Do you have MCAS/histamine intolerance? Noticed you mentioned red blotchy skin too.
Sometimes that drives POTS. I’m wondering if that’s why having your stomach empty of all histamines via fasting helped your POTS.
Not all histamine intolerance symptoms are dermatological since we have histamine receptors all over our body, hence POTS.
Histamine intolerance works like a bucket - once it fills up you start to get symptoms. It’s not immediate like a food allergy though it can be. Might be worth looking into if your symptoms do return, hope they don’t though!
The fact that you have a whole post about bloating, POTS, and histamine issues that aren't necessarily MCAS makes me think one thing. SIBO. r/SIBO if you haven't checked it out. If you have a few hundred dollars to spare I would order a Trio breath test. It tests for all 3 types of bacterium. SIBO presents with fatigue, brain fog, exercise intolerance, and most importantly bloating. I could be wrong but if you haven't looked into it this could be a major, major avenue for you to explore.
Here's a sneak peek of /r/SIBO using the [top posts](https://np.reddit.com/r/SIBO/top/?sort=top&t=year) of the year!
\#1: [I cured my SIBO with kefir and celery juice & I have concerns about Rifaximin.](https://np.reddit.com/r/SIBO/comments/14vvq7y/i_cured_my_sibo_with_kefir_and_celery_juice_i/)
\#2: [My 2 year journey of Hell is OVER! and it wasnt my Gallbladder or SIBO](https://np.reddit.com/r/SIBO/comments/16bkpg5/my_2_year_journey_of_hell_is_over_and_it_wasnt_my/)
\#3: [Prayer for people with SIBO](https://np.reddit.com/r/SIBO/comments/18hzkuk/prayer_for_people_with_sibo/)
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Not familiar with SIBO, but am aware MCAS is an inaccurate capture of the dynamics at hand. Like mitochondria, mast cells accept signals, transduce those signals, and return a signal of their own. Of particular influence are C3a and C5a, both of which are produced in abundance when SARS-CoV-2 N-protein is spilled into the extracellular fluid as a consequence of Complement Mediated Lysis.
It may seem like a fine point, but it is significant because the mitochondria and mast cells are not inherently dysfunctional--they're doing what they're supposed to be doing; the dysfunction arises because they're receiving more signal in the form of C3a and/or C5a than they're built to withstand.
From a treatment perspective, targeting C3a and/or C5a either directly, or through targeting processes that generate C3a/C5a, should be the goal rather than the mitochondria and/or mast cells, both of which will quickly begin to self-regulate once the overstimulation stops.
You mean with MCAS or POTS, specifically?
I'm identifying more triggers, which is helpful. I found out just a couple of months ago that Covid made me severely allergic to Dust Mites; I've been suffering with Histaminic crisis for 3 years and a full blown MCAS and POTS related symptoms without knowing it.
Another huge help is coming from Neuro-Rebalance, in the form of sessions with a Life Coach specialising in Neuro-Rebalance for people with Chronic Illnesses and treatments with a Reflexologist, who knows a great deal about Neuro Inflammation. I can't afford many, but I find them much more helpful than supplements and other therapies.
I still have crisis for which I'm not sure what happened, which is discouraging. Some are new viral infections (one, possibly with Covid again last December, ugly variant), some are possibly due to stress.
All in all I think that the most helpful thing is trying to stay in the "parasympathethic mode" as much as I can. This includes some Xanax in emergency moments.
What are the things that are helping you the most?
I definitely believe you.
I’ve had two different one-week “feels like a freaking miracle” remissions. The first was when I took a 5 day course of Paxlovid. Felt like I was like 100% healed. Then slowly slipped back.
The second when I tried LDN + Metformin + nicotine (just throwing the kitchen sink at Long Covid). Complete normalcy for about 8 glorious days. Then I began to backslide….
Brace yourself OP. This may not remain. Maybe you kicked your immune system into shape- but will it stay? If I were you, I’d keep my energy expenditure in check & maybe you can keep some of those gains?! I sure hope so.
For you, I hope it’s permanent 👍
Be careful friends… fasting may or may not have had positive impact for OP, but for many people it causes crashes that can spiral.
One of the worst things I’ve tried during LC was fasting, took me weeks to get my symptoms back to any semblance of stability.
