http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1085
physicist, 28, 2 L daily aspartame soda 15 years, ill Sept 2002, quit 2
weeks ago, many symptoms gone: Chris: Murray 2004.05.25 rmforall

From: "Chris"
To: "Rich Murray" <rmforall@...>
Subject: Re: My I share widely my post and your response, and your initial
posts?
Chris: Murray 2004.05.24
Date: Tuesday, May 25, 2004 7:13 AM

"My recent abstention (2+1/2 weeks now) from aspartame has brought the only
signs of remission during this whole time.
The tired eyes, fatigue and mental fog have particularly improved, as have
the dizziness and visual effects to some extent."

Hi Rich,

Some brief answers to your questions...I'm a little rushed for time today!

>My I share widely my post and your response, and your initial posts?
>Chris: Murray 2004.05.24

Fine, but I would prefer if you didn't disseminate any of my contact details
etc. for the moment.

>Did you experience any craving for diet drinks after giving them up,
>or an initial period of intensified symptoms?

No particular cravings, although there were some "forces of habit" I had to
overcome,
such as remembering to go to the water faucet when I arrived in the lab
instead of buying a 500ml diet coke for breakfast!
I felt immediately rather better within the first couple of days,
although there were some symptoms later during that first week.

>Were you using caffeine diet sodas, and, if so,
>are you continuing with caffeine from regular sodas, coffee, or tea?
>Are you using more sugar now for your water drinks?

I was usually drinking caffeinated sodas, such as Diet Coke,
although sometimes non-caffeinated drinks, such as Diet 7up.
I'm still happily drinking tea/coffee etc, with no side-effects.
(Caffeine can't cause this vast array of symptoms anyway, can it?).
My sugar intake has not greatly increased,
as I'm now also using sodium saccharin based sweetners.

>Are you taking any medicines or vitamins?

No medications, although I've started taking a multivitamin over the past
few days;
checking, of course, that the pills don't contain aspartame or acesulfame-K!

Chris.

Rich Murray <rmforall@...> wrote:
2004 May 24 Hi Chris,

My I share widely my post and your response, and your initial posts?
Chris: Murray 2004.05.24

This would be an excellent beginning. I am really encouraged that your
attitude is so positive.

If convenient, take pictures of your face every week, too.

Did you experience any craving for diet drinks after giving them up,
or an initial period of intensified symptoms?

Were you using caffeine diet sodas, and, if so,
are you continuing with caffeine from regular sodas, coffee, or tea?
Are you using more sugar now for your water drinks?

Are you taking any medicines or vitamins?

Will you be OK with your email address widely shared?

Thanks, Rich
****************************************************************************

From: "Chris"
To: "Rich Murray"
Subject: Re: open-ended ongoing case report on the Net as a new scientific
process: Chris: Murray 2004.05.21
Date: Monday, May 24, 2004 8:00 AM

Hi Rich,

Thanks for all the information contained in your last e-mail;
food for thought it certainly was.
As a fellow researcher, I appreciate your need and desire to gather in as
much information as possible on this topic.

I don't mind keeping you posted on my detox progress in the context of my
medical history (briefly described below), but I'm not sure whether full
commensurate medical monitoring is possible in the way you describe.
Of course, the healthcare system in the UK is very different from the
situation in the USA, as I understand it.
Most people, myself included, do not have specific private care
but rather rely on the national health service (NHS).
I would think it unlikely my doctors would comply with a request to do
extensive biochemical analysis on the basis that I think I may have been
poisoned with artificial sweetners;
we're both aware of the scepticism within the medical profession on this
subject.
However, I think I may well resist their current desire to do invasive
cardio-electrophysiology studies on me, if my symptoms continue to improve!
I'll be reporting back to the forum on my progress at weekly intervals.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Health History.

No major illnesses or need for medical treatment in the first 26 years of my
life (except for usual childhood illnesses, such as chicken-pox).

I was a regular consumer of diet-sodas, such as Diet Coke, for about 15
years, averaging around 2 litres/day during this period.
On some days this might easily have been 3-4 litres.

