Dairy Allergy And Now Calcium Supplements

[seraphim 6]

Aside from celiac I have a dairy allergy that's considered to be moderate on my blood test. I don't know about intolerance i just know i'm allergic. I was wondering if anyone else here has an ALLERGY to dairy and takes NOW food supplements? They said it's gluten and dairy free on the calcium carbonate powder i'm taking...i'm unsure at the moment but i wound up introducing calcium powder and turnip into my diet at the same time. I know that's a bad idea and i'll be testing this out one and a time over the next week or so. Either way...I'm just concerned the calcium powder might be an issue. Before i found out i have a dairy allergy i tried a small bit of butter and wound up with IBS like cramping....the past few days i've had that again. I'm leaning more toward the turnip for one reason or another but i need a calcium powder with no additives..completely mineral based..dairy and gluten free due to a possible salicylate intolerance on top of all of this. Over all i've felt physically better aside from occasional cramping maybe once a day. I dunno what to think but I'm concerned because allergies are serious business. they say they have good manufacturing practices and i used glutentox to test the calcium powder as low as 5 ppm's and it was fine..so I'm hoping the dairy is just as safe? I don't know much about allergies...so if anyone can be of any help? I would assume even intolerant people might be able to answer this question since casein intolerance you can be extremely sensitive to an allergen. I really need a calcium powder that's also salicylate free so i'm hoping it's just the turnip. Or neither.

[squirmingitch 696]

I'm not sure if you're looking specifically for a calcium powder or just needing a calcium supplement. I got NOW brand Bone Calcium. It does not contain sugar, salt, starch, yeast, wheat, gluten, corn, soy, milk, egg. See it here:

http://www.drugstore.com/now-foods-bone-calcium-tablets/qxp320060

[StephanieL 74]

Have you had an actual reaction to dairy?  Why were you tested? Testing alone can not diagnosis an allergy.

[kareng 2,318]

Just curious.... What do you know about this company " Now" to make you believe they are lying to the public when they say the calcium is dairy free and gluten free? That appears to be what you are saying when you question their listing of ingredients and ingredient statements?

[IrishHeart 1,645]

Now Foods states the product is dairy free and gluten free 

 

from the website: Other Ingredients None.

Contains no sugar, salt, starch, yeast, wheat, gluten, corn, soy, milk, egg, shellfish or preservatives.

Vegetarian/vegan product.

 

So, what exactly is your question?

[seraphim 6]

*sighs* My concern was about cross contamination. I think we should all know by now that just because a company makes a claim does not always make it so do we not? Anyhow I talked to them after and the man who talked to me said they are very very thorough with their cleaning. When they say dairy and gluten free they mean it. I was more concerned than usual because with the dairy i'm dealing with an actual allergy now. Personally I don't know why any of you have to ask why i want to make sure about this stuff. Like I said, plenty of companies make claims and sorry I wasn't taking  the risk with an allergy. Sue me. P.S. if I sound moody i've been very VERY sick the last few days and couldn't even keep water down the other day, and I truly don't mean to be.

[kareng 2,318]

*sighs* My concern was about cross contamination. I think we should all know by now that just because a company makes a claim does not always make it so do we not? Anyhow I talked to them after and the man who talked to me said they are very very thorough with their cleaning. When they say dairy and gluten free they mean it. I was more concerned than usual because with the dairy i'm dealing with an actual allergy now. Personally I don't know why any of you have to ask why i want to make sure about this stuff. Like I said, plenty of companies make claims and sorry I wasn't taking  the risk with an allergy. Sue me. P.S. if I sound moody i've been very VERY sick the last few days and couldn't even keep water down the other day, and I truly don't mean to be.

 

 

The fact is - the company knows what is in the product and the manufacturing practices.  If you are that worried about a product - why would you want to know what some random stranger on the internet might say?  How would they really know anything different than you do?  go directly to the company.

[StephanieL 74]

I specifically asked because a blood test will not indicate how server an allergy is. When you stated "the blood test says" it set off an alarm.  If you have eaten dairy to this point with no issues but your blood test says you are "mod-serverly allergic" the blood test is most likely wrong as they are in over 50% of the cases. Allergies should not be diagnosed by blood or skin testing alone.

