Is a 7 day water fast safe?

KrazyKrissyy
KrazyKrissyy Posts: 322 Member
in Food and Nutrition
Do I need to lose weight? Well lets just say, yes and no. Not the type of "weight" you're thinking though. I'm not overweight by the way. But for the past several months, I've been having severe digestive issues. I've tried everything from enemas to laxatives, gluten-free, dairy-free, meat-free, high-fiber (which actually made it 100x worse for some reason), etc. Everytime I go to the hospital, they do a lazy approach by diagnosing me with my symptoms and sending me home with magnesium citrate. I did get a scan on my abdomen which apparently showed that I'm extremely impacted with stool. Sometimes I look 4-5 months preggo. My appetite is decreasing by the week (to the point where I've unintentionally vomited a few times after eating and wake up nauseous and always feel full, even after a few bites of food). I'm wondering if a week long fast will be safe for me. My plan would be to drink LOTS of water everyday, take miralax or MOM daily; basically whatever it takes to clear myself completely because I don't see the point of continuing to eat when I can no longer keep it down, am sluggish/tired, chronically nauseous, and am already backed up like traffic on a highway. Ps- I never figured out why fiber makes it worse even combined with lots of water, laxatives don't always work, etc. Doesn't matter how healthy I eat either. It actually seems like the healthier I eat, the worse it gets. Oh, and also I very recently started having blood sugar problems even though I tested negative for diabetes. This is very strange, and no doctor I've been to so far wants to "solve" the mystery. I'm thinking, screw it, maybe a long fast is my solution. What do you think? Please no rude remarks. Even if you don't agree, keep it as objective as possible :(

Replies

  • lynn_glenmont
    lynn_glenmont Posts: 10,093 Member
    edited October 2017
    No. Dieting can cause constipation. Complete lack of food can cause an impacted bowel. It hardly seems like a good idea for you.


    ETA: Are you by chance trying to keep your fat intake low? That can also lead to constipation.
  • lorrpb
    lorrpb Posts: 11,463 Member
    No, do not do a water fast. It is not healthy or safe. Have you tried just eating normally rather than using "enemas to laxatives, gluten-free, dairy-free, meat-free, high-fiber" etc. Maybe consider a different doctor or ask for a referral to a gastroenterologist.
  • ranmalih
    ranmalih Posts: 63 Member
    Don't do a water fast but do go see a GP. They might be able to help or will definitely be able to refer you to someone who can, like a gastroenterologist or dietitian or other specialist.
  • maura_tasi
    maura_tasi Posts: 196 Member
    High fiber diets aren't always good! It's possible to be taking in too much fiber which can make constipation and other digestive issues worse. But to answer your question, an all water diet wouldn't be safe. I would recommend seeing a gastroenterologist for alternative options
  • KrazyKrissyy
    KrazyKrissyy Posts: 322 Member
    lorrpb wrote: »
    No, do not do a water fast. It is not healthy or safe. Have you tried just eating normally rather than using "enemas to laxatives, gluten-free, dairy-free, meat-free, high-fiber" etc. Maybe consider a different doctor or ask for a referral to a gastroenterologist.

    Yes, I've tried eating normally. I didn't resort to the laxatives/enemas and dietary changes until my digestive system spontaneously started becoming impaired (which makes things even more confusing).
  • jcstevens86
    jcstevens86 Posts: 3,338 Member
    I have been there and it sucks...was even diagnosed as having ibs which didnt make sense....my father was due to have colon surgery and was told by his dr to drink this stuff called fleet to clean him out before the surgery....i tried it and it worked like a charm...im not gonna lie the *kitten* nasty it was ginger root flavor...you mix it with 8oz of water then drink another plain 8 oz of water and with in 10 min i was in the bathroom lol so it works fast...i have had no problems since then....you can buy it right at walmart give it a try and hopefully that helps
  • Gamliela
    Gamliela Posts: 2,468 Member
    its insane.
  • AliceDark
    AliceDark Posts: 3,886 Member
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