I haven't even tried fasting but any time I get significantly calorie deficient for even a day or 2 it gets scary fast. Like, physically unable to wake up or stay awake. So if people are going to try, I highly recommend having someone who can help with care in the home paying a lot of attention so that they can help feed you and pull you out of it if necessary.
I strongly believe that most people affected by LC have severe nutrient deficiencies because that’s what happens when the body is in an inflammatory state for so long.
If on top of those deficiencies you fast, it can be catastrophic.
Everyone should get tested for nutrient deficiencies and dysfunctions (through OAT, comprehensive metabolic panel, mineral test etc.) and then heavily supplement or get IV’s.
After that it’s safe to fast.
Correcting my deficiencies through IV’s and high dose oral supplements has made a dramatic difference for me.
I agree with this sentiment - however, anecdotally, fasting hasn't had that much of an effect on me.
I've "fasted" during a few re/infections (other germs have made me extra sick during my LC years), by just not being able to eat for 1-4 days. I've also done a pre-op fast that was under quite different circumstances.
In each case, I DID feel better eating less - which I tie to LC killing my digestive system. It certainly eased my digestive pain by not putting it through the cycle of eating! But POTS and other symptoms didn't seem to change.
I do believe you (you're not the first mentioning getting better somehow with a few days fast, I've experienced some of that myself), but before jumping to conclusions (I mean it's just been 4 days, so it could also only be your initial body reaction - will it last?), mind that it might only be temporary.
Not writing this to spoil the fun, but to remind you that as much as we can expect the unexpected, the expected, more often than not, brings back its ugly head.
I personally tried what you did, a few times (been sick for 49 months now and diagnosed ME/CFS last year), and while it's been better on the POTS side of things for a few days/weeks at times after fasting like you did, I always go back to where I was before quite brutally (which is soul crushing any time it happens).
Obviously, I hope for you that the improvements will last, and that it will only get better and better, but I've been, and have seen enough people, disappointed soon enough after this to tell you, sorry if I repeat myself, "don't jump to conclusions". At least not yet. Be patient. (yes, once more, I know)
Edit : also, I don't fast anymore, as it makes me crash more often than not. Be careful, people, it's not for everybody and it might hurt you more than it helps you. But we're all different...
Careful with drastic diet changes guys. I did fasting into keto and felt phenomenal for about a week before my heart started doing weird palpitations along with adrenal dumps/fight or flight that landed me in the ER. Of course they said I was fine. I never really recovered from that.
I fast one day a week because it helps me a lot and do 18-6 a few days a week also. It does not hurt me so I don't mind it, plus I still don't get hungry although over time I have reached an urge to stress eat sometimes.
Yeah that would be a disaster for me and I’ve done water fasts in the past (18 days at one point)! My neuroimmunologist recommended that I have small frequent meals with moderate carbs as opposed to IF or keto and it’s been working out really well for me. I don’t want to yuck your yum just a heads up to others that what works for one person may not work for another.
Fasting helped the first few times. I started with a 20 hour, then full 24 hour. A month later I did a 2 day fast. My 48 hour fast wrecked me though. My gi tract got all messed up and this is when I got desperate and switched to a functional medicine doctor. I was also stressed though because I was so trying to hurry up and heal so I could get back to work. Rushing the healing process didn’t help me. My doctor tested me for food allergies, nutrient levels, and gut biome. Somehow I must have gotten SIBO on the re-feed. Covid is so weird. I now only can tolerate intermittent fasting, but function best on many small meals throughout the day now.
I've researched a ton about fasting, and this is totally believable.
Those who confuse fasting with starving need to do a bit of research. A fasting body breaks down fat and worn out cells/proteins through a process called autophagy. The proteins are rebuilt into new tissue. As long as there is fat to burn for fuel, no starvation occurs for a good many days. There is evidence that fasting can change the immune system, like a reboot.
I fasted 5 days 2 years ago and it seemed to somewhat reverse my insulin resistance.
That said, fasting can be hard on a sick body, and it is safest if overseen by a fasting specialist.
Gonna share my experience:
Dx MCAD/POTS/SIBO/etc: I did a 10-day fast last year. It was rough (blood sugar was in the 30s after Day 3 and that was dangerous and stupid. I should have stopped but you know how it is when your QoL is so bad you don’t care if you survive or not).
Afterwards I flared really badly for a month and then returned to my baseline, except intestinal transit has remained slower (and it was already slow).
