I had many side effects from using Equal (Aspartame). I suffered with migraine headaches daily (previous diet Pepsi drinker).
I also began to experience lower abdominal pain and I was eventually diagnosed with interstitial cystitis. I did research on Aspartame and learned that IC is often complicated by use of Aspartame.
Sure enough, as soon as I stopped using Equal, all my IC symptoms completely disappeared.
Unfortunately, in the last couple of years I have been using Splenda sweetener. I suffered with abdominal bloating, tenderness, weight gain, lethargy, and many other ailments. I had a hysterectomy performed in Nov. 2003 due to the abdominal bloating. I had endometriosis and adenomyosis along with ovarian cysts. I was assured by my doctor that the hysterectomy would be the end of my ailments. It was not. I continued to gain weight with no explanation.
I have spent thousands of dollars on doctors, MRIs, CT scans, x-rays, brain scans, ultrasounds, etc. Ironically, three days ago I stopped using Splenda and today is the first day in years I am pain free.
My huge pregnant looking stomach has went down tremendously, I feel alive and energetic. I feel like I am living in someone else’s body today! I am convinced these sugar substitutes have been the cause of all my problems. I will never touch anything but real sugar again. I hope this helps you in your studies.