I will try to make this brief. I have been using
 'the stuff' for the better part of 14 years, in
 the past 10 years at a rate of 30+ packs a day
 WITHOUT exageration and that doesn't count in
 the sodas and elsewhere. Slowly I started to
 feel just bad and achey and sick and migraines
 and GI probs and jut over all unwell. I went to
 many doctors who told me it was all me if it
 didn't show up in a blood test. I had accute
 pacreatitis at one point and they still don't
 know why. I finally this past year had reached
 such a low in depression, exhaustion, joint and
 body pain that I honestly wanted to die. Every
 doctor looked at me like I was crazy and I
 seriously considered ending my life because I
 didn't know how much longer I could take it. I
 felt like nothing living in a nothing world.
 Nothing was enjoyable, I was so miserable and
 hurt and ached...the list goes on and on.
 Finally I was reccommened to a doctor, who I
 went to for depression, because the doctor
 before wanted me committed and I knew there was
 something...something else going on that was
 making me feel this way...I was not crazy per
 say. On Our second visit he asked me if I use
 artificial sweetener and how much? THE FIRST
 TIME any doctor ever asked. I told him and he
 said that may be our biggest problem and you
 have to stop. He explained to me basically what
 I read in some reports that it form a sticky
 layer between the facia and it's like the tin
 man trying to move after sitting out in the
 rain; it's a neurotoxin and it should have never
 been allowed to make it to market.
 
 I read your article on how it made it through
 Washington and am outraged. I am so sick because
 of this and most doctors don't look their
 patients as this being a potential problem,
 grant it, I abuse it very much to keep my weight
 down. But I have never felt as horrible as I do
 today. I am 36 and feel 70 somedays, I am weak,
 tired, withdrawn, seriously depressed, migraine
 infested, my concentration has diminished. It
 really only hit me this past year, perhaps there
 is a threshold your body can hang on to and then ponce it tips..it is extreme.
 
 Anyway, my doctor, says we are goiung to fix
 this, he's helping me with depression issues
 along with getting me bak to normal as far as
 the aspartame poisining. I asked can I ever get
 rid of it in my body if I stop and he honestly
 answered I don't know because I have been so excessive for so long.
 
 I am so angry that a disclaimer or public
 awareness is not important enough to people in
 Washington so people like me can make an
 educated decision on what I put in my body. I
 knew it wasn't the best for you, I am not a
 fool, but I had no idea that it FAILED all 14
 toxicity tests in the FDA. That is astounding to
 me. I am angry, and am here to say that this
 stuff will kill you or want you dead. I have
 never felt so horrible without explanation
 (until now). I just hope over time it will find
 its way out of my body. IF you have any useful
 links or tools , please let me know.
 
 Thank you
 DK
 Portland, Or