417lbs Type 2 Diabetic about to start fast, but have a couple questions.

I'm going on a water fast starting Sunday the 24th, I plan to maintain it as long as I can because I have a lot of weight to lose and I'm tired of being sick with diabetes, I've had it since 1993. I'm 44 years old with 6 stents, GERD, HIGH insulin resistance (1.8 Victoza/240 units of Humulin U-500/and a sliding scale but average 40 units of U-200 which is on top of 2k mg Metformin and 25mg Jardiance) How can I ensure my electrolytes are balanced without adding anything that will cause an insulin response? How do I take any pills with no food in my stomach, especially the Metformin as that's difficult already with food. Thanks in advance,

Answer

Please be careful. I was on Jardiance and started fasting. After 3 or 4 days, my blood sugar was low (80s, down from 400), but I had trouble breathing and doing anything besides laying down. I was in a rural area, far away from doctors and started eating keto, but it wasn’t enough. It was ketoacidosis. I just felt better when I ate carbs (potato soup).

Lesson learned: stop taking Jardiance at least one week before water fasting. If you search online, you’ll find people with ketoacidosis symptoms even on low carb. It’s like you have to eat carbs while on Jardiance.

Answer

Honestly, until you were off the medication that requires food, would it be possible to start off with ADF or 16:8 or 20:4 etc. Your body WILL kick in and your medication needs will need to be readjusted during your whole fast. Maybe move to a long water fast after your body is off the meds that need food. Taking meds that need food without food can cause other issues down the line.

Are you doing this with your doc on board ? Meaning someone to help you re-evaluate all your drug needs as weight falls?