Hello.

[Ellie K]

Hi everyone.

I'm new on here although I have often referred to the site for advice and guidance. I will try to keep my tale fairly brief.

On December 27th 2006 I started to feel nauseous, I attributed it to my pregnancy and just lived with it, hoping to feel better once the baby had been born. I didn't. It took me until about a year ago to work out that what was causing my constant nausea was something to do with milk. The doctor told me I was talking rubbish - don't they always? Anyway, a food diary and a trial of a normal fortnight followed by a dairy free fortnight confirmed to me that I had a problem.

Long story short, I cannot tolerate any amount (even the tiniest trace) of dairy - factories need to be dairy free, I have to ask restaurant staff to be extra careful and wash their hands thoroughly before preparing anything for me. If there is any cross contamination, my throat constricts within a couple of minutes, this can last up to 5 hours and anything I eat or drink subsequently prolongs this even if it hasn't been contaminated. The following day I have an upset stomach, then I am lethargic and monumentally grumpy for several days afterwards.

I have been allergy tested and, incredibly, I have a severe intolerance rather than an allergy. We were beginning to manage this (my husband spends hours examining food labels in the supermarket), but recently some of the products that were previously ok are now affecting me. I can only assume that production has been moved as a cost cutting exercise.

Anyway, thank you for taking the time to read this, it's comforting to know you are there and that I'm not alone.

Ellie :unsure:

[Copper]

Welcome to the site.

Gosh I thought my total lactose intolerance was bad but at least I am not as bad as you. I always thought that any kind of swelling indicated an allergy rather than an intolerance.

I hate food labels which helpfully say may contain milk, nuts, soya etc. I can eat anything that says made in the same factory which handles milk. I don't eat anything that contains any dairy.

I eat chocolate which contains soya. I have worked out that 30g of chocolate which contains soya is ok. More than that and the soya gets to me.

[Ellie K]

I've had the skin prick test and it was negative so I'm not sure what else I can do although from what I've read it sounds like an allergy. At least I don't have to carry an epi pen with me all the time as I'm not officially allergic to it. On a couple of occasions I've had chest pains too, at which point I've had to take piriton (liquid, as the tablets contain lactose!!) to alleviate it.

I'm not sure I'd cope if I had to avoid soya too!

[Copper]

My eldest daughter is intolerant to dairy, wheat, gluten, egg and soya!

I have to really think about my baking and cooking when she comes home.

[rebecca c]

Ellie, welcome to the site. It may be worth your while getting a referral to a dietician becuase the symptoms coming back may mean you have develop new intolerences and a good dietician may help you manage this (pehaps even in a way that does not mean you have to cut things out but instead rotate them)

[cnc]

I've had the skin prick test and it was negative so I'm not sure what else I can do although from what I've read it sounds like an allergy. At least I don't have to carry an epi pen with me all the time as I'm not officially allergic to it. On a couple of occasions I've had chest pains too, at which point I've had to take piriton (liquid, as the tablets contain lactose!!) to alleviate it.

I'm not sure I'd cope if I had to avoid soya too!

My skin prick test comes back pretty much negative even though they think I'm allergic to milk. I'm not convinced that these tests are perfect. I remember reading somewhere that there are not only IgE allergic reactions but other types which don't show in these tests, which is really helpful!!