own research to try and help myself understand what is going on with my epilepsy. I am 26 and have had seizures since 18 years old. Sometimes I go a year, two years without a seizure. The doctors give me the yeah yeah you had a breakthrough seizure, not sure whats causing my seizures. I'm sure you all know what I mean.... Anyway I had been seizure free for 2 1/2 years until last week when I had a breakthrough seizure. I am currently on Lamictal 500mg/day and this has been way better than the dilantin and other meds I had before. While talking about this most recent seizure somebody suggested to me that aspartame could be causing my seizures. I wasn't sure what aspartame was. So I looked it up and it is an artificial sweetener used in Diet Soda's etc. I drink Diet Coke like a drug addict !!! At least until last week that is..... Nobody ever said anything to me like this, and I figured I may have started drinking Diet Coke around the age when I started having seizures. Does this mean anything to anyone?
Comments
Re: Diet Coke Aspartame Seizure Link?
Submitted by wyboemail on Tue, 2009-08-25 - 08:46
My son is 10 years old and had his first seizure in March of 2006. He has had all his other seizures in the months of Aug-Sept and Dec-Jan. His last was Jan 16th of 2009. We cut aspartame and artificial colors out of his diet early this year. I was thinking maybe the summer filled with drinking gatorade for baseball and just a crappy diet may have been giving him the breakthrough seizures. So far so good.
Curt
My son is 10 years old and had his first seizure in March of 2006. He has had all his other seizures in the months of Aug-Sept and Dec-Jan. His last was Jan 16th of 2009. We cut aspartame and artificial colors out of his diet early this year. I was thinking maybe the summer filled with drinking gatorade for baseball and just a crappy diet may have been giving him the breakthrough seizures. So far so good.
Curt
Re: Diet Coke Aspartame Seizure Link?
Submitted by purplejava on Sun, 2009-08-30 - 13:14
Re: Diet Coke Aspartame Seizure Link?
Submitted by sperkins on Tue, 2009-08-25 - 09:38
S.Perkins
My son is 6 years old and out of nowhere started having seizures last year in July. I took him to a neurologist and he was diagnosed with Benign Rolandic Epilepsy, something he should outgrow. The last seizure he had was last year in October, then suddenly in June he started having them almost every other day. It scared me to death and when I spoke with the nurse she recommended this website. I have been looking for triggers that could cause him to have a seizure, like not getting enough rest, playing video games for a long period of time, changes in his routine. I was not told about aspartame either. I am somewhat of a health freak when it comes to feeding my kids especially when it comes to sugar. I was giving him Crystal Lite to drink with dinner and some times with lunch. I didn't realize that was a trigger until I had been making sure he was going to bed earlier, limiting his time on his Wi, and keeping a normal routine for him. I had been doing everything right, well the night before he had the last seizure, he drank about three cups of Crystal Lite, lemonade flavor. Then it hit me, what if aspartame had some connection to triggering his seizures. Well, I did some reasearch online and found out it does. People who have seizures rather they have epilepsy of have diabetic seizures, I read that aspartame and Splenda could trigger the seizures. Since I stopped giving him anything with artificial sweeteners in it, he hasn't had a seizure since. Try to eliminate this ingredient from your diet. Good luck.
S.Perkins
My son is 6 years old and out of nowhere started having seizures last year in July. I took him to a neurologist and he was diagnosed with Benign Rolandic Epilepsy, something he should outgrow. The last seizure he had was last year in October, then suddenly in June he started having them almost every other day. It scared me to death and when I spoke with the nurse she recommended this website. I have been looking for triggers that could cause him to have a seizure, like not getting enough rest, playing video games for a long period of time, changes in his routine. I was not told about aspartame either. I am somewhat of a health freak when it comes to feeding my kids especially when it comes to sugar. I was giving him Crystal Lite to drink with dinner and some times with lunch. I didn't realize that was a trigger until I had been making sure he was going to bed earlier, limiting his time on his Wi, and keeping a normal routine for him. I had been doing everything right, well the night before he had the last seizure, he drank about three cups of Crystal Lite, lemonade flavor. Then it hit me, what if aspartame had some connection to triggering his seizures. Well, I did some reasearch online and found out it does. People who have seizures rather they have epilepsy of have diabetic seizures, I read that aspartame and Splenda could trigger the seizures. Since I stopped giving him anything with artificial sweeteners in it, he hasn't had a seizure since. Try to eliminate this ingredient from your diet. Good luck.
Re: Diet Coke Aspartame Seizure Link?