[nvsmom 334]

Dairy is not a great source of calcium, it is not easily absorbed from cow milk products. Calcium in plant based foods are absorbed easier. You could always work to increase Ca rich foods in your diet. http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/guide/calcium-vitamin-d-foods

[seraphim 6]

Karen- i was just curious if anyone had anything to say. And whether someone knows their practices or not doesn't mean they even know what truly gluten free means. So I guess I should go eat at DOMINOES and have their "gluten free" pizza huh? Because the company knows their practices? They obviously don't know what truly gluten free is in the first place. Point being, just because a company says it's so doesn't make it so. Please tell me do you say this to everyone who comes on here asking for their experiences with certain foods? I have seen umpteen people come on here asking "does anyone else tolerate *insert name of product here*" So quite frankly I don't feel the least bit weird about asking so quit acting like it's weird thanks.

 

Stephanie- I was away from dairy for almost a year and a couple of months ago i tried the tiniest sliver of butter to see what would happen and within two hours i had severe cramping but hardly anything was coming out. When it did it all looked very...weird in texture. Then i had the allergy test and it said moderate but i know you can have it show up as severe and not even exhibit severe symptoms. I just know it was painful. Point being an allergy is an allergy and I don't want to make it worse.

[kareng 2,318]

Actually, I usually tell people to read the labels, look at the website or email the company if the ingredients aren't clear. Most are people new to gluten free and need help learning how to read labels. If they are new- we have had them post ingredients so we can help them understand. I would like people to learn to do this themselves. I have seen people purposefully give bad info on forums, this one included. I would hate for someone to be told something is gluten-free that clearly isn't and have them rely on someone that thinks its funny to mess with forum posters. Or avoid a perfectly safe food because 1 person gave them mis- information.

[IrishHeart 1,645]

I use NOW brand vitamins all the time and I have no problem with them. We told you our best advice.

They give full disclosure and that's as good as it gets.

Why would they lie? you seem to think the answer is not good enough or that "we all know it can mean something like CC"...no, we don't "all know that" I read the label, I read the company policy, I talked with them. They're a good company regarding allergen disclosure. 

[IrishHeart 1,645]

 I was away from dairy for almost a year and a couple of months ago i tried the tiniest sliver of butter to see what would happen and within two hours i had severe cramping but hardly anything was coming out. When it did it all looked very...weird in texture. Then i had the allergy test and it said moderate but i know you can have it show up as severe and not even exhibit severe symptoms. I just know it was painful. Point being an allergy is an allergy and I don't want to make it worse.

  Except, allergies are not the same as food intolerances and we have told you this many, many times.

 

The bowel cramping reaction you describe to the "tiny sliver of butter'--means a possible intolerance. Or it means nothing at all.

Not every thing that "seems weird" means allergy or intolerance, hon.

 

this is from the MAYO CLINIC:

 

If you had an actual allergy to dairy, you would have an immediate cascade of symptoms and possibly, difficulty breathing.

 Immediately after consuming milk, signs and symptoms of a milk allergy might include:

• Hives
• Wheezing
• Vomiting

Signs and symptoms that may take more time to develop include:

• Loose stools, which may contain blood
• Diarrhea
• Abdominal cramps
• Coughing or wheezing
• Runny nose
• Watery eyes
• Itchy skin rash, often around the mouth
• Colic, in babies

Milk allergy or milk intolerance?

It's important to differentiate a true milk allergy from milk protein intolerance or lactose intolerance. Unlike a milk allergy, intolerance doesn't involve the immune system. Milk intolerance causes different symptoms and requires different treatment from a true milk allergy. Common signs and symptoms of milk protein or lactose intolerance include digestive problems, such as bloating, gas or diarrhea, after consuming milk or products containing milk.

Anaphylaxis

Rarely, milk allergy can cause anaphylaxis, a life-threatening reaction that can narrow the airways and block breathing. If you or your child has a reaction to milk, tell your doctor about it no matter how mild the reaction was. Tests can help confirm a milk allergy, so you can take steps to avoid future and potentially worse reactions. Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency and requires treatment with an epinephrine (adrenaline) shot and a trip to the emergency room. Signs and symptoms start soon after consuming milk and can include:

• Constriction of airways, including a swollen throat that makes it difficult to breathe
• Facial flushing
• Itching
• Shock, with a marked drop in blood pressure

 

 

 

Seraphim, 

You want our help and advice, but you never tell us what tests you have had run, what actual diagnosis you have, or anything. 