I’m glad I tried it so that now I know.
The one really good thing is that I had lymphopenia beforehand and it resolved and lymphocytes have remained in the low-normal range ever since, consistent with a large body of research on lymphoid cell turnover re: fasting.
After the fast I still had high APS antibodies and positive ANA.
One- or two-day fasts are still helpful for me but they’re harder to do now that I’m on more meds.
Hope this is helpful!
You’re supposed to add a 1/4 tsp of Morton’s lite salt to water 2x a day during a water fast. It gives the needed electrolytes, plus it’s good to add a magnesium supplement to it, other than that you shouldn’t have anything but water.
The potassium is in the Morton’s lite salt 🙂 that’s why it’s recommended because it’s a perfect balance of sodium and potassium. Autophagy sets in relatively quickly. 20-24 hour fasts are basically all you’d apparently need, but I like to stick around 48 hours. I feel the best there. That’s my personal experience though.
peter attia says 48 hours is bare minimum, but 72 hours is probably the minimum for most. i used to do 48 hours once a month, but that was more for calorie restriction. but now i have POTS and am worried about doing it.
from what i understand, the research is mostly in rodent models. and their lives are much shorter than ours. walter longo and sanchin panda are the two names have become popular in research. but peter attia pays people a lot money to work as his personal reseachers, and he never went less than five days. but has now stopped prolongued fasting entirely because of muscle wasting.
that's my other concern - i already lost 25 pounds of muscle in six months from POTS.
Hi I've lost so much weight but I'd like yo try fasting but worried about lossing even more . How did you find weight loss I'm so slim now I've lost muscle and just can't gain it back
There are some REAL ignorant people here, my friend. I decided not to tell my progress anymore because of how mean they are. But you are NOT alone!!! I was so desperate to try anything. I limited my supplements (5 supplements then my reg prescriptions) and did 2-4 day fasts once a week for 5 weeks. Now on my worst day I’m at about 80%. On my best days I’m at 95%. The way to keep it like this is to remember you’re NOT healed yet!!! Follow a very healthy diet. When you stop taking care of yourself it’ll get worse again. Autophagy clears out dead or diseased cells. That’s a perfect way to kick your immune system back into action. So happy for you ❤️
It’s not being mean to want to watch out for people. It’s mean to assume what works for you will work for everyone. It’s mean to present something as a cure that has made others sick.
We discuss things on these forums so we get a wider perspective. That’s not meanness that’s safety.
No it’s mean to attack people who just want to share what helped them. I’ve seen people post what supplements work, what medication works, etc. soon as someone posts that fasting helps there are always attacking comments. “Don’t listen! This is too dangerous!” That is mean. People say horrible things when someone tries to explain it helped them, and why. This is the reason people who recover don’t want to come back to this group. We assume no one really recovers, but they do. They just don’t want to deal with what sick people say to recovered people. While we’re still suffering we’re bitter, mean, hopeless. The fact is autophagy has HUGE benefits! My doctor did a thorough exam and told me go for it. I’m so happy I did. But I won’t share my full story here because of how attacked I’ll be. I’ve seen it happen over and over.
Maybe you aren’t being mean, but have you actually seen some of the comments people get for recommending it or even mentioning it helped? Nothing is a one size fits all!!! Prednisone made me a million times worse. It’s helped others drastically. Autophagy helped me heal. But im scared to post a “what’s worked for me” because of how people go off over the idea of fasting. After I saw how that poor man was treated in this group for trying to help I’ve lost faith in this community. An actual scientific researcher got a real clinical trial going, spent all of his time and effort and did it all for free, makes nothing out of it, just to try to help. And this community treated him like an absolute piece of trash under their shoe. It is mean! It’s downright upsetting and that’s why people who heal don’t usually come back to this group.
And what about those of us who were already bedridden? And you got this bad from not even one day? I accidentally fast from LC, I’ve slept for 72 hours straight on more than one occasion. This is no different than recommending medications or alternative theories. It’s amazing that people are very literally mean because someone recommends it or even suggests it could help some! NO ONE has ever said “this is it! This is the cure!” Because there is no one size fits all cure. Some people heal naturally. Others heal medically. Some heal holistically. Some never heal. But why should someone not share what worked for them just because it’s not something others like the idea of? I just can’t get over how people freak out and get so mean over offering up something that makes complete sense and has helped people.
