Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Panama

lcarter

Recommended Posts

lcarter Contributor
lcarter
Posted

We are living most of the year in PANAMA (in Panama City) now that we are retired. We visit the kids and grand babies in the US two times a year, Spring and Fall. It has been interesting living in a different culture and attempting to learn a new language, Spanish. Since I am gluten and dairy free, food also has caused some adjustments. The traditional Panamanian diet is based on rice, meat or fish, mostly roots or squash vegetables, and lots of tropical fruits. So, there's a lot that's safe here to eat. However, Panama is very much a melting pop of cultures from around the world because of the Canal, and so are the available foods and restaurants. The supermarkets, very similar to any of those in the US, carry quite a variety. But, I find I need to go to a number of different places to get what I need. I find that Ribba Smith (chain of stores all over town), and Super Kosher Deli (bottom floor of Multicentro Mall), and one small "health food" store in Paitilla called Organica, are the best places to shop for specialty items. I also, can find some things in El Rey and Super 99 (especially tapioca/yuca flour). There are NO gluten-free dedicated bakeries here, so if you want bread you will need to bake it yourself. Items come in by ship through the Canal, so at times there may be stretches when items are missing from the shelves. Plus, there is not the variety of flavors or bands that are available in the US. So, we pack very light when going to the US and plan to do lots of shopping to bring things back. Medical care here is excellent, and in some ways we are finding BETTER than what we experienced in the US...certainly a lot less expensive! There is much medical tourism because of this.

  • 3 years later...
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Shell156 Apprentice
Shell156
Posted

Hello!

I know it's been a very long time since you've posted, but I am a super sensitive celiac thinking of traveling to Panama. How did you find people in Panama were in regards to your allergy when eating out? Did you have problems explaining the dangers of cross-contamination?

Thank you so much for your help!

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):



    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):



  • Recent Activity

    1. knitty kitty
      - knitty kitty commented on Scott Adams's article in Ataxia, Nerve Disease, Neuropathy, Brain Damage and Celiac Disease
      2

      Could Gluten and Alzheimer’s Be Linked? New Research Uncovers Surprising Protein Parallels (+Video)

      Thiamine deficiency has been found in the brains of people with amyloid-beta plaques. Benfotiamine, a form of Thiamine, has been shown to prevent the formation of and remove those amyloid-beta peptides and plaques! Benfotiamine improves cognitive impairment and reduces inflammation. Benfotiamine helps improve blood glucose utilization. Malabsorption...
    2. trents
      - trents replied to Ello's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      7

      Small Bowel Resection 12 inches

      You might consider asking for a referral to a RD (Registered Dietician) to help with food choices and planning a diet. Even apart from any gluten issues, you will likely find there are some foods you need to avoid because of the shorter bowel but you may also find that your system may make adjustments over time and that symptoms may improve.
    3. Ello
      - Ello replied to Ello's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      7

      Small Bowel Resection 12 inches

      I wish Dr’s would have these discussions with their patients. So frustrating but will continue to do research. Absolutely love this website. I will post any updates on my testing and results. Thank you
    4. trents
      - trents replied to Ello's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      7

      Small Bowel Resection 12 inches

      Losing 12" of your small bowel is going to present challenges for you in nutritional uptake because you are losing a significant amount of nutritional absorption surface area. You will need to focus on consuming foods that are nutritionally dense and also probably look at some good supplements. If indeed you are having issues with gluten you will need to...
    5. Ello
      - Ello replied to Ello's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      7

      Small Bowel Resection 12 inches

      Yes this information helps. I will continue to be pro active with this issues I am having. More testing to be done. Thank you so much for your response.
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):

  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      132,834
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    SamAlvi
    Newest Member
    SamAlvi
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.5k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):

  • Who's Online (See full list)

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • trents
      Small Bowel Resection 12 inches

      By trents · Posted

      You might consider asking for a referral to a RD (Registered Dietician) to help with food choices and planning a diet. Even apart from any gluten issues, you will likely find there are some foods you need to avoid because of the shorter bowel but you may also find that your system may make adjustments over time and that symptoms may improve.
    • Ello
      Small Bowel Resection 12 inches

      By Ello · Posted

      I wish Dr’s would have these discussions with their patients. So frustrating but will continue to do research. Absolutely love this website. I will post any updates on my testing and results.  Thank you
    • trents
      Small Bowel Resection 12 inches

      By trents · Posted

      Losing 12" of your small bowel is going to present challenges for you in nutritional uptake because you are losing a significant amount of nutritional absorption surface area. You will need to focus on consuming foods that are nutritionally dense and also probably look at some good supplements. If indeed you are having issues with gluten you will need to educate yourself as to how gluten is hidden in the food supply. There's more to it than just avoiding the major sources of gluten like bread and pasta. It is hidden in so many things you would never expect to find it in like canned tomato soup and soy sauce just to name a few. It can be in pills and medications.  Also, your "yellow diarrhea, constipation and bloating" though these are classic signs of a gluten disorder, could also be related to the post surgical shorter length of your small bowel causing incomplete processing/digestion of food.
    • Ello
      Small Bowel Resection 12 inches

      By Ello · Posted

      Yes this information helps. I will continue to be pro active with this issues I am having. More testing to be done. Thank you so much for your response. 
    • trents
      Small Bowel Resection 12 inches

      By trents · Posted

      There are two gluten-related disorders that share many of the same symptoms but differ in nature from each other. One is known as celiac disease or "gluten intolerance". By nature, it is an autoimmune disorder, meaning the ingestion of gluten triggers the body to attack it's own tissues, specifically the lining of the small bowel. This attack causes inflammation and produces antibodies that can be detected in the blood by specific tests like the TTG-IGA test you had. Over time, if gluten is not withheld, this inflammation can cause severe damage to the lining of the small bowel and even result in nutrient deficiency related health issues since the small bowel lining is organ where all the nutrition found in our food is absorbed.  The other is NCGS (Non Celiac Gluten Sensitivity or just "gluten sensitivity") which we know less about and are unsure of the exact mechanism of action. It is not an autoimmune disorder and unlike celiac disease it does not damage the lining of the small bowel, though, like celiac disease, it can cause GI distress and it can also do other kinds of damage to the body. It is thought to be more common than celiac disease. Currently, we cannot test for NCGS. Celiac disease must first be ruled out to arrive at a diagnosis of NCGS. Both disorders require elimination of gluten from the diet.  Either of these disorders can find their onset at any stage of life. We know that celiac disease has a genetic component but the genes are inactive until awakened by some stress event. About 40% of the general population has the genetic potential to develop celiac disease but only about 1% develop active celiac disease. The incidence of NCGS is thought to be considerably higher. I hope this helps.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.