Covid Recovery: How can I manage GI issues?

I have a general question for folks who are dealing with gastrointestinal symptoms that are being identified as long Covid. Have you been able to actually get a diagnosis that relates your gastrointestinal issues to Covid? I had a mild case of Covid in 2022 that was congestion, sore throat and night sweats. Otherwise I felt fine. Shortly after, I experienced intestinal pain and cramping and on x-ray was told that I had constipation even though I didn’t think I had constipation. Since then, I’ve had endoscopy, MRI, CT, numerous x-rays. Those showed that I have mild gastritis and an esophageal stricture. I am fit, eat mainly vegetarian/vegan, don’t drink or smoke. Constipation has been chronic until recently. In 2025 I had a heart attack out of the blue!

I received a stent and was placed on the standard cocktail of medication. The original statin caused my liver enzymes to soar, and that has since been adjusted. My heart is healthy and I’m very grateful for that. I do take an aspirin every day so have been put on PPI to protect my stomach. This concerns me because I already have osteoporosis. I’m not interested in adding another medication for that. The constipation seems to be managed by regular MiraLAX most days of the week.

I guess my question is how does a person know if they have long Covid and does that change the way their symptoms are treated? I’ve got two cardiologists and a gastroenterologist, a lipidologist, and recently a hematologist because of low red blood and low ferritin. Iron messes with the GI so we are discussing infusion. Before 2022 I considered myself a very healthy person. I still consider myself a relatively healthy person, but I’m taking more medication than I ever imagined I would and honestly never feel great. I walk every day which I was doing prior to the heart attack anyway, I’m now 71 years old, my weight is good and always has been.

@ezjersey719 if you're feeling sick,things that you've never had,and you're out a month or so after infection,then you have long covid.That's my take.Others got sick and recovered.No issues.I'm not one of those lol.I'm 73...it's been a ride.I've been taking liposomal gluthethione,C and E.Also NAC and NAD now for a few years.I'm usually feeling pretty well nowadays.I take those for my cell function.For cell repair.I guess it's been working.I've steadily gotten better since I started it.Marine collagen.20gms every other day.I think targeting the cellular function is the way to go.That's what's messed up.The spike protein invades the cells and does the damage.God Bless and take good care of yourself.