Eliminate Aspartame and sugar free foods and drinks. I realized after reading a article regarding aspartame on EC was linked to lupus and other aliments. I came to the conclusion it caused my Vertigo. I was overdosing on the stuff daily without being aware of it. I began drinking coffee at work with artificial sweetners 1-2 cups daily, had a diet soda with my lunch, then would drink energy drinks, chewing sugar free gum. ALLLLLL contained aspartame. Once I took that out of my diet and started paying more attention to the labels on the products I consume. Its one year later still no signs of vertigo.
Replied By Denise (Tampa, Fl) on 10/13/2010
Here's my experience with aspartame: About 10 years ago, back when I enjoyed chewing gum, I was fixing up my condo to sell it, doing physical work daily and having severe muscle spasms in my back, especially my upper back. The pain was so severe that I went to a massage supply store and bought this hard plastic curved device that let me push the hard end into the spasming muscles to try to get the spasm to stop. It worked marginally and I managed to get the condo fix-up done. I don't remember why or how the pain stopped but it did and the plastic device went into a closet for years. (I do know that at some time back then I gave up chewing sugar-free gum bc I realized it caused me some gastric distress. ) Fast forward to early 2010: I'm working at my office as a tax preparer and times are hectic and stress is high. I decide to treat myself to chewing gum, even tho it has aspartame which I've avoided for years. Quite frankly, I forgot exactly why I'd avoided it! Anyway, I started chewing quite a bit of it - probably 8 to 10 pieces daily, thinking that just some chewing gum wouldn't bother me. I had probably gone through 5 large packs already when, while just sitting at my desk one day, the very same muscle spasm pain stabbed through my shoulders. I knew instantly that this was the same pain I'd experienced while working on my condo years ago. It was very distinct. I took the remaining pack of gum and got rid of it. The pain went away after that day and did not return. I am convinced that I must have been chewing gum with aspartame back 10 years ago and gave it up - never realizing it's connection to the muscle pain I had then; Never connecting giving up the gum to the vanishing back pain. Glen Beck is suffering ill effects right now that could be side effects of aspartame. From what I've read he's been alerted to the possible connection but is not taking it seriously. I hope he takes a serious look at the possibility. I know it's real and severe.Replied By Carly (Seattle, Wa - Usa) on 10/13/2010
I know the feeling! I had it with MSG a few years ago. I ate a big bowl of chicken ramen soup (the really tasty cheap stuff) and within 15 mins I could barely even walk! I immediately went to the soup container to read what was in it... Yep, TONS of MSG (it was listed right up there first, along with "hydrolized this and hydrolized that" which is just another name for MSG. I went online to see what might help, and they suggested taurine (which I didn't happen to have on hand) and B vitamins. I took a couple of multi balanced B's and a LOT of water and started feeling better in about an hour or two. It was odd though... Never got the MSG headache, which I normally would have after eating MSG.
Anyway, thank for the heads up on Aspartame. I now attempt to avoid all of the crud the food manufacturers keep trying to push at us. They make it so hard to know what we are eating with all of the MANY names for these evil things. It is true, if it comes out of a box or a bag - it is usually not good for you. Best, Carly
