This all seems overwhelming

[Wheel Girl]

Hi all. Firstly, this website has been so enlightening and encouraging for me. My mild dairy intolerance has violently worsend in the last month. I now suffer from excruciating cramps, vomiting, diarreah and a swelling tongue if I ingest the smallest amount, where I use to only get stomach cramps. Is it usual for such a sudden worsening? I have really frightened myself with the severity of my reaction and am now desperately trying to learn as much as I can. I am just pleased to of found this site, so thanks to all of you who contribute.

[Pam]

Hi Wheel Girl

Welcome to the site, feel free to ask questions as I'm sure someone will be able to help you. It sounds like your intolerance is becoming an allergy and maybe you should carry an Epipen if you are experiencing swelling. Please see a doctor and get a referral to an allergy specialist and dietician. It must be quite scary when you have such a bad reaction.

I always love to hear about new products, people's favourite products and suppliers so please fill us in on what is available near you. (I'm in West Yorkshire).

[ellsie]

Swelling tongue was one of my symptoms when I started to become allergic. Also hives-like heat spots-, throat closing, nasal and ear passages swelling, and wheezing. All happens in seconds. Go to your doc and ask to see an allergy doc and get diagnosed and definitely ask for an Epipen as Pam says. It will be worrying for you but keep checking the labels! once you get an Epipen and know how to handle an emergency it will make you feel more reassured.

Mine started suddenly as I had been off dairy for 6 months and when I went back I got all the syptoms at once. Not a pleasant experience. I have been told it is very rare for adults to become allergic to milk! Well I must be blessed with an interesting life!:naughty:

[matt]

as has already been said get to the doctors as soon as possible. meantime check out the site. i think there's a list of all the various milk derivatives somewhere so you know what to look for on ingredients lists. check out tesco and sainsburys free from ranges and your local health food shop should be able to help.

don't panic. it seems a huge task but it becomes alot easier when you get used to it. don't be embarrest to let people know, that includes resturants etc. the best ones will be more than happy to accomodate you as long as you let them know before. we're here to help aswell.

[jill]

I can totally understand you being frightened. I too used to suffer from excrutiating cramps & diarrhoea, I can only remember vomiting once, but in the early days I used to faint because the pain was so intense, I suppose this was through not keeping calm and not breathing slowly. In those days I didn't no what the cause was. I find now that I have been dairy free for 1 and a half years if I have the smallest amount of dairy, (usually because I do not know it is there) I have a reaction where, in the past a small amount possibly wouldn't have bothered me that much. At least you have found us and we can hopefully reasure you.

[Wheel Girl]

Thank you for your support everyone. I have been reading every label on everything, and am not finding it so bad. I am in Australia and there seems to be soy alternatives for pretty much every dairy like product available, which is making things more convenient - the other items with dairy in the ingredients, I am just avoiding alltogether. I am also going to see a doctor and naturapath.

Unfortunately, yesterday I accidently ate a bread product that had non fat milk solids - well I knew I had eaten something "bad" within minutes.

Do these allergies ever leave or is it something you will have for life?

Once again, thanks for your support.

[ellsie]

!7 years for me and counting!

[Lan]

Hi all,

From the information I have seen when you get allergies in adulthood you are stuck with them. You can grow out of them, but it seems to be a very rare occurance.

When I went to the Allergy Show the professor told me that 'I was stuck with them for life' laughed and turned her back on me. I assume ignorance happens at the highest levels. If it wasn't for people like us, they wouldn't have a job at all. :rant:

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but on a positive note, you have found the site and have a large group of understanding friends. :D

Kind Regards,


Lan.

[matt]

you're a better person than i lan. if they had turned their back on me laughing i would have been just a little upset and would probably done something i regretted.

yeah from what i've heard once you get them you're pretty much stuck with them. still look on the bright side the health experts are always going on that dairy and wheat aren't good for you and have long term health problems whilst soya is the elixer of life and will make you live for ages!! yes we have to do it because we have no choice but we do benefit from it if you believe them. convince yourself of this and you'll feel so much better when you go blind from staring at small ingredient lists!

no point getting upset about it as there is damn all we can do. so find something positive and focus on that. hark at me! real guru, change must come from within etc etc. welcome to the asylum!

:bleh: :drool:

[Lan]

Hi Matt,

To be honest she really wasn't worth it. By walking away I was the better person. God, listen to my wisdom. Was just having a bad day on that occasion. :)

I try and look positive at it and have now met another girl like me in work. Have a new job now and am moving to another location, but will definitely keep in touch with her. It's just nice to know someone else like me in the area.

Thanks for the words of wisdom.

Kind Regards,

Lan. :D

[Wheel Girl]

You are all full of wisdom and your humour tickles me! Looking for positives really is the only way to deal with "inconvenient" situations, and im really not feeling bad about the dairy issue, because I do know its not good for me anyway - regardless of any intolerance. On that note, I have lost 3kg in the last two weeks.....and that is a positive...for me!! :D