Having had "IBS" for the last 12 years with daily occurences of diarrhoea, but with no apparent reason as to its cause, I paid privately to have allergy tests done. For about the last 5 years things had got a lot worse to the point of only being able to eat in the evening and then stay close to the toilet as it would explosively reappear about 10 minutes later and keep going for 4-6 hours! The tests proved that I am actually intolerant to all dairy products and byproducts, from cow's, sheep and goats. I loved cheese, milk and yoghurt, but all in moderation.

I have only been able to find Alpro yoghurt, Cheezly cheese (which even the cheese-loving cat turned down!) and milk wise, rice milk tastes better than soya milk! In the UK lactose is in about 90% of products.

I also love pate but am unable to find a lactose free one.

Please could you advise me if you know of any products that may be available in the UK?

Thanks,

Launa :-({|=

[size=18][/size] Well, it's good to know that someone has posted about this subject!

I found out that my IBS was due to a severe dairy intolerance.

Since that day, years ago ( 15 ) I have been taking Imodium for the diarreah, and now with foods that even have dairy in the ingredients, I take 2 Lactaid tablets.

I could say that these 2 products have saved my life!

~~ Sunny ~~ =D>

Hi Sunny!

Thanks for your reply. I had ben using Imodium too until about 5 years ago but then I started getting immune to it unless I took about 4 at a time! I have been using codeine phosphate ever since (which also has lactose in apparently!) but the drying up effect it has, also dries up the tear ducts which makes wearing contact lenses uncomfortable hence I just TRY to avoid dairy products.

I asked my pharmacist about Lactaid but he could not find it in any of his books. Who makes it please and is it an over the counter product or only available on prescription? What does it actually do?

~~~Launa~~~ :-k

Launa , The Imodium is very sensitive to our bodies. My Doc had me take two capsules (these are by prescription) at the start of the diarreah. If it starts up again, (usually 15 minutes later) then take ONE more capsule.

Only once in awhile do I have to take 4 of them (TWO to start, and 1 later, and then 1 more.) I remember I did that when I had eaten some bad ground beef!

As for the Lactaid, I just went and got my box, so I can tell you properly about it.

It makes life so much easier for us. It's called 'Lactaid Ultra Tablets, but I buy the Walmart brand, which is $4.00 less in price, but quality is the same.

Lactaid is a dairy digestive supplement. It's a "lactase enzyme.'

This product makes dairy foods easier to digest by breaking down lactose, a milk sugar.

Lactase Enzyme 9,000 FCC Units is the amount per caplet.

Swallow 1 caplet with the first bite of dairy food. (Or anything that has dairy IN it, such as frozen prepared meals, breaded fish, or chicken, etc.)

If your lactose intolerance is severe, you may have to take 2 caplets. (I do )

The info for the brand name Lactaid is this: McNeil Nutritionals division of McNeil-PPC, Inc., distributor of Lactaid Ultra. (Registered)

You are welcome to send me an e-mail about this, too. I'd be glad to share any info I can with you!

~~ Sunny ~~