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Celiac disease in a country where its not recognized

Posted By Sashya (Kingston, Jamaica) on 03/03/2012

Hi, I have celiac disease and where I live doctors are not aware how to treat the symptoms. I stay away from gluten totally. I am 25 years old and I have been struggling to gain weight as I now weigh 91 pounds coming from 105. I also struggle with constipation and dry skin even though I drink plenty of water. I am lactose intolerant also.

My hands are always cold and I have skin rashes and acid reflux. Since I have no help in my country and Americans are well aware of this disease, can anyone help me with my symptoms? I would really like to regain weight and start looking healthy and stop feeling as if I am about to die.

My 7 year old daughter also has the same symptoms and it is even harder with her as she has to go to school and no known Jamaicans are aware of this disease. My co-workers laugh at me and say I am mad and all this is in my mind. They tease me when I say I can't eat anything with gluten, saying that's why I am so skinny. Please, I need help from someone who understands. My email address is bestchoiceever[at]rocketmail[dot]com.

Thanks...

Replied by Pyroluriac (Alamogordo, Nm) on 03/03/2012

Could be low stomach acid. The mds will tell you reflux is caused by too much acid but that's wrong wrong wrong. I have celiac and the reflux that goes with it and I know!

I got me some betaine HCl with pepsin, and am taking it with meals that include protein. Can you buy that where you are? If not, try oxbile, or some kind of bitters.

When starting the betaine HCl, (never on empty stomach) I took two or three during my meals and waited to feel a warm glow in the stomach, increased by one or two each time until I got that warm feeling (like you killed a shot of liquor, pleasant feeling) then subtract one and that is how many you need. You may be able to reduce the number, so always watch for that warm feeling. If it gets too hot from taking too many or if your meal gets interrupted after taking your dose, simply sip some soda bicarb water to neutralize the acid. Study up on low stomach acid or hypochlorhydria. Good luck to you!

Replied by Gavin (Manganui, Northland, New Zealand) on 03/03/2012

Jamaica is a country where the sugar cane growing has depleted the soil of the essential elements. The 20% arthritis rate indicitive of low boron levels and suggest all the other elements are low. Either grow veggies in seaweed composted soils or get some Kelp tablets, they take a few months for the elements to get into the cells.

Replied by Ravi (Dallas, Texas, Usa) on 10/08/2012

I have had same scenario like you. Went from 144 pounds to 120. Now I am back to 141. TOFU is my remedy. I am a total vegetarian, no eggs, fish, chicken or any meat whatsoever.

Replied by Quercus (Usa) on 01/05/2014

Although it has been a while since you posted, I thought I would offer up what worked for me. Try taking some Lugols iodine. I use the 2.2% and take 5 drops a day with juice. It helped with being cold.

Replied by Judy (Bourbon, Mo) on 08/11/2021

To the Jamaican....2012.....God bless you and guide you! I wonder how you and your daughter are doing..

The person who recommended lugols was thinking what I am thinking. I have had these gluten (digestion) problems for years but did not know it was a gluten connection.. Later in life after years of trying to figure it out I did come to realize my thyroid was not working properly ... the Lugols fixed that and much of my digestion issues. I still have digestion sensitivity that I believe is celiac and feel better off from grains. When I eat grains I get this crazy cough, throat tickle, voice goes lower etc. I can be grain free, go to taco bell, eat one bean and rice burrito and starts the cough, etc

Extra stress and/or loss of sleep brings on digestion issues.

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