Lactose Intol Exaggerated After "quitting" Gluten?

[jayhawkmom]

I've always thought I was lactose intolerant. Sometimes I'd be fine, other times... I wouldn't.

(But like a dummy, I'd still consume dairy)

I've been gluten-free for a week now (ok, 5 days), and every time I consume anything with dairy, ohhhh the gas, the bloating, and the PAIN!

I'm wondering... could the lactose issue be exaggerated by the fact that I am removing the gluten from my system? I actually thought (wrongly) that this would get better, not worse.

Anyone have any experiences with this??

[loraleena]

This is very common. Gluten intolerance and lactose intolerance often go hand in hand. Many find after healing on a gluten free diet that they can again consume lactose.

[Nancym]

I'm not sure why the thought is that lactose intolerance goes away. You actually need an enzyme to break down lactose which generally speaking, lots of adults don't make after they're weaned.

[dionnek]

I have had the exact same problem - dairy never bothered me before going gluten-free, and the first month gluten-free I was in denial about it, but I am slowly realizing that I need to give up (or at least cut back significantly) on dairy. I've only been gluten-free for 2 months, so I am hoping that after my villi heal I can reintroduce ice cream again

[Guest southgoingzax]

Oh, keep hoping folks! For all of you, I hope you can go back to eating dairy. I have been gluten-free for three years, and dairy-free for 6 months. I found out that I am severly allergic to dairy. Without it I feel so much better, but I miss pizza and ice cream pretty bad sometimes.

[nikki-uk]

I've always thought I was lactose intolerant. Sometimes I'd be fine, other times... I wouldn't.

(But like a dummy, I'd still consume dairy)

I've been gluten-free for a week now (ok, 5 days), and every time I consume anything with dairy, ohhhh the gas, the bloating, and the PAIN!

I'm wondering... could the lactose issue be exaggerated by the fact that I am removing the gluten from my system? I actually thought (wrongly) that this would get better, not worse.

Anyone have any experiences with this??

It is odd isn't it?

I think the theory behind this is you were lactose intolerant before you went G.F but as you were eating gluten as well you poor body was reacting to so much stuff it was hard to single out what was what?

Lactase enzymes(which help you digest the sugar in milk) are released from the tips of your villi.

If you have celiac disease some if not all of your villi are blunted,so you cannot produce enough enzymes.

It took my husband around 6 months of being G.F before he noticed that milk was bothering him.

He suffered rotten crushing headaches and griping stomach pains.

So he avoided milk products for around 3 months and then starting trying stuff.

He now has found he can tolerate an amount of milk,but there is a limit! and the old symptoms return if he goes over that limit.

Best to cut it out for a while,then slowly try to re-introduce.

Good Luck!

[Daxin]

Some people seem to tolerate lactose a bit less after going gluten free, but in most instances, they are able to tolerate it again over time, after heling begins to take place.

[samking72]

Hello! I am lactose intolerant as well. My sister recommended "Digestive Advantage" pills. They are not prescription and are common in many food stores. They run about $9 for 32 pills and you take one a day. Some people (like me) need to take 2 a day, but it's worth it if I can have half and half in my coffee again! I still get a little bit of gas and some, minimal bloating and slightly quesy, but I don't spend the morning in the bathroom anymore! You should give it a try.

[tiredofdoctors]

I don't have the normal "Celiac gut", but my neurologist recommended that I switch to goat's milk . . . much less casein than in cow's milk. I have to admit, I feel much better drinking goat's milk and eating goat's milk products only . . . . (Kind of grosed me out at first -- first had it at my BIL's farm -- had milked the goat myself . . . . EEEEEWWWWWW. Also, my neuro said that pasteurization is "highly over-rated" (?) if you are using the milk from a family farm like we were. Just so no one jumps down my throat for drinking non-pasteurized milk.)