Eczema, migraine and IBS - dairy free?

[alexx]

A while ago I did a Yorktest out of desperation as I've always had chronic IBS. It came back saying I was intolerant to dairy. I tried cutting down lactose but I didn't have much luck. I've also developed eczema for the first time this year (I'm 28!) and also my migraines have got worse.

Going back over it and looking at this forum it seems maybe it isn't lactose, it's dairy full stop. I'm now trying to cut dairy out completely but wondered whether a dairy intolerance could really be the problem for IBS, migraine and eczema? :o Any thoughts?

[Copper]

Yes these health problems could be due to a milk protein intolerance.

I have many intolerances and they all affect me in the same way to greater or lesser degrees. A doctor would no doubt say it was ibs.

I just cut all the culprits out of my diet and I am fine.

Stick to the dairy free diet and hopefully you will see an improvement in a few weeks. Watch out for dairy in various foods - check the labels when you do the shopping.

Let us know how you get on.

[alexx]

Thanks Copper, I will - I'm doing OK so far! :)

[rebecca c]

Alexx - how horrible for you to suffer from these things. I would make sure you cut out for 6 full weeks then decide how much improvement you have gained.

It may be worth keeping a diary to see what your triggers may be. Sometimes my migraines can be triggered by overdoing it. Otherwise they seem fairly random. Bear in mind you may hit a patch when things get worse because you are clearing toxins.

[cnc]

Alexx I sympathise with you I was attacked by eczema in my 20s as well. Do give it a good few weeks, and make sure you cut out dairy completely. Did the York tests come back saying anything else or was it just dairy?

Migranes can be triggered by all sorts of things, have you spoken to your doctor about it? Some of the most popular things seem to be caffeine, so that might be something worth considering in the future as well.

[alexx]

Thanks for the sympathy guys!
Rebecca, I think my migraines are in part stress related, but I am also trying to generally make lifestyle changes as I can't carry on like this! I will start looking into other foods though if they don't improve.
cnc, the yorktests said dairy and kidney beans! Kidney beans won't be too hard to avoid I suspect! :D
The doctors haven't been much help, whenever I go in for eczema, IBS, migraine they just tell me it is stress and that I have to change my lifestyle...but I have to work! :(

[moofree]

Hi Alexx, I had the York test and it too showed that I was intolerant to milk. When I called for the phone consultation that is part of the fee, the woman said it was milk protein. That was last August and since cutting out all cow's milk I feel great! I haven't had any digestive problems, my dry skin has improved, and I have had fewer migraines. I've suffered from migraines for over 20 years and for me they are triggered by cheese, dark chocolate & cranberries. I get them when I'm over-tired too.

It's not easy but if you persist you should start noticing the effects of cutting out milk soon (hopefully).

Hope this helps and encourages you, you aren't alone!

moofree