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For those with a dairy intolerance...

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 3/20/2012 3:36 PM (GMT 0)
What happens when you eat dairy? I've never had a problem before but since Saturday I've been experiencing lower right abdominal cramping that wakes me up if I'm sleeping, along with some gas and increased (and loose but formed) bowel movements that are accompanied by horrible cramps that make me sick to my stomach. The common link that I have eaten every day since Friday night is either a small amount of fried food or ice cream. I can't eat large amounts of fried foods or real heavy creamy foods (like alfredo sauce) as they are just too rich and make me vomit. I have a call into my doctor but am wondering if I could have suddenly developed a lactose intolerance?
Posted 3/20/2012 5:48 PM (GMT 0)
It can vary from person to person cuz lactose intolerance can be on a scale of mild to severe. with having CD my lactose intolerance was easily masked by it so when I started feeling "off" (more "off" than usual with my CD) my GI had me lactose tolernace tested and sure enough I was severe.

It's an easy test, mine consisted of drinking lactose and then they drew blood every half hour up to 3 times but I missed the 3rd blood withdrawl because I was so sick in the toilet at the lab....even the lab tech was pissed at my doc saying it was so obvious that I was severely lactose intolerant (I explained to her that with having crohn's is was easily masked by it).

Worth getting the test done, that way you know for sure.

Since I stopped eating processef foods, it's no longer an issue for me, but if you eat processed/fast foods, you'll have to read lables and ask Q about anything you plan to eat or drink...you'd be surprised at some of the things they put lactose in (Ichiban soups, Doritos chips, all kinds of crackers and cookies).
Posted 3/20/2012 6:16 PM (GMT 0)
I never eat fast food, but I do eat a lot of ice cream and cheese. I've never had an issue with dairy but something triggered this on Friday night. I don't have diarrhea. My stools are formed but I am going like 7 - 10 times a day which is not my norm. When my Crohns flares I usually vomit and while I am getting nausea from the cramps that accompany the bm, I'm not vomiting. We'll see what the doctor says.
Posted 3/20/2012 6:42 PM (GMT 0)
Yeah, lactose intolerance can come out of the blue...I've had it 3 times in my life, first when I was a baby/toddler, then in my 30's then again just recently.

You'll know more (hopefully) once you see your doc....it's so hard to say for sure, that's why getting tested for it is the best thing to do.

I also ended up developing IBS along with my crohn's colitis, and lactose intolerance, same crap, different pile LOL!

Just keep in mind too, every flare can be somewhat different from one another....the symptoms are not necessarily going to be the same with every flare.

Good luck and feel better soon!
Posted 3/20/2012 8:51 PM (GMT 0)
I have never been tested, but I believe that I have mild lactose intolerance that is worse when I'm flaring with Crohn's. I can eat cheese and yogurt, but I can't drink regular milk, or ice cream without having abdominal cramps and gas, and sometimes D. I drink almond milk or lactaid milk. I have given up on ice cream...I love it but it doesn't love me back:)
Posted 3/20/2012 11:02 PM (GMT 0)
You can take lactase enzymes with your food if you think the lactose is bothering you. For me, lactose intolerance was really my first symptom, and it basically consisted of me having upper GI gas and nausea within 30 minutes of eating foods rich in lactose (milk, ice cream, soft cheese). It never gave me diarrhea tho.

As I've gotten better my lactose intolerance has, too, and I ate a bowl of ice cream the other day without taking any lactaid. I burped a bit but that was it! Hurrah! LOL.
Posted 3/20/2012 11:22 PM (GMT 0)
Whatever is going on with me isn't an issue until several hours after I eat. I am waking up with pain low on the right side at like 2am in the morning and it lasts for like 12 hours so maybe I'm barking up the wrong tree with the lactose intolerance and I'm just having a good old fashioned flare up.
Posted 3/21/2012 1:29 AM (GMT 0)
Well, there's more in milk than lactose that can bother you. Some people are sensitive to the proteins in milk, called casein. These are present in every dairy product, not just milk and soft cheese. I can't say what's causing your pain, but perhaps it's worth a trial of no dairy for a few days to see if it makes a difference.
Posted 3/21/2012 4:29 AM (GMT 0)
I can eat dairy products but not straight milk as long as I am not heavily inflamed, having a lot of D, or congested..The last time I attempted to eat something gluten though after I was off gluten for quite sometime I reacted immediately..I eat too much cottage cheese or hard cheese and I can get constipated..I know they say to stay away from dairy if you have CD..but if it is not bothering me..I am going to keep enjoying something at least..
Cindy
Posted 3/22/2012 12:07 AM (GMT 0)
Because of the extremely sudden onset my GI thinks that I just have this bug that's going around.
Posted 3/22/2012 12:08 AM (GMT 0)
petittarte,

I agree with PB4, you're either intolerant of lactose or intolerant of casein.

Either way, I would recommend you stay away from dairy and see how you feel, no?

Almond milk is delicious, you could try that,no?

Posted 3/22/2012 2:31 AM (GMT 0)
I have had to go with almond or soy milk,vegan cheese, soy ice cream,etc. I didn't know that you could come in and out of lactose intolerance. My biggest problem from lactose intolerance has been stomach pain and diarrhea.
Posted 3/22/2012 1:00 PM (GMT 0)
viennaman,

Stomach pains and D, are typical intolerance to lactose and casein.

BTW, stay away from anything soy - it's NOT healthy.


 

Posted 3/22/2012 2:56 PM (GMT 0)
I, too, realized lately that whenever I increase my lactose intake, I get persistent watery D with a foul smell, cramps and right side pain. At the beginning I thought I was flaring but when I revised the food I have eaten, I found out that it is milk related. I can tolerate cheddar cheese, a small spoon of skimmed milk powder added to tea but any other kind of cheese, esp. soft cheese irritates my colon.
Posted 3/22/2012 5:42 PM (GMT 0)
It's common that cheddar cheeses don't bother as much compared to most other cheeses and other forms of dairy. People differ as to how much milk and milk products they can eat or drink without having symptoms. Most people with lactose intolerance do not have to give up milk or milk products. You may be able to eat or drink small amounts—4 ounces or less—of milk or milk products without symptoms. Yogurt and hard cheeses, like cheddar and Swiss, are easier for some people with lactose intolerance to digest.

Casein allergy can be an issue as well, that's why you should really consider doing the lactose tolerance test if you suspect that you may have lactose inotlerance, ruling one possible issue will likely lead you closer to the actual cause.

Allerigies are more serious compared to intolerances so you should really address this with your doc.
Posted 3/24/2012 4:49 PM (GMT 0)
It appears to have just been a bug. I had cheese, sour cream and ice cream yesterday and am fine today. The funny thing is I don't drink milk. I never liked it even as a kid. I use soy, almond, hazelnut, hemp, and coconut milk for my coffee or in a smoothie, but my ice cream needs to be full dairy ice cream. The soy, coconut or cashew options just don't have the right texture to me.
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