Caffeine...specifically soda during chemo? Yay or Nay?

I think it is a no-no all the time, but it is a personal choice.  Here are some links with some info regarding the harmfulness of diet soda for the average person, but for someone on chemo the particular danger could be for the kidneys, as chemo drugs are filtered through them.  Also, the BPA, cell damage and tooth/bone problems could be issues - chemo can also damage teeth, and later hormonal therapy can deplete bone, and the BPA and cell damage speak for themselves.  The type of artificial sweetener in diet soda is also worrisome to me as it has been linked to cancer.  I am a coffee drinker, but did not consume much while on chemo because it just didn't taste right to me - I probably had one cup a day on average, and some days I didn't have any.  I have never been a diet soda drinker, but I know if it is a habit it can be a hard one to break.

http://www.fitday.com/fitness-articles/nutrition/healthy-eating/the-nutrition-of-diet-soda.html

http://healthyliving.msn.com/health-wellness/7-side-effects-of-drinking-diet-soda

I confess to a small cup of instant coffee every morning and 1-2 diet sodas daily but no caffeine after 3pm or I can't sleep. It also has a diuretic effect on the kidney which could be a problem during hot weather. You can become dehyrated without realizing it...

My usual go to beverage=good old water. l sometimes order iced tea (unsweet) or lemonade in a restaurant. We have also been trying flavored fizzy stuff like seltzer in an effort to avoid so many artificial additives: use it to dilute fruit juice

If your habit is "tons" it might be wise to cut back and experiment with more basic drinks. 

During chemo I completely lost my sweet tooth.  Anything sweet just curled my toes.  I quit diet soda cold turkey, and took up sparkling water with a twist of lime.  It's still my favorite guzzle. 

I used to drink diet coke all the time.  Gave it up cold turkey - mainly because it just doesn't taste good anymore.  

Nancy