Yes, I have heard that also because of the aspartane. I myself am trying to wean off of Diet Pepsi, but am qutie addicted to it.

absolutely, aspartame also known as phenylalanine, can worsen symptoms, i went from regular pop, to diet because i needed to cut out sugar, then i find out that artificial sweeteners are just as bad...UGH

This is horrible what will I do without my diet pepsi.....is that stuff in all diet drinks? II know you can get drinks made with splenda instead of equal does that make a difference?

at last, something I don't use and have to give up!! yippee!

Hi Judy:

From what I understand, all the artificial sweeteners are bad. Check out -http://www.womentowomen.com/nutritionandweightloss/splenda.asp
Plus, there is some good information about good products to use.
I don't drink diet soda anymore, and I'm not quite sure how I got off it. I drink a ton of water, iced tea and coffee, and that's pretty much it. Not sure how I got off of it, it just gradually happened.
Jan

I have heard of this as well. My doctor actually told me that it was all soda though. I try not to drink it. I have had weeks where I was very tired though and I drank it for the caffeine. The pain did seem to be worse, yet it may have been from lack of sleep too....

I tried to go without caffiene for weeks at a time when I was seeing a pain managment doc., more than once. It did not make a difference in my flare ups or pain getting worse.
My rheumo said that its not good to drink alot of soda/caffiene a day. But a can a day would be ok.
I drink a can of soda a day,most days. In the summer i drink propel more than i do soda. i dont drink diet soda, cannot stand the taste of artificial sweeteners.
I also need my caffiene to get thru work.