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Allergies and intolerances

Lactose Intolerance?

17 replies

PatsyJ · 31/07/2006 10:32

Sorry this is going to be a long one....

My DD is 15 mths. I bf'd her until beginning of July (introduced cows milk at bed around 14 mths and then first thing at 15 mths). She has had cows milk in her diet since 6 mths and eats dairy - organic yoghurts/cheese etc. I cook with cows milk for her too.

In Feb and again end May this year she had awful sickness/diarrhea bugs. Around April time she started to 'possett' a little in her mouth which is unusual as she has never been a sicky baby. This improved and then after the next sick bug it started again - she continued being sick after the bug had cleared up and was diagnosed with reflux as an after cause of the bug. This also co-incided with taking her off breast milk completely and introducing cows milk. Her poohs got really loose and smelly (she has always poohed a lot and always been loose 5-6 times a day and I mentioned it to the HV and she said it was fine but I wasn't convinced).

Things got worse where she would hardly eat at all (always been a good eater) and she seemed starving but when I fed her she would eat a couple of spoonfuls/handfuls and then cry as though in pain. My suspicion was stomach cramps.

I have had her at the Docs twice in the last few wks as originally I thought it was a milk allergy. Having read up I realise it's not as it would be much more severe but I do think it's a lactose intolerance. Possibly caused by the two bugs in reasonably close succession.

The GP's won't diagnose and just keep saying it's reflux.

I therefore decided to try her on the new SMA lactose free formula and she has improved - gone to 1-2 poohs a day (still loose but not as bad). I always struggled to get her to drink cows milk but now she's got used to this LF stuff she drinks it no problem (been on it since last Fri).

I went to GP and asked if she could prescribe it as it's v expensive and tiny can which only last 4 days or so. She reluctantly prescribed but you can tell she wasn't convinced. I asked her outright if she thought it was lactose intolerance and she said "no prob just a phase"!!!

I have private medical and have said if this does not improve after say a course of 6 wks I will be back for a referral. She said that they would not give me one as a paediatrician wouldn't be able to help any further than they have!! I am soooo angry.

Anyway, DD has improved but still has the odd pocket of sick now and again but not like before.

Do you think it's lactose intolerance (she was also v colicky as a small baby until I 'learn't' to breastfeed properly and put her on one breast at a time - i.e. so she wasn't getting so much lactose from the foremilk at each feed!!). All seems too much of a coincidence for me.

Qu is if it keeps improving - when should I reintroduce cows milk and how? NB - I am not cutting it out of her diet only her drink - she still has yoghurts/cheese etc and seems fine with these (have read some babies can stomach 'processed' cheese within foods). Is it likely to be something she'll have for good or something temporary following the bugs??

Sorry it's so long but felt had to put in all the facts.

Thanks for any advice
Patsy x

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bettythebuilder · 31/07/2006 10:52

I'm lactose intolerant - it started after a v. bad tummy bug caught on an 'exotic' holiday, and (for me) seems permanent. I was diagnosed following a hydrogen breath test that was done on the NHS.
A friends daughter recently had similar symptoms that you describe after a tummy bug, and was diagnosed by GP as lactose intolerant, but prob. only temp. My friend cut all lactose out of her dd's diet for a couple of months before reintroducing, and her dd has been fine.
hope this is of some use.
Also, I get stomach cramps (and worse!) with only a small amount of lactose - I have to steer clear of it entirely, so it may be worth cutting all lactose out of your dd's diet (there are loads of good alternatives, now) to see if that makes any difference.

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PatsyJ · 31/07/2006 12:51

Hi Betty

Thanks for your reply! I am convinced that DD can stomach lactose in food but not as a drink as we had no probs until I introduced it in drink (even after her stomach bug). I don't really want to remove it entirely esp as she seems to have improved already.

I am going to give her 6 wks on the SMA LF and take it from there. Nice to hear that your friend's GP diagnosed it in her daughter. I think these days they are far too cagey about diagnosis of anything - everything seems to be put down to 'viral' illnesses these days!!

My GP even told me that I was better getting info off the net than seeing her as "she isnt an expert"!?!

Sorry to be nosey but do you know how long your friend's daughter had it for? I've read 6-8 wks if it's temporary?

I am gutted though as I breastfed her for 14 mths hoping I'd help prevent allergies and the like - personal choice but I hadn't wanted to introduce formula and here I am now having to feed my daughter formula

Enough said I think.

Anyone else any ideas?

Thanks.

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foxinsocks · 31/07/2006 12:59

patsy as betty said, it is v common after tummy bugs for small children/babies to get temporary lactose intolerant. We were lucky enough to see a peadiatrician when ds got his first round of gastroenteritis and he told us to avoid milk products for a couple of weeks afterwards - it was lucky we did because when we tried to reintroduce them, he reacted badly and he ended up on soya for a month or so (maybe around 6 weeks). It is such a shame that Gps don't advise people to steer clear of dairy after a tummy bug - I know it doesn't affect every baby but even so....

