Just wondering if people cane give me a hint as to what to eliminate yet. The last few months I've been having bad stomach cramps after eating combined with err... flatulence issues (sorry if that's TMI). I noticed it happened mostly after I'd had cheese or milk, so I cut the cheese out, switched to soya milk and booked an appointment with my doctor.
She examined me and said there's clearly a problem with lactose tolerance, and that elimination was the only way to go, so to keep off any lactose containing products, and gave me some medication to help ease my intestines, which are apparently a little inflamed and working too hard on an empty stomach.
All seemed to be working (apart from my milk cravings).
But this evening I've got the bad stomach cramps again, so I'm a little concerned there may be something else my tummy can't stomach (I'm sorry, I had to use the pun).
Does anyone have any suggestions as to what else I might try to cut out?
For the record, I had porridge (made with soya milk) for breakfast, plus a fruit smoothie, chicken noodle soup for lunch with left-over rice pudding and a dairy-and-wheat-free cake, and devilled kidneys in a tomato, bell pepper and onion sauce with rice. Oh, and some crisps, some dark chocolate (milk free) and a glass of soya milk.
Fast or purge on fruit and black tea/ fruit juice for a few days. Then introduce your regular foods back into your diet one by one. Carefully monitor ingredients in packaged foods, Milk powder / Whey turns up in a lot of products... Note symptoms vs foods, give each re-introduction at least a day before moving on.
Consider a gastroscopy for ulcers and other nasties.
I have problems with dairy but also with highly acidic foods, so I've put myself on a low acidic food diet and my symptoms have basically disappeared! It's worth a shot!
Yes, done that. At the moment I'm on soya milk, will try the lactose free stuff next.
That's very practical advice, thanks... although no fasting, I need to eat regularly. But fruit and vegetables I could do...
I see my doctor again after Easter so I'll ask her about ulcers and other nasties.
Yes there was, soya milk.
OK, so I should definitely try this lactose free milk then. I don't eat much fruit, although I am having fruit smoothies in an effort to replace my morning glass of milk. But I don't drink enough water either so I'll try to increase that intake.
I'm lactose intolerant too and couldn't handle soy milk either. Lactose-free dairy worked for me. Do you also suspect you might have wheat or gluten sensitivity? My health was totally fine in California on a lighter, veggie-based diet but when I got here, I was always eating bread and started to have health issues.
Lactose intolerance can be a symptom of several other underlying illnesses.
I would suggest asking for a referral to a gastroenterologist or at the very least going back to the doctor for to be screened for allergies and also coeliac disease.
*do not* cut out wheat/gluten until you have done the specific blood test for coeliac (not in the regular blood test list) - because otherwise you'll get a negative result anyway...
Coeliac disease is a genetic disorder. If anyone in your family bloodline has coeliac, 'irritable bowel', rheumatoid arthritis, thyroid problems (hashimotos thyroiditis), or type 1 diabetes, it's all on the same gene sector.
20% of kids with type 1 diabetes have coeliac disease as well.
I'd also expect the doctor to do a breath test to check for helicobacter pylori, and also do a general risk testing for bowel disease if you are over about 35. And especially if you are a smoker...
My doctor (and I) are pretty sure this is more of a stress-related thing... my anxieties all go to my tummy... but I'm going to monitor what I eat and see if the symptoms continue so I can try and make a link.
I'm going through something similar, I have severe gastritis at the moment and have been put through and endoscopy and colonoscopy (gah!). I'm cutting out gluten and lactose at the moment. Apparently the symptoms of both tolerances are very similar.
Irritable bowel syndrome...aka "nervous gut", you might want to see a psychologist, they are better at this sort of thing as you would aim to treat the problem and not just the symptoms.
It sounds very similar to my problem.... and after loads of horrible tests my doctors have decided that to some extent (in my case at least) it is stress-related.
I have a slight intolerance to lactose and too much starch can upset me as well, which seems to be a modern-age problem and I wonder if it's because so much of our food is over processed?
Anyway, I noticed that in your list of yesterday's food intake you'd eaten these at dinner; "tomato, bell pepper and onion". All of them are difficult to digest (and the problem gets worse with age), so having all three in one meal might be a little hard for your body to stomach; and onions are wind inducing to boot!
Solving your discomfort might simply be a question of working out exactly what triggers the attacks; it takes ages, I'm still trying to find my no-no foods, but you'll get there. You might also want to think back and see if the bouts of cramps tie in with stressful situations?
It seems that Lactose is present in many non dairy foods!
Lactose in non-dairy products
Lactose (also present when labels state lactoserum , whey , milk solids , modified milk ingredients , etc.) is a commercial food additive used for its texture, flavour and adhesive qualities, and is found in foods such as processed meats [[37]](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lactose_intolerance#cite_note-OHSU-37) ( sausages / hot dogs , sliced meats, pâtés ), gravy stock powder, margarines , [[38]](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lactose_intolerance#cite_note-38) sliced breads , [[39]](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lactose_intolerance#cite_note-39) [[40]](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lactose_intolerance#cite_note-40) breakfast cereals, potato chips , [[41]](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lactose_intolerance#cite_note-Bartek-41) processed foods , medications , pre-prepared meals, meal replacement (powders and bars), protein supplements (powders and bars) and even beers in the milk stout style. Some barbecue sauces and liquid cheeses used in fast-food restaurants may also contain lactose.
Kosher products labeled pareve or fleishig are free of milk. However, if a "D" (for "Dairy") is present next to the circled "K", "U", or other hechsher , the food product likely contains milk solids, [[37]](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lactose_intolerance#cite_note-OHSU-37) although it may also simply indicate that the product was produced on equipment shared with other products containing milk derivatives.
Listening in with interest, given as I have similar symptoms.
Mine seem to disappear after a couple of days almost every time I change food regime (that is, travel), but it's not work vs. vacation - happens on both. Haven't been able to isolate the culprit from my usual ingredients, though.