Delayed dairy intolerance?

[maddy]

I have just clicked this week, that DD (15) is suddenly having digestive issues once she has milk to drink, cereal in the morning, or yoghurt.
she gets nausea, or rushes to the loo.  She has only just told told me in the past couple of days, but has had these symptoms for at least a couple of months.  I am surprised that this is happenning now, after 15 years of a full dairy diet.
I had to pick her up from school yesterday, because she felt ill & wanted to throw up....which then it clicked, she had eaten yoghurt at recess.
What should I do now?  Do I see a doctor first, or look at seeing a dietician?

[obbie]

I would start by keeping a food diary, then a dietician

[Yvette]

Maddy I would go to the doctor and get a referral or they might do it at the doctors an allergy test to see exactly what she allergic to and keep her off dairy until you know. My DS15 just had one and he is severly allergic to nuts and soy beans like your daughter a delayed intolerance.

[Bootobethin]

I have a child who was diagnosed with a dairy allergy at 13 years. He was very ill for quite some time prior to diagnosis and would frequently vomit and feel very unwell. The process of diagnosis took a little while but was well worth the effort.
I would suggest talking to your GP first as it could be a range of problems which need to be eliminated and a referral made.
A food diary is also really important and you need to record EVERYTHING your daughter eats as it may not actually be dairy that is the problem.
An allergist specialist who works with a dietitian is quite a good way to go if it is considered necessary.
It is quite difficult to accurately diagnose a food allergy (or intolerance) and is usually done through elimination diet and then food challenges. I found it was good to have support from a dietitian who was experienced in food allergies and adolescents. They can make sure all the child's nutritional needs are met. We didn't need to see her much as she had really good information and was empowering for my son.
Good luck with it all.

[maddy]

Thank you, all good advice 
Have started the food dairy from this Monday, and will book in with GP on Monday....first day of school holidays here.  The new clinic we go to offers all ranges of services, which I think also includes dietary & allergies.

[cookie1]

Maddy that is horrid for her. I do hope your GP can set you on the right track. All the best. xx

[Aussie Brenda]

I think it is best you take her to your Doctor first, you will have to have referrals for specialist's, by GD has a severe reaction to something, and we can't get into a specialist until November.  We think now it may have been a spider bite, but who knows.  Living on a bland diet at the moment.

[judydawn]

Good luck with a diagnosis maddy.  I do hope it is sorted fairly quickly for you and DD.

[Cuilidh]

Maddy, my DH became dairy intolerant in his 50s (much to his disgust!).  I don't think age has anything to do with it, the body just decides that this is what it is going to do and does it!  Definitely no rhyme nor reason for it!  A food diary (possibly including consumption times and reaction times) is a good first step.  Good luck with your daughter.

[maddy]

Interesting, I naturally assumed these intolerances would have been evident from early years.  Sounds like a lot do develop them later on in life.
She is not happy at all....she LOVES her milk, hot chocolates, etc...

[jeninwa]

I have a dairy intolerance,First symptoms were about 15 years ago. Milk, Yoghurt and cream  are the big problem for me,  I can eat cheese and cream cheese no problems.  I treat my self to a hot chocolate with soy.And now make almond milk.  San Cheerios hot chocolates doesn't effect me, not that I have them very often, all the chocolate in them must counteract the milk
It would be a lot harder for your daughter, to go with out at her age, but once she notices how better she fills,
I would have her tested, mine was just trial and error.

[Cuilidh]

We found out about my DH's lactose intolerance quite by accident (much to his relief).  His reaction was excema - he had been trying creams, ointments, etc. for ages (and some of those creams are nasty) and he was really unhappy about the whole situation.  It seems that lactose is quite a common trigger for excema and it certainly was true in his case.  He can occaisonally have small quantities of dairy - a mouthful of something containing butter, cheese, milk, etc. but is not willing to try anything more than that - in fact, is more than willing to forego dairy altogether for the relief he gets of being excema free.

[mcmich]

She may have always had a mild form of it Maddy and now for whatever reason it is exacerbated.
My daughter was diagnosed with coeliac disease at 22yrs and I don't think she had a problem when she was younger.
She too had been running to the loo for months before she had it investigated and lost 6kgs.

[kezza]

Maddy, is your daughter stressed?  Stress can sometimes be the culprit.

[consumerate]

You can be tested for lactose intolerance (it's a breath test). Also, if you are lactose intolerant you can take lacteeze before consuming dairy products.  I have found lacteeze to be very effective. I hope you can figure it out soon!