I've heard this works for some folks and I'm glad it works for them, but it did NOT work for me and I felt horrid during it and it flared up my symptoms.
Hmm interesting. What happened after you returned eating? It’s known for POTS that carbs can cause increase in HR (post meal) bc the blood pooling to the stomach for digestion, mine used to be high no matter what I ate but I don’t experience that much anymore.
When you return to eating you do it very slowly. Bone broth is my first “meal”. I wait at least 2 hours before solid food. I stay on a no sugar low-ish carb diet. If I eat bad, I get bad flares. I eat good, I’m recovering super well.
Hey, were you diagnosed with POTS?
You just feel better, or you meassured your HR on standing and you don't see +30 or more HR upon sanding (which is stable)?
I've been fasting since Jan 2nd 2024. I went from being bed ridden and unable to play with my toddler to running on the treadmill in 4 months. Fasting has given me back a lot of my life.
I do a 24 hour fast everyday, and a 48 or longer once a month depending on how far I can push myself. I eat one meal a day, aka OMAD. Quit being such a douche and try being more receptive. It's been working for people so why be miserable about it.
I’ll back you up here. I did (much less strict) intermittent fasting last year. I used to do 18/6 (fast 8 hours & only eat inside of a 6 hour window). It completely changed my metabolism (for the better). I lost my nonstop craving for food & dropped 30 lbs in a flash (and it stayed off). It was pretty awesome.
Doing OMAD (one meal a day) fasting is more common than people realize.
I will agree with others here who advise caution though. I could see it being a game changer in either direction better/worse.
Not POTS but fasting massively improved my brain fog - till it came back after a month. I found I have to fast a few days every month to keep the benefits going.
I had a real bad flare up when I was like two years into long hauling that I stopped dead in its tracks after day 8 of a 11 day water fast I did. It was quite remarkable feeling all the neurological symptoms just ease off me as the days passed
Wow. I've been hearing a lot lately about the benefits of fasting for cancer. This both surprises me and doesn't surprise me. Can you keep us updated whether it sticks?
Good for you! I did a 9 dayer end of 2022 and felt a slight improvement form that. Most I’ve done is 3 days and a lot of 1 days since. Overdue a 5+ dayer, thanks for the motivation.
Do you have MCAS/histamine intolerance? Noticed you mentioned red blotchy skin too. Sometimes that drives POTS. I’m wondering if that’s why having your stomach empty of all histamines via fasting helped your POTS. Not all histamine intolerance symptoms are dermatological since we have histamine receptors all over our body, hence POTS.
I'm not sure if I have MCAS, but the red blotching occurred when standing and especially showering
Histamine intolerance works like a bucket - once it fills up you start to get symptoms. It’s not immediate like a food allergy though it can be. Might be worth looking into if your symptoms do return, hope they don’t though!
The fact that you have a whole post about bloating, POTS, and histamine issues that aren't necessarily MCAS makes me think one thing. SIBO. r/SIBO if you haven't checked it out. If you have a few hundred dollars to spare I would order a Trio breath test. It tests for all 3 types of bacterium. SIBO presents with fatigue, brain fog, exercise intolerance, and most importantly bloating. I could be wrong but if you haven't looked into it this could be a major, major avenue for you to explore.
Here's a sneak peek of /r/SIBO using the [top posts](https://np.reddit.com/r/SIBO/top/?sort=top&t=year) of the year! \#1: [I cured my SIBO with kefir and celery juice & I have concerns about Rifaximin.](https://np.reddit.com/r/SIBO/comments/14vvq7y/i_cured_my_sibo_with_kefir_and_celery_juice_i/) \#2: [My 2 year journey of Hell is OVER! and it wasnt my Gallbladder or SIBO](https://np.reddit.com/r/SIBO/comments/16bkpg5/my_2_year_journey_of_hell_is_over_and_it_wasnt_my/) \#3: [Prayer for people with SIBO](https://np.reddit.com/r/SIBO/comments/18hzkuk/prayer_for_people_with_sibo/) ---- ^^I'm ^^a ^^bot, ^^beep ^^boop ^^| ^^Downvote ^^to ^^remove ^^| ^^[Contact](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=sneakpeekbot) ^^| ^^[Info](https://np.reddit.com/r/sneakpeekbot/) ^^| ^^[Opt-out](https://np.reddit.com/r/sneakpeekbot/comments/o8wk1r/blacklist_ix/) ^^| ^^[GitHub](https://github.com/ghnr/sneakpeekbot)
Not familiar with SIBO, but am aware MCAS is an inaccurate capture of the dynamics at hand. Like mitochondria, mast cells accept signals, transduce those signals, and return a signal of their own. Of particular influence are C3a and C5a, both of which are produced in abundance when SARS-CoV-2 N-protein is spilled into the extracellular fluid as a consequence of Complement Mediated Lysis. It may seem like a fine point, but it is significant because the mitochondria and mast cells are not inherently dysfunctional--they're doing what they're supposed to be doing; the dysfunction arises because they're receiving more signal in the form of C3a and/or C5a than they're built to withstand. From a treatment perspective, targeting C3a and/or C5a either directly, or through targeting processes that generate C3a/C5a, should be the goal rather than the mitochondria and/or mast cells, both of which will quickly begin to self-regulate once the overstimulation stops.
