Wonderful news, Tara!!! Congrats!

Everyone seems to be always advising cutting out dairy and I agree. However, if you do, it can be very hard and no one ever says how. Here's a little story...When I was 16 I ate pepperoni pizza (nothing new) and all of a sudden I was on the floor in pains. My mother said when I was born, I was allergic to milk until I was 2years old; as are all the first born women in my family. Since then, it's been difficult satisfying the dairy craving, however I've kept it under control now for over 15years! So here's my tips on converting..

Firstly take daily calcium and magnesium supplements. The magnesium ensures your bones get strong without getting brittle and it actually helps with cutting dairy cravings about 80%. The average person needs approx. 800-1200mg/day (ask your doctor as it's different for everyone, especially pregnant & breastfeeding mothers). The remaining 20%, I satisfy with Soy or Rice Milk, Soy Ice Cream (super yummy) and Gluten Free breads/pastas. Also, soy milk is great for baking with!

For some strange reason, there's a link between gluten and the dairy allergy that I've found. This took me many years of "elimination" process to see how I react. As well, be very conscious of what you eat at a restaurant. Watch your dairy and bread!

Anyways, this works for me and hopefully it can help someone else too. Good luck!

I have a friend who has a type of colitis and she has the worst diet ever! I try to encourage her and share stories without being pushy towards a vegan diet but it is just not working! She drinks 1-2 L of diet soda a day along with fried foods, lots of sweet n low, and dairy. I know this diet would help her tremendously but you can't do anything more than share what you know.

This diet has changed my habits for the better! My stomach does not hurt anymore and I am not as hungry as I used to be. I am thoroughly enjoying the peanut butter cups :) I am a new vegan and treat myself daily to those, but I will hopefully get to a day when I don't need a sweet treat!!!

Congrats, Tara. U Da Woman! I'll have been VEGAN 1 year on Sept 22nd....and it's the 3rd BEST THING I've ever done for myself. The first 2 was to stop smoking & drinking alcohol 21 and 1/2 years ago. I'm the healthiest 65-year-old you'll ever wanna meet!

I'm so glad for you Tara!  I know that changing to vegan isn't easy.  I've had periods of my life eating vegetarian, but never really considered going vegan, thought it would be too difficult.  But recently I did the master cleanse (prompted by intestinal issues) and have been vegan 95% of the time since ending the cleanse.  During the past two weeks I caved two times (once for cheese pizza and once for pancakes made with milk), other than that it has been easier than I thought (isn't that how it is!).  It's tough integrating into meals with family sometimes, but I really feel great considering... I guess changes come pretty easy when you make a soul decision that you're worth it.   

Congrats, Tara!  Go all the way and get off dairy and you will feel so much better.  I have had IBS, not as bad as your condition, but very painful on a daily basis.  It started in my 20's and I am now 65 and nothing worked until I went on a vegan diet a little over a month ago.  I have not had one attack since then.  So I am a firm believer.  I do take my calcium and magnesium supplements but also my vitamin D3 for absorbing the calcium.  Cardio daily for 30 minutes and light weights 3 times a week.  The food is wonderful and I eat fruit to take care of sweet cravings.  Be careful of those nightshades though, they can cause grief if you are sensitive.  (potatoes, not sweet potatoes, tomatoes, bell peppers and eggplant.)

To Tara, keep it up girl!!  And once you give up all dairy, you will feel even better!!:~))  I would do anything if I would of became vegan earlier, not only for my health but for all the innocent animals who are made to endure the hell of factory farming.

To everyone here, keep up the wonderful choice in becoming vegan!!  Your health, the environment, and the animals thank you for it!!

That's great Tara!! Keep it up and I bet that last medication will be a thing of the past! :)