08 February 2008

Please copy as committee handout for this hearing House Bill 2680;room number #329

Honorable Rep. Josh Green, M..D:

My name is Elena Crevar. I'm writing regarding my son, Steven Crevar, and his recent diagnosis with MS. For the last three years my son has been having a full time job and attending full time studies. To keep up with his busy schedule, he started consuming energy drinks, diet green teas and coffee with artificial sweeteners. My son's daily intake of these products was to some extent more than moderate. In August of 2005 he experienced a tingling sensation on his left side that lasted for 30 seconds per occurrence. The tingling sensation lasted for about a month and symptoms disappeared. Last year, August of 2006 the symptoms came back. He visited a neurologist and MRI test results confirmed few lesions. My son was diagnosed with MS. I started searching the internet for causes of multiple sclerosis and learned about aspartame and MSG. I told my son to instantly stop taking the aspartame. His symptoms greatly improved almost immediately after stop consuming the aspartame. My son refused to go on any medication for MS, because he strongly believes that his symptoms are caused by the consumption of aspartame. Truly Yours,

Elena Crevar