I re-tore my hamstring nearly 3 weeks ago and have recurring elbow tendinitis, from initial injuries 1 and 2 years ago respectively. Physio for these injuries began in March 2021 and according to my program, I was 6 weeks away from being able to run again.
I was unable to put any weight on my leg without pain (6/10) for a week despite using RICE techniques, naproxen and keeping calorie intake normal.
I completed an 80 wet fast and my hamstring helped by 70% or so, and then complete some additional 36/18 hour fasts which had a negligible impact.
To finish things off, I aimed for a 7 day dry fast, but only made it to 76 hours. During this time I had intermittent pains in hamstring/ elbow, but was able to walk and carry shopping bags pains free.
I broke fast due to a pretty bad panic attack, given my insomnia, high temperature and heart rate (all normal I believe), as well as an 8/10 pain in my hamstring. I broke the fast at 3:00 am yesterday, with phoenix protocol supplements (coconut water, dissolvable multivitamin with mineral water, mineral water with baking soda) and ignored the fact that I just wanted to down some simple tap water so I could sleep and start again. I ended up eating about 800 calories too but didn’t feel nauseous after doing so.
I’ve woken up this morning and my leg hurts about 6/10 and I haven’t stopped crying because of my stupid decisions and shit willpower. I’m pretty sure my leg was midway through healing and I’ve interrupted it, and am unsure if I’ve damaged my leg in the process. I’ve spent the last two weeks trying to heal this in-between work/ holiday and don’t really know what to do next.
Does anyone have any input on what’s happened or advice on how to finish off the healing. Personally I want to get drunk and move on because I’m distraught and feel like I warrant a bit more for my effort but hey ho.
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Yeah, healing hurts on the refeed. Every time I finish a 3+ day dry fast my shoulder injury hurts. But after a few days its better than it was before.
Make sure you get plenty of protein and all the vitamins and minerals. I prefer using mana soylent with collagen protein powder.
Dr. Andrew Huberman has an excellent protocoll for insomnia. Go out between 8 AM and 10 AM for a short walk. You need the sun to hit receptors in your eyes with its 100k+ lux for 10 minutes or so. If its cloudy you can simply be outside for longer.
Theres more you can do but that is a great start
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So okay. You are really treading on an area science really hasn’t looked at yet, i know because i scoured google for any studies on this awhile back. Basically the question of, does fasting speed up or slow down wound healing and the answer is super complicated and we don’t know. I know this sub thinks dry fasting cures everything even death but i’m not super convinced on this one. IMO most important is to keep movement up. Keep it light don’t hurt yourself and take it slow you got your whole life ahead of you.