Health problems began in Sept 2002, with occasional symptoms at first,
but had become more chronic and debilitating by Xmas of that year.
Early symptoms included persistant vague lightheadedness/dizziness, which
sometimes feels like motion sickness
( I had suffered a brief episode of this back in 1999, but it resolved
itself within a few days),
and also some night-time heart palpitations
(hence why I've been stuck on cardiology's patient list ever since!).
Further additional symptoms have been tachycardia,
excessive fatigue,
occasional hot flashes and night-sweats,
intermittant "mental fog" and loss of cognitive abilities,
classic migraines
and also strange visual disturbances.
These disturbances include weird "after-images" of everything I see, the
shimmering of lined patterns and also the small dark spots and bright
flashes reported by others.
I also appear to have far more eye-floaters than usual and my eyes
themselves often look tired and swollen.
There have been periods during the last 18 months when I have felt bad and
periods when I have felt very bad!
My recent abstention (2+1/2 weeks now) from aspartame has brought the only
signs of remission during this whole time.
The tired eyes, fatigue and mental fog have particularly improved, as have
the dizziness and visual effects to some extent.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hope this helps. Sorry I can't be more useful just at the moment!

Chris.
****************************************************************************

Rich Murray wrote:
open-ended ongoing case report on the Net as a new scientific process:
Chris: Murray 2004.05.21

From: "Chris"
To: "Rich Murray"
Subject: Re: research on aspartame (methanol, formaldehyde, formic acid)
toxicity: Murray 2004.05.20 rmforall
Date: Friday, May 21, 2004 12:53 PM

Hi Rich,

Thanks for your message of support.
Of course, I'm still only 2 weeks into my detox
(although I do feel somewhat better), so objectively, we should
perhaps wait to see how I get on over the coming weeks and months before
using me as a case-study.
If it does turn out that I have had a syndrome related to aspartame, I'll ha
ppily provide this info, as this can only be described as a public health
outrage!
May I ask where such a case history might be filed or used?
Are you involved in research into this area?

Thanks, Chris (I do science...I'm not a medical doctor!!)
****************************************************************************

Rich Murray wrote:

2004 May 20 Hello Chris, Would you be willing to write a detailed
summary of your medical history, and post updates weekly for a while?
There's a dearth of quality case histories on aspartame toxicity.

In mutual support, Rich Murray
**************************************************************

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1071
research on aspartame (methanol, formaldehyde, formic acid) toxicity:
Murray 2004.05.20 rmforall

Rich Murray, MA Room For All rmforall@...
1943 Otowi Road, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87505 USA 505-501-2298
**************************************************************

2004 May 21 Hello Chris,

First, as a professional, I am maintaining absolute confidentiality of our
discussions-- although you are free to share this with anyone.

Usually I post to my public, searchable archive of 1084 posts for my group
of 114 members, aspartameNM@yahoogroups.com, and likewise to the archive of
aspartame@yahoogroups.com with 788 members and 16,902 posts.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/messages
114 members, 1084 posts in a public searchable archive

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartame/messages
788 members, 16,902 posts in a public, searchable archive

The last two months, a moderated newsgroup has been accepting all my long
reviews and critiques, bionet.toxicology , and I also post to any newsgroup
that has current discussions involving aspartame.
Several times a week, I send out my updated review to media people and
scientists who are involved on either side of the debate.

As a medical layman, 1964 BS in physics and history at MIT, 1967 MA in
psychology at Boston U. Graduate School, earning my living as a home hospice
care giver for 16 years, for over 5 years I have taken on the issue of
aspartame toxicity as an exploration in public service.
My credibililty lies in the care with which I explore the actual mainstream
science.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1055
hormesis: possible benefits of low-level aspartame (methanol, formaldehyde)
use: Calabrese: Soffritti: Murray 2004.03.11 rmforall

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1056
disorders of NMDA glutamate receptors in brain range from high activity
(MCS, CF, PTSD, FM, from carbon monoxide or formaldehyde (methanol,
aspartame)-- Pall)
to low activity (schizophrenia-- Coyle, Goff, Javitts):
Murray 2004.03.13 rmforall

I would, of course, as a scientist be very happy to publish your detailed,
ongoing case report, even if it turns out that aspartame abstention has
little effect on your health.
This would be a very important result, even more so since for me it would be
very unexpected.
However, many toxins produce about the same patterns of symptoms: MSG,
carbon monoxide, methanol, formaldehyde, molds, food allergies, pesticides,
medical drugs, fluoride, mercury, and more, including laboratory chemicals.
I would also publish civil comments on your case by people from both sides
of the aisle.
So, starting immediately to publish your story, and adding to it every week
would be ideal, especially if your doctors would be willing to contribute.
There are biochemical assays that can be used to monitor any changes over
the next few months, and then you could also assemble a scientific team to
test you with a double-blind low dose, say, 1 oz of diet soda, 20 mg
aspartame.
Nothing like this has ever been done, a throrough workup on a single
aspartame reactor, who has been a long-term heavy user, who is recently
abstaining.
Your case could be the spark that ignites widespread awareness of this
issue.
The medical service of your organization might be willing to contemplate a
survey of other heavy users on the staff.
****************************************************************************

From: "Chris"
Subject: [Aspartame Support] New member!
Date: Thursday, May 20, 2004 7:15 PM

Hi All,

A warm welcome from England! I've been an excessive drinker of diet sodas
for about the last 15 years (I'm now 28 y.o.);
by excessive, I mean probably 2 litres/day on average.

