Re: Up at 3am... again.

Posted By Louellen on October 13, 1998 at 20:18:13:

In Reply to: Up at 3am... again. posted by Bernie on October 13, 1998 at 05:02:21:






For several years, I've been experiencing painful stomach gas in the early morning hours.  When experiencing early-morning stomach gas, it's not uncommon to be awaken from a dead-sleep by sharp, shooting gas-related pain from my solar-plexis to my chin.
I've noticed that these episodes occur most frequently when I've consumed some sort of dairy within 2 hours of laying down for bed.  The painful gas-related symptoms (including nasal drip and a "frothy", non-acedic reflux) last about 2 hours (typically 3am to 5am) then I can return to sleep.
The only treatment I've found effective is oral antihistamine and any antacid with simethicone.  Still I'm held hostage for 2 hours before permitted to return to sleep.
Is this some form of Lactose intollerence?  Should I keep a stash of Lactaid on hand?  Is there a diet-altering alternative that won't require OTC pharmaceuticals?
Bernie, I too, am lactose intolerant and have had the exact same symptoms that you describe!  Stay away from any dairy products for awhile and see what happens. That's the only
true test.  Don't even attempt to try Lactaid for a bit, until you've seen for sure that it is the lactose. But, staying away from dairy, also means reading labels as well.
Milk products and by-products, including "whey" are also culprits.  So, for a couple of weeks, read labels and stay away from eating anything that has the words, milk, modified
milk ingredients, whey, lactose, (yes, lactose is even put into some potato chips, medicines and other things that we wouldn't think of as well as vitamin suppliments) and see
if your symptoms disappear. With the runny nose part of it, you may even have an allergy to milk which is not the same as a lactose intolerance and therefore, the Lactaid won't
help at all. Only by staying clear of all dairy products, including prepared luncheon meats, will you know for sure. Once you've been symptom free for awhile, try re-introducing
a dairy product back into your diet and see if your symptoms return. If they do, you may have to avoid all dairy products and get calcium through a suppliment.  But, do talk to your
doctor.  He/she is the only person that can really diagnose your problem accurately. Try what I've suggested for a week or two first though so that you can tell him/her what the
outcome was. That may solve the mystery right there!