[Mary_M]

Hi,

I have noticed that when I use Splenda, I get weird side effects. The worst thing I have noticed is when I sleep my left arm gets numb and I feel like it's getting stabbed with needles. I have to move my arm around all night to stop the weird sensations. This has really bummed me out because I like using it in recipes and I just bought a huge box of it from Sam's Club.

Has anyone else experienced similar problems?

[kimmmie]

Hi Mary,

I actually haven't had any problems with it, but do know some people that use splenda, even though they're not low carbing, and seem to have the same effect you do. I'd say just stop using it all together. I read on another thread, maybe you can just use matilol (sugar alchol, I believe) instead of splenda. I think you can find it in the regular grocery store--I'm not sure, as I've never bought it before.

Take care Mary!

Warmest Regards,

Kimmmie

[George_Stella]

Mary, there are many ways to look at what you are feeling...
first of all, if you are using Splenda you have cut out white sugar. That alone can cause withdrawl symptoms that can manifest in many different ways. Some people have very bad sugar withdrawls and others have little to none.

I am not saying this is what is causing your arm issue, but it is one more possibility. It's similar to getting very sick like with the flu and then for years you may not being able to eat a certain food that you happened to be eating the day you got sick.

And another more serious issue that I can only suggest you talk to your doctor about is being tested for Diabetes if you have not already.

I am not trying to scare you as I am not a doctor, but it is good advice for anyone these days and I only happen to read that one syptom can be a pins and needles feeling in the extremities.

But honestly and most importantly, if you think it may be the Splenda, you are the best judge of you and you should do what you think is best ! (I refrained from ending that with another "you"

take care and I wish you the best!
Geo
_________________
Starting: 467 Current: 205 Goal: 190
My Profile

[JamieAZ]

Reactions to Splenda are VERY common. All you have to do is put in your search engine, "splenda safe" and you can read web site after web site of complaints.

I started somersizing over a year ago and used her sweetener somersweet which is sweetened with ace-k and never had any problems, but once I tried using splenda, that's all I had, though it took a while to link splenda to the problems. My hands would swell and start itching, like you described, a hundred little needles, and they would turn red. My whole arm would start to feel numb. I thought I was having a heart attack the first time it happened, but then it became a every day thing. I went to the Dr and had every test you can imagine done. Everything came back the way it should and my Dr was certain there was nothing wrong with my heart, blood sugar levels, etc. That's when he said it sounds a little like a allergic reaction and he started asking all kinds of questions. The only thing I did differently since all this started was add splenda to my diet. He advised me to stop using it to see if that was indeed the problem, and sure enough it was. I have stopped using it 6 months or so ago and I have never had another reaction in my hands and arm since. There are groups every where trying to get splenda pulled off the market due to the reported side effects that splenda claims they have never heard of. That's bull. They were the first to hear about mine. Also, my Dr had other patients with similar complaints that he in turned asked all of them if they used splenda and if they did to stop. The ones who used splenda and stopped, like me, their symptoms vanished. He even compiled all of our info together and sent it to the makers of splenda, so every time I hear them claim they have no reports of side effects, it really makes me angry! I have stopped using artificial sweeteners all together but a little somersweet here and there. Just not worth it in my opinion.

If you think its the splenda, start keeping a record of when you use it and when the symptoms hit. If the symptoms occur anytime within 48 hours of consuming slpenda and its consistent, stop using it! For those who have no reactions to it, they are lucky, but as many of us are discovering, its not for everyone.

If you get any symptoms that are don't occur when you use spenda, go to your Dr!

Jamie

[LisaMartin]

Do not eat anything with Maltitol unless you are prepared to have the worst stomach churning and explosive gas of your life. You will not be able to be around human beings.

[Mary_M]

Hehe, I agree on the maltitol! It tastes sooo good but there is definitely a price to pay!

Btw, I have cut out all splenda and have not had tingly arms since. It's a shame I have bad reactions to it. I'm bummed!!

[patriceclark]

I don't have any problems with Splenda, but a friend of mine is sensitive to many things, she uses the herb Stevia from the health food store. It's an all natural sweetener, but it's marketed as a supplement in the US, but you can use it in cooking, it comes in many different forms, she loves it.

Hope that helps

[Mary_Ruth]

Splenda reactions:
I got was some type pain in my bladder! Didn't know what it was at first, like an infection! Doctor found no infection.

Then, I stopped using Splenda, and tried it again two weeks later, same reaction! I 'run' away from Maltitol! Horrible stuff!

I use Stevia now, in small dosses. Best is to use very little or not at all.

No easy way out of sugar sweetness since the world got hooked on it and it is in everything!

[lowcarbcrystal]

Mary~I would avoid all articial sweetners for a few days and see if you have the same symptoms. I personally use stevia (sweetleaf brand). ~Crystal

[dbeltz1]

I like Stevia but I've never really figured out how to bake with it successfully. I'm using it to sweeten our smoothies, lemonade, hot cocoa, tea etc.


Have you used it in any desserts or baking successfully?

Thanks,
Danielle

[april_shower]

I always get a really bad stomach ache when I eat something with splenda...thought I was the only one. I'll try the stevia. thanks!

[tulips38rm]

[bluebetty]

I have had the arm thing....and the swelling....probably since using the splenda.....I thought it was from the weight gain though. Don't get it too much anymore and still use the splenda. I wonder

[Tish]

This post is old, maybe no one will see this, but everytime I use Splenda I get joint pain. I stay away from it now.

[KMElizabeth]

Tish,
I just found this post as well, so you are not alone.
I never had joint pain, however, I've noticed swelling in my feet and hands and bloating and never knew why. I bought some stevia but not sure how to use it. I think maybe picked up wrong product, I'll take it to natural food store with me next time and see if can get some information on how to use. Would really like to know if can bake with it.

Also, aspartame sp? makes me dizzy and feel like going to pass out so can't use or if visiting somewhere and is all they have I may drink just a little or just drink water. I remember falling to my knees in my basement with the room spinning after drinking a couple cans of soda that had this sweetener in it. Won't be touching this stuff again. I have enough problems with migraines and side effects and don't need to be adding anything else into the mix.

I never researched this on my own. One of my doctors gave me a print out on splenda and though can't remember everything it said, there were definitely some scary things listed like nervous system disturbances, bloating, headaches/migraine, irritability there were more, though this was enough to make me stop using it. Then the silliest thing I do is that when I don't have the symptoms any longer and forget about the way I feel, then will try it again and then remember how could I have forgotten what this stuff did to me the first time. Maybe just wanted to prove to myself that was really the product.

Hope all is well,
Elizabeth
_________________
The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams. {Eleanor Roosevelt 1884-1962}