EQUAL (Aspartame Sweetner) Cause Seizures & MS Symptoms?

  Hi CCF,  I was wondering if Aspartame Sweetner can cause side effects similar to MS and Seizures.  I been using alot of this sugar subistute.
  I recently read something warning concerning this product causing serious side effects- Migraines, numbness, tingling, seizures and other neuro
  symptoms similar to MS. I was wondering if you know this to be true about this product.  All my tests done for MS have come up negative.
  The only test that came back positive was my Ana titer.  My doctors are now ruling out Lupus. Should I let my doctor know that
  I use Aspartame?  I don't want my doctor to think I am being an hypochondriac developing all sorts of dieases.  I just trying to find out
  what is making me ill for the past 3 years.  I was just hoping you can help.
  Sincerley, Anneliese Reitz
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There seems to be quite a bit of debate about Aspartame, whether it is responsible for a variety of neurologic symptoms. To my knowledge, there isn't any compelling data that it is responsible for much of anything. The only warning is that if you have PKU (an inherited disorder of the metabolism of phenylalanine), then you shouldn't use Aspartame because it contains phenylalanine.
It doesn't hurt to tell your doctor you use this product. But he/she may not be able to make much of the information, just file it away in case some link gets proven in the future.
If you are truly concerned, then a return to sugar-containing products with a corresponding reduction in intake of sweets might be the way to go.
I hope this helps. CCF MD mdf.

[caringmom6]

A related discussion, equal,asperteme & bulimia was started.