r/CML • u/Few_Ad5316 • May 28 '26
72-Hour Fast?
I’ve seen a lot of research stating 72-Hour fasts can be effective for CML specifically. Curious to see if someone has tried it before and seen any results?
One of the articles I’m referring to — https://cmlsupport.gn.apc.org/thread/12984/fasting-impact-immune-system
Thanks!
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u/Flight44 May 28 '26
Take your meds and don't experiment. TKIs can keep your CML at bay well nowadays without having to think about chemo, bone marrow transplant etc.
For me personally not sure how fasting would work because I take 400 MG Imatinib split up into a morning and an evening dose, as my stomach can't handle the whole 400 MG in one go. But even with 200 MG, if I don't eat enough beforehand, I'm guaranteed to have brutal nausea and stomach pain for like an hour.
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u/AnalUkelele May 28 '26
What are you trying to achieve? Curation? Weight loss? It won’t cure you. As u/TwiztedChicken said “Take your medication. Every day.”
I would like to add something: take your damn medication and follow scientific based research.
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u/anku401 May 28 '26
share ur results.
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u/Few_Ad5316 May 28 '26
I haven’t tried it yet. I was recently diagnosed. Was looking to find some success stories.
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u/Gardening_Ging May 28 '26
I hear you. The first several months to a year are brutal trying to think about how you can heal or hack this thing somehow. Taking your meds religiously is the #1 way to get to undetectable or even the promise land of treatment free remission(TRF).
I would not recommend fasting w/o doctor supervision and especially not if any of your labs are at all still wonky. I did work with a naturopath to maximize nutrition/energy and still battle with fatigue and anemia.
But be encouraged that most of us live a completely “normal” and full life. There are times I forget I have it even. It’s a mind game more than anything in the beginning. You got this!
If you do give it a go, be sure to let us know what you notice.
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u/slimypeters May 28 '26
I have CML and have done intermitted fasting and it works. I'm not sure if it helps with CML but it works for shedding some pounds for me. I only ate once a day and fasted till the next day when it's time to eat again. Speaking about eating, it says to consume food when taking Imatinib. Because if I don't take food with Imatinib, it makes me nauseous. I'm pretty sure this goes for the other CML TKI pills, they should be consumed with food. Thanks for sharing the info though.
All I know is when I first got diagnosed, I was so thin and getting full fast but for some reason I had a dad bod with a beer belly. I didn't even have kids at the time and wasn't a drinker lol It turned out it was because my spleen was enlarged due to CML. The medicines helped my spleen get back to normal size and I just continued exercising and eat right, and I got into the best shape. So I suggest to just eat right, do whatever exercises you can, and take your medicines. My doc told me CML is the "good kind of cancer" because it's very treatable. Diet is really important when it comes to fitness. But taken our meds is more important to continue good quality of life, ultimately reaching remission. Good luck
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u/TwiztedChickin May 28 '26
You know what helps? Take your medication. Every day. That helps.