I would stick with the lactose free for a few months - maybe 8 weeks to give her system time to recover and then try the normal stuff again and see what happens.

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bettythebuilder · 31/07/2006 13:11

Hi Patsy - my friends dd had this just before christmas, and was fine by march, so yes, about 6 to 8 weeks.

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bluejelly · 31/07/2006 13:38

My dd was allergic to cow's milk and cow's milk formula till aged 2 but okay with cheese/yoghurt during that time.
I think it's quite common (always regular posts on mumsnet abuot it)
She is fine now by the way, not allergic at all.
It could be a phase I'd keep going on the lactose free formula for now and try reintroducing cow's milk later...
By the way am sure the breastfeeding helped your dd in other ways... well done for keeping going for so long

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PatsyJ · 31/07/2006 14:14

Thanks girls - you are making me feel better! Have felt pretty miserable about the whole thing really but am glad I have got to the bottom of it on my own (at least I think!!!).

Will let you know how I get on

PS - Have read MN for a while but never posted - it's great!!

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Nanou1 · 01/08/2006 15:26

hi bettythebuilder. wondered if you could help. am not feeling great and very bloating - i almost look pregnant... not good with having breakfast so thought i would try taking it at work, have been having cereals with greek yogurt. i don't like milk btw. have had one week of greek yogurt in the morning. what do you think? could it be an allergy?

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Uwila · 01/08/2006 16:03

It comes from drinking brown gin and tonics with YELLOW lemons.

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Nanou1 · 01/08/2006 16:11

PMSL -
now THAT is useful contribution uwila!!!!
we're going to have to go back!

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Uwila · 01/08/2006 16:55

We could bring our own lime. Actually, that isn't a bad idea.

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bettythebuilder · 01/08/2006 17:46

Hi Nanou1. Do you think the yoghurt is causing your bloating? Are there any other symptoms like a 'gurgly' tummy, tummy ache or diarhoea?
I had the symptoms of IBS when I went to my gp, but I must say the worst for me was the bloating, and having a wardrobe of clothes spanning about 3 sizes! Gp initially diagnosed it as IBS but was reluctant to do anything else, but after a few more months of discomfort, dh told me to go back and ask for tests to find out what was causing the bloating, etc.
The first test showed a lactose intolerance, and since cutting all dairy and lactose out of my diet I have been tons better.
Gin and Tonic, of course is dairy free.

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Nanou1 · 02/08/2006 09:16

hi betty. thanks for that. not sure if it is yoghurt to be honest - i just know i don't feel right and the bloating is getting worse; people gave me a seat yesterday morning and last night on the tube as i just look pregnant.... could have cried!!!! i don't like milk and may have a cup of tea with milk once a day and have really cut down on yogurt but does not seem to make a blind bit of difference so far . yes i have these other symptoms; quite painful.... also a lot of financial stress at home and i was thinking that maybe i could have a kind of stomach ulcer. not being dramatic here but it has to be something! i dont feel i ever digest these days if that makes sense? and that there is this huge monster bubble just waiting to come out. sorry but i did choose my words carefully!!!! can you shade some light - does this sound like ibs. stomach aches i get very often; and what i call "tummy colds" if i am not covered properly. thanks doc!

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Uwila · 02/08/2006 09:41

Hi Nanou. Sorry about this.

Why don't you give up all dairy products for say a month and then drink lots of it all at once. If the symptoms go away over the month and come back in a big way, then you'll know you have your culprit.

Or, have you thought about going to see a nutritionist? Don't know if you can do this on the NHS?

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Nanou1 · 02/08/2006 09:49

hi there. it's their reaction on the tube that really paniqued me really... will try and speak to my gp again but you know what they are like.... good idea re nutritionist but i'd rather be tested to see where the problems lie... tbh i doubt it's the milk cos i drink so little of it. am wondering about wheat...

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Uwila · 02/08/2006 09:56

I'm a bit weary of the wheat thing. It seems the inn thing to be told you are allergic to wheat. I know at least twopeople who have been told this, so gave it up, then went back to it, and it had no effect.

By the way, you do NOT look like you are pregnant. Maybe those people just thought you looked like a mass murder and didn't want to upset you. You are a bit scary you know.

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Nanou1 · 02/08/2006 10:01

that's what dh said too but i wondered if he was just being nice! i know what you mean re wheat. and yes i did look very scary yesterday morning cos i wanted to do my crosswords but could not seat down . hhummm maybe you are right.... i did have murderous thoughts it must be said !!!!

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PatsyJ · 19/09/2006 22:43

Hi - just thought I'd come back on here and post an update. DD was on lactose free formula for 6 wks (although I did not completely cut out dairy in her food i.e. cheese/yoghurts) and was a different toddler! I have gradually reintroduced cows milk as a drink and she seems to be fine with it so I think it's been a temporary thing luckily!

Thanks to all of you for your advice when I needed it!

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