Lactose Intolerant

[spicypineapple]

If you are lactose intolerant, have crohns, and you drink milk, are the
reactions more intense?? My doctor says he thinks I'm lactose intolerant and he
found out in december which I think is BS, (but maybe it's not) cuz (I think) nobody can go that long without realizing it and he wants me to see an Allergen or whatever they are called.


And I get hives when I eat pineapple. just thought I should throw that in:tongue:

 

[BWS1982]

I never had an issue with milk (in fact, used to drink/consume about a gallon of either skim or 1% fat a week prior to IBD) until this disease. Now it spurs on diarrhea and cramping some if I have more than a swig of it or minor amount in another food. I think you can be intolerant once the disease develops, but that's just a theory, as the real reason is you don't produce enough Lactase, the enzyme for Lactose. That production could be affected by the disease, what with how complicated it is and all. I could also be wrong, and it's a dormant quality, or even wrong again, and it's a common symptom and has something to do with MAP or the lactase still. Too much mystery still with the disease, only experience to go off.

 

[Peaches]

I believe lactase (the enzyme needed to digest lactose) is created in the gut - so if you have inflammation there it disrupts the proper production of that enzyme - therefore causing you to be intolerant. I can't remember if it gets created in the colon or small intestine/ileum - I'm sure you could google and find that out. I know that when I have active inflammation - which is almost always in my colon, I avoid any kind of dairy as it makes me have D. And *YES* - if I have inflammation and say drink some regular milk or have some yummy ice cream and don't take my lactase pills - here come the cramps and pain and I'll be in the bathroom shortly wishing I hadn't eaten it.

If it doesn't cost you too much money - honestly - I'd want to go to an allergist to see if I had any allergies to certain foods. It could help you stay away from things that you KNOW would bother you - only helping you further help yourself you know? BUT - I did have a simple food allergy test done and it did not say I was allergic to milk. Again - my issue happens when I have actual active disease which disrupts the enzyme production - so it isn't an allergy - more a deficiency in the enzyme needed to digest it.

Bummer on the pineapples....

 

[spicypineapple]

THANKS SO MUCH! So it's not BS.....okay then. I'll go see an
allergist sometime in Jan. or Feb. I think. I miss pineapples.....
I remember when I first got diagnosed, a friend visited and gave me
me my favorite candy which was like 50% nuts. I was pretty pissed
off that day. I know there is no "Crohns" diet. But I only remember
to try stuff out myself when I'm having a flareup:yfrown:.....

 

[mwb3779]

I didn't think I was before being diagnosed. I just thought it was something else I ate. Come to find out, dairy upsets my stomach. I now drink Lactose free milk. It doesn't affect me anymore. Its good because I love my pudding products. Southern banana pudding. Rice pudding. mmmmmm.... I didn't see an allergist but kinda figured it is what hurts me. Its ok, cause I can just get the lactose free stuff. Tastes good too.

 

[Guestly]

Hiya, I never realised I was lactose intolerant until I stopped having milk for a while. I had often suffered heartburn, but one day I read a vegetarian society article.... Well it put me right off dairy for a few weeks....

Clearly my moral outrage was pretty limp coz when I got offered some ice cream a few weeks later I was sick as a dog.... And from then on, all dairy has killed
me .... If I eat dairy, as night follows day, I will get heartburn and the squits. It's so bad I had to give up chocolate because that actually makes me throw up as well as murder toilets!

Lishyloo x

 

[Crohn's 35]

I found even if I drank Lactaid milk or take the supplements it didnt always help. So I got used to rice milk. I am a cereal eater and wont be without either. Funny how old-type cheese doesn't bother me, but once in a while it does. I am careful when I know I have to go out, eg, no salads, eggs, milk or dairy foods... cause you never know when and where your gonna need the bathroom!

 

[spicypineapple]

wow. I have been trying to drink silk but maybe I'm allergic to soy too.
or Crohnsergic or something. i get how crohns can make your lactase
levels messed up.

 

[Peaches]

I miss pineapples.....
I remember when I first got diagnosed, a friend visited and gave me
me my favorite candy which was like 50% nuts. I was pretty pissed
off that day. .

Just wanted to add that I can NOT do nuts - they really seem to mess up my gut. Can do creamy nut butters - but not whole nuts. I miss them....

I too have found that the Lactaid milk doesn't seem to always agree with me either, which is a bummer because I am a cereal eater to. I'm going to have to go back to rice milk I guess.....not looking forward to it, but at least it is an option.

 

[Crohn's 35]

Not all rice milk is created equal, the brown rice milk is icky but certain brands are better than others and if you can get it refridgerated it is better. Comes in a double process box too. Since I am in Canada, you may not have "Dream Rice" and you have to shake it up really good, and ya know it is just like 1% milk and has B12 and calcium and added vitamins...have been using it for 5 years or more, either that or soy, ewww, that I cannot do lol.

 

[Pirate]

I am also lactose intolerant. Discover that back in 1976 when I graduated from HS and got a job at an Ice cream factory. It was all you could eat and I found I couldn't eat much or I was in agony. Janis hates it when I occasionally eat a tablespoon of the stuff. Boy am I stinky. Any more than that I am back in agony.
Can't drink milk and I love chocolate milk. Cheese isn't to bad for me as long as I eat moderately.

 

[crazycanuck]

I believe lactase (the enzyme needed to digest lactose) is created in the gut - so if you have inflammation there it disrupts the proper production of that enzyme - therefore causing you to be intolerant.

Peaches is right on there. I can handle pretty much all the milk I can want, if I have it with food that is. I'd say on average I'll have 3 glasses of milk per day. Quite often more. I run into a lot of problems though with heavier dairy. Ice Cream being a huge enemy! I think a combo of fat, sugar, and dairy is the problem with that one. Also with too much dairy in a day without other foods also causes me a lot of problems. As for just milk I'm ok with 1% or 2% milk. Also ok with pineapple I'm sorry your not but he wasn't full of BS peaches is exactly right and you may also have problems with other foods for the exact same reason. You have things called "Brush Border Enzymes" in your intestines and if they are disrupted in anyway by inflamed areas or ulcers you'll feel it and have more problems digesting whatever those enzymes lost were suppose to help break down, whether they be for lactose, frutose, proteins, fat.....etc. Also fat indigestion (even for people without Crohn's) have bad diarrhea because of the fat building up in the intestines will cause it although this is most common in people with bile issues for whatever reason.

 

[pb4]

My lactose intolerance was being masked by my crohn's, it's a good idea to get a lactose tolernace test done to be sure that it's not your CD getting out of control...that's what my GI had me do and my test came back as severe lactose intolerant...I had a heck of a time finishing the test cuz I was going to the toilet so much from drinking the lactose they gave me to do the test....I luckily found out that taking a good probiotic daily can aid with lactose intolerance issues...since taking probiotics I no longer have to rely on lactaid products (pills, milk, ect), plus the probiotics hae many other benefits too, espcially if you have IBD or even IBS.