Lactose sensitive

[Happy prose]

It seems I've developed a sensitivity to lactose in my old age. Has anyone tried the OTC pills for this, and do they work? I've been having lactose free milk, cheese, and just avoiding some stuff. I'd like to be able to go out for ice cream or pizza occasionally! 

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

I've had this challenge since I was 15 years old.
My daughters and I all use Lactaid. It does help when we want ice cream. 
Hard cheeses don't bother me too much. Soft cheeses are problem if I have too much. 
Sour cream affects me almost instantly. 
I stopped drinking milk a few years ago, and that allows me to have have ice cream more often. 

[Happy prose]

Knee Deep in Water Chloe I find that a cup of Greek yogurt doesn't bother me at all. A tiny piece of mozzarella cheese kills me. I'm going to try those pills.

[andi9899]

I use the Walmart version of lactaid and it works for me. I'm not too bad with cheeses, but milk or ice cream will make me wish I was never born without the pills. I've only been lactose intolerant as I've gotten older. I buy lactose free milk and almond milk. Plus they stay good way longer.

[TheOtherMe]

I now buy lactaid milk or almond milk and lactaid ice cream.  

I can handle small amounts of swiss cheese and I seem to be okay with yogurt.  

I thought all of this was going away when I had my gallbladder removed, but it hasn't.  

[Happy prose]

How is the lactaid ice cream? The cheese I've been buying is ok, but tasteless. 

[TheOtherMe]

The lactaid ice cream tastes like any other ice cream to me.  There isn't a big choice in flavors and it's more expensive but I will pay it not to be miserable.

I have never tried the pills.  I've gone straight to the no lactose in the product.

[bean29]

I don't drink Milk, Eat Cheese, or Ice Cream and I avoid butter.  If I eat something with Milk or Butter in it I almost certainly will pay for it sometimes immediately, other times in the middle of the night.  I have tired Lactaid in the past, and felt it pushed back my reaction to Milk products but did not eliminate it entirely.  I find it easier just to avoid the problem foods.  I have been lactose intolerant for about 20 years now.  

I think Pizza is the thing that I miss the most, especially b/c it is something a group would enjoy together.  I can have pizza if a restaurant has vegan cheese.  DH goes to MOD pizza frequently and brings home individual pizzas for us.

[Happy prose]

bean29 I've been making french bread pizza at home with the vegan cheese. But you're right, pizza is social! A lot of our work functions include pizza too. So much fun getting old….

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

Ben & Jerry's non-dairy ice cream is pretty good. 

[susana1954]

I have been lactose sensitive for at least 30 years.  What I have found is that small amounts don't bother me that much and actually rebuild my tolerance.  I eat yogurt almost every day with no problem.  I can have the occasional piece of sliced cheese for cheese toast.  I've never used the OTC products.

I can't drink milk or eat ice cream.  That's fairly common.

Here are some snippets that back me up:

It may be possible to increase your tolerance to dairy by gradually adding them to your diet.

Different dairy products have different amounts of lactose. Hard cheeses, like Swiss, parmesan, and cheddar have less lactose and don’t usually cause symptoms. Ice cream and milk have the most lactose. Ice cream also has a high-fat content, which may allow you to enjoy it without symptoms. Eating cultured milk products may also result in no symptoms because the bacteria used to culture it produces the enzyme that breaks down lactose.

My source is a gastro place in San Antonio, but it backs up my experience.  link

[teen persuasion]

Apr 14, 2022 18:41:58 GMT -5 susana1954 said:

I have been lactose sensitive for at least 30 years.  What I have found is that small amounts don't bother me that much and actually rebuild my tolerance.  I eat yogurt almost every day with no problem.  I can have the occasional piece of sliced cheese for cheese toast.  I've never used the OTC products.

I can't drink milk or eat ice cream.  That's fairly common.

Here are some snippets that back me up:

It may be possible to increase your tolerance to dairy by gradually adding them to your diet.

Different dairy products have different amounts of lactose. Hard cheeses, like Swiss, parmesan, and cheddar have less lactose and don’t usually cause symptoms. Ice cream and milk have the most lactose. Ice cream also has a high-fat content, which may allow you to enjoy it without symptoms. Eating cultured milk products may also result in no symptoms because the bacteria used to culture it produces the enzyme that breaks down lactose.

My source is a gastro place in San Antonio, but it backs up my experience.  link

The part I bolded struck me.  My sister suddenly began having issues with dairy, and thought she had become sensitive/intolerant.  She tried lactaid pills, etc.  Eventually she realised it was that she had switched from full fat milk to 2%.  Switched back to full fat milk and everything was fine. 

[Bonny]

DH had a lactose problem when I first met him. It turns out he picked up some bad bacteria while in Mexico and when he returned to the US his doctor prescribed some strong anti-biotics. But he kept having problems and he got more anti-biotics. Turns out the anti-biotics destroyed his gut bacteria and what he was reacting to was really no gut bacteria to digest milk products which are in a lot of foods.

I suggested he start eating active culture yogurt. This was 30+ years ago so unlike today whereby there are so many choices. It took a couple of years but his gut recovered. Now he only has a problem if he ODs on something like New England clam chowder AND ice cream. I suggest talking to your doctor about it. FWIW I can't eat something like a probiotic yogurt like Activia because my gut is SO efficient. I have a rather fast and dramatic response.   I'm fine with plain yogurt. No sugar or other sweeteners and a lot cheaper!

[Deleted]

According to my mother, my lactose problem goes all the way back to birth.  It seemed to get worse in my 30's, but maybe I just increased my dairy consumption.  I only have lactose free milk in the house and have the pills for when I eat something that will set my stomach off (anything with cream, milk, soft cheese).

For a straight year, I couldn't figure out why I was sick every time I went out to breakfast.  It was the milk/cream in the scrambled eggs.  I use lactose free milk at home in eggs and coffee, so it went right over my head.