Thoughts on lactose intolerance??

[CAMary]

I've been experimenting a bit since my bout of "trouble" in early January...I realized something I was doing different was having a cup of hot chocolate several nights a week - I bought the Nestle envelopes which are labeled GF on the package....

I had trouble with dairy when I was first ill with MC - but soon was able to tolerate it as I healed....BUT I've never been able to drink a glass of milk - the *thought* churns my stomach. I can do cheese, yogurt and ice cream just fine. I realized I can have decaf coffee about once a week....well, when I treat myself to a coffee I get a latte or a mocha(mostly milk) - maybe it's not the coffee but the dairy? Between that and the hot chocolate - I'm defintely suspicious

Can someone be mildly LI so that straight milk bugs them but other dairy does not? I bought some lactaid and tried it the past 2 nights as I indulged in hot chocolate w/whipped cream - nary a rumble and perfect norman visit this morning...

If I really want to test, I guess I could continue this pattern and drop the lactaid, but somehow I don't think I want to risk the consequences... I've also heard it commonly happens to people as they age (I'm 39 and holding, LOL!)

Thoughts?

Mary

[tex]

Hi Mary,

It does appear that you may be lactose intolerant, especially since you can eat ice cream and cheese without problems. Lactose intolerance can be in degrees, depending on how much of the lactase enzyme your body produces.

Here is a site with a list of the approximate lactose content of various dairy products, including calcium content:

http://www.gastro.net.au/diets/lactose.html

Butter, ice cream, and cheese, shouldn't be a significant problem, unless you are casein intolerant, as I'm sure you're aware.

For a more extensive table check this site: http://tinyurl.com/j57dk

Wayne

P S I would guess that if you have a lactase deficiency, it is probably related to your MC, rather than your age. While I suppose that it's possible at any age, you're a about a decade or so too young, at 39, I would think.

[Polly]

CA Mary,

Sounds very much like lactose intolerance to me. Especially with the improvement on Lactaid......and per the list of lactose-containing foods in Wayne's reference (more lactose in milk, less in cheese, butter, ice cream).

The very first digestive problem I got was lactose intolerance - in my late 30s. It followed a bad GI bug, and the D just didn't stop. This is not unusual - sometimes an infection can tip one over into lactose intolerance.
And it is possible to have various degrees of lactose intolerance.

At least you don't have a full dairy intolerance. Lucky you!!!! I miss cheese still.

Love,

Polly

[tex]

Polly,

The sudden onset of lactose intolerance was the first thing that I noticed too, when my troubles began. When I pointed it out to my GI doc, he totally ignored it.

Love,
Wayne

[Polly]

Same here, tex.

Love,

Polly

[moremuscle]

Interesting that your trouble started with lactose intolerance. I don't think mine did; seemed more like it all broke loose all at once.

Mary, after having eliminated my triggers from my food I can drink coffee all day long without problems - I drink it black - after a few weeks or months of coffee w/o milk you get used to it; it is delicious. Don't give it up

Love,
Karen

[barbaranoela]

wow---I can post something here-----


Lactose Intolerance was my first step leading to my Gastro Issues!!!

And since my gut *has* mended (im taking a big leap with that) but am positive it is----I am now able to dig into a BIG dish of real ICE CREAM---and whipped creams----and all that gooey stuff that I was an addict to!!!!

Glad I stopped in----didnt realize that so much more can be learned thru others stories~~~

But no more fooling around--until I get home and have my blood test done!!! I always tell my GP.---was on vacation so U KNOW I cheated!!!

He *smiles*

luve--
barbara---luvin all this learnin