Mum-of-two almost died after she was served Pepsi Max instead of Coke due to rare allergy

A MUM-of-two with a rare allergy almost died after she was served Pepsi Max instead of Coke.

Elizabeth Perkins, 30, from Derbyshire, fell into a three-day coma after taking “less than a sip” of the diet drink.

Caters News Agency

Elizabeth Perkins and her two sons are allergic to artificial sweeteners aspartame and asphetame – found in diet drinks[/caption]

Caters News Agency

Elizabeth pictured in hospital after her coma[/caption]

Caters News Agency

Elizabeth recalls asking for a full-fat coke at her pub, but instead was given a pepsi max, not pictured[/caption]

She and her two sons are allergic to artificial sweeteners aspartame and asphetame – found in thousands of products, but used in high quantities in diet soft drinks.

Elizabeth explains that their bodies don’t have the enzymes to break down sweeteners, “so it is like instant poison, we will immediately start vomiting and becoming dizzy if we have it”.

She had asked for full-fat Coke at her local pub, because it contains sugar rather than sweetener.

Elizabeth said: “I’d asked for a full fat coke, and stressed that it had to be full fat as usual to the bartender.

“But once I took my first sip and straight away, I knew it tasted strange, and I could feel the usual sickness start, like I was going to be sick.

“I instantly felt dizzy and felt the room go dark as my body tried to fight off the allergic reaction.

“I learnt later that a friend had guided me into a chair but I’d just passed out.”

The extreme allergy has left her and her sons missing out on a lot of social events, as they know exactly what they’re getting at home.

Elizabeth added: “”It breaks my heart, especially for the boys.

“They can’t even have birthday cakes like their friends because the icing contains the artificial sugars.

“It’s so time consuming to make my own of everything, I have to scour all packaging and I have to make cakes and biscuits from scratch.
“I can’t just get them off the shelves.”

“I check and double check everything, but for Matthew’s birthday, at the last minute I was told I would have provide the meals for my boys, whilst their friends enjoyed the party food.

“It feels like we’re penalised, for needing the sugared versions of things when really, it’s a necessity – we need it to survive.”

Caters News Agency

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