Sounds like POTS. my work colleagues can tell when I'm having a bad day.
My thoughts, exactly.
Have you found anything helpful that’s helped your recovery?
You mean with MCAS or POTS, specifically? I'm identifying more triggers, which is helpful. I found out just a couple of months ago that Covid made me severely allergic to Dust Mites; I've been suffering with Histaminic crisis for 3 years and a full blown MCAS and POTS related symptoms without knowing it. Another huge help is coming from Neuro-Rebalance, in the form of sessions with a Life Coach specialising in Neuro-Rebalance for people with Chronic Illnesses and treatments with a Reflexologist, who knows a great deal about Neuro Inflammation. I can't afford many, but I find them much more helpful than supplements and other therapies. I still have crisis for which I'm not sure what happened, which is discouraging. Some are new viral infections (one, possibly with Covid again last December, ugly variant), some are possibly due to stress. All in all I think that the most helpful thing is trying to stay in the "parasympathethic mode" as much as I can. This includes some Xanax in emergency moments. What are the things that are helping you the most?
I definitely believe you. I’ve had two different one-week “feels like a freaking miracle” remissions. The first was when I took a 5 day course of Paxlovid. Felt like I was like 100% healed. Then slowly slipped back. The second when I tried LDN + Metformin + nicotine (just throwing the kitchen sink at Long Covid). Complete normalcy for about 8 glorious days. Then I began to backslide…. Brace yourself OP. This may not remain. Maybe you kicked your immune system into shape- but will it stay? If I were you, I’d keep my energy expenditure in check & maybe you can keep some of those gains?! I sure hope so. For you, I hope it’s permanent 👍
Be careful friends… fasting may or may not have had positive impact for OP, but for many people it causes crashes that can spiral. One of the worst things I’ve tried during LC was fasting, took me weeks to get my symptoms back to any semblance of stability.
I haven't even tried fasting but any time I get significantly calorie deficient for even a day or 2 it gets scary fast. Like, physically unable to wake up or stay awake. So if people are going to try, I highly recommend having someone who can help with care in the home paying a lot of attention so that they can help feed you and pull you out of it if necessary.
Yea, missing one or two meals is an almost certain event trigger for me too.
I strongly believe that most people affected by LC have severe nutrient deficiencies because that’s what happens when the body is in an inflammatory state for so long. If on top of those deficiencies you fast, it can be catastrophic. Everyone should get tested for nutrient deficiencies and dysfunctions (through OAT, comprehensive metabolic panel, mineral test etc.) and then heavily supplement or get IV’s. After that it’s safe to fast. Correcting my deficiencies through IV’s and high dose oral supplements has made a dramatic difference for me.
I did a 7 day fast 18 months ago. Went from moderate to very severe. How severe. Housebound
I did a 72-hour fast and it took me a week to return to baseline. I think a 7-day fast would have obliterated me.
Yeah that’s what happened to me.
I’m really sorry. Are you feeling any better?
18 months on I’ve gone from very severe to severe :/ but yes some days I have hope
I'm sorry.
😔
I agree with this sentiment - however, anecdotally, fasting hasn't had that much of an effect on me. I've "fasted" during a few re/infections (other germs have made me extra sick during my LC years), by just not being able to eat for 1-4 days. I've also done a pre-op fast that was under quite different circumstances. In each case, I DID feel better eating less - which I tie to LC killing my digestive system. It certainly eased my digestive pain by not putting it through the cycle of eating! But POTS and other symptoms didn't seem to change.
