Fasting on Days 2 and 3

When I went to bed on the first night of my fast, I felt hopeful, that this time would be different, that I could fast for four or five days without issue. And I didn’t have any anxiety, which I often experience late at night. I slept well.

At least I did until 6 a.m., when a wave of nausea woke me from a sound sleep. I knew immediately it was from the water fast. The same thing happened to me the three times I tried fasting at TrueNorth Health Center. I’d make it through the first 30-36 hours with no problem and then, WHAM, everything would fall apart.

I felt weak, too, so much so that I couldn’t walk downstairs to the living room. 

I decided to wait it out and try to go back to sleep. By noon, the queasiness had subsided to the point where I could watch a video on my tablet. But I was still very weak and stayed on the couch (finally, I could walk downstairs) most of the afternoon, sipping as much water as possible. 

By 6 p.m. -- 45 hours into my fast -- the nausea returned stronger than I’d experienced all day. I almost threw up at least twice. I texted the doctor, who suggested I try a mug of broth. After a few sips, I started feeling slightly better. Then I took another sip and felt worse. Plus, I started experiencing painful reflux. Then he suggested fresh apple juice, diluted. Again, the first few sips helped but not for long. I texted him and he called me. Right after I answered the phone, I started throwing up acid. A lot of it. My throat burned. 

Later, I started throwing up again. This time I asked if I could try sourdough bread. He said it was okay, but all markets near us were closed (what happened to all the 24-hour markets?). My hubby drove to the 7-11 on the corner but they didn’t have sourdough, so I ate a piece of matzah softened with a little water. Soggy matzah, yum. But when you’re desperate, you’ll try anything. I also took a Pepcid, after the doctor said it was okay to try; I finally felt somewhat better. I couldn’t sleep, though, and stayed on the couch watching reruns of Deep Space Nine until 5 a.m. By then, I was too tired to climb the stairs to my bedroom, so I slept on the couch.

When I woke around 11 a.m., I felt better but still had reflux, so I took another Pepcid and ate a small piece of matzah. Sipping some apple juice from the night before made me more queasy. Then I remembered that watermelon and cucumber juice can be soothing, so I made some. The doctor called around that time. We agreed that I should try the modified fast for the day, which allows fresh juice and a couple of different types of veggie broth. He said that a modified fast should help my digestive issues, which is the whole reason I’m doing this, so that made me happy. He also told me that around 15 percent of people are too sensitive to fast, that they’re system doesn’t adapt to it well. It can often happen to people with digestive issues. And as witnessed three other times, I had problems fasting at a fasting center where that’s all they do. Most people have minor symptoms and after a few days, feel great and continue fasting for more days or weeks. 

But I am truly appreciative of Dr. Gershfeld, who answered my texts within minutes, even at 1 a.m., but also called me back several times to check on me. He sounded patient and concerned and told me not to worry, that I hadn’t bothered him even.

And so, I'll continue the modified fast for the next day or two, then reassess. It’s worth it to see if it resolves most of my digestive issues and also helps reset my palate so I can resist vegan processed food. It’s harder to do this at home because all the food my husband makes smells so good, but knowing that this could help makes it easier to remain strong in the face of good vegan home cooking.