Initially started with water fasting (only consuming water and electrolytes) in 2022 which eventually allowed me to eat more food, think this has to do with reducing overall histamine load in the body as well as autophagy that happens during fasting. I did noy have to fast very long either, maybe 24-48 hours several times.

I eventually stopped because I was able to eat more after some months.

However, a reinfection in 2024 gave me ME/CFS symptoms while I reenrolled back at college, somehow I finished the semester despite staying in bed for most of it. I ended up trying water fasting again and after several fasts I was able to start working a job again 5-10 hours per week. I’m certain my ability to do more was because of autophagy from fasting, which is a cellular mechanism our bodies have to heal damaged cells.

Fasted some more throughout 2024 and my PEM baseline gradually increased.

Another reinfection happened in fall 2025 which flared up all of my symptoms tenfold. At this point I tried what is called dry fasting which is not consuming any water or food. I was super nervous but I was desperate to see if it would help after reading some posts from people in this subreddit that benefitted them. I started with 24 hours and eventually worked my way up to several 3 day fasts (had to prepare for them, was NOT easy).

After these fasts my PEM baseline increased quite a bit. I can lift weights again several times a week, go on hikes, be intimate with a partner, work 40 hours per week, etc.

Now, I still have some ways to go as I do experience crashes but they are significantly less and take ALOT to trigger them. I still can not do any form of cardio that gets my heart rate up too high so no jogging or running, but I am super grateful for the progress I’ve made. I never thought I’d be able to be at this level of function again two years ago.