Most Likely, I Have Figured Out The Cause Of My...

For some years now, my mom (being in the medical field) and I have been trying to figure out why I got headaches 4-5 times a week. Every since I was almost 12....so 8 years ago.

I used to drink HIGH amounts of aspartame. In my coffee (which I used to drink almost 6-8 cups a day,) diet pop (which I used to drink probably 1 a day,) and I'm sure there's other things that are just escaping my mind right now.

A couple months ago, I decided to try a little experiment. I decided to cut out ALL artificial sugars (aka aspartame...) as well as cut down my caffeine intake. I believe it has been about 3 months, or possibly more, and I MAYBE have 3 headaches top a month :-) which is pretty incredible to me.

Anyway, I'm going to start researching the connection between headaches/migraines and aspartame/caffeine consumption.

But I'm just happy I'm not suffering for a headache/migraine every other day!

Just wanted to let you guys know my experiments results :-)

Comments: 22

JOHN BECK Mar 13, 2011, 8:59pm UTC

Caffeine withdrawal headaches are common, and many headache remedies contained caffeine. So taking in caffeine would sometimes alleviate the headache temporarily, then as the levels fell off the headache would recur with a vengeance--a vicious cycle. I don't know about aspartame.

Heather Reid Mar 13, 2011, 9:06pm UTC

Well the funny/weird part is, I didn't actually have headaches after I cut down on the caffeine and aspartame intake. I had gotten headaches MANY times while drinking and consuming tons of caffeine/aspartame.

I actually had an MRI done, per my mom's instructions, when I was 18 I believe, but they never found anything.... which is good though!

But yeah, I'm happy that I don't have to pop a bunch of pain pills 4, 5 or 6 times a week because of the amount of aspartame in my body.

I actually just read somewhere that 80% of headaches are caused by a food allergen (which both aspartame and caffeine can be) reaction, and most people never know.

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Tropica G. Mar 13, 2011, 9:06pm UTC

Caffeine does that to me, as well as headaches associated with to little sleep. I also get headaches when I have had a nice crying "bout!" Headaches...be gone!!

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Debbie W. Mar 13, 2011, 9:33pm UTC

Yeah! Artificial anything can't be good for our bodies. I think artificial sweeteners are the cause of many health problems. I've switched over to Truvia if I need sweeteners in anything. I need to stop drinking dietCoke, too, but I'm addicted!

Heather Reid Mar 13, 2011, 9:36pm UTC

I agree, artificial anything must be bad... I mean, come on, it's man-made! lol Hm, does Truvia have aspartame in it??

Debbie W. Mar 13, 2011, 9:43pm UTC

No, Truvia and PureVia are made from the Stevia plant ( a genus of the sunflower). It is natural and does not have the same effect on blood glucose that the artificial sweeteners do. It comes in packets and loose like Splenda and you can use it the same way you use Splenda. I did use Splenda for awhile but it is artificial, too, so I've switched to the stevia-based sweeteners.

Janet "Jax" B. Mar 13, 2011, 11:18pm UTC

Oh that Truvia and stuff is NASTY...not only does it give me migraines, it breaks me out in hives.

Heather Reid Mar 13, 2011, 11:42pm UTC

Oh, good to know. Thanks Janet!

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Denise L. Mar 13, 2011, 9:49pm UTC

Heather, I'm glad you discovered what might be triggering them and cut out all aspertame. It's bad stuff and can have lots of side effects.

Heather Reid Mar 13, 2011, 10:10pm UTC

Will do. Thanks, Denise!

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Debra C. Mar 13, 2011, 10:04pm UTC

I'll bet you are going to find a lot of information both ways on both elements.

Heather Reid Mar 13, 2011, 11:42pm UTC

I have been finding a lot actually ....

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Clifford N. Mar 13, 2011, 10:45pm UTC

Good for you. We all should be so smart.

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Marsha C. Mar 13, 2011, 10:54pm UTC

aspartame gives me a huge headache!!

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Janet "Jax" B. Mar 13, 2011, 11:17pm UTC

I can't have anything but sugar or honey....the other sweeteners give me migraines too.

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Glome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ONE of WE the PEOPLE Mar 13, 2011, 11:20pm UTC

Heather, that's huge! I'm so glad for you. You evidently still have something else in your diet that you have to find :)
My 19 yr old granddaughter has daily migraines. It's a terrible burden She eats a very strict diet and they are much better parts of the month. But almost never go away. Following the sites that discuss migraines makes you really sad at all the people that in constant pain.
Yaaa for you.

Heather Reid Mar 13, 2011, 11:45pm UTC

Thank you, I'm very, very happy that I finally figured it out. ...I actually had an MRI a couple years ago....they didn't find anything....the headaches were "unexplainable" for years, and now I finally figured out an explanation! Without a doctors help..

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Sandra C. Mar 13, 2011, 11:23pm UTC

Wonderful! So happy you maybe have it figured out. Headaches are NO fun!!

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DarkBeauty 73 (Melanie) Mar 15, 2011, 9:26pm UTC

cool glad to hear that you have gotten to the bottom of why you where having so many headaches. good luck and hope things continue headache free for the most part.

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Connie C. Mar 19, 2011, 6:50pm UTC

Glad you found some relief. Artificial sweetners are not the only artificial things that are put in food tha has been proven to cause migraines. MSG is a big NO NO

Heather Reid Mar 20, 2011, 12:46am UTC

I actually read that when (most) people suffer from headaches/migraines that use artificial sugars, its because they are suffering from an allergic reactions to the aspartame.....interesting little tid bit.

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Tiffany C. Sep 2, 2011, 4:15pm UTC

That's very interesting. I've suffered from headaches/migraines for years. I've been searching for the cause too.

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Most Likely, I Have Figured Out The Cause Of My Headaches....Finally, After Years....

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