Evil Milk...

[scheherazade_79]

Did anyone else out there know there was a difference between lactose intolerance and milk allergy?

I didn't.

I knew I had to have goats milk as a baby, and remember being told repeatedly as a child that milk 'didn't agree' with me. The propaganda worked well, and as a result it took me until the age of 27 to challenge that myth, only to find out for that cows milk really doesn't agree with me after all.

I'd been having strange symptoms for a while. I thought I was just going through an explosion of bad skin, because I had tiny under-the-skin (what I assumed to be) zits all over my face. When the sun shone in the right direction, it looked like essay written in braille.

And then there was my digestive system... It was terrible. There's no other way to describe it. I had to sprint to the toilet within minutes of waking up, then, about thirty minutes after every meal, I was doubled up with stomach cramps and had to make another lightning dash.

It was explosive, and it reached the point where I was frightened to fart unless I was sitting on the toilet.

And here's the sad part - it went on for a good two weeks. I was too scared to go to the doctor, in case I ended up getting an anal probe, or even worse, a barium enema

I turned out I didn't need any such thing.

I've been drinking a lot of milk lately - Tesco's finest creamy Jersey cows milk in pint glasses. I can't get enough of it. I took a lactase supplement every time I drank it, but it didn't seem to make any difference to my lack of wellbeing.

I have a milk allergy.

Fucking milk!

 

[Guest]

Yes, there is a big difference.

My sister's son - is he 8 months already? - has severe milk allergies. Severe all sorts of allergies, really, and he cannot even tolerate the soy formula.

They're adapting to the situation, found a very expensive but good formula and now he's growing and thriving.

But he had all those same symptoms you were describing.

Glad you're doing better!

 

[oggbashan]

Too much of a good thing?

Tesco's finest Jersey? By the pint?

That is almost certain to produce a reaction even if you have a mild allergy.

Changing to semi-skimmed might be enough to save you from the unpleasant effects.

Using soya milk - should be no ill-effects at all.

Hope that you feel much better soon.

Og

 

[SensualCealy]

Been there, done that, bought the shirt and shit right through it!

No laughing matter people!

Okay, Lactose intollerant (sp) is the combination of sugars and proteins that affect the lining of the stomach and intestines, usually not being able to digest the two, causing serious bowel situations.

Having an allergy to milk is usually much worse if there is such a thing. They try giving you Lactaid and stuff like that to help you digest the proteins but soon realize that thats not the problem at all. Its an allergy- not sure to what but its like being allergic to peanuts, DONT DRINK IT!

I started out with the Lactaid, when my son was first born. That didnt help, eventually, drinking all the milk when I had a gallbladder problem also affected the lining of the bowel. Now I have IBS, Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
I stopped drinking milk, or combinations with high sugar content, like ice cream. Switched to yogurt, and have no problem at all. The added bacteria helps digest the proteins and I do get dairy that way. I also only eat really hard cheeses like Cheddar, something to do with the aging that helps break it down in the digestive track.
One suggestion, try taking all milk out of your diet and add it back in gracefully. That means check luncheon meats- all processed meats have milk proteins! French Fries usually are coated with a milk protein. Many others, so look at the labels.
If you find you can tolerate certain things, then its not so apt to be an allergy as it is an intolerance.

Good luck,
and keep an extra pair of pants handy!
C

 

[scheherazade_79]

It's quite nice to know I'm not the only one. Thanks, guys

Further update - it's now been 32 hours since my contact with The Substance That Should Not Be Named, and during that time I've only had to shit once. Sorry for being so direct about this, but after the last couple of weeks it's really given me cause to celebrate There are parts of my body that are very relieved about the decrease in activity.

Sweetsub - Did your nephew get braille over his face, too? At this rate I can see myself having to join the teenagers in the queue for Clearasil...

Og - Two pints some days. I don't like the taste of soya, and I don't really fancy the experience of converting to watered down milk... so I think I'm just going to quit milk

Cealy - Now you mention it, I have had an inexplicably dodgy stomach from time to time. And it was usually after McDonalds, or desserts like panna cotta or creme brulee. And I know that if you went through what I went through, the extra pair of pants isn't a joke. I got into difficulties when I was out cycling once, and had to make an unscheduled stop in the forest... Condolences for what you've been through

 

[SensualCealy]

scheherazade, is there an Internist (I think thats what they are called) in your area that your doctor could refer you to?
They can do a feces sample to see if you have a parisite just to be safe.
When I was in really bad shape, I was told all I could eat was, toast- no dairy added, rice, apple sauce and bananas. They use this diet in hospitals to firm up the tummy after illness.
Bananas do a number on me so they were quickly off the list. When your tummy feels better and the bowels slow down, slowly add one thing at a time for a week at a time. This will give you a chance to see what bothers your stomach and what doesnt. When you start, journal your movements and how your stomach feels after you eat and most of all, time when you eat up to the time you have a bowel movement. This was a big indicator of what I have. I can eat and then before Im done a meal I have to go.
Let me know how it works out. IF anything you can go to your doctor with the info from your journal and say, this is what Ive done, what are you going to do for me now?