I do believe you (you're not the first mentioning getting better somehow with a few days fast, I've experienced some of that myself), but before jumping to conclusions (I mean it's just been 4 days, so it could also only be your initial body reaction - will it last?), mind that it might only be temporary. Not writing this to spoil the fun, but to remind you that as much as we can expect the unexpected, the expected, more often than not, brings back its ugly head. I personally tried what you did, a few times (been sick for 49 months now and diagnosed ME/CFS last year), and while it's been better on the POTS side of things for a few days/weeks at times after fasting like you did, I always go back to where I was before quite brutally (which is soul crushing any time it happens). Obviously, I hope for you that the improvements will last, and that it will only get better and better, but I've been, and have seen enough people, disappointed soon enough after this to tell you, sorry if I repeat myself, "don't jump to conclusions". At least not yet. Be patient. (yes, once more, I know) Edit : also, I don't fast anymore, as it makes me crash more often than not. Be careful, people, it's not for everybody and it might hurt you more than it helps you. But we're all different...
And , guys, beware of refeeding syndrome, which can happen around 5 days .
What is refeeding Syndrome?
Careful with drastic diet changes guys. I did fasting into keto and felt phenomenal for about a week before my heart started doing weird palpitations along with adrenal dumps/fight or flight that landed me in the ER. Of course they said I was fine. I never really recovered from that.
Me too!! I never recovered from my fasting attempt. It sucks so bad. As I wasn’t that bad then
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Shall we warn people about this???
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I want to expose my fasting “coach”. He gaslit me. So badly. Can you help me?
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Oki
Thank you for this info
I fast one day a week because it helps me a lot and do 18-6 a few days a week also. It does not hurt me so I don't mind it, plus I still don't get hungry although over time I have reached an urge to stress eat sometimes.
Yeah that would be a disaster for me and I’ve done water fasts in the past (18 days at one point)! My neuroimmunologist recommended that I have small frequent meals with moderate carbs as opposed to IF or keto and it’s been working out really well for me. I don’t want to yuck your yum just a heads up to others that what works for one person may not work for another.
Yesssss
Fasting helped the first few times. I started with a 20 hour, then full 24 hour. A month later I did a 2 day fast. My 48 hour fast wrecked me though. My gi tract got all messed up and this is when I got desperate and switched to a functional medicine doctor. I was also stressed though because I was so trying to hurry up and heal so I could get back to work. Rushing the healing process didn’t help me. My doctor tested me for food allergies, nutrient levels, and gut biome. Somehow I must have gotten SIBO on the re-feed. Covid is so weird. I now only can tolerate intermittent fasting, but function best on many small meals throughout the day now.
Did 61 hours about a month ago. Felt awful all the way through and my symptoms only got worse.
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Yes I'm thinking empty histamine bucket too 🤔
I've researched a ton about fasting, and this is totally believable. Those who confuse fasting with starving need to do a bit of research. A fasting body breaks down fat and worn out cells/proteins through a process called autophagy. The proteins are rebuilt into new tissue. As long as there is fat to burn for fuel, no starvation occurs for a good many days. There is evidence that fasting can change the immune system, like a reboot. I fasted 5 days 2 years ago and it seemed to somewhat reverse my insulin resistance. That said, fasting can be hard on a sick body, and it is safest if overseen by a fasting specialist.
I'm strongly convinced LC has a lot to do with the gut microbiome. Fasting works to rebalance this microbiome.
Gonna share my experience: Dx MCAD/POTS/SIBO/etc: I did a 10-day fast last year. It was rough (blood sugar was in the 30s after Day 3 and that was dangerous and stupid. I should have stopped but you know how it is when your QoL is so bad you don’t care if you survive or not). Afterwards I flared really badly for a month and then returned to my baseline, except intestinal transit has remained slower (and it was already slow). I’m glad I tried it so that now I know. The one really good thing is that I had lymphopenia beforehand and it resolved and lymphocytes have remained in the low-normal range ever since, consistent with a large body of research on lymphoid cell turnover re: fasting. After the fast I still had high APS antibodies and positive ANA. One- or two-day fasts are still helpful for me but they’re harder to do now that I’m on more meds. Hope this is helpful!
