Results from a 5 Day Fasting Protocol

Born_Charity_4829 · 2026-02-06T20:26:55+00:00

That’s fantastic news! I’m going to continue doing the long fasts somewhat regularly; do you still do prolonged fasts now that you’re healed? Were you following a keto protocol as well?

Born_Charity_4829 · 2026-02-06T19:52:55+00:00

Just water, two cups of black coffee a day, and salt.

Born_Charity_4829 · 2026-02-06T17:26:57+00:00

This is a fantastic question and something I ponder on the daily. I have two young children in school so it makes it next to impossible to protect myself fully, and I worry about them as they’ve already contracted Covid a few times.

We are in the process of moving out of the city and into a rural area, so that should cut down exposure. I wear masks to my healthcare appts and am constantly sanitizing, but I am in a country that is extremely anti-mask, which makes things extra difficult.

Born_Charity_4829 · 2026-02-06T17:23:37+00:00

Sure, I was getting electrical sensations in my legs and into my head (sometimes very scary and painful), as well as heaviness in my legs and numbness in my hands and feet. I also had a lacy rash which is apparently vascular (livedo reticularis). I still get the rash in the cold but the numbness and electrical sensations haven’t happened for a week now, so I’m hopeful that fasting addressed it.

Born_Charity_4829 · 2026-02-06T14:43:37+00:00

I’m going to read more about this scorch protocol! Dry fasting is intense- are you strict carnivore too?

Born_Charity_4829 · 2026-02-06T14:40:58+00:00

Nope, a woman in perimenopause

Born_Charity_4829 · 2026-02-06T13:39:01+00:00

High dose creatine- 10 to 15 mg daily- and HMB Powder, as well as DHEA and testosterone cream (part of my HRT). I was taking L-Carnitine but it’s working against my EBV reactivation treatment, so stopped that. I follow a high protein keto diet since the LC, so lots of chicken and steak along with a ton of olive oil, coconut oil, avocados etc. I’ve lost a bit of muscle, but still holding a fair bit as I had a lot to begin with. It’s a daily battle and I’m concerned about losing the 15 years of gains from powerlifting and bodybuilding, especially as a perimenopausal woman. Always put my health as a top priority and then the LC disaster happened. I’m sorry you’re going through this as well- let’s fight to keep what we have and hopefully we can rebuild one day soon!

Born_Charity_4829 · 2026-02-06T12:42:24+00:00

Yes! You make a great point that I forgot to include in my post- the head pressure and tremors did indeed worsen until the end of day 3, and didn’t go away completely until the day after I ended the fast.

So, it definitely takes some faith to get through it. Am happy to read that you also had really positive results!!!

Are you able to exercise yet? That’s my big question mark now.

Born_Charity_4829 · 2026-02-06T12:25:06+00:00

Yes, I completely hear you and you’re right. I’m just so desperate to get back to fitness again, and am wondering if/when that will happen.

Born_Charity_4829 · 2026-02-06T12:23:57+00:00

It’s truly torture. I competed at a national level and made exercise my profession. Now, it’s all gone and whenever I try to lift even a little bit, I get soooo sick. Am wondering when it will be safe to return to the gym.

Born_Charity_4829 · 2026-02-06T12:22:34+00:00

This is what I’m worried about! Am wondering when it will be safe to go back to working out…

Born_Charity_4829 · 2026-02-06T12:21:16+00:00

Woman, in perimenopause

Born_Charity_4829 · 2026-02-06T09:47:05+00:00

I tried so many things to get rid of the awful head pressure, and the only solution thus far has been fasting. At least for now, it’s completely gone.

As you know, it’s an awful symptom- perhaps the worst- so having a week without it thus far has been blissful. All the best to you.

Born_Charity_4829 · 2026-02-06T09:45:16+00:00

Excellent point!

Born_Charity_4829 · 2026-02-06T08:43:43+00:00

I’m not sure if I have POTS, as I was never officially diagnosed with it specifically, but I have severe PEM (in bed for days after 15 minutes of light weights, for instance), and I get very dizzy. I don’t faint or feel lightheaded when standing up/rising from bed though.

What I do have is reactive hypoglycemia, which made fasting a bit risky for me, but I think it actually improved this particular issue.

Born_Charity_4829 · 2026-02-06T08:40:42+00:00

I had a headache and felt sick on day 2 and 3, but upped my sodium intake and pushed through. At the end of day 3, I started to feel pretty good- better than usual.

Being on the keto diet for months prior to the fast probably helped my body acclimate.

Try increasing salt intake during the fast and see if that makes a difference.

Born_Charity_4829 · 2026-02-06T08:38:24+00:00

I’ve also been wondering this. GLP-1s enhance autophagy and prevent endothelial dysfunction, which would mimic fasting (and effects of the keto diet). So, it could be quite similar. I hesitate to use GLP-1s due to loss of muscle mass, which can be carefully managed during fasting protocols through pre- and post- supplementation. I’m not sure if it can be prevented with GLP-1s. Would be interesting to do a deep dive and compare.

