Lactose intolerant following antibiotics

[Chocofiend]

Hello all,

So, a few years ago, I had an infection in my arm that left me on antibiotics for just over a month. When I came off them, I found that my body never got back to normal, and left me with almost constant diarrhoea. I went to the doctors several times and they did plenty of tests and said nothing was wrong and that it was probably stress. I would say, even at my most stressed, that I barely reached a 4 on a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being mega-stressed) and at that time in my life everything was going pretty well, too, so I didn't agree with their assessment.

About a year later, I got sent a letter about a medical trial taking place at my local hospital for IBS sufferers and I was asked if I would like to take part. I did! I went on what is called a low FODMAP diet and found, after excluding many different foods, that I am now lactose intolerant. Great.

Of course, it could have been worse, it could have been wheat...

I was wondering if anyone else had had these issues and, if so, is there any way to get my gut bacteria back to normal so I can eat ice cream, custard, chocolate and normal milk again?

Any advice would be most welcome.

(Also, if anyone would like to know more about low FODMAP diets, feel free to ask).

[patientj]

Have you tried taking lactase pills to see if they improve things when you eat foods containing lactose? Even if they don't totally fix the problem, they could make the symptoms bearable enough for you to have the odd treat now and then.

[Josiesmum]

Here is an interesting article on lactose intolerance:

chriskresser.com/how-to-cur...

[Goldfish_]

Probably probiotics are the way forwards. Also natural yoghurt

[Hidden]

Hi me and my sis are lactose intollerant -for years. My GP puts me on flueconazole for 6 months at a time and still got thrush. I had lots of antibiotics for bronchitis etc and for a gut infection. I had candida everywere and was even affecting my heart !

All my toenails went yellow and it cost an absolout fortune to get shut of that.

Dont have sweet stuffs while you have symptoms AND your cravings are a pat of it-the condition makes you want to eat all thoes yummy things.

What I do is brush my teeth 5 times a day and drink some nice chilled water after-heaven !

Very Best Wishes S x

[Judym]

Hi I've had a similar problem after taking antibiotics my GI suggested Symprove probioticcs and I'm just about back to normal after 4 weeks of a 12 week course.Not cheap but worth every penny.

[Skinn]

I am lactose intolerance, it's necessary to take antibiotics