Seeking other extreme diet soda addicts and ideas on how to kick the habit.

I'm 20 months post, open RNY -150(ish) lbs. I drink and have drunk tons of diet coke a day for probably 10 years. I drink it with meals (have all along, but that's not my concern). I probably drink 120-150 oz of the stuff a day or more. It pumps through my veins I swear it. I recently (about a month or so ago) switched to caffeine free for about 75% of my consumption, thinking that would help with bad sleep and cravings. I can't not drink when I eat, it's a nauseating concept to me, and not one stressed by my surgeon. However, I am certained that that much diet soda can't be good for anyone. I'm suspecting it's a reason for horrible heart burn I get, cravings for sweets, and believe it or not, extreme thirst lately. I drink all that fluid (caffiene free keep in mind, so no diuretic(sp) affects as far as I know) and I wake up in the middle of the night a couple of times and need to drink a couple glasses of WATER. This has been happening for a week or two now. I do drink 20 oz of water first thing most mornings (M-F) but then it's a diet coke free for all. So my questions are (finally right?)...am I right on suspecting the heartburn/cravings/thirst on this? How have you other extreme addicts kicked it? Cold turkey and caffeine withdrawals are wicked...and usually push me right back off the wagon. What drinks (short of yucky old Crystal light) have you used in place? Also, I CAN eat 3 small pieces of pizza (to my horror, I just expirimented last night)....did carbonation do this to me? (no preaching, I've heard the rumours, and I'll live with it if it's true...this surgery is just training wheels anyway.) I don't usually eat like that, and don't really think I'll make it an everynight event. Any insights would be greatly appreciated!!!!!!!!!!! Kim open RNY 7/17/01 -150(and holding)and pretty much at goal.

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