Weird reaction after breaking fast

fasting
(Mary) #1

Ok, this is strange but it’s happened after each of my last 3 fasts so I’m going to see if anyone has any ideas.

I’ve been doing long-ish fasts (5-6 days) for the past couple of months and lately after my first post-fast meal, I’ve been getting horrifically swollen glands in my neck, to the point where it hurts to swallow. As soon as I start fasting again, the glands go back to normal. I’m pretty sure I’m not sick and I can’t imagine that my meals are causing it so what the heck is going on? I’m starting to wonder if I should just forget this whole eating thing but, you know, yummy food…

Anyone?

(Ethan) #2

What are you eating during the fast (if anything) and what are you eating to break the fast? Can you just eat keto without fasting to see what happens?

(Mary) #3

I still use the “training wheels” of cream in my coffee during a fast. The first 2 breaks, I had @MooBoom’s lovely chicken jalapeno casserole and this last time I had keto pizza (I don’t seem to suffer from digestive upsets :smile:) . I’ve been eating strict keto for about 2 1/2 years with never a swollen gland issue so that’s why I was so surprised.

Thank you very much for replying.

(ANNE ) #4

Sub mandibular salivary glands increasing production?
Just a thought? That they could be ramping up production of saliva when you break your fast?
They are at the junction of your lower jaw and neck. You may have a narrowing in the ducts of the glands, when you eat, the saliva is pumped out to help you swallow the food. If there is a narrowing there would be a back flow problem, the gland would swell. As you go back to fasting the glands slow production and the glands drain out slowly and things return to normal.
Overall, if you are concerned you should visit your doctor.

(Mary) #5

Thanks Anne. I was concerned the first time it happened but now that I know the swelling goes down with fasting I’m just curious. I don’t recall anyone else mentioning swollen glands in this context. I think you’re absolutely correct with your diagnosis - the junction of jaw and neck is exactly where the swelling is located.
Thank you.

(Ethan) #6

If you stop fasting though, does it go back to normal after a few days? Perhaps some strange hormone or mineral response

(Mary) #7

I don’t know because I haven’t stopped fasting long enough to find out :grin:. I may change things up in June.

(Ethan) #8

Let’s get that baseline. I have had some very strange things happen with long fasts. My advice would be to stop fasting for a while and see if it becomes normal. If it does, start with a 48-hour fast and see if it returns.

(Mary) #9

I appreciate your very sensible advice - thank you :heart_eyes:

(You've tried everything else; why not try bacon?) #10

Even Dr. Fung suggests that fasts longer than two or three days should be done only under the supervision of a physician.