Submitted by Seruzies on Fri, 2011-11-18 - 01:41
Re: Diet Coke Aspartame Seizure Link?
Submitted by tcameron on Fri, 2011-11-18 - 13:05
Re: Diet Coke Aspartame Seizure Link?
Submitted by cleverbella on Sun, 2009-08-30 - 00:42
Re: Diet Coke Aspartame Seizure Link?
Submitted by rodders on Sun, 2009-08-30 - 18:41
Re: Diet Coke Aspartame Seizure Link?
Submitted by kjr443 on Mon, 2010-09-06 - 12:12
Re: Diet Coke Aspartame Seizure Link?
Submitted by phylisfjohnson on Tue, 2010-09-07 - 11:39
It took 16 years for the FDA to approve aspartame. In fact, the FDA’s own toxicologist told Congress that: “Without a shadow of a doubt, aspartame can cause brain tumors and brain cancer and violated the Delaney Amendment, which forbids putting anything in food that is known to cause cancer.” — FDA Toxicologist, Dr. Adrian Gross
It was finally accepted (for political reasons that are too scandalous to write about here) and here are the results:
For starters, medical authorities estimate that aspartame has brought more complaints to the FDA than any other additive. Specifically, over the years, various reports have implicated aspartame in headaches, memory loss, seizures, vision loss, coma, and cancer. It also appears to worsen or mimic the symptoms of such conditions as fibromyalgia, MS, lupus, ADD, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, chronic fatigue, and depression…
In fact, aspartame is responsible for 75 percent of such complaints to that agency. And, after receiving some 10,000 consumer complaints, the FDA compiled a list of 92 symptoms linked to aspartame — including death.
WHY? Because aspartame attacks your body at the cellular level so it can negate all kinds of medications Americans take, including antidepressants, Coumadin, cardiac drugs, hormones, insulin, vaccines, and many others.
In short, it is a deadly neurotoxic drug masquerading as a harmless additive. Phylis Feiner Johnson www.epilepsytalk.com
It took 16 years for the FDA to approve aspartame. In fact, the FDA’s own toxicologist told Congress that: “Without a shadow of a doubt, aspartame can cause brain tumors and brain cancer and violated the Delaney Amendment, which forbids putting anything in food that is known to cause cancer.” — FDA Toxicologist, Dr. Adrian Gross
It was finally accepted (for political reasons that are too scandalous to write about here) and here are the results:
For starters, medical authorities estimate that aspartame has brought more complaints to the FDA than any other additive. Specifically, over the years, various reports have implicated aspartame in headaches, memory loss, seizures, vision loss, coma, and cancer. It also appears to worsen or mimic the symptoms of such conditions as fibromyalgia, MS, lupus, ADD, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, chronic fatigue, and depression…
In fact, aspartame is responsible for 75 percent of such complaints to that agency. And, after receiving some 10,000 consumer complaints, the FDA compiled a list of 92 symptoms linked to aspartame — including death.
WHY? Because aspartame attacks your body at the cellular level so it can negate all kinds of medications Americans take, including antidepressants, Coumadin, cardiac drugs, hormones, insulin, vaccines, and many others.
In short, it is a deadly neurotoxic drug masquerading as a harmless additive. Phylis Feiner Johnson www.epilepsytalk.com
Re: Diet Coke Aspartame Seizure Link?
Submitted by tcameron on Sun, 2013-02-10 - 13:22
Re: Diet Coke Aspartame Seizure Link?
Submitted by pgd on Fri, 2011-03-04 - 09:44
Re: Diet Coke Aspartame Seizure Link?
Submitted by ticked-older-guy.59 on Sun, 2011-05-22 - 23:01
I have been drinking Diet Coke, Pepsi, and others for years with no problem. For years, means 30+ years, Until 2010 there has been no problem. I am not saying that the Aspertame won't cause seizures, I am just saying after 30+ years I didn't have a problem until 2010. I drink it like an adict as well, so if it does cause seizures why did it take over 30 years to have a reaction. If anyone has a definate science based reason for the diet drinks with aspertame to cause seizures, PLEASE, let us know so we can take it to our Doctors and find out for sure what the H--- can be done to correct this issue, besides not drinking it...
I have been drinking Diet Coke, Pepsi, and others for years with no problem. For years, means 30+ years, Until 2010 there has been no problem. I am not saying that the Aspertame won't cause seizures, I am just saying after 30+ years I didn't have a problem until 2010. I drink it like an adict as well, so if it does cause seizures why did it take over 30 years to have a reaction. If anyone has a definate science based reason for the diet drinks with aspertame to cause seizures, PLEASE, let us know so we can take it to our Doctors and find out for sure what the H--- can be done to correct this issue, besides not drinking it...