My health has been awful over the last 18 months and
I recognise many of my symptoms in the other postings on this site.

The worst aspect has been a persistant, vague lightheadedness,
which occasionally becomes more intense and feels rather like motion
sickness.
Other symptoms include palpitations and a racing heart,
excessive fatigue, hot flashes and night-sweats, intermittant "mental fog"
and loss of cognitive abilities (very bad...I'm a scientist!),
classic migraines and also strange visual disturbances.
These disturbances include weird "after-images" of everything I see,
the shimmering of lined patterns and
also the small dark spots and bright flashes reported by others here.
I also appear to have far more eye-floaters than usual and
my eyes themselves often look tired and swollen.

Doctors have been totally puzzled and have referred me to a
cardiologist because of the palpitations.
A basic exam found nothing wrong,
although further investigation will have to wait longer,
as there is such a long waiting list for NHS treatment at the moment.

I've been off aspartame containing beverages for about 2 weeks now
and there has, indeed, been some improvement in most of these symptoms.
I'll keep you all posted on how is works out in the longer term.
Any comments or thoughts on my case would be appreciated.

Thanks, Chris
****************************************************************************

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/915
formaldehyde toxicity: Thrasher & Kilburn: Shaham: EPA: Gold:
Wilson: CIIN: Murray 2002.12.12 rmforall

Thrasher (2001): "The major difference is that the Japanese demonstrated
the incorporation of FA and its metabolites into the placenta and fetus.
The quantity of radioactivity remaining in maternal and fetal tissues
at 48 hours was 26.9% of the administered dose." [ Ref. 14-16 ]

Arch Environ Health 2001 Jul-Aug; 56(4): 300-11.
Embryo toxicity and teratogenicity of formaldehyde. [100 references]
Thrasher JD, Kilburn KH. toxicology@...
Sam-1 Trust, Alto, New Mexico, USA.
http://www.drthrasher.org/formaldehyde_embryo_toxicity.html full text

http://www.drthrasher.org/formaldehyde_1990.html full text Jack Dwayne
Thrasher, Alan Broughton, Roberta Madison. Immune activation and
autoantibodies in humans with long-term inhalation exposure to formaldehyde.
Archives of Environmental Health. 1990; 45: 217-223. "Immune activation,
autoantibodies, and anti-HCHO-HSA antibodies are associated with long-term
formaldehyde inhalation." PMID: 2400243

Confirming evidence and a general theory are given by Pall (2002):
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/909
testable theory of MCS type diseases, vicious cycle of nitric oxide &
peroxynitrite: MSG: formaldehyde-methanol-aspartame:
Martin L. Pall: Murray: 2002.12.09 rmforall

Environ Health Perspect. 2003 Sep; 111(12): 1461-4.
Elevated nitric oxide/peroxynitrite theory of multiple chemical sensitivity:
central role of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors in the sensitivity mechanism.
Pall ML.
School of Molecular Biosciences, 301 Abelson Hall, Washington State
University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA. martin_pall@...

The elevated nitric oxide/peroxynitrite and the neural sensitization
theories of multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) are extended here to propose
a central mechanism for the exquisite sensitivity to organic solvents
apparently induced by previous chemical exposure in MCS.
This mechanism is centered on the activation of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)
receptors by organic solvents producing elevated nitric oxide and
peroxynitrite, leading in turn to increased stimulating of and
hypersensitivity of NMDA receptors.
In this way, organic solvent exposure may produce progressive sensitivity to
organic solvents.
Pesticides such as organophosphates and carbamates may act via muscarinic
stimulation to produce a similar biochemical and sensitivity response.

