freewitheft

Yeah, the legumes thing is specific to MS - it's called "molecular mimicry". The lectins in them are very similar to the protein of the myelin, which is what is being attacked by the white blood cells (the myelin sheath covers the nerves in the brain, allowing smooth conduction). So, if you set off an immune reaction to those proteins in the food, the WBC's will also attack anything similar, including the myelin. I automatically cut them out of my diet when I started this 2.5 years ago based on that alone, but it turned out that most beans/peas/legumes showed up as reactive on the ELISA I had done this spring anyways. So I still have the circulating antibodies to them. :( I really wish I could have licorice, it's a great anti-inflammatory too.

I've been hammering my system with probiotics (kefir, kombucha, yogurt), digestive enzymes, aloe vera, slippery elm, blah blah blah for over a year and it still hasn't been enough. Haven't heard about yucca though, I'm gonna look into it. And I could definitely use more cultured veggies. I try, but I don't think I get anywhere near enough.

Juice fasting works well for me because it re-sets everything and gets me back in a good place. Then, as I re-introduce foods I can better pinpoint what's causing a reaction. But it would sure be nice to get this gut healed so I don't have to keep playing detective forever. ;)

Cami, can you do coconut? There's a coconut milk kefir on the market now, I think it's the same brand that makes the yogurt, non-dairy beverage, etc. - "So Delicious". Haven't tried it myself yet but intend to! I've been drinking kombucha for almost a year and it's not helping with the leaky gut issues. I guess I should say, maybe my issues are too much for it to overcome. ;) Am seriously looking at doing L-glutamine for a few months to see if that makes a difference for me.

I know what you mean, although I'm at a different crossroads. I gave up my career when I had kids and now I don't really want to go back to it (healthcare, off-shifts, rotating weekends, etc - not great for a single mom!). For just about 4 years now, I've been delivering newspapers and magazines and actually make enough money at it! It's been great because I never had to put the kids in daycare, but now the first is in 1st grade and the 2nd will start kindergarten next fall. So I've been trying to figure out what direction I'd like to go in now that I'll actually have kid-free time during the day to earn a living.

Right now, I'm starting a new business as an advocate for medical bills. Checking for errors, overcharges, and such, making sure insurance pays what it's supposed to, and getting people refunds. It's helpful for people with insurance, but even more so for the uninsured who are expected to pay full-price when no one else does. Something I can feel good about without actually working in the healthcare system again. ;) We'll see where it goes.........

What area of the country are you in? That might help folks give you some ideas! :)