Elisa’s 12-Day Water Fast Symptom Log
Check out why I’m fasting here: My Strategy to Defy Lupus! or here: What Inspires me to Fast You Ask?
Sunday April 3, 2011 – (Pre-fast) 
Breakfast: Bed of greens topped with banana, fresh berries
Lunch: Vegetable salad with some quinoa, no dressing (away from home)
Dinner: Fresh fruit and vegetable juice with tropical whip
Admittedly, I’m starting the fast a bit run down, experiencing withdrawal from the prednisone with headache, fatigue, chillblains and inflammation on my fingers AND toes.
Let’s see how I feel by the end of all this…
As you can see below, fasting brings out my lupus symptoms and I’m told the pain is associated with my body’s ability to work on the trouble spots, due to excess energy that’s normally spent digesting, absorbing and removing food from my body when eating. Don’t worry, I’ll spare you the juicy details below 
Monday April 4th, 2011 – Day 1
- 111 pounds
- mild headache built throughout the day
- left flank (kidney) pain most of the day
- right pleural (lung) pain for a short time
- left ankle pain on and off
- constant hunger throughout the day
- spent 30 minutes stretching, 20 minutes in therapeutic light
- 8 cups of water, no meds or supplements
- rough night with throbbing leg pain, very restless and warm with extreme hunger
Tuesday April 5th, 2011 – Day 2
- 109 pounds
- blood pressure: 84/54 mmHg, pulse: 87/min.
- therapeutic light 20 minutes, stretched for 20 minutes
- in the morning I felt so hungry I was nauseous, but it became more manageable throughout the day
- constant building headache/migraine
- left and right ankle/shin pain on and off
- neck pain with sharp headache pain too
- nausea at night with throbbing leg pain all evening
- I wrote Dr. Fuhrman about sipping on a probiotic to calm by belly and he said that’d be okay
- 1/4 tsp. Dr. Fuhrman’s Favorite Flora probiotic
- 9 cups of water for the day
- once I was able to get past my throbbing legs, I slept well
Wednesday April 6th, 2011 – Day 3
- 107 pounds
- blood pressure: 81/62 mmHg, pulse: 81/min.
- feeling much better this morning in regards to pain, but terribly hungry
- therapeutic light 20 minutes, stretched 20 minutes, stretched another 20 minutes later in the day
- probiotic with water 2 times today
- flank pain, shin pain, neck pain, side/rib pain
- growing weaker each day
- steady headache
- 9-10 cups of water for the day
- highlight of the day: my sweet hubby brought me flowers to set beside me and the couch
- another good night sleep!
Thursday April 7th, 2011 – Day 4
- 105 pounds
- blood pressure: 93/69 mmHg, pulse: 82/min.
- stretched 20 minutes, stretched another 10 minutes
- 1/4 tsp. probiotic with water 2 times today
- flank/head/neck/ankle/shin pain on and off
- constant headache
- reached for a remote and strained my left shoulder – how frustrating, and I’ve even been stretching!!
- nauseous, hungry, discouraged and irritable!
- drank about 10 glasses of water today – increasing slightly due to dry lips but trying not to overdue it to avoid diluting my electrolytes which can result in vomiting and having to end the fast
- rough night with my touchy shoulder, achy legs and hunger – I dreamt that I bought a piece of Mack & Manco boardwalk pizza for $10.00 at a random fair and when I was given a tiny sliver I said, “look I haven’t had a piece of pizza in over 2 years, so I want the biggest piece you’ve got and I want it to be warm!!” HAA! I’m obviously a bit irritable It’s funny how right now, all the sandwiches – even the burgers on T.V. look appealing (when normally I wouldn’t touch em!) I guess my survival instincts are kickin in…
Friday April 8th, 2011 – Day 5
- 104 pounds
- blood pressure: 86/60 mmHg, pulse: 70/min.
- therapeutic light for 20 minutes, stretched for 10 minutes
- mornings are definitely the best time of day cuz I feel the best – it’s a good time for me to gather my wits
- flank/leg/ankle pain, hunger, nausea, agitation, very restless, mild headache
- about 10 glasses of water
- decent night sleep, dreamt about brownies…
Saturday April 9th, 2011 – Day 6
Day 6 of 12 fasting - halfway there!
- 102 pounds
- blood pressure: 97/69 mmHg, pulse: 70/min.
