Maybe intolerant - how long does it take to get out of your system?

[bobbynog]

Brief history:
DD (3 1/2 yrs) has been complaining of tummy ache since christmas - originally put it down to new baby. She had chicken pox, accompanied by chronic diarrhea (basically brown water. A week later had terrible constipation, couldn't sit down she was in so much pain. Next day, splattery poos, and no control over her bottom, she kept leaking poo and a really gurgly tummy and complaining of stomach ache. And this has been the case ever since. The doctors originally said the bowel lining could have been damaged. Then a poo sample was sent off - it came back normal (they obviously didn't do the sniff test!) The latest visit to the docs resulted in a possible temporary dairy intolerance, and the advice was to avoid dairy for two weeks - that was on monday. It is now thursday and there is no change, could she still have dairy in her system or could it be an intolerance to something else? She wasn't a great milk drinker any way, and disliked cheese so is only missing out on yoghurt and chocolate.
Sorry for going on!

It takes about 4 days for something to completely leave most people's systems. It's easy to miss the odd bit, though, as you need to look for casein, whey, skimmed milk powder - which gets everywhere - and you do need to be totally clear of all of them. If there has been absolutely no lessening of symptoms I'd still keep going until the 2 weeks were up but would say it doesn't sound hopeful.

Temporrary lactose intolerance is common after illness, which is why its best to give probiotics after viruses. If there are still problems after the 2 weeks you could try those. I'd be asking to see either a paediatrician or a gastroenterologist and trying probiotics while I waited for an appointment.

Thanks tatt - i have made an appointment for two weeks time just in case, and am keeping a food diary too. And must admit i haven't been looking at labels - will do that from now on.

Hi
I am also intolerant to dairy and lots of other things besides. It really is horrible. I had all the tests for dairy, wheat, gluten and they all came back normal too, personally i found the doc's very unhelpful even the ones at the hospital which did loads of tests then told me to go away and eat yoghurt's strangely that didn't solve anything. I also went for private tests for intolerance's which cost a pretty penny but by this point i was despairing i lost a lot of weight (so do keep a close eye on dd weight) i drank gallons of herbal stuff that didn't work either but i kept on with the diet I'd been given and it did start to work. I won't tell you what i can't eat cause thet may really scare you, but when we started trying for a baby i asked to see a dietion at my doc's so when i finally got to see her i just told her my symptoms and nothing more and she told me what i shouldn't be eating amazingly it was pretty much what i was eating anyway which really is a lot of food which we're told is good for us (and for most people is ). But i just wish I'd pushed to see a dietion years ago rather then going though this trial and error diet on my own but my doc should have sent me ! But i would definitely say it's the way to go also stay well away from processed food try and go for the basics and fresh stuff . Just watch out there really is hidden dairy everywhere i do hope your daughter is soon feeling better and if i can be of any more help just ask as i seem to know quite a bit on this subject now