Dear Ariel,
I became lactose intolerant around my 29th birthday.  Actually, I suspect
my intolerance was building over time.  It had just gotten so bad by the
time I was 29, I asked my doctor what was wrong with me.  She suggested I
try not eating dairy for a week.  Presto!  My nausea and stomach aches
went away.  I've become completely dairy free since.  I can't do cheeses
and lactaid doesn't seem to work for me.  However, I have several friends
that are slightly lactose intolerant and can digest cheese, but not
milk.

It is an adjustment to eat dairy-free, but completely worth it, to me.
Eating out is mostly a pain, so we don't do it very often.  My husband
and I love to cook and he is 100% supportive.  He knows how miserable I
am if I accidently eat some dairy, so he's as alert about hidden dairy as
I am.

I am sure you'll receive lots of good advice from the list, so I'll just
share my late 20s experience with you.

Best wishes on your dairy-free journey!
Roberta

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On Wed, 13 Aug 1997, Lady Ariel wrote:

> Hi Everyone,
>         I was wondering if anyone on the list has developed lactose
> intolerance (I'm guessing that's my problem).  I'm in my late 20's and it
> seems that such a thing would show up sooner than now.  I know that the
> problem is with milk and milk products.  When I was little, I used to
> drink alot of milk, and I've been having my share of milk and ice cream
> once I grew up too.  All this started maybe 6 months ago.  I'd drink a
> glass of milk and feel kind of queasy.  Now it's escalated to the point
> where about 6 weeks ago I went to Don Pablo's and ordered the chicken
> enchiladas which have "sour cream sauce" on them.  They tasted great, but
> whoa, it wasn't more than 1/2 later I was sprinting for a ladies room
> *Ugh*.  And then last week I went on vacation and wasn't really thinking
> much about it and had ice cream, same problem. Not good.  Anyhow, cheese
> doesn't seem to bother me, I've had my share of pizza.  Any ideas?  I
> guess I should be buying some lactaid or something.  Does it work?
>
> Thanks,
>         Ariel
>