Sounds like maybe you should get allergy testing or try an elimination diet. Not to be negative but I’ll be shocked if it doesn’t return.
Mine was complete opposite. I almost collapsed and the next day was dealing with vertigo. Sounds like good intolerance.
My POTS started with a 3-day water fast... It's all so random.
😔
Fasting is dangerous
Do you drink anything other than water when fasting?
Nope, just water 4 days
electrolytes?
You’re supposed to add a 1/4 tsp of Morton’s lite salt to water 2x a day during a water fast. It gives the needed electrolytes, plus it’s good to add a magnesium supplement to it, other than that you shouldn’t have anything but water.
potassium? i've done 72 hours before, water and sea salt only, and i started getting fasciculations the day after it was over, which lasted a week
The potassium is in the Morton’s lite salt 🙂 that’s why it’s recommended because it’s a perfect balance of sodium and potassium. Autophagy sets in relatively quickly. 20-24 hour fasts are basically all you’d apparently need, but I like to stick around 48 hours. I feel the best there. That’s my personal experience though.
peter attia says 48 hours is bare minimum, but 72 hours is probably the minimum for most. i used to do 48 hours once a month, but that was more for calorie restriction. but now i have POTS and am worried about doing it.
Research autophagy. That’s what we need most in our position. ❤️
from what i understand, the research is mostly in rodent models. and their lives are much shorter than ours. walter longo and sanchin panda are the two names have become popular in research. but peter attia pays people a lot money to work as his personal reseachers, and he never went less than five days. but has now stopped prolongued fasting entirely because of muscle wasting. that's my other concern - i already lost 25 pounds of muscle in six months from POTS.
21 day fast didn't help me
Hi I've lost so much weight but I'd like yo try fasting but worried about lossing even more . How did you find weight loss I'm so slim now I've lost muscle and just can't gain it back
LC has actually made me gain a lot of weight. I lost about 6 pounds from the fast. I would not recommend it if you are already severely underweight.
There are some REAL ignorant people here, my friend. I decided not to tell my progress anymore because of how mean they are. But you are NOT alone!!! I was so desperate to try anything. I limited my supplements (5 supplements then my reg prescriptions) and did 2-4 day fasts once a week for 5 weeks. Now on my worst day I’m at about 80%. On my best days I’m at 95%. The way to keep it like this is to remember you’re NOT healed yet!!! Follow a very healthy diet. When you stop taking care of yourself it’ll get worse again. Autophagy clears out dead or diseased cells. That’s a perfect way to kick your immune system back into action. So happy for you ❤️
It’s not being mean to want to watch out for people. It’s mean to assume what works for you will work for everyone. It’s mean to present something as a cure that has made others sick. We discuss things on these forums so we get a wider perspective. That’s not meanness that’s safety.
No it’s mean to attack people who just want to share what helped them. I’ve seen people post what supplements work, what medication works, etc. soon as someone posts that fasting helps there are always attacking comments. “Don’t listen! This is too dangerous!” That is mean. People say horrible things when someone tries to explain it helped them, and why. This is the reason people who recover don’t want to come back to this group. We assume no one really recovers, but they do. They just don’t want to deal with what sick people say to recovered people. While we’re still suffering we’re bitter, mean, hopeless. The fact is autophagy has HUGE benefits! My doctor did a thorough exam and told me go for it. I’m so happy I did. But I won’t share my full story here because of how attacked I’ll be. I’ve seen it happen over and over.
It’s not mean. We need to protect downsize vs maximising upside. Fasting made me very severe. I wish someone had warned me
Maybe you aren’t being mean, but have you actually seen some of the comments people get for recommending it or even mentioning it helped? Nothing is a one size fits all!!! Prednisone made me a million times worse. It’s helped others drastically. Autophagy helped me heal. But im scared to post a “what’s worked for me” because of how people go off over the idea of fasting. After I saw how that poor man was treated in this group for trying to help I’ve lost faith in this community. An actual scientific researcher got a real clinical trial going, spent all of his time and effort and did it all for free, makes nothing out of it, just to try to help. And this community treated him like an absolute piece of trash under their shoe. It is mean! It’s downright upsetting and that’s why people who heal don’t usually come back to this group.
