Lactose intolerant after antibiotics

[stoopstofolly]

My DD (10) had a course of antibiotics recently. Since finishing them 3 weeks ago she has suffered from diarrhoea almost every day. I was thinking about her food intake today (we do have a doctors appointment booked, but as a non emergency there's a 10 day wait) and realised that the symptoms are much worse after milk/ yogurt etc. I've consulted Dr Google and apparently lactose intolerance can be a side effect of antibiotics. I was wondering if anyone had any experience of this, and could give me some pointers: what should I try, and is it likely to improve?

I mentioned it as a possibility to DD and she was very upset- she's a huge fan of milk, yogurt, cheese, ice cream, so this is not a good outcome for her....
Thanks

Yes Dr Google says it right! Secondary lactose intolerance can set in after a bout of diarrhoea (whether due to antibiotics or any other reason like viral). As much as ur DD likes, best to give her gut a bit of rest, atleast for 48 hours, by avoiding all dairy products. U can still allow her to suck in some ice lolly etc. Keep her well hydrated and call 111 or 911 if concerned prior to your long awaited appointment. Good luck xx

I had a big dose of antibiotics after breast surgery and got horrible diarrhoea. My lovely surgeon recommended yakult to sort out my tum. It worked. Not sure if that would be applicable to children but thought it was worth mentioning especially as recommended by my surgeon so probably based in evidence.

You can get lactofree milk and yoghurts which have the lactose broken down. They are in the supermarket with the other dairy products. Should only need to be used short term

Thanks. I've ordered lots of lactose free products, plus some v expensive probiotics my neighbour (a dietician) recommended.

I'm just concerned that this might be permanent- some case studies on the internet seemed to be saying that they never got better...... DD does loads of sport and loves her dairy- drinks lots of milk and snacks on cheese as she doesn't have a sweet tooth. This could be awkward!

This is quite common, you need to get her a good quality pre/pro biotic from a reputable health food store

Optibac do a child dose one that is considered the gold standard in this area and should soon have her back on track

In the future as she is obviously vulnerable to this you should consider probiotics whenever having antibiotics

I wouldnt worry abt it getting permanent as that risk is rare and that too if kids are having repeat episodes of diarrhoea (e.g another antibiotics course in a very short span) plus if not nipped in the bud. Sounds like u have been proactive and already ordered Probiotics/lactose free products which are great ideas by other posters. Bw x

I will be very careful in the future! We are very cautious about antibiotics as a family (don't believe in medicating unless absolutely necessary) but DD had a significant infection in her foot and we had to do something as she couldn't walk....
My concern is that we've relied on dairy to keep her weight up- she's naturally slim, very very active and has a small appetite, so full fat milk, cheese, butter etc have been a godsend. I'm trying to persuade her as to the merits of industrial quantities of peanut butter but she's unconvinced! I've spent the past 10 years getting her to a reasonable weight (finally at 15th percentile for weight, 50th for height) and can see it slipping away....

Talk to your friend about it, susceptibility to antibiotics could mean poor gut bacteria which can be corrected by probiotics and foods naturally high in probiotics and low in sugar (sauerkraut, Kombucha, kefir) and possibly low in lactose. There are other ways to get calories.

You can buy Lactofree dairy products - milk, yoghurt, cheese - in Sainsburys. Maybe worth a try?

(Lactofree is treated dairy with no or teeny tiny amounts of lactose.)

I've ordered lactofree milk, spread, mayo and soya yogurt. Am googling sauerktaut, kombucha and kefir!

The probiotics are by biocare- they come in a straw that DD just drinks water through. I'm planning a couple of weeks off dairy, then a slow re-introduction of dairy. Have still got doctors appointment that we'll go to but everything I've read points in this direction, so I know there's not a lot the doctor can do.

My neighbour (the dietician) just sent me this!

True dat!

It is common, but easy to sidestep without completely avoiding dairy, these days. Try lactofree products. They do milk, cheese, cream & yoghurts, all with amounts of lactose too small to measure.

The not cheddar cheese is a great texture for pizzas, btw. Melts nice and stretchy.

Honestly, don't worry about this - dairy free is EASY. Don't confuse lactose free with dairy free, though - not quite the same. Also don't worry about getting calcium etc - all soya milk, margerine etc. has it added. My DD and DS cannot tolerate cow's milk so we have done this for years and honestly, it's easy to do, especially if it's just for a short period of time while your DD recovers. Alpro soya yoghurts are delicious, you can get a very nice dairy free ice-cream (comes in a hexagon box, forgotten its name!). 'Pure' (brand name, not adjective!) sunflower margerine is fine too. Cheese - you may find she can cope with a hard cheese but not a soft or creamy one (that was how I initially identified my DD's problem). (My two can tolerte goat and sheep so that's how we get round cheese, but that may not work for you.) Alpro do a chocolate dessert too, which is not in the chilled section but in the free from area. Also custard, and cream. For cakes, you'd have to try gluten-free, as some of those are also dairy-free.

Hope your DD gets better soon!!

PS. Mayonnaise has no dairy anyway. :-)

PPS. Chocolate soya milk - sometimes in the fresh section, sometimes in long-life cartons in the free from aisle, depending on supermarket - is delicious. Also cartons of strawberry soya milk. Your DD will like those!

Thank you all. I bought some chocolate soya milk today- she's very happy!

I'm going to experiment with lactofree vs dairy free and see what works.