Listmates,

OK, I'll admit this is a bit of a strange topic.  

But, I have a history of experience with fasting (pre-masto), and I was wondering about it now.  I know there are many here for whom this topic will be inappropriate given their medical condition.   So with that acknowledged, two years ago, a friend mentioned a type of fast called "dry fasting".  In dry fasting neither water, nor food, is consumed.   They related that it was MUCH easier than drinking water while fasting, and it gave the digestive system a complete rest, since it does not even have to absorb water.  I was curious and tried it.   I fasted for 44 hrs. dry with complete ease, much easier than if I consumed water.  

I am coming up in October on 2 yrs. of fasting 36-40 hours per week dry.   My longest has been 64 hours (and I was in complete comfort).  I cannot say whether the practice helps or hurts me.   I believe it has helped my digestive system, and I have actually gained weight doing this (I'm too thin).   But my other symptoms occasionally seem worse overall.  (A close family member, who is not sick, also has gained weight with regular, weekly dry fasting.)  

I know there are a number of intermittent fasting regimens that are becoming popular now, so the whole thing is not too far out, I suppose  

Is there anyone here who has direct experience with fasting and masto ?   Speculation is also welcome.   It's all an experiment in life for me, but I don't want to be doing anything stupid in regards to the long term given my masto problems.  (I'm afraid to mention all this to my physician, btw.  I don't want to be referred to shrink.)

Todd in Tenn.

P.S.  I have gone off my meds during all my fasts.   But in October, I plan to begin experimenting with taking a small amount of meds and water during my fast to see how that goes.   One of my worst problems I believe is the mild depressive effects of going off Doxepin cold turkey (even just 30mg/day), and also some masto symptoms bothering me if I am being triggered.

P.S.S.   I have searched a great deal on the internet and found no medical reference (annotated) that says, "Humans can only live 3 days without water"   That is actually a myth, I believe.   I was not in the least bothered by my 64 hour fast, personally.    And a person I know well, related to me in good confidence that, when they fasted 9 days dry they were never bothered, except by a little fatigue, and they were never thirsty... never that is, until they were thirsty.    Apparently, there is a phase change when the body decides it is time to break the fast.   Then your thirst will return naturally.  I was told the signal is unmistakable.   They went 9 days without water with no thirst or difficulty.  But then in 9 days + 10 minutes they said, they were suddenly ravenously THIRSTY !   They had to have water, and they had to have it right that very minute.

Good information Joan.  Thanks.

I know my gut is messed up, and I have tried everything I can think of for years.   The only things that help are Chromolyn Sodium, my other anti-histamines.   I am basically on a low-histamine diet.  I actually "discovered" that by paying attention to my body when I ate, and also doing elimination dieting.  Then when I read the list of high histamine foods it was like, "Hey, that's all the foods that really bother me !"

We'll see.   Today is my fast day.   I'm actually getting bored with doing it every week.

Todd in Tenn.