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Lactose intolerant question

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Posted 3/12/2014 2:48 PM (GMT 0)
I apologize if this has been brought up a million times before, but I have Crohns and my dr says its mild to moderate case. I am med free (knock on wood), and other than constipation for the most part I'm fairly normal. about a month ago, I remember eating brie cheese and thought nothing of it, had some watery diarrhea w/ stomach pain, and it continued off and on for a few weeks. I went to my GI for a normal checkup and he wanted to be on the safe side and take a blood test for infection. Everything came back fine except for low Iron/hemoglobin (hemo- 10.3). Shortly after the Doctor visit, the watery diarrhea was happening 3-4x a day and my stomach pains were kicking in every day. Finally last night I called my doctor and he said "no dairy at all". He also prescribed me antibiotics.

Its been about 60 hours since I've had any dairy and everything has returned to normal. No more funny noises coming from stomach and no pain. Is it possible that lactose intolerance can mimic a flare? The symptoms I was having felt ALOT like an infection I had a few years ago.

If anyone else has crohns and lactose intolerance, I would greatly appreciate some advice on this subject. I'm very sad I wont be able to have pizza anymore :(
Posted 3/12/2014 3:58 PM (GMT 0)
I'm not lactose intolerant, but to answer your question: yes, the symptoms of lactose intolerance are not dissimilar from a flare.

From the Mayo Clinic:

"The signs and symptoms of lactose intolerance usually begin 30 minutes to two hours after eating or drinking foods that contain lactose. Common signs and symptoms include:
* Diarrhea
* Nausea, and sometimes, vomiting
* Abdominal cramps
* Bloating
* Gas"

The easy way to test for lactose intolerance (not sure you'd be willing to do this based on all the issues you've had lately) is to drink a glass of milk for breakfast and have nothing else, then wait a few hours before eating. If you don't have any symptoms by mid-day, you're not likely to be lactose intolerant.
Posted 3/12/2014 4:15 PM (GMT 0)
I was lactose intolerant as a toddler, then I was fine for decades until my mid 30's I became lactose intolerant again, my GI sent me for a lactose tolerant test and I was severely lactose intolerant, I use lactaid products and for me they work. Lactose intolerance can definitely be masked by CD symptoms.
Posted 3/12/2014 4:32 PM (GMT 0)
I can relate because I spent 10 years dairy free before my CD diagnosis, thinking that lactose was the cause of my symptoms and it did seem to help. Lactose intolerance can have similar symptoms, but it could be that you needed the antibiotics due to infection which may have started from the brie you mentioned.

The brie may have had molds in its natural aging that you were sensitive to or it could have been contaminated. I get email updates from the FDA for recalls and cheese ranks "up there" for contamination issues. I've had food poisoning before that caused a major flare when no one else got sick plus nothing showed up with the blood work I had while hospitalized. CD patients are more vulnerable to food-borne illness.

I can handle dairy as long as I don't overdo it. When I drink milk I buy ultra-pasteurized to be on the safe side.

It may take time to figure out, but lactose intolerance can be helped with Lactase pills. I hope you continue to feel better. -Joy
Posted 3/12/2014 5:25 PM (GMT 0)
billo, lactose intolerance is the most common intolerance of all. In fact, most adults are lactose intolerant to some degree. A stomach virus can make you more lactose intolerant; Crohn's can make you more lactose intolerant; your body's production of lactase, the enzyme that digests lactose, may vary widely by time of day.

Lactose is present in milk and in soft cheeses like brie and mozzarella. Butter, cultured yogurt and hard cheeses have little to no lactose. A reaction to lactose in a meal is a fairly short-lived process in my experience, and shouldn't lead to a multi-day experience of diarrhea and cramping.

If you think you are having trouble with lactose then you can add lactase enzyme to your dairy meals with a pill available at every grocery store and pharmacy. You can choose lactose-free dairy products, or avoid dairy altogether.

It bothers me that you are not treating your Crohn's and that you are anemic. I think you can do a lot better for yourself.
Posted 3/14/2014 12:06 PM (GMT 0)
When I was first being diagnosed with Crohns, I had similar symptoms. Mostly the constipation. Fissures etc.

The food that made my poop really hard was rice. And being married to a viet girl, I ate rice every day.

I am lactose intolerant. But I eat cheddar and Swiss cheeses all the time. Also parmaguan or how ever you spell it.

The process of making these cheeses eliminates the lactose. Kinda like the SCD yogurt. I think the natural bacteria feed on the lactose and in process eliminate it.
Posted 3/15/2014 5:44 AM (GMT 0)
I cannot tolerate even the slightest amount of any dairy. It has to be another ingredient aside from lactose that I am having trouble with (I am not sure what). Even non-dairy creamer with cassinate derived from milk will give me trouble, butter too. IT'S HORRIBLE- I MISS HAVING PIZZA!!! :):):)
Posted 3/15/2014 1:22 PM (GMT 0)
kRealtor, you seem to be describing a reaction to casein, the protein in milk.
Posted 3/15/2014 6:19 PM (GMT 0)
You'd be surprised where lactose is hiding, in foods/beverages you'd never guess it would be in, reading lables is key when you have lactose intolerance issues, it's in many flavored chips like Doritos for example and Ichiban soups and so on. If you're highly lactose intolerant then even the smallest amount can have a very negative effect.
Posted 3/19/2014 5:49 AM (GMT 0)
pb4. you are absolutely correct. A good way to screen for dairy products is to buy Kosher Parve products. In Judasim, Kosher Parve products must not contain or even come in contact with any dairy. They are easily found in most major markets. Just look for K or OU.
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