<SNIP>
> I also asked him about lactose fillers in chewable tablets and he said he
> thought they usually used sucrose rather than lactose. He didn't seem to
> be too worried about my concerns or knowledgeable about food allergies.
>
> Luckily, it was just something I *wanted* to avoid rather than something
I
> *had* to avoid. Because I still don't know for sure if this medicine I am
> giving my baby is milk-free.
>
> I guess it is time to find a new pharmacy--a smaller one with a good
> pharmacist who will actually care about my family.
>

Margo,
I believe finding a good pharmacist should be regarded in the same way as
finding a good doctor. even if your family does not fill prescriptions very
often, you should feel very confident in your pharmacist.  He/she should
tke your concerns very seriously and be willing to investigate such
questions further.

Now, I live in a small town in Montana, but this does not mean my small
town doctors and pharmacists aren't busy and often overworked.  These are
the main reasons medical professionals do not look into these subjects very
deeply--they just don't have time.  Well, that is not good enough.  You are
depending on their education about such matters for the health of your
family.

All this aside, I think you need to take two very important steps. First, I
would recommend speaking to an allergist about your child's potential
allergies/intolerances.  I am not sure if you have done this or not, but it
is important to have an allergist verify that the symptoms you see in your
child are indeed symptoms of an allergy or intolerance.  Then you need to
take this  info to your doctor and make it very clear that you are trying
to eliminate dairy from the diet (are you nursing?  If so, YOUR docor needs
to know about your elimination diet as well).  Once you feel confident that
your pediatrician understands your wishes, then you and he can work
together to find out which antibiotics and other medications contain dairy
bi-products.  Then your pharmacist becomes your double-checker.

We have had to become very aware of all things that contain dairy (foods,
meds, even craft products)  and this has been enhanced by our support and
combined research of the medical professionals we see.  When Justin had his
heart problem, we had to find a new pediatrician who was willing to
acknowledge that my breastfeeding was not causing more problems, it was
actually helping him.  Our new pediatrician, who has been extremely
supportive, confirmed that Justin was also having signs of milk
allergy...and congratulated me on maintaining nursing for so long.  It
could have been very harmful to his health had we switched him to formula
like our old pedi wanted to do.  Seek out the people who will support you
and help you.

Jessica
Mommy to Justin (16 months) known dairy allergy, and
Chris (4yrs) suspected dairy allergies.