You are evasive and say you have celiac, then you say you don't. You think it's a sals problem, then you say  it's not.

 

I'll let StephanieL tell you more about allergies because she is extremely well-versed in this area and lives it every day

 

 

but honestly, you do not really listen to anything any of us tell you, so I am not really sure why

you continue to ask our help because you have a response that is always defensive and shows that clearly you do not read anything

we take the time to link to for you.

 

We often tell you something is safe and you come back with "but no, it's not!! " because "some people say it isn't" .

who are these people??

 

So, what else can we say?? Many of us continue to try and help, but wonder if you listen to a thing we say.

 

Sorry if that seems harsh, but it is the flat truth and needs to be said. I know I have been trying to help you for well over a year but nothing seems to change in your attitude or your responses to posts the very kind people on here make to you. You keep looking for things to be wrong with you and you do not trust what people tell you.

 

I am not sure why this is the case, but clearly, people like Karen and me --who try very hard to give good, solid  info---do not seem to get through to you.

 

I wish you well. Best wishes.

[seraphim 6]

It's not what you say to me it's the tone in your messages. I sent this thread to a friend of mine and asked her what she thought and she didn't think you guys sound very welcoming. And you've been that way with me from the beginning and it puts me on the defensive. The responses you gave since my last response is the only kind of response i was looking for and I appreciate these kinds of responses..it wasn't going to make or break my using something. I did contact the company at the time.

 

As for whether I have celiac....I don't know if I do..i think i do based off what i've been going through and that gluten was definitely an issue before i cut it out. But IrishHeart you told me in private messages ages ago that i didn't have celiac.Flat out "you don't have celiac hon" Which could be true but you don't know anymore than I do.And again i felt defensive. I could be celiac and just not have an official diagnosis. And perhaps this is what you meant but you need to pick your words more carefully.

 

I have reason to suspect sals. Good reason considering some of the things that have happened but I'm trying to get to the bottom of what might be the cause of such symptoms. As for not responding to certain things...I'm sorry I'll try and be more perfect next time and remember every little detail. Usually when i'm on the computer these days I'm scatterbrained in my condition. It's hard to properly do everything I want to do. I get anxious even being on the computer these days.

 

I have had RAST testing done by an allergist. She is affiliated with Mt. Sinai hospital and is one of the best and she told me to stay away from dairy. I also now show a very tiny reaction to beef. I hear these often cross react so to me that says it probably definitely is an allergy. So while one person might think it's intolerance I've also talked to other people with milk allergy who've had similar responses as i did. So I don't know. Either way I can't go near dairy. Not  to mention i had swelling on the bottom of my foot once after stepping in spilt milk by accident. I'm sorry my situation is not cut and dry enough for you...if I ask for advice and don't currently take it it doesn't mean i never will but i have to take certain steps at a time. I don't know what it might do to me and it's not worth going to the hospital over. So I try to go with my gut on this stuff. When something feels right it does. When it doesn't I don't do it. Right now I'm trying to figure out about probiotics because I've never taken them and i have no idea how to start on them etc So yeah...i'm overwhelmed.

 

But yeah I got fed up with wondering if I was crazy on this and i just sent the thread to a friend and said "what do you think of this?" and they feel the tone is very unwelcoming and  that's all i've felt. You might spout out information and i do appreciate it but there is always something that's said or implied. CC IS a possible issue. However did you come in here and tell me you use NOW and that they're safe like you did in the one message you wrote since my last response? No you did not. You used the argument of their labeling and I'm willing to bet a lot of people on these forums have read labels and still been screwed over. This is why I called after but...I was just looking for thoughts. You offered it. After anyhow. If you had given me that kind of response to start with there would have been nothing wrong with it.

[seraphim 6]

Also I don't know why you keep saying intolerance and allergies are not the same as if i don't know this already. I don't know when i've ever given the impression. Since i went gluten free originally and learned about gluten and casein I knew that.

