How Quitting Dairy Affected Their Chronic Pain

Updated in 2025! One of the things I love most about running Go Dairy Free, is getting to hear your stories. It’s always special when someone takes the time to share their journey. Sometimes, I even notice a common thread between symptoms and experiences. Most recently, I was surprised by how many people wrote to share their personal success with going dairy free for arthritis, fibromyalgia, and other types of chronic pain. This is just a handful of their stories …

This post is for informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or make any medical or dietary recommendations. Always consult your physician before any change in diet. 

Joint and Bone Chronic Pain Caused by Dairy

I am 39 years of age, a mother of 2 girls, and for the past 10 years or so, I have suffered severe pain in my joints and all over my body in spurts. But the worst pain is in my left and right hips which alternate with severe pain (can hardly walk or sleep type of pain). It’s quite unbearable. I went off dairy a couple of years ago, switching to soy products and nut milks. And low and behold, the pain in my joints and hips started to disappear.

But I really didn’t ‘get’ the connection between dairy and my arthritis until a few weeks ago, when my family and I went back on dairy. Within a week, guess what returned in my body?? Yep, the pain in my hips, but this time it was more painful than ever. It still didn’t click in my head, but I didn’t like the taste of dairy anymore. So I decided to go back to soy. Once again, the pain went away – within a day! I finally put two and two together, and have come to realize that dairy is the cause of my bone pain! ~ Izabella

Fibromyalgia relief after dairy elimination!

I too have found relief after giving up dairy! Whenever I feel increased pain I know I’ve eaten something with dairy in it. I am managing much better and look forward to my future now. Pity there’s not a lot of research or information about it though. How have I managed to pay thousands of dollars to doctors and specialist only to find this all out for myself?? ~ Julie

Joint Pain (Sjogren’s) & Milk

I was diagnosed with Sjogren’s Syndrome (autoimmune disease that causes dry eyes, dry mouth, joint stiffness/pain) and Celiac disease (gluten intolerance). Also in my testing I discovered I was casein (milk protein) intolerant. I went gluten free first and then 6 months later VERY hesitantly went dairy free.

At first, I tested the casein intolerance several times by tracking my symptoms. I would go two weeks with absolutely no dairy in anything I ate, then would have a hot chocolate (made with a whole cup of milk) from Starbucks. This went on several times. Guess what? I experienced things like eczema, feeling very depressed, gas, and constipation every time. With my body trying to heal and recover from the damage of Celiac, I didn’t want to put further strain on my digestive system. AND, I hated having eczema on my face too. So, it’s been nearly a year of dairy free.

Last Friday I fell off the wagon. I just really wanted some ice cream. So, I took a chance. I started to eat it and it was okay. Certainly not as good as I wanted it to be. I didn’t even eat it all. Within 1 hour, I started having one of the most painful attacks of arthritis. I’ve only ever dealt with joint stiffness in regard to my Sjogren’s Syndrome. This was way worse. I felt like someone was stabbing my knee with a knife for about 20 minutes. It was insane! There is NO doubt in my mind it was caused by the milk. I won’t be eating dairy again. I’m convinced and I really don’t want it anyway. ~ Tiffany

Anxiety, Muscle Fatigue and Joint Pain are Symptoms Too!

For a year I had anxiety, muscle fatigue, joint pain, heart palpitations, tingling in my fingers, shaking and the inability to hold a thought in my head. I tried everything from exercise to antidepressant, but nothing stopped the symptoms. My husband suggested an elimination diet and long story short – dairy was causing ALL OF THESE SYMPTOMS. After only a few days without dairy the symptoms disappeared. When I eat anything with dairy I get symptoms immediately. I finally feel healthy again! ~ Eli

Dairy Can Aggravate Arthritis

I knew for several years that I was “somewhat lactose intolerant.” So I would eat yogurt and small amounts of cheese but not drink milk as it caused me gastrointestinal problems. Recently, I went to a naturopathic doctor who took me off all dairy products. She told me that if you are lactose intolerant, you are lactose intolerant. And that dairy intolerance creates other issues in your system besides gastrointestinal problems and can stress your body as it is fighting foods your body cannot handle. I have had chronic pain in my hands from arthritis and migraines since I was about 18, but I am now pain-free! ~ Taylor

Dairy-Free = Pain-Free for Me

Since going dairy free I have not had to take even one Motrin. (After three years of eating the stuff like candy!) Bloating is pretty much gone, and I’ve lost three pounds. I no longer look four months pregnant! Before I go any further: may I remind you I am not a doctor, not a medical professional. I’m just a person who has been suffering in excruciating, widespread muscle pain, mental incapacitation and bone-crushing fatigue for three years, with no diagnosis.

I now have more energy than I’ve had since all this started a few years ago. I’ve been able to walk the dogs, do housework, write, and go to work. Instead of having to pick just one activity, I can once again do them all. I can drive my car without feeling like I’m going to fall asleep. And I can handle the stresses at work and at home with relative ease.

But the best part is the absence of pain. The more dairy I ate, the lengthier the fibromyalgia episodes became, until they were daisy-chained together into a continuous life of chronic pain, crushing exhaustion, debilitating cognitive problems and having to live in very close proximity to a bathroom at all times. Now, for the first time in three years, I have hardly any muscle or joint pain. ~ Kathleen

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