Accessory mechanisms of sensitivity may involve both increased blood-brain
barrier permeability, induced by peroxynitrite, and cytochrome P450
inhibition by nitric oxide.
The NMDA hyperactivity/hypersensitivity and excessive nitric
oxide/peroxynitrite view of MCS provides answers to many of the most
puzzling aspects of MCS while building on previous studies and views of this
condition. PMID: 12948884

Prof. Pall describes processes by which an initial trigger exposure, such as
carbon monoxide or formaldehyde, can generate hypersensitivity to many
substances. He himself had recovered from a sudden, debilitating attack of
multiple chemical sensitity in June/July 1997.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/782
RTM: Smith, Terpening, Schmidt, Gums:
full text: aspartame, MSG, fibromyalgia 2002.01.17 rmforall
Jerry D Smith, Chris M Terpening, Siegfried OF Schmidt, and John G Gums
Relief of Fibromyalgia Symptoms Following
Discontinuation of Dietary Excitotoxins.
The Annals of Pharmacotherapy 2001; 35(6): 702-706.
Malcolm Randall Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Gainesville, FL, USA.
BACKGROUND: Fibromyalgia is a common rheumatologic disorder that is
often difficult to treat effectively.
CASE SUMMARY: Four patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia syndrome
for two to 17 years are described.
All had undergone multiple treatment
modalities with limited success. All had complete, or nearly complete,
resolution of their symptoms within months after eliminating monosodium
glutamate (MSG) or MSG plus aspartame from their diet.
All patients were women with multiple comorbidities
prior to elimination of MSG.
All have had recurrence of symptoms whenever MSG is ingested.

Siegfried O. Schmidt, MD Asst. Clinical Prof. siggy@...
Community Health and Family Medicine, U. Florida, Gainesville, FL
Shands Hospital West Oak Clinic Gainesville, FL 32608-3629
352-376-5071

Debbie J. Hypes painfreeliving@... 304-872-4141 (Case # 1 of 4)
P.O Box 25 Lookout, WV 25868-0025 She has about 1,000 on her local
mailing list, and has been a volunteer activist since 1997. Her guide
first came out in 1997: http://www.Pain-Free-Living.net
"The Food Plan: How To Do It" $ 5 by mail, free by email.
Her sister Darlene, now 47, cured her own severe fibromyalgia in 1995
by using an elimination diet, and then Debbie also cured herself by
1997. Their doctor, Siegfried Schmidt, paying attention, tried it on
two more patients, who got well, and are his third and fourth cases.

Finally, an intripid and much published team in Japan has found DNA damage
in 8 tissues from single non-lethal doses of aspartame (near-significant
high levels of DNA damage in 5 tissues) and many other additives in groups
of just 4 mice:

Mutat Res 2002 Aug 26; 519(1-2): 103-19
The comet assay with 8 mouse organs: results with 39 currently used food
additives.
Sasaki YF, Kawaguchi S, Kamaya A, Ohshita M, Kabasawa K, Iwama K,
Taniguchi K, Tsuda S.
Laboratory of Genotoxicity, Faculty of Chemical and Biological
Engineering, Hachinohe National College of Technology,
Tamonoki Uwanotai 16-1, Aomori 039-1192, Japan.
yfsasaki-c@... s.tsuda@...

We determined the genotoxicity of 39 chemicals currently in use as food
additives.
They fell into six categories-dyes, color fixatives and
preservatives, preservatives, antioxidants, fungicides, and sweeteners.

We tested groups of four male ddY mice once orally with each additive at
up to 0.5xLD(50) or the limit dose (2000 mg/kg) and performed the comet
assay on the glandular stomach, colon, liver, kidney, urinary bladder, lung,
brain, and bone marrow 3 and 24 h after treatment.

Of all the additives, dyes were the most genotoxic.
Amaranth, Allura Red, New Coccine, Tartrazine, Erythrosine, Phloxine, and
Rose Bengal induced dose-related DNA damage in the glandular stomach, colon,
and/or urinary bladder.
All seven dyes induced DNA damage in the gastrointestinal organs at a low
dose (10 or 100 mg/kg).

Among them, Amaranth, Allura Red, New Coccine, and Tartrazine induced
DNA damage in the colon at close to the acceptable daily intakes (ADIs).

Two antioxidants (butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated
hydroxytoluene (BHT)), three fungicides (biphenyl, sodium
o-phenylphenol, and thiabendazole), and four sweeteners (sodium
cyclamate, saccharin, sodium saccharin, and sucralose) also induced DNA
damage in gastrointestinal organs.

Based on these results, we believe that more extensive assessment of
food additives in current use is warranted. PMID: 12160896

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/934
24 recent formaldehyde toxicity [Comet assay] reports:
Murray 2002.12.31 rmforall

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/935
Comet assay finds DNA damage from sucralose, cyclamate, saccharin in
mice: Sasaki YF & Tsuda S Aug 2002: Murray 2003.01.01 rmforall
[ Also borderline evidence, in this pilot study of 39 food additives,
using test groups of 4 mice, for DNA damage from for stomach, colon,
liver, bladder, and lung 3 hr after oral dose of 2000 mg/kg aspartame--
a very high dose. Methanol is the only component of aspartame that can lead
to DNA damage. ]

J Toxicol Sci. 2002 Dec; 27 Suppl 1: 1-8.
[Genotoxicity studies of stevia extract and steviol by the comet assay]
[Article in Japanese]
Sekihashi K, Saitoh H, Sasaki Y. yfsasaki-c@...
Safety Research Institute for Chemical Compounds Co., Ltd., 363-24 Shin-ei,
Kiyota-ku, Sapporo 004-0839, Japan.

