Aspartame side effects

As I prepare for my WLS - I have started to eat more foods with Aspartame and have noticed an increase in headaches/migraines and overall nervousness/anxiety.  On Friday I start Optifast which also includes Aspartame.  I don't drink any caffeine based beverages (which I know can heighten these symptoms) and drink lots of water.  

I am wondering if anyone has suffered from any of these side effects and how they handle them...
Thanks
Lynette

According to the FDA - it notes potential side effects can include. Headaches/migraines, dizziness, seizures, nausea, numbness, muscle spasms, weight gain, rashes, depression, fatigue, irritability, tachycardia, insomnia, vision problems, hearing loss, heart palpitations, breathing difficulties, anxiety attacks, slurred speech, loss of taste, tinnitus, vertigo, memory loss, and joint pain

Could your anxiety be also from your upcoming surgery?  However, if you feel the aspartame is bothering you, I suggest that you use Stevia instead.  It's a herb, a bit pricey, but all natural.

Cheers,
Dee

I never got a headache from Asprtame..but I did get s cartchy throat...so I only use Splenda now...

Aspartame gives me painful gas/bloating and diarrhea so I avoid it like the plague. I find I can use Splenda without problems though and you can find quite a few products with Splenda instead. There is actually a meal replacement just like optifast but with Splenda instead that they use in Quebec called Meditrim, but it has to be ordered from Australia! I don't think any of the hospitals in Ontario use it though. If you find the Optifast is making you sick and after a few days things aren't getting any better, speak to the nut at your program and they can likely put you on an alternative diet that is basically low calorie Atkins as an alternative. I know that's what they do at TWH. Good luck.

Pat you can order Meditrim from Minogue Medical in Quebec.  My clinic started using it as many were having issues with the aspartame in Optifast.  They will soon be changing to a new product offered by Minogue as well but not sure which sweetener will be in the new one.

ETA:  They now have the new product listed on their website and it's called SlimTime and it's still made with splenda, similar stats to the Optifast and Meditrim.

Good to know, thanks!

 thanks - I will keep that in mind as I am also going through TWH.
Lynette

I am allergic to aspartame - dizziness, head aches, heart palps - couldn't do optifast.  My doctor put me on an alternative food diet.

Call your nutritionist - they can make suggestions that don't include aspartame. No need to suffer.

 thanks - I will see how I respond to the Optifast - if it is really bad I will call the nutritionist.  I should have thought of this when I ordered the supplement but it slipped my mind,  I was just so excited to get my surgery date