Lactose Intolerance?

We're fairly certain that DH is lactose intolerant, and saw that to find out for sure you have to do some test where you breathe into a bag ever 20 minutes for like 2-3 hours.

Has anyone had this done? Are there any alternatives?

He doesn't want to sit and do it - even though I'm trying to convince him to.

Should he just try lactaid?

TIA

Re: Lactose Intolerance?

I'm lactose intolerant, and my gastro didn't do that test. Based on my symptoms and frequency/timing of them, he diagnosed me.

I never heard of that bag test you're talking about...

Re: Lactose Intolerance?

Re: Lactose Intolerance?

I had that test. It was the longest 4 hours of my life!

Message edited 7/17/2007 8:32:25 PM.

Re: Lactose Intolerance?

I've never heard of that. My gastro diagnosed me based on what I told him and so I just stay away from dairy.
There are tons of lactaid products out there; Breyer's makes a lactose free ice cream.

If your DH is very sensitive, it's important to read food labels. You'd be suprised what foods contain dairy/lactose.

Re: Lactose Intolerance?

Dh is lactose intolerant but I don't think he took a test like that. He uses lactaid products and it really helps him.

Re: Lactose Intolerance?

Thanks! He doesn't seem to be super sensative to it... he seems to be okay if he eats things with a little dairy as part of a recipe... Like a little cheese on his chili. But he does not feel well at all when having, say, ice cream, or a glass of milk.

Re: Lactose Intolerance?

This may sound strange, but I was lactose intolerant from age 19 to age 26. In the past 10 months, it has just about disappeared! The doctor says that this is fairly common-- people get it and lose it over the course of their lifetime. However, when I was lactose intolerant, I knew it b/c everytime I ate dairy products, I was in a lot of pain and I had the runs (sorry). I could eat fat free frozen yogurt and yogurt, skim milk and some fat free cheeses in small amounts. Things that are fat free are low in lactose and the cultures in yogurt help to offset the ravaging effects of lactose. Fortunately, there is pizza without cheese that is just as good as regular (well, almost) and lots of other cheese alternatives. It is not so bad-- I was a lot thinner when I was LI!

Re: Lactose Intolerance?

I have basically just self-diagnosed myself with LI (lactose intolerant)- which is a total pain since I am a vegetarian. I started taking lactaid before eating dairy and I also have switched to soy products where I can. Sometimes I can't control what food is available to me, so I always carry lactaid with me so I can take.

some foods still affect me though, although overall-- i do feel a little better. I have total stomach issues anyway.

I recently went to a nutrionist and she told me that soft cheeses, ice cream and milk are the absolute hardest to digest for LI people... I also researched some things that have lactose in it-- and was very surprised to learn that my birth control had it-- as well as other perscription drugs.

anyway-- as for your DH-- I would have him watch his diet and employ some of the tactics that I listed above since a real diagnosis probably won't change anything aside from what he'd already be doing.