- therapeutic light for 20 minutes, stretched for 10 minutes
- red spool on my right arm where I used to get allergy shots
- very weak and hungry today
- headache, neck/flank pain
- red itchy spots on my fingers, red/sore/inflammed chillblains on my toes
- about 10 glasses of water today
- slept well once I fell asleep – requiring less sleep these days, went to sleep around 11p and woke up at 6a
Sunday April 10th, 2011 – Day 7
- 101 pounds
- blood pressure: 89/73 mmHg, pulse: 96/min.
- therapeutic light for 20 minutes, stretched for 15 minutes
- I’m actually less weak today!
- some headache, neck, ankle/flank pain
- red swollen itchy knuckles, toes still sore
- red spool on my right arm where I used to get allergy shots
- nauseous and sooo hungry
- 10 glasses of water today
- slept pretty well
Monday April 11th, 2011 – Day 8
- 100 pounds
- blood pressure: 86/62 mmHg, pulse: 80/min.
- therapeutic light for 20 minutes, stretched for 15 minutes
- ankle/flank pain, headache, achy legs
- HUNGRY! Drank at least 10 glasses of water today
- slept okay, still dreaming about food…
Tuesday April 12th, 2011 – Day 9
- 100 pounds
- blood pressure: 86/58 mmHg, pulse: 84/min.
- therapeutic light for 20 minutes, stretched for 15 minutes
- super hungry, headache on and off, ankle pain, flank pain
- red inflamed spots on fingers, toes less sore with chillblains present
- overall less symptoms, stronger – walked to the mailbox today!
- insomnia, slept okay for about 5 hours
Wednesday April 13th, 2011 – Day 10
- 99 pounds
- blood pressure: 89/65 mmHg, pulse: 76/min.
- therapeutic light for 20 minutes, stretched for 15 minutes
- headache, flank/ left ankle/back pain
- very thirsty today, drank a lot (lost track)
- more functional than ever on a fast, so making progress!
- slept okay on and off – achy legs, restless
Thursday April 14th, 2011 – Day 11
- 99 pounds
- blood pressure: 93/65 mmHg, pulse: 73/min.
- therapeutic light for 20 minutes, stretched for 15 minutes
- slight headache on and off, mild aches and pains, flank pain, some sort spots in my mouth
- cotton mouth, very thirsty, hunger subsides for periods
- fingers still have a few red spots, toes still have discoloring from chillblains but less sore
- walked to the mailbox today, sat in the sun, and even moved about the house!
- warm inflamed hands with achy legs at night, slept okay
Friday April 15th, 2011 – Day 12, THE Final Day!!! 
- 98 pounds = 13 pound weight loss in 12 days (compared to my 15 pound weight loss in the past when I did a 10 day fast). I attribute the slower weight loss and less weakness this fast, to the fact that I’ve been exercising and had more muscle mass going into it.
- blood pressure: 83/67 mmHg, pulse: 88/min.
- therapeutic light for 20 minutes, stretched for 15 minutes
- left ankle/flank pain, slight headache, achy legs, warm inflamed hands, restless night
My First Bite, Breaking the Fast!
{ 34 comments… read them below or add one }
Go Lis!! I’m thinking of you. You are one of the most dedicated people I know. Way to go!
Thanks Court,
Day 1 went pretty smoothly but after a rough night, I’m definitely feeling it now. I’ve got a looong way to go
I’ll be sending good thoughts your way! Thank you for sharing such a personal journey with us. I appreciate your article about why to fast – I’ve always wondered about that. It has definitely opened my eyes to the possibility for doing this myself!
Thank you sweet Laura
Praying for strength for you this week!
Oh thank you dear! I had some weak moments the first 2 days but today is going better so far
Elisa, My thoughts and prayers are with you and hoping the fast gets easier as the days go by. Love, Grandma
Thanks granny,
I just keep telling myself that all this pain will pay off. No pain no gain!! Thanks for sending your love my way – it helps
hey elisa i’ve been thinking of you!
Thanks Jen, your thoughtful and sincere encouragement keeps me going!
Hey Lis,
Thinking of you everyday and hope tommorrow will be a better day for you!
Cheryl
Thank you Cheryl! Things seem to be becoming more manageable but it constantly changes so I’d better knock on wood!! (knock, knocking on my head
)
Hope you’re feeling better tonight and can get a good night’s sleep! I’ll include you in my prayers tonight!