Re: Diet Coke Aspartame Seizure Link?
Submitted by deep c on Fri, 2011-06-17 - 20:37
Re: Diet Coke Aspartame Seizure Link?
Submitted by tcameron on Fri, 2013-06-14 - 23:31
It hasn't been found to be there, however it doesn't mean it's not. Think about it: I found out two things before medical science did. They didn't know birth-control pills interacted with Dilantin until I got pregnant. Now several AED's are proven to interact with birth-control pills.
When I shattered my R knee in '84, my orthopedist told me not to waste my money on Glucosamine/Chondroiton. I didn't need a prescription because it's a food suppliment, so I kept on taking it. The next time I saw him I said, "you might think it's a waste of money, but my knee feels better." Now doctors everywhere are advising their patients to take it! The only way to know for sure, is to prove it.
It hasn't been proven to interact with AEDs, but it hasn't been proven not to interact. If you feel better without aspartame, stop using it; Diet Coke, etc. Give it a while to prove it doesn't make a difference to you. Also, last but not least, you could be allergic to aspartame.
It hasn't been found to be there, however it doesn't mean it's not. Think about it: I found out two things before medical science did. They didn't know birth-control pills interacted with Dilantin until I got pregnant. Now several AED's are proven to interact with birth-control pills.
When I shattered my R knee in '84, my orthopedist told me not to waste my money on Glucosamine/Chondroiton. I didn't need a prescription because it's a food suppliment, so I kept on taking it. The next time I saw him I said, "you might think it's a waste of money, but my knee feels better." Now doctors everywhere are advising their patients to take it! The only way to know for sure, is to prove it.
It hasn't been proven to interact with AEDs, but it hasn't been proven not to interact. If you feel better without aspartame, stop using it; Diet Coke, etc. Give it a while to prove it doesn't make a difference to you. Also, last but not least, you could be allergic to aspartame.
Re: Diet Coke Aspartame Seizure Link?
Submitted by Seruzies on Tue, 2011-09-20 - 05:49
Re: Diet Coke Aspartame Seizure Link?
Submitted by tcameron on Tue, 2011-09-20 - 15:39
Wow! Thank you for this vital information. Too bad Jello just had a big sale, but I'm sure the food bank will be happy to receive it. Perhaps this will significantly reduce my seizures? If not, at least I'll know that I'm safer because I have taken that necessary step to make myself healthier.
Thanks again for this vital information,
Therese
Wow! Thank you for this vital information. Too bad Jello just had a big sale, but I'm sure the food bank will be happy to receive it. Perhaps this will significantly reduce my seizures? If not, at least I'll know that I'm safer because I have taken that necessary step to make myself healthier.
Thanks again for this vital information,
Therese
Re: Diet Coke Aspartame Seizure Link?
Submitted by sparkle3400 on Tue, 2011-09-20 - 18:34
In college, my father was diagnosed with diabetes and my mother began supplementing EVERYTHING with low sugar or no sugar items. Not long after I began having migraines which I had never had before. I suffered 2 grand mals. I didnt put the two together until I moved back home a few years later to continue college and within a week started having the migraines all over again. I was eating their DIET food again with aspartamine. Aargh! This stuff is poisonous!
In college, my father was diagnosed with diabetes and my mother began supplementing EVERYTHING with low sugar or no sugar items. Not long after I began having migraines which I had never had before. I suffered 2 grand mals. I didnt put the two together until I moved back home a few years later to continue college and within a week started having the migraines all over again. I was eating their DIET food again with aspartamine. Aargh! This stuff is poisonous!
Re: Diet Coke Aspartame Seizure Link?
Submitted by sash07 on Mon, 2009-08-24 - 20:50
Yes, its been said that artificial sweetners & seizures are connected.. as is MSG found in all kinds of foods like soups, chinese & thai foods..
See "Epilepsy and Food" for even more info
Sash07
Attitude is everything. Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle. Live simply, Love generously, Care deeply, Speak kindly.......
Yes, its been said that artificial sweetners & seizures are connected.. as is MSG found in all kinds of foods like soups, chinese & thai foods..
See "Epilepsy and Food" for even more info
Sash07
Attitude is everything. Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle. Live simply, Love generously, Care deeply, Speak kindly.......