There are a couple good books on the subject of IBS that may be worth looking at. One I have, but have to dig out, and one from the health food store. When I get the titles Ill give them to you if you are interested.

One quick bit of info, Ive been on Atkins since the 11th of June, since then my bowels have been fantastic! In the beginning they were really lose, then in 16 years I finally was constipated! lmao Likely not really constipated but I actually had to push myself to go.
Maybe something to look at, the Dr said its likely the sugar thats out of my diet thats helping.
Best of Luck,
C

 

[MagicaPractica]

Yes, I was allergic to milk for a period of time but it has stopped. My sister has lactose intolerance. I have had food allergies that have gone away but I still have some food sensitivities that, while not a true allergy, are no joke. Walnuts give me pain in my intestines like nothing else. Bananas and Soy make me feel like my head has turned into a balloon and I may pass out. Just because you test negative for an allergy doesn't mean you don't have a sensitivity to something.

 

[FallingToFly]

Christ, people, am I the only one who actually STUDIED nutrition?

If you can't tolerate milk (not are allergic, just can't tolerate it generally) it's because you don't have enough of a certain type of bacteria in your stomach and can't DIGEST it properly.

Eat yogurt. It's loaded with the exact bacteria you're missing.

*plops down the stack of Adelle Davis books and snorts before toddling back to nonexistence*

 

[scheherazade_79]

I am not having someone looking at my shit!

Things have improved x100 since laying off the Jersey milk. Even my braille has faded. I slept better last night, too.

I'll see how I go with this. Shitting into a jam jar would be a very last resort.

I'll step up the yogurt, too.

Thank you for all the advice and commiseration, everyone

 

[Guest]

Sweetsub - Did your nephew get braille over his face, too? At this rate I can see myself having to join the teenagers in the queue for Clearasil...

He had very bad skin rashes. In fact, that's how his allergies were finally diagnosed. His original pediatrician kept insisting it was just baby dermatitis. When my sister brought him in for a check-up they happened to see a different doctor. HE took one look and said - oh my - allergies.

Thus began all of the testing and treatment. They found he is so allergic to nuts that they now carry the epi pen with them everywhere. His skin has cleared up a great deal, not completely on his feet and arms, but much better overall.

And his runny stools have just about stopped now - poor little guy.

So glad that things are getting better for you.

 

[SeaCat]

I am not having someone looking at my shit!

Things have improved x100 since laying off the Jersey milk. Even my braille has faded. I slept better last night, too.

I'll see how I go with this. Shitting into a jam jar would be a very last resort.

I'll step up the yogurt, too.

Thank you for all the advice and commiseration, everyone

Hey Scheh,

If you have to shit in a jar to get you through this then shit in the damned jar. It could be worse, you could end up being my patient. Oh my, woul;dn't that be the thrill of a lifetime for you. Not only being told to shit in a jar, but having someone like me holding the damned jar, then cleaning you up afterwards? Wouldn't you just love having someones hands all over you, and them not interested in you in the least?

Cat

 

[scheherazade_79]

Hey Scheh,

If you have to shit in a jar to get you through this then shit in the damned jar. It could be worse, you could end up being my patient. Oh my, woul;dn't that be the thrill of a lifetime for you. Not only being told to shit in a jar, but having someone like me holding the damned jar, then cleaning you up afterwards? Wouldn't you just love having someones hands all over you, and them not interested in you in the least?

Cat

It's human nature for a person to hang on to their dignity as long as they can. I hope you appreciate that as you're doing your butt-wiping

Sorry, Cat, but the tone of that post riled me. I've seen at first hand what it's like to have a close relative lose their dignity like that. My only consolation is that the butt-wiping, changing of incontinence pads and general personal maintenance was done respectfully.

 

[Equinoxe]

I'm sorry about the apparent milk allergy.

Yes, though, there is quite a difference between a milk allergy and lactose intolerance. A milk allergy (like any food allergy) is far more dangerous and much less common than lactose intolerance -- which is actually the normal state for humanity; the ability to ingest lactose, as an adult, is the product of a genetic variation of two introns in a gene on the second (I think) chromosome, found mostly in Europeans, as well as some Middle Eastern, African, and Central Asian populations.

I have no advice though, I have no experience with milk allergies, I'm afraid.

 

[SensualCealy]

OMG! you dont actually shit in a jar!

If you have a kidney pan or bedpan, or even a damn paper plate. You do your business and with a tongue depressor type stick they provide for you, you chop off a chunk, or in our case , you pour off an ounce or two.

Having a bug in your bowel can be easily fixed if thats the case. And with they type of 'mucus' they find they can tell what parts are affected and can tell you if its an allergy or an intollerance.

You dont have to STUDY nutrician to know how to fix digestion issues, you only have to know how to read and listen to your damn doctor! (more importance put on the reading!)

I honestly think if you take out all the diary for a week to let your tummy and bowels settle it will do wonders for your system and give your butt added relief!
A tip, NEVER eat fruit on its own if you have any bowel issues, its too harsh on the system!
C