I've given them up also, but not by choice.

I went through a period about 4 months ago where I was constantly in the doctor's office. I'd have a bladder infection, I'd take up all my meds, go back to get checked and it would be gone. Two weeks later I'd be back in the doctor's office with another infection. This went on for two and a half months. I finely quit having symptoms.

Then 3 weeks ago I went in for my yearly well woman check. My daughter calls it an oil change and lube job. My doctor always does a complete physical at that time. Complete blood work up, urinalysis, bone density, mama gram, pap smear and thyroid check.

While I was still in her office a nurse stuck her head in the door and handed her a sheet of paper. Doctor Cooke looked up at me and said my God you've got puss in your urine and a lot of it.

Well along with everything else I went for a kidney panel, which showed a major infection but no damage-thank God. A week later I was again sitting in Dr. Cooke's office and she was sitting with a medical book in her lap asking me questions, do you eat this, do you drink that, have you been here or there. She got up and said open you mouth, she said how long have you had that ulster under you tung? I tell her it comes and goes, I guess for about the last 6 months.

Then she asked me if I've been using a lot of artificial sweeteners lately. I tell her yes, she sent me to a gastrointestinal. They did more tests and it seems that I also have these ulcers in my intestines and obviously my kidneys as well. I seem to be one of the lucky people who's body can't handle artificial sweeteners. It was just sheer dumb luck that I found out, I don't want to even think about what could have happened if I hadn't found out.

I was told to switch to honey. I did and my condition has cleared up. I'm loosing weight much more slowly but I'm still loosing. Of course I don't eat as many sweets as I used to but I still have my coffee every day with a spoon full of honey.

Wow Betty, that's really eye-opening! I would never have thought that could happen with AS. Thanks for sharing your experience.

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Esther

The really weird thing about the whole deal is I feel guilty, I feel like my using honey for my sweetener is something that I need to hide. I feel like I'm doing something wrong. I know it's silly but this is the first time I've had the guts to tell anyone that I use honey.

WOW Betty!!!! It's a good thing you found out before you did any permanent damage to yourself. And if honey is what you need to use, then so be it. And if you are still losing, then cool. Have they checked you for Candida?

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