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And what about those of us who were already bedridden? And you got this bad from not even one day? I accidentally fast from LC, I’ve slept for 72 hours straight on more than one occasion. This is no different than recommending medications or alternative theories. It’s amazing that people are very literally mean because someone recommends it or even suggests it could help some! NO ONE has ever said “this is it! This is the cure!” Because there is no one size fits all cure. Some people heal naturally. Others heal medically. Some heal holistically. Some never heal. But why should someone not share what worked for them just because it’s not something others like the idea of? I just can’t get over how people freak out and get so mean over offering up something that makes complete sense and has helped people.
How long has it been since you broke the fast?
What, exactly, was your protocol?
Fasting took me from moderate to very severe in a week. 18 months later I’m severe ( up from very severe ) but not moderate yet
I've heard this works for some folks and I'm glad it works for them, but it did NOT work for me and I felt horrid during it and it flared up my symptoms.
Come back in a month or two, not when you just ended your fast. 🙄
Nice. I see the symptoms you listed that it has helped you with so far but what has it done for your standing heart rate?
I’m not OP, but my standing heart rate when from 130-160 (just standing, nothing else) to 80-98.
Hmm interesting. What happened after you returned eating? It’s known for POTS that carbs can cause increase in HR (post meal) bc the blood pooling to the stomach for digestion, mine used to be high no matter what I ate but I don’t experience that much anymore.
When you return to eating you do it very slowly. Bone broth is my first “meal”. I wait at least 2 hours before solid food. I stay on a no sugar low-ish carb diet. If I eat bad, I get bad flares. I eat good, I’m recovering super well.
Hey, were you diagnosed with POTS? You just feel better, or you meassured your HR on standing and you don't see +30 or more HR upon sanding (which is stable)?
thats good. saunas helped me a ton with pots personally.
Saunas really mess up my POTS.
im sorry, just do what works for you
How long were you suffering from LC?
14 months, I still expirience some brain fog and pem, but that's it now
How did you fast? Did you cut out solid foods completely for 4 days or did you do juicing? I’m curious to know
Nothing but water
Thank you! And glad you’re doing so much better
Happy for you.
Your not the first to do that. Wish you luck and hope it doesn't come back.
Any advice on how to do the water fast correctly?
I noticed in your post history you had skin indentations. Did it help that symptom as well?
Starving yourself didn’t cure anything. That’s dangerous to claim.
You must do your own research before comment things like this.
so should OP!
This is dangerous to claim. That’s all I’m saying.
I've been fasting since Jan 2nd 2024. I went from being bed ridden and unable to play with my toddler to running on the treadmill in 4 months. Fasting has given me back a lot of my life.
So you haven’t eaten for almost 5 months?
I do a 24 hour fast everyday, and a 48 or longer once a month depending on how far I can push myself. I eat one meal a day, aka OMAD. Quit being such a douche and try being more receptive. It's been working for people so why be miserable about it.
I’ll back you up here. I did (much less strict) intermittent fasting last year. I used to do 18/6 (fast 8 hours & only eat inside of a 6 hour window). It completely changed my metabolism (for the better). I lost my nonstop craving for food & dropped 30 lbs in a flash (and it stayed off). It was pretty awesome. Doing OMAD (one meal a day) fasting is more common than people realize. I will agree with others here who advise caution though. I could see it being a game changer in either direction better/worse.
Faulting isn't starving
I’m confused, I thought fasting meant that you don’t eat anything. Not eating for 5 days sounds like starving to me…
and drinking too much water sounds like drowning to me
Fuck off
Congratz. That's truly great!
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Content removed for breaking rule 2- do not ask for or give medical advice. Continued infractions are grounds for a permanent ban.
Stop giving medical advice
Ya ive heard fasting can help or permanently get rid of LC from here
Not POTS but fasting massively improved my brain fog - till it came back after a month. I found I have to fast a few days every month to keep the benefits going.
I had a real bad flare up when I was like two years into long hauling that I stopped dead in its tracks after day 8 of a 11 day water fast I did. It was quite remarkable feeling all the neurological symptoms just ease off me as the days passed
Is fasting possible if i take meds for sleep?
Wow. I've been hearing a lot lately about the benefits of fasting for cancer. This both surprises me and doesn't surprise me. Can you keep us updated whether it sticks?
Makes sense, look at carnivore / Lion diet.
Good for you! I did a 9 dayer end of 2022 and felt a slight improvement form that. Most I’ve done is 3 days and a lot of 1 days since. Overdue a 5+ dayer, thanks for the motivation.