my experiences my answer

[Esdaile]

Hi there

I discovered about four years ago that I was intolerant to milk after years of various health problems including what I and my GP thought was IBS. Over the past year I have come into contact, mostly by chance with other people who have a very similar story to my own.

I am currently doing a post graduate course at Edinburgh College of Art in documentary film making and have decided to do my graduate film on Milk. The working title is 'Not Your Mothers Milk'. I have set up interviews with several eminent researchers in the field, but am now looking for people who have just discovered they have a problem and parents with children who have discovered their child may also have a problem. If you are one of the above or know someone who is then please get in touch.

Milk has such a hold on people due to its position in our psyche we give it almost mystical health giving abilities, I suppose this has been mainly achieved through years of exposure to almost subliminal advertising. Some people can get quite defensive if you suggest that milk may not be all that it is cracked up to be. I am sure you have all read the 'White Lies Report' if not check it out:-
http://www.vegetarian.org.uk/campaigns/whitelies/index.html/report01.html

I would like to know just how many people in the wider community have low to medium niggly health problems brought about by adverse reactions to dairy products.

The aim of the film is to get people to ask questions about dairy and not just assume that because its milk its natural and therefore its ok.

[Copper]

Welcome to the site. Your film sounds like a very good idea. I discovered that I was lactose intolerant about 5 years ago. This explained years of illness as a child!

[rebecca c]

Sounds like an excellent project. My experience is similar to Coppers. Have other intolerences as well but the milk intolerence almost certainly came first.

[yvie]

Good luck with your project.

My 9 year old daughter has been intolerant to lactose and allergic to cows milk protein since birth.

Her sister, age 26, is also intolerant to milk but has skin reactions rather than the abdominal reaction/swollen throat that her younger sister has.

[goose]

Good luck with the tests, not much i can add to the thread, some of mine are medical reasons, but the IBS pain is due to dairyfoods.

[cnc]

I'm allergic to milk and lactose intolerant-(since removing milk from my diet).
I have type 2 allergy, it produces asthma symptoms in me and clogs my lungs.
Breathing much improved after they realised this was a big cause of it. I have a slight skin reaction as well, but not as bad as the asthma allergy. (My mother and I suspect my Dad has the same problem)
Hope this helps a bit.

[Esdaile]

Hi there

Interesting responses. I am wondering just how much low level reaction there is out there, how many people are kept that bit bellow par by due to their consumption of dairy products.

I live in Edinburgh so if there are people out there who have an interesting story and would like to contribute to the film then please get in touch. I have the experts already lined up for interview but I am still looking for the characters who have personal stories... and that you..........

[cnc]

Isn't it something like 90% of the Western World are lactose intolerant....
I guess the problem is that you don't realise how unwell you are until you experience better health if that makes sense.
It took them 18 years to identify my allergy, so I think low level intolerances are unlikely to be picked up unless people consider it themselves, and then there's the implications of people cutting out whole food groups without any decent advice.

[sarah pinkney]

I discovered I was lactose intolerant about 5 years ago after years of suffering. It took them about 4 years to find out what it was.

[fbrown75]

Hi There

I haven't had any specific tests for dairy intolerances but basically after years of scans, blood tests and physio for chronic back ache (all of which were clear) being told there was nothing else that could be done as they couldn't find anything wrong with me. I decided to research on my own whether it could be what I eat. I came across a couple of sites that suggested that Dairy Intolerances could be causing my symptons which in addition to the backache included - Fatigue, headaches/Migraines and generally feeling unwell. Anyway I have been off dairy for 4 months now and feel 90% better, my backache is almost none existant and I have much more energy. The odd times like weekends away, holidays etc where I have consumed some dairy I have felt ill again the following few days.

So for now at least I am happy to stay dairy free, it takes some getting used to but think I'm getting there.