Covid Recovery: How can I manage GI issues?

Hi..before I was admitted to the hospital I had a consult on the phone with a GI physician that practices in Orlando Florida that was set up by my health insurance nurse. He was the one that thought that SIBO bacterial overgrowth was part of my problem along with Ulcerative Colitis. Hes suggested having my doctor here in my state test me for the problem. He said they do a breath test and run a stool fecalcalprotectin lab, which indeed was positive. He said that the treatment they use is Xifaxan an antibiotic and flagyl, also Uceris ( Budesonide) oral, hydrocortisone enemas and have found that a probiotic called VSL # 3 is good , that can be ordered on Amazon. When I was admitted to the hospital, they had me NPO..nothing by mouth and Intervenous running my entire stay. They did not treat me with the above drugs. They then introduced food back and had me on a low fiber/ low residue diet. They also told told me to take Imodium up to 4 times a day and canasta suppositories once a day a bedtime which is an RX. I also had another CT of my abdomen when I was admitted. This has been a real journey , but the Imodium is somewhat helping slow down things a bit. There is a lot of information on SIBO online. The doctors at the hospital were pretty convinced the long haul covid brought this on.Let me know if I can do anything else to help you.

Xifaxan 550 mg, 3 times a day for two weeks. No alcohol or probiotics including yogurt, kombucha, kefir, sauerkraut, etc. for four weeks while taking it and for two weeks after. Must talk with a GI MD about this. It is expensive but worth it. I had no side effects while taking it, unlike most antibiotics. It reorders the bacteria in your gut.

Hi..I asked for the Xifaxan , but they would not prescribe it for me. I was discharged from the hospital and still having the what I had before being admitted and while in the hospital. Did the Xifaxan help you? I am looking for a miracle. I was able to get an appointment with a GI doctor next friday. Sure hope you are feeling better. Kittyy2

Hi..I asked for the Xifaxan , but they would not prescribe it for me. I was discharged from the hospital and still having the what I had before being admitted and while in the hospital. Did the Xifaxan help you? I am looking for a miracle. I was able to get an appointment with a GI doctor next friday. Sure hope you are feeling better. Kittyy2

Are you taking any NSAIDs like ibuprofen or aspirin because I discovered I had an allergy to NSAIDs which caused diarrhea. My GI figured that one out fast. Take a bag and put everything you take like OTC meds, vitamins, pills, prescribed meds, herbal teas, etc and a list of what you eat and drink to that GI appointment. My father and my brother both MDs always had their patients do this. The GI may figure out your problem.

Hi,
I have long Covid. I had headaches, anxiety, depression, GI issues with severe constipation, I smelted cigarette smoke for 5 months everyday, brain fog, and breathing issues but only when exercising. It’s been little over a year now and things have improved but now I’m dealing with malabsorption. I think I might have intestinal damage ? I’ve had IBS for over 20 years, I’m sure that doesn’t help this situation. My doctor doesn’t take me seriously at all, he just says take some Mira lax and eat more fiber. I get pretty bad cramps in my leg calves frequently and I am very low in magnesium and protein, I know this through tests. I had to go to the hospital because of the severity of the leg cramps, that how I found out about my low magnesium count. But I have been taking a daily multivitamin and magnesium, so how was I low? The doctors couldn’t give me an answer. Now, I just found out I’m low on protein also, but I eat protein sources. This is why I’m thinking this is effects from long Covid. My eye sight has diminished some, I used to have perfect vision, now I have to wear glasses for near and far sighted. I need direction on how to get better!

Welcome @blondie98418. You've come to the right place to learn and get tips from fellow longhaulers. I moved your message to this existing discussion since your primary issues are GI related:
– Covid Recovery: How can I manage GI issues? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/covid-recovery-and-gi-pain/

I did this so you can read the past posts and connect easily with other members. I also suggest that you browse through the topics in the Post-COVID Recovery group to learn more about how others are managing the other symptoms you also experience, like headaches, anxiety, depression, etc.

Have you been to a post COVID care clinic that specialized in longhaul COVID?

No, I don’t know where there is one. I live in Tacoma, WA