PAULA WEBSTERS RECOVERY STORY
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Date: Mon, 14 Jun 1999 16:48:07 -0400

Subject: Re: Personal Aspartame Story (

In January of this year, 1999, I received an email from a friend. The email concerned the dangers of Aspartame.

At the time I received the email, I was very ill. My vision had become one big blur.

I was a very energetic, dexterous person previously, but I had become all thumbs and clumsy. I would sometimes badly stagger in public which was so embarrassing because I looked like a drunk trying to walk straight. I thought it was a case of getting old even though I was only 50.

When I would go to my car parked just out in the driveway about 12 to 15 feet from the front door, sometimes I would have to stop and rest till I could manage to walk further. I had become unable to even do minor grocery shopping, because I would be fighting back the fatigue and tears just trying to get one foot in front of the other to make it to the check out with just a tiny few things. Making it all the way back to my car was the next best thing to impossible. Runners talk about "hitting a wall" after they run very far. That was what it was like. You pressed against this wall with every step.

My memory was fading into nothingness. I got so I would forget where I was going frequently. I would forget just constantly stuff in the short term memory area. I was making notes to myself constantly. Pinning them all over the kitchen as reminders. It finally got so bad I began to forget easy words we all know well.

Early on if I worked hard I could eventually remember some of them, but I reached the place where I would ask my family please don't tell me. I would work a couple of days trying to remember easy words. I reached the place where they never came back to me anymore.

I was terrified of Alzheimer and I think my family was too.

They would have to finally tell me what ever word it was I was trying to use but couldn't remember.

I was a big drinker of diet Pepsi for many many years. Then I switched to diet Dr pepper and later to diet sprite. I drank a lot each day. I would go through easily 6 to 8 cans a day and sometimes more. I was alive, but I had no life. The strong, energetic, on the go person was gone and in her place was a person that was confined to very limited life at home in a body that was shutting down more and more as time passed. I had developed horrible gripping pains in my arms, hands, face, feet, and legs. It was mine boggling pain. It was like someone putting your hand in a vice and gripping it so tight, but still continuing to close the vice. The pain would grow worse and worse. I was so painful that it left you nearly silent in its grip. Unable to say anything except to moan and moan. The pains would occur anytime I used my hand, arm, leg, etc. Several areas occurred at the same time during the day. It was honestly beyond endurance and the pains were continuing to grow more frequently.

Although I have a high IQ, my mind had become unable to concentrate.

I had loved to read books but found myself unable to read any book. I would sit down and work so hard to try to read. I would spend honestly 20 minutes on two pages and finally just quit because I couldn't remember what I read and I couldn't concentrate long enough to carry make it past page 2. I finally just gave up and quit reading books at all. I am so grateful for a friend in Canada who sent me the article about the dangers of aspartame.

I never in a million years ever thought aspartame was such a terrible chemical. I decided after reading the article that there was no way I was ever going to be able to consume that stuff ever again.

I hoped, even though I truly didn't know, but I hope that perhaps something would improve. After 2 weeks I was kinda down in the dumps because I thought there was some minor improvement but I wondered if it was just wishful thinking.

I have now gone 5 months with out aspartame.

"I HAVE MY LIFE BACK".

My vision is really really cleared. The blurs are mostly gone. I caught myself clicking along the other day at Walmarts Supercenter. I was walking like I used to with long quick strides. My goodness I couldn't help but smile. It felt so good. I'll never take that for granted again. The clumsiness and lack of balance has improved a great deal.

My memory is better. I no longer forget easy words. I actually remember stuff. I bought a book today. I read several pages in the car while I was waiting for my husband to finish his shopping. I no longer have to strain a gut just to try to read two pages. Reading is easy and natural just like the old days. But, best of all, 95% of the pain is gone now.

I am still improving in several areas as time continues to pass.

Thank you for fighting to get this stuff off the market.

Folks suffering from this nightmare are being tortured beyond imagination by its side effects. I hope this helps you in your fight against aspartame. I am so amazed and saddened that our government is protecting this terrible chemical.

Thank you for all you do against this awful chemical.

Paula Webster

Aspartame Poisoning Information Canada - 308-40 Bay Mills Blvd - Toronto - ON - Canada -MIT3P5
Tel: 416-754-1177  -  E-mail: Contact Us  -  Web site: www.aspartame.ca
DISABILITY AND DEATH ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE COSTS OF BUSINESS

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