[notme! 347]

could you not ask the people on the milk allergy website?  maybe they would have a better insight - i, personally, do not have a milk allergy, so i have zero knowledge about what products are safe for your milk allergy.  apparently, the 600-800 people who frequent this site at all times don't know either, or you would have an overabundance of answers.  you're asking the 'apple' web forum what they know about 'oranges'  - we know a little, i suppose, as it relates to celiac but not all and not as much as you do.  you have done a bunch of research, evidently, maybe you should share it with people it would help, like milk allergy sufferers?  

 

if you were my kid, i would tell you to just take it.  you'll find out    but you are not.  use your best judgement

[seraphim 6]

Yeah the thing was I didn't post on here to argue about allergies but plenty of people here have to stay completely away from dairy due to intolerance anyhow so i thought it might be a place for some useful info. The other people I talked to aren't on a forum..I can't find any good allergy forums....it's just people i know with milk allergy but they don't have the umpteen other issues we all deal with on here. Plus I've seen a few people on here say they have allergies as well. Though some seem to confuse with intolerance. I didn't come in here looking to pick apart my milk allergy I just figured lots of people can't have dairy here....why not ask what they think *shrug* I mean I've seen people who have wheat allergy and not celiac talk on here so....why would I think it would be somehow annoying for me to ask this? I mean......gosh..

[notme! 347]

"gosh, tina!  eat a quesadilla!"  loved that movie

[StephanieL 74]

I wasn't trying to pick apart your allergy. From what you are describing, it isn't an allergy.  RAST testing isn't very accurate.  Did your allergist prescribe an Epi Pen for you?

 

Also, it's more common for someone with a beef allergy to be allergic to dairy but not as strong a correlation the other way around.

[seraphim 6]

mmmm quesadilla i'd give anything to have one.

 

 

I do have an epipen. What about the swelling on my foot? How are we ever suppose to know when there is a true allergy then? And why is a doctor from Mt. Sinai giving me so called bad advice?

[seraphim 6]

Forgot to add I wasn't saying you were picking it apart. That's more about the topic getting off track when it's not what i asked about and being told i don't know the difference between allergy and intolerance when i DO know they are not the same.

 

I have a complicated case of hypothyroidism that i'm trying to sort out and i've heard that can lead to allergies that may go away after treatment so someday i plan to retest and see what it says. Right now i'm a 3.

[StephanieL 74]

I have NEVER in my time in allergy land ever heard of hypo being under control making allergies go away.  I would love to see any info you have on this!!!  That would be fantastic!  My DS has Celiac, hashis and food allergies and a few other conditions as well. I was not implying your Dr. is giving you bad info (I wasn't there so I don't know what was discussed or your case).  I DO know that allergy testing is only accurate about 50% of the time and the only true way to dx it is with a food trial/history of a significant reaction.  As for the info, I know many people who see many allergists who are at very well known hospitals and still giving bad information.  Our first 3 allergists had us avoiding things my DS had been eating with no issue based in testing alone. These were "great" Dr's who were not up to speed on the current research. I am not implying I know more than your Dr. all I'm saying is that not all Dr's are as current as they need to be.

 

I won't continue though as you said, this is off topic and not what you were asking about anyway.  Good luck figuring things out.

[seraphim 6]

No you might as well go ahead...the thread is so derailed now and i'm not wondering about the supplement anymore anyhow.

I can try and find you the info but Gena Lee Nolin's Thyroid Sexy facebook page mentioned the allergy thing quite a few times and the crowd over there is pretty knowledgeable so i figured they knew what they were talking about. I mean...IF the allergy was caused by the hypothyroid that is. All I know is I did have horrible cramping. I did have swelling after stepping on milk a different time. THEN I found out milk is an apparent allergy i have so it made sense....i don't know why i should doubt this? Can you direct me to some recent research?

[seraphim 6]

Can't find it on the facebook page now except allergies being in this long list and it's differentiated from intolerance: https://www.facebook.com/notes/thyroid-sexy/hypothyroid-symptoms/375387382480223

I saw it mentioned in posts before too. Also found this where someone mentioned reading an article about it themselves: http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Thyroid-Disorders/Hypothyroid-and-allergies/show/677275

[StephanieL 74]

http://www.niaid.nih.gov/topics/foodallergy/clinical/documents/faguidelinespatient.pdf

 

This is the most recent (I believe). It talks about when to test and so on.