Dairy or not?

[BMDmom]

Hi all

My friend has IBS or at least thats what her dr thinks it is. Shes trying to figure out which foods are triggers and heres the thing she thought she had found out that it was dairy , her symptoms went away but 3 months after going dairy free shes had the symptoms again even without dairy.so now shes confused as surley this means its not dairy but her symptoms were gone for 3 months and diet wise nothing changed except cutting dairy out.

So now shes wondering if she can eat\Drink dairy again. But also if she even has IBS. She is not in pain everyday and her sypmtoms only come on when she goes tobthe toilet.

Her sypmtoms are , sweating, stomach pain, and soft stools and she does around 5 movements when she has tjese symptoms once she has had her last movment her symptoms dissapear until she has a bad bowel movment again which can either be the next morning or every other week. She said if it is IBS then she doesnt think food has any affect on her as before cutting out dairy she had already cut everything else out and she has tried a Fodmap diet but it did nothing for her.

[Hidden]

That is a difficult one. I found no difference when I cut out dairy either. It sounds like your friend could benefit from going back to the doctor and asking to be referred to a gastroenterologist. Sorry I cannot be of more help.

[Maureen1958]

Personally, I don't think what you eat makes much difference in about 50% of people with IBS. And IBS is just a catch-all name for something that isn't basically crohn's, colitis or cancer. I have been experimenting with milk alternatives of late but am finding that I have more problems with them than I do with dairy. Also some people have IBS flare-ups rather than everyday like myself so it could be that is what your friend is having.

[BMDmom in reply to Maureen1958]

Yeah , i think she just has flare ups with no issue. She had flare ups both with and without dairy. And shes had no flare ups at certain times with dairy , like she told once she drank a cup of milk and had no flare up ect. Shes already cut everything else out and still has flare ups. Also she has been dignosed with IBS her dr just tested for everything else and said it must be ibs symptoms.

She doesnt get symptoms everyday either and when she does they only last until her last bad bowel movement has passed after which she is normal again. Shes not in constant pain like some.

I dont think its food that causing the flare ups i think they will happen no matter what she eats.

She has tried milk alternatives but shes allergic to nuts and most grains ( shes only not allergic to rice) so those milks are our. Shes tried different seed milks and either felt sick or didnt like them.

Coconut milk she likes but she keeps repeating on it and ends up with coconut milk taste in her throat and mouth. Were nornal milk ( she only tolerates jersey milk) she has no symptoms , no feeling sick, no bloating, no wind ect. But sometimes she has had bad bowel movements which is why she thought it was dairy but now shes had bad bowel movements without dairy shows it was not that.

[Hidden]

Hi BMDmom

Dairy, or specifically Lactose, is a sugar that is on the FODMAP list. Many people are intolerant to dairy, some races like those from Asia or black Americans are particularly affected by Lactose.

Ultimately you have to consider that dairy milk is a lactate that turns a small calf in to a two ton adult so it is packed with natural growth hormones and fats along with all the medication and antibiotics the industry pumps in to the animals.

Why are we surprised that another animals breast milk is unpleasant for us?

Check these intellectual bodies about FODMAPs and Lactose, don't just take my word for it.

monashfodmap.com

kcl.ac.uk/lsm/schools/life-...

[Claire44]

Could it be the lactose in the dairy that is the issue. That is what I have found. I now stick to lactose free milk, cheese and yogurts, as I used to get the same symptoms. Good luck xx

[Jasper8884]

I had gastroscope and found I have hiatus hernia. They are not sure if I have IBS and diet makes no difference. I found that citrus food and spicy food and some fruit,coffee , brocolli and cabbage, cauliflower upset my stomach. I also have leaky bowel so take one loperamide everyday as advised by consultant. I think do a food diary for month and see what aggravates stomach.

[IBSNetwork Partner IBS Network]

Hi,

Please let your friend know that we are here to help. We are the national charity supporting people living with IBS. theibsnetwork.org.

Firstly, we recommend she speaks to her GP. Any exclusion diets should be done under the supervision of a registered dietitian.

We have a wellness diary that may help your friend to better understand her IBS symptoms and triggers. More information is available here theibsnetwork.org/shop/supp...