Lactose/Milk Protein Intolerance? - what to do?

[sylvm]

My 14 year old daughter has been "under the weather" for months,often lethargic and also frequently having sinus pains. Been to the GPs, first prescribed nose spray, then 2 different lots of antibiotics (2nd lot 3 weeks worth). Soon after finishing last course started getting tummy aches after eating some meals. We started a food diary and quickly worked out it was the ones containing dairy. Suspected lactose intolerance (DH had it years ago). Kept her off dairy for a week (no mean feat in a girl mad on pizza!) and no more tummy aches, but started getting far more energetic and sinus pain disappeared.

Yesterday thought I would try her on a small glass of milk with lactase enzyme added and she got a tummy ache. This I didn't expect.

So my question is what should we do now? I am obviously concerned about lack of calcium in her diet.Is there any point in going back to the GP? Should we ask to be referred to a dietition (although presumably we would have to wait months for this) or would a nutritional therapist be a better bet?

[Jaynerae]

Lactose intolerance can be triggered by an illness - and can be temporary. My DD had a lactose intolerance after a stomach bug - I kept her off dairy products for 2 months and then gradually introduced products with lactose in again and she was fine. My GP told me that if you withdrawn lactose from the diet for a while it gives the gut a chance to recover and can go back to normal. Obviously some people do end up with this condition permanently. My GP would not do any tests or refer us until we had done 2 months lactose free. Might be worth a try. It worked for us. Godd luck.

[sylvm]

I have come to the conclusion after another couple of "experiments" involving the lactase enzyme and very small amounts of milk/cheese that she isn't lactose intolerant and is more likely to have a problem with the milk protein side of things. Gave her a piece of cheese on Saturday with lactase drops. She got tummy ache very soon afterwards but the bigger problem was her sinuses and headache returned along with major lethargy. Didn't recover till Monday/Tuesday. Also had big bags under her eyes which I have read can also be a sign. We have a doctor's appointment for next week. I am more concerned now because having kept her off dairy for a while, the reaction was much worse. I am worried that another time it could be worse still.

[alibobble]

Check out "The Allergy bible" by Linda Gamlin. Found a copy in our libray. Is very useful on the subject. ISBN 1-84400-172-5

[PeachyClairHasBadHair]

The milk protein intol is more common than you think, but often mistaken for lactose (I did for years, I stills ay I am lactose intol now for ease but it is casein)

Given her age and bone density etc. I wuld ask GP for a quick referral to a dietician, or even consider a private one if possible.

[DrJo]

If dairy is the problem, it might be worth seeing if it still exists with goats milk/cheese/yoghurt - My son is cows milk intolerant - can't even tolerate tiny amounts in bread or sausages etc but is quite happy with goats milk