I was perfectly okay for about a year and still doing phase III of the South Beach Diet. I have always had IBS, so any bloating or discomfort I had blamed on IBS. Suddenly, my digestive system just went crazy. I had pains all over it--sometimes upper, around my navel, and sometimes loewr on my right side, and other times very low.  The pain was pretty bad and, also, along with the pain, I had terrible gas and bloating. I thought I must have ovarian cancer.

I went to my doctor and he referred me to a gastroenterologist.  They did many tests on me--endoscopy, blood work, CAT scan. He said my esophagus was red as far as he could see and nothing else showed up. He called it acute gatritis and gave me three prescriptions. Once was Bentyl for the IBS. Another was Sucralfate to line my stomach in case I had an ulcer forming. The last was Protonix for the acid reflux.

I felt better with these drugs so I thought we were on the right track.  I would have pain sometimes and some days I had none.  During my diet, I had eaten as many as six popsicles that were sweetened with Splenda every day. I went back to the doctor for a follow-up visit and he thought we were on the right track because I was better.

I have completely eliminated Splenda from my diet and have had no pain for months. One day, I decided to have another popsicle and, within an hour, my stomach started hurting again. I'm convinced it is the Splenda. I can't wait until my appointment with the doctor to tell him. I'm sure he must have a lot of patients that are suffering and it is the Splenda.

Thank you for making this website available."

Thank you M.N. for sharing your story with our visitors.

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