Eleven years ago, after a case of E.Coli poisoning, I discovered that milk products made me sick. It turns out that severe food poisoning can distroy the lactose-digesting cilia in the intestine. If the lactose isn't processed, bacteria move in and will do the job instead. This causes symptoms I'd rather not describe. So I usually abstain from milk products, but I've found that I can get away with butter, because it's mostly fat with very little lactose. But I really miss cheese! And cream (iced, whipped, pies, and sauces)! I've tried lactase pills, which don't seem to work. Nor does lactose-free milk, with the odd exception of Tasti-d-lite "ice cream" (I suspect that there's very little dairy in it). Sometimes I cheat, when I just can't resist and it seems worth it -- after all, it just makes me sick, it doesn't kill me. But here's the mystery. Usually I will have symptoms, as expected, but sometimes I won't. I have not been able to figure this out, but would love to be able to eat dairy again. Is there anyone else out there who has experience with this who would be willing so share tips with me? ----- B. Edulis