Second extended fast - 48 hours, concerns re: post fast water retention

#1

I’ve done 23/1 for years. I tried an extended fast a few weeks ago of 100 hours and it was fine (no hunger or energy issues, workouts fine) but the aftermath was bad-awful swelling after eating I assume on the brink of refeeding issues. I would like to try another fast but perhaps shorter so just 2 days. I last ate last night (Monday 8pm) and will end it Wednesday night. Has anyone had similar issues? Did shorter fasts work for you?

(VLC.MD) #2

Where ? Ankles ?

#3

Full body, pretty extreme. I called my doctor and she said so long as I wasn’t short of breath it was ok and to stay supine but it was “can’t bend knees” “elephant ankles” level swelling.

(VLC.MD) #4

How much weight did you gain ?

#5

15 lbs on a 5’6" 130 lb frame

(VLC.MD) #6

WOW.
I find that scary.
You must have looked swollen.

What did you eat ? a box of Fruit Loops ?

What do you think went wrong ? Just went overboard on fasting ? Too dehydrated ?

#7

Looked…felt, to the point of pain.

No I didn’t eat fruit loops. I had a salad with chicken and dressing.

Like I said in my OP, it can happen which is why I asked if others had experienced refeeding swelling even though Fung says it’s rare.

(Tim W) #8

I’ve never had any reaction like that (longest fast was 20 days).

Maybe try some bone broth the day before breaking fast or in your first meal? The potassium might help? Fung says low potassium drives re-feeding syndrome.

Lastly, your BMI is around 21 right? Do you have “enough” excess fat to continue to push the longer fasts? Those of us with lower BMIs/Body fat will have more and more difficulty with long fasts.

Best of luck to you.

#9

Yea I’m thinking loading up more electrolytes would help. The swelling was accompanied by hand cramping so dehydration was definitely involved.

That’s also my thought, perhaps I’m too lean for it which seems crazy to me but my body clearly didn’t respond well. I’m also very active which I imagine just increases risk.

#10

It happens all the time to me also. I’ve tried to find solutions, but nothing has worked. If you figure out a solution, let me know.

(Lisa Stevens) #11

I experienced water retention, muscle cramps and joint pain this week. I was only doing a fat fast but I’m positive this reaction was from electrolyte imbalance. I’ve been doing keto going on 6 months and up until this point I always put apple cider vinegar, salt and cream of tartar in my water. This week I only took mag and potassium supplements at night. My ankles are huge. I may have washed out any supplements I took drinking water and coffee.

(Kristin) #12

This has happened to me as well but only after my 72 hr fast. My body handles a 48 hr fast without trouble but anything longer seems to negatively impact me. I had the feeling of my head being so full it would pop off whenever I bent over. I also don’t have a lot of extra body fat and wondered if that might have something to do with it.

(Lisa Stevens) #13

Maybe. I don’t think I have that much to lose either. I need to get a Dexa scan to get a better idea since the scale is useless.

(Michele ) #14

My daughter did a 14 day fast and had swelling the week after of about 16 lbs. I think electrolytes played a part but I also think it was mainly due to her working on a roofing project that week with temps in the high 80’s. Plus, she is a massage therapist and was also seeing clients in the evenings. She just completed a 6 day fast and curious to see if the swelling occurs again.