Husband suddenly drinking milk

OldFrill

I'd never call my husband an "idiot man" no wonder your husband doesn't share with you
Have you considered this "idiot man" may be lying to you and he has a terminal diagnosis, or he's in denial and ignoring it?
I am not the first on the thread to suggest this.

Harsh!

I am so sorry you are in this position. Low red blood cell count, unintended weight loss and change in bowel habits are indicators of a serious problem. This problem may also involve acid indigestion and heartburn, problems which can be calmed a little by milk which is alkaline. Do you think he is frightened rather than stubborn and just doing his best to control his symptoms and pretend there is nothing wrong? He may need support, but he also needs to understand that his refusal to confide in you is both extremely selfish and hurtful. I would tell him this is clear terms, but you have to deal with it in your own way. I wish you both well.

If the GP won't speak to you about husbands 'condition', ask to be referred to a dietician to discuss IBS triggers etc.,

'Idiot husbands' can be a pain in the bum sometimes. Good luck.

Just leave him to do what he wants.

Oh dear Grans - don't get bogged down over the 'idiot man' description - it was meant affectionately - do none of you use similar names for a loved one behaving a little oddly?

You've given me several different options, and many many of exactly the same options and I thank you all for your input.
I think I'll leave well alone for now, and see where this leads. Its time this puzzle was put to bed.
If there are any results I'll let you know.

(Well I wouldn't have been prescribed it if it was)

An appropriate warning there, obviously something to keep an eye out for, but not dangerous in any way.

…. Mebeverine is a superb IBS medication however, in some individuals, it can cause headaches (idk why) - just to be aware.

Have you both been abroad at all recently - if so, this could be relevant as it may be a parasite…… sometimes, people then get the urge to drink milk - a lot of it.
If you have, I strongly urge you to drag him back to the GP and have them run tests. I only got IBS many years ago (I should say, I started to get it) after contracting dysentery (shigella) from Ghana and then two years later, getting another horrendous stomach problem on return from Mexico City. I now have IBS-D, so……
In the short term, I would strongly advise him to switch to lactose-free milk which is now available in every supermarket.

petra

Esmay
You don’t need a prescription for Mebeverene. I’ve just ordered some from EBay.

Yes Petra, it's a top "go to" medicine, no side effect I have ever found, and good to hear you can buy it yourself, that might be a big help. It is available on Amazon, check the choice carefully, you are after the chemical mebeverine hydrochloride (my sis is a Doc, just consulted her)

Just to mention my father suffered from a very painful duodenal ulcer in the 1960's

When Ulcers were a big deal to treat Usually ended up being operated on.

But was told by his Specialust to avoid being operated on. He could go on a strict diet of lighty steamed food and drink LOTS OF MILK along with mefication he would shrink the ulcer.

It worked. So maybe your husband has an ulcer?

Just a guess really.But worth a shot

I think your husband's attitude towards illness is typical of many men..Especially the older ones. That's just the way they are. Unfortunately.

So don't take it too personally

Hope he gets better soon
😻🌻☀️

What pieces are there to pick up.
Either he is very ill and is just trying to make the best of it with as little fuss and intrusion as possible.
Or this is a temporary inconvenience that he dealing with in his own way.
I can understand that approach.
There seems to be a rather hostile almost combative attitude to him in some of these comments.
Maybe he'd rather be on his own.

TBH if he won't discuss it with you , I would ignore it, if he is happy self medicating himself let him get on with it, whether he is doing the right thing is a whole different story. Ask him one more time what the doctors told him is wrong with him if he won't tell you, there is not a lot you can do about it. But I would make it very clear that you are not there to pick up the pieces of it all goes wrong.

Petra
I know though a doctor should prescribe it .
There's been a shortage of Meberine due to a product recall .
I'm not mean with money ,but paying for it annoys me !

Esmay
You don’t need a prescription for Mebeverene. I’ve just ordered some from EBay.

OldFrill

I'd never call my husband an "idiot man" no wonder your husband doesn't share with you
Have you considered this "idiot man" may be lying to you and he has a terminal diagnosis, or he's in denial and ignoring it?
I am not the first on the thread to suggest this.

This 100%

I'd never call my husband an "idiot man" no wonder your husband doesn't share with you
Have you considered this "idiot man" may be lying to you and he has a terminal diagnosis, or he's in denial and ignoring it?
I am not the first on the thread to suggest this.

Has he been checked to see if he has stomach ulcers?

Weight loss, low blood count (from bleeding), abdominal pain etc?

If there is blood in his stool, it could be a symptom and he could be panicking and refusing to talk, thinking he might have bowel cancer. Just a thought.
He could think that milk would soothe his stomach.

I'd echo what GrandmaFrench says, make an appointment to see his GP to update her or him.

watermeadow

Nobody needs milk once they’re weaned, it’s no sort of essential.
I have oat milk in tea as producing cow’s milk is horribly cruel to both cow and calf.

It's like drinking porridge tea!
DD used to drink it, she's changed to almond milk now.

I have long term IBS.
Sometimes I can enjoy a cream tea and sometimes I can't.
I'm out this weekend and have to weigh up the pros and cons of the promised afternoon tea .
Coffee ,tiredness and stress triggers off attacks.
Buscopan is a mild IBS reliever - if your husband has IBS he needs Mebeverine on prescription from the GP.
Peppermint teas help.

As we age our bodies change - gluten and lactose become frequent intolerances.
This chronic diarrhoea could have another cause other than IBS.
It's very difficult to deal with a man ,
who won't confide in you and possibly has a lactose intolerance.
I can only suggest booking an appointment with his GP and talking to him or her about your concerns.
But I know from my long term experience with my father that a patient cannot be forced to accept medical advice and treatment let alone stopping him from buying and drinking milk that could be making him ill.
I wore myself out trying to get my father to do his physiotherapy.

Good luck.

Yes me too. Grandmafrench's post was very helpful. I hope OP will take note.

I agree, fancythat.

I would do what Grandmafrench says.

Nobody needs milk once they’re weaned, it’s no sort of essential.
I have oat milk in tea as producing cow’s milk is horribly cruel to both cow and calf.

My GP when I told her I was on low FODMAP and avoided lactose was very pleased when we had a major tum consultation.