I just wanted to give my story about my use of Splenda.  I started using it in January 2005.  I would put two packets in each cup of coffee I drank every day--2 or 3 cups per day. By February, I was ill with terrible leg and foot cramps. I could not go to sleep without taking two Advil to take the pain away.

I am an avid runner and it was interfering with my running and times. I was exhausted all the time and would give out totally by 3:00 in the afternoon. That is when I would have more coffee (with Splenda).

I started vomiting and lost eight pounds. So, off to my internist I went in March 2005.  It ended up I had pneumonia.  This was an extreme shock. I had no classic signs of pneumonia other than the extreme fatigue and vomiting. I have not been sick in years.

In April, I was still experiencing extreme fatigue and leg and foot pain. It was getting worse. In May, I got sick again--bronchitis and a sinus infection. In June, still feeling very tired with the leg and foot pain becoming unbearable, I broke out in hives and was put on steroids to make them go away. They went away, but I have been left with this severe chronic itching mainly on my arms and legs.

I quit using Splenda the week I broke out in hives. I started looking around on the internet and discovered that Splenda could be the cause of my issues.  I also had mid-cycle bleeding.  I went to my gynecologist on July 5 for this reason, and they wanted to do a D&C.

It has been two weeks since I stopped using Splenda and I am thinking that my body is going through withdrawal--hence the chronic itching. My internist is sending me to get blood work done. It is the first time I have wanted to have blood drawn.  I was to see if it is something else or what I think it is--Splenda withdrawal.  

I just wanted to share my story."

Thank you L.C. for sharing your story with our visitors.

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