Christie, your prayers are appreciated and I had a fairly good night last night – thank you!
Hi, Elisa! Sending prayers and healing thoughts your way. I hope the pain is lessening!
Thanks Laura,
It’s so odd how the pain constantly changes and moves around, but Dr. Fuhrman says that means my body is working on those much-needed parts and detoxing, which is encouraging
Hey, Lis! I got more out of reading this than texting you! You are soon half way there! I hope it is all worth your efforts! Love you
Yes, I thought it would be easier to post it than to text, email and tell everyone! Thanks for checking it out
I believe it will pay off as it has in the past. 1/3 DONE!
Elisa, Thanks for sharing your progress as I think of you constantly and wonder how you are doing from day to day. Love you, Grandma
Thank you granny – that means a lot to me. You don’t have to worry about me. This ain’t easy but I’ll get through it
I’ll look forward to seeing you again over Easter! Luv you… Lis
Half-way! Hang in there!
Awwe thanks George! You’re the sweetest
Still thinking of you! The countdown begins! Prayers for healing and renewed health, and time to go quickly, too – from all 4 of us!
PS Aren’t those food dreams bizarre? I’ve woken up disoriented and panicked certain I really had been eating something!
THANK YOU Przyby’s – I appreciate your prayers
Hey Elisa!
Hope you are doing well and you are in my prayers:) I have alot of respect and admiration for your commitment and perserverance. Thank you for sharing your personal experiences it helps so much to be able to relate and make changes.
love ya !
Thanks Lee! Great to hear from you on here. I really appreciate your feedback (and prayers!!) – it’s so helpful to hear what people find useful. xoxox
Elisa, you are doing great! I am praying for you every day! I think it’s neat that you are sharing your day to day experiences/symptoms. I know that is a very personal thing. Just a few days to go. Hang in there!
What great encouragement! I’m feeling very blessed to have all this support, thank you!! I’m glad you find my notes helpful. I’m trying to share enough to explain the experience without sharing every private detail… if you know what I mean
Thanks again Becky…
Elisa, You made it!!!!!!!!!!!!! I hope the days ahead are better for you . You are amazing and I admire your dedication to do what it takes to improve your health. Grandma
Wooohoooo!! Can’t wait to eat my zucchini in 4 hours! Appreciate all your love and encouragement granny
I thought about the beach a lot during the fast and look forward to seeing you there soon…
Hi! I’m so happy for you to be through! I hope you felt the gift of healing!
Appreciate you sharing details of your fast. Think I have AI illness (undiagnosed) which seems to be getting worse though I’ve been trying to follow Dr Fuhrman’s protocol for several months. I’ve also read Fuhrman’s book on fasting. I fasted yesterday only for one day to see what would happen. I was surprised that my pain level increased so it helped to read that in your journal. Realize I need an extended fast but not an option currently because of some family commitments.
I’m wondering if you had someone monitoring you and what role they played. Also how did you determine when you should discontinue the fast?
Hi Necey,
Sorry to hear about your AI symptoms. I think you are super wise to follow Dr. Fuhrman’s autoimmune protocol. I started out by reading his books and going vegan about 3 months prior to seeing him in his office. Once I was off all meds he supervised a few of my first water fasts via phone. Now that I’ve done 42 days of water fasting total in the past couple of years, I know what I need to do but can contact him if I have a problem by either calling his office or by posting a question on his Ask the Doctor member center forum. Water fasting is a huge commitment because you basically have to put your entire life on hold. However, something I would have liked to try prior to water fasting is the concept of using other versions of fasting, such as blending and juicing. A blended fast is where you blend (with a high powered blender) fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables only to make juice, smoothies, raw soups and fruit whips. You could start by doing that for 3-5 days. Once you master blending, you can graduate to juicing – which is a new love of mine! I now try to juice 3-5 mornings a week and I try to just juice at least one day a week because it feel so good when I do, clean and pure. Water fasting also requires one to be off all prescription meds and should be medically supervised by a trained professional, whereas blending and juicing take a little longer to get the same results, but they offer a nice alternative for busy people like yourself. In fact, my next fast at the end of May is going to consist of 3 days of juicing, 4 days of water fasting, followed by 3 days of juicing again. Please keep in mind that I’m available to help guide you through the AI nutritional protocol, blending and juicing if you ever feel like you want some extra help. Check out my Services for more details.
Wishing you improved health Necey,
Elisa
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