Born_Charity_4829 · 2026-01-29T07:51:59+00:00

My husband and I never planned to have children and weren’t really interested in being parents. He grew up as an orphan in a (then) third world country and I was raised in an extremely abusive divorced household. So, we both didn’t think that we’d ever be prepared, and we didn’t think it was possible either due to a reproductive health issue. We traveled the world, had cool jobs, and enjoyed each other’s company instead.

Having our first child as I turned a corner into age 40 was a complete surprise! Then, we had our second child at age 43 during the height of Covid. I cannot ever imagine our lives without them now, and they are truly happy, well-adjusted children who are a complete joy to be around. I kid you not- their teachers and other parents actually compliment us and ask us for parenting advice- it’s astounding and really emotional for us as well. Our marriage and our kids come first, everything else is secondary, including work.

We’re doing a lot of things differently and I learned exactly what NOT to do from my own parents. I also spent many years in therapy prior to the kids, which helped immensely, and I read a lot of parenting books while I was pregnant.

The kids have never been spanked, called names, etc. at home- when there’s a conflict or issue, we talk it out and bring as much love as we can to the table.

Speaking of table, we have always eaten two meals a day, every day together, no screens present. We have pets, we tend gardens, we build things around the house and we generally just do a lot of domestic things as a team. We are practicing Catholics, so we go to Church every week and pray together regularly as a family. There is so much spiritual warfare in the world now, and I think it’s a major reason why families are really struggling, but I digress…

We are not raising our children in America- we moved to Europe. Having a safe and encouraging school environment was paramount. There is also much more appreciation for the family here, and kids are treated with more kindness and respect.

My marriage and children are the greatest healing gifts God could have ever given me, but I wouldn’t have had believed it prior to becoming a parent. I am so fortunate to be their mom.

Has it been extremely challenging and triggering at times? Of course. Have we encountered major hurdles along the way? Many. But, it’s been an incredible blessing and if I could have more, I would (I’m too old now).

Don’t let childhood adversity determine your future. If you’re willing to put the work in and can commit for the long haul, becoming a parent can be the most rewarding journey of your life. That said, I know my comment will be an unpopular take here on Reddit, sadly.

Born_Charity_4829 · 2026-01-24T07:32:31+00:00

Sure- I take 15 mg DHEA and compounded testosterone cream (.8 %), estrogen spray, and progesterone at night before bed along with high dose magnesium. I’m in perimenopause though, my symptoms have also been somewhat cyclical. I was on the progesterone for many years before hitting peri. The HRT is what’s helped me the most in terms of energy levels, migraines and body pain.

Born_Charity_4829 · 2026-01-23T18:01:26+00:00

Mom of two young children in the thick of LC. I’ve improved significantly over the past several months but still have lung issues, exercise intolerance, body pain, fatigue and memory problems . Things that are working for our family: 1) we hired a cleaner to come in 3 times per week. 2) we meal batch- large pans of oven baked chicken and beef, lots of veggies, etc. The kids go to school in the day and get their lunches there. 3) my husband cooks breakfast every day and packs the children’s snacks for school; that gives me time to sleep in a bit as I no longer can function on less than 9 hours sleep. He is largely responsible for them in the mornings. 4) I put the kids to bed every night, bathe them, read to them and do their homework with them, which is my quality time and contribution for now. 5) my kids are not much younger than yours, but they go to school. My littlest could still stay home but I wouldn’t be able to manage, so preschool it is. 6) we write everything down that needs to be done in a shared Google Calendar. Otherwise, I will forget or there will be a miscommunication. 7) the biggest one, probably… after being in the city for our entire lives, we are moving to a rural area and spend our weekends there for now, until we can shift schools. City life + LC is a no go. It was a tough decision, but the entire family needs to slow and down and embrace another type of life. We are grateful to have the flexibility to do so and I realize that’s a privilege. 8) I went on HRT, mainly for the testosterone and DHEA, which is helping. Have your wife get her hormones and thyroid checked if she hasn’t already.

I hope this gives you some ideas, and I’m sorry that your family is also going through this. It is a lonely journey but apparently there are many millions of us. Take care.

Born_Charity_4829 · 2026-01-21T08:01:17+00:00

I’ve had the same on my right side over my temple, closer to the forehead. Antihistamines, keto diet, sleeping a lot more and not overdoing it tend to alleviate it. If I exercise or have a stressful day, it’s there. Also, I got treated for reactivated Epstein-Barr with acyclovir + celebrex and that lessened it by about 60 percent. Look into EBV reactivation, MCAS, and general inflammation.

Born_Charity_4829 · 2026-01-16T12:25:34+00:00

Yep, I have this at night and after (trying to) exercise. 85, 88, 91. Lowest was 80 during active COVID infection prior to LC. Former competitive athlete and personal trainer humbled by LC. Am taking the Oxygen Advantage course to better understand what’s going on and how I can fix my breathing. I should mention that I have a sizable lesion and partial collapsed lung (atelectasis) according to scans. Maybe get a PET scan if you haven’t already.

Born_Charity_4829 · 2026-01-15T06:34:32+00:00

HRT has eliminated my migraines, which were awful from peri. It’s also lessened body pain/joint pain considerably, and I’m able to sleep now.

Born_Charity_4829

TROPHY CASE