The genotoxicity of steviol, a metabolite of stevia extract, was evaluated
for its genotoxic potential using the comet assay.
In an in vitro study, steviol at 62.5, 125, 250, and 500 micrograms/ml did
not damage the nuclear DNA of TK6 and WTK1 cells in the presence and absence
of S9 mix.
In vivo studies of steviol were conducted by two independent organizations.
Mice were sacrificed 3 and 24 hr after one oral administration of steviol at
250, 500, 1000, and 2000 mg/kg.
DNA damage in multiple mouse organs was measured by the comet assay as
modified by us.
After oral treatment, stomach, colon, liver, kidney and testis DNA were not
damaged.
The in vivo genotoxicity of stevia extract was also evaluated for its
genotoxic potential using the comet assay.
Mice were sacrificed 3 and 24 hr after oral administration of stevia extract
at 250, 500, 1000, and 2000 mg/kg.
Stomach, colon and liver DNA were not damaged.
As all studies showed negative responses, stevia extract and steviol are
concluded to not have DNA-damaging activity in cultured cells and mouse
organs. PMID: 12533916

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/961
genotoxins, Comet assay in mice: Ace-K, stevia fine; aspartame poor;
sucralose, cyclamate, saccharin bad: Y.F. Sasaki Aug 2002:
Murray 2003.01.27 rmforall [A detailed look at the data] ]
**************************************************************

http://www.readthelabel.org.uk/ Additives Survivors' Network (UK)
Geoff Brewer
http://www.chem.ox.ac.uk/mom/aspartame/aspartame.html
http://www.chm.bris.ac.uk/webprojects2000/srogers/sarah.html
Sarah Rogers
http://www.react.ie/Health/Nutrition/Aspartame.htm Ireland
http://members.tripod.com/~mission_possible/scotland_branch.html
http://www.aspartame.ca/indexa.html John T. Linnell
http://www.cybernaute.com/earthconcert2000/AspartaMalcache.htm
http://www.fedupwithfoodadditives.info/ Australia FAILSAFE diet
http://www.bradymax.com/nzaa/ New Zealand
http://www.reseauproteus.net/therapies/nutritio/aspartame.htm France
http://ww2.grn.es/avalls/aspa1.htm Spain
http://www.geocities.com/HotSprings/Falls/8669/ Brazil
http://www.phd.com.br/aspartame.htm
http://hem.passagen.se/mission.possible.sweden/
http://home.online.no/~dusan/foods/aspartame.html Norway
http://www.ostara.org/aspartam/#menue Germany
http://www.aspartaam.nl/info/product.html Holland, in Dutch
http://www.laleva.org/ Italy 9 languages
http://www.laleva.cc/alimenti/alimenti.html aspartame vs stevia 4.17.03
http://users.westnet.gr/~cgian/aspartame.htm Greece
http://www.cseindia.org/html/cola-indepth/index.htm India
**************************************************************

Many scientific studies and case histories report: * headaches * many body
and joint pains (or burning, tingling, tremors, twitching, spasms, cramps,
stiffness, numbness, difficulty swallowing) * fever, fatigue, swollen
glands * "mind fog", "feel unreal", poor memory, confusion, anxiety,
irritability, depression, mania, insomnia, dizziness, slurred speech, sexual
problems, poor vision, hearing (deafness, tinnitus), or taste * red face,
itching, rashes, allergic dermatitis, hair loss, burning eyes or throat, dry
eyes or mouth, mouth sores, burning tongue * obesity, bloating, edema,
anorexia, poor appetite or excessive hunger or thirst * breathing
problems, shortness of breath * nausea, diarrhea or constipation * coldness
* sweating * racing heart, low or high blood pressure, erratic blood sugar
levels * hypothryroidism or hyperthyroidism * seizures * birth defects
* brain cancers * addiction * aggrivates diabetes, autism, allergies,
lupus, ADHD, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, multiple chemical
sensitivity, multiple sclerosis, pseudotumor cerebri and interstitial
cystitis (bladder pain).
****************************************************************