My own history, by Kim Evans:
January 02: My right foot went numb
February: First vision loss, holes in my vision, progressed to losing right field of vision for hours
March: Numbness increased up to waist, health quickly deteriorating unknown cause Went to primary Doctor for Neurological exam: Abnormal, right reflexes hyper. MRI scheduled.
April 2: lesions found on the MRI. Memory loss became significant problem Numbness spread to entire right side of body. Told I did have MS and needed to be followed at hospital of U. of Pennsylvania. Told my friends and family that I had MS.
“May-March 03: MANY tests run at HUP and Presbyterian Hospital and Sheiy Eye Hospital Symptoms rapidly increased, intermittent field of vision loss, burning in my head, extreme memory loss and fatigue, pain in right arm, joint pain, leg pain, depression, numbness began on left side, eye pain, red eyes, extreme thirst, chest pain, rapid heart beat, hives.
“I began looking into the possibility of disability through work. In the spring of 2003 was told I had central nervous system Sjogrens and possibly MS as well and needed to begin a 2 year chemo treatment of each immuran or cytoxin and should begin immediately. Told due to the decreased saliva production I should always drink diet sodas to protect my teeth. In May 2003 I informed doctors I wanted to delay my treatment until Sept because I direct a camp in the summers in VA and did not feel I could handle the treatment and face my responsibilities. I also informed the people at camp my health was rapidly deteriorating and that I wasn’t sure I would be able to continue at the camp (that I had founded). Doctors strongly encouraged me not to wait for the treatment because the disease was progressing and the damage was irreversible.
“June 2003 While at camp and drinking a diet coke a dear friend, Jack Rosenquist , asked if I knew that diet coke could cause all the problems that I was having. I explained I didn’t believe him but had nothing to lose so I wouldn’t drink one for another year and see what happened. The only thing I had to lose was a chemo treatment I was dreading and praying to live without. In Sept. 2003 Returned to HUP neurology. Major improvements and asked by the Dr if my improvements were a result of starting my treatment. I explained my only treatment was stopping Diet Coke. My memory loss had dramatically improved, the burning in my head stopped, extreme fatigue was gone, arm pain gone, eye pain gone, loss of vision completely stopped, numbness never progressed since the day I stopped drinking diet coke and many more……
“The Doctor said the only way to prove it was to reintroduce it and see if the symptoms returned. I said NO WAY. Sept 03 to spring 04 I continued to feel good and decided that I was willing to reintroduce Diet coke for the good of others so the medical field would know the need to promote this FACT. In the spring 2004 I called the Dr and said t I was willing to reintroduce Diet coke and asked how would he like me to do it. He explained it needed to be controlled and I could only have one per day and needed to journal my reactions. After one Diet coke per day for 4 days I already had burning in my head, extreme fatigue, abdominal pain, arm pain, red eyes….the 4th day I left my daughter at school and couldn’t even remember I was suppose to pick her up(that had not happened since I had stopped drinking Diet Coke). I told my Dr I cannot continue because it’s not SAFE. I never dreamed all the horrible symptoms would return so quickly.
In Aug 2004 took my sister Roxanne to meet Betty Martini. Sister was diagnosed with MS 9/11/01. She had tremendous pain in her hand and arm. After meeting Betty took aspartame seriously and within 3 weeks had use of her hand and was pain free. This is a very concise summary. Thank you for all your work and thanks again for taking the time to meet with both Roxanne and I. Keep up the GREAT work!!!!! Kim Evans