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A Gut Feeling: Long COVID and GI symptoms Nov 16 8:14am | By Greg Vanichkachorn (@drvan)Comment receiving replies
Replies to "Hi, I tested positive for COVID with mild symptoms in April. I ended having diarrhea as..."
I had the same thing after covid but they did a colonoscopy and found that I had bad gut bacteria so was put on antibiotics it did cure it but I still have flare ups of diarrhea but I take probiotics and probiotics that have helped a lot. Now the only time I have diarrhea is if I'm having a rebound of my covid long haulers. I have burning, pins and needles and numbing then I get a sore throat and also with diarrhea. This has been going on for 18 months but it seems like it's getting better but I had a booster shot two weeks ago and completely set me backwards. Now it seems to be leveling off again.
As of today, I don't suffer with bouts of gas, cramps or loose stools. In fact, my stools are much harder, and I am suffering more with constipation than I did prior to co-vid. After writing my first comment, I experienced major GI issues. A hiatel hernia issue which allowed my stomach to grow up thru the hole in the hernia and esophagus into my upper chest between my rib cage and lungs. Emergency surgery after experiencing severe stomach pain saved my life. They inserted a feeding tube which I had for 131 days feeding me only Jevity for nourishment. No liquid or food down my throat during that time. Just had the tube removed within the last two weeks and am slowly starting to eat most foods except for meat, fried foods and carbonated beverages which causes me to feel very uncomfortably bloated. My surgeon suggested this issue may have been caused by the co-vid. Since getting co-vid back in December of 2020, I still have poor taste and smell issues, some shortage of cognitive ability, and something called co-vid quads which has left my legs very weak resulting in balance issues. Wish I could help you with good news but so far, I'm an older than I should be, 83-year-old male. Good Luck.
Oh dear, I empathize with you! My (resurfaced) allergic reaction is actually wicked eczema around my eyes if I eat foods to which I am sensitive (a huge list) - altho I caught it early this time, itching only, no rash. BUT it happens because of weakness in my gut so I need to rebuild my gut lining and gut microbiome. I am no expert but I would think your symptoms could be an out of balance microbiome, so similar supplements may help. The supplements stopped my itching very quickly this time (2 weeks) but I still take them for maintenance....and may stay on them at least thru covid so if I get it again, my gut is in the best condition it can be. The naturopath also said diversity of diet is very important for a healthy gut - I am to eat at least 30 different fruits/vegetables/herbs/ nuts and seeds, along with prebiotic foods every week. I also practice yoga at least 20 minutes a day, which has made an amazing difference in how my entire body works - 10 lbs in water weight slid away. I use my family doctor, who I chose because she was open to the fact I use a naturopath, in conjunction with the naturopath.
I would suggest keeping a daily food diary to help you see if what you eat is related to when you a symptomatic day. I use excel, with columns for each daily meal and snacks. This really helped me define my food sensitivities. It's a bit of a pain, but it may help give you a sense you are doing something to help yourself get better - taking some control!
Wishing you success, and patience in your GI journey. It takes time and patience...so don't give up!