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Covid Recovery: How can I manage GI issues?
It has been 5 weeks since my COVID symptoms began. I am well past the isolation date. I had nausea and diarrhea during COVID along with the usual symptoms of cough, fatigue, rapid heartbeat and sinus issues. I have felt like I was over this, but I began having GI pain in the last week. I feel as if my intestines are sore on the inside. I guess it is inflammation. Has anyone else had this and is there anything I can do to help it? Probiotics maybe?
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I had a mild case of Covid in January 2022. I noticed in March and April that I was starting to have a lot of diarrhea. I thought it was my diabetes medicine so the doctor changed my medicine over the last 8 months my symptoms have worsened to the extent that I ended up in the ER in December after vomiting all day and the doc made me feel like it was all in my head. I usually have diarrhea every day and for a while was vomiting tow or three times a week. I’m going to a GI doctor since October and have had a CT, Ultrasound, endoscopy, and colonoscopy. They took eleven biopsies and all that came back it inflammation of the esophagus. They scheduled me for an MRI and are doing pancreatic labs on me next week. They have me Xifaxen 3 times a day which seems to be helping. But really want to find a specific answer. Having this a trying to work at the same time has been very tricky and trying. Thanks for listening!
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2 ReactionsHas anyone suggested a steroid, for the inflammation, or Paxlovid, for the possibility of pockets of Covid virus in the intestine? Someone even recommended I start with a rigorous course of ibuprofen. I am dealing with the same issue without the pre-existing conditions. So sorry you, too, are going through this.
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1 ReactionSorry to hear you are having the same issues! They have me on a powerful antibiotic. But no steroids. I didn’t even know this could be a Covid thing until my sister said yesterday that this might be my problem. I also have sulfur burning. I just wonder how long this will last if it is Covid related. I have also gained weight and my blood sugar readings are much higher than normal for me. Are you diabetic?
Hi Lucy, Yes! I had two BV infections over past 3 months which is when I first got Covid. Literally was running to the bathroom with intense urgency while isolated with other Covid symptoms in my basement! When I was 14 days away from onset of symptoms I saw my gyn and she found I had Gardnerella BV, treated it with metroDidazole, too, but it came back about 6 weeks later and we tried a different cream. Also have been experiencing first time in my 57 years bladder discomfort, on and off. Now my vagina seems totally healthy but I still have the bladder discomfort and lots of mysterious abdominal pain (right side espec.). Doctors suspect interstitial cystitis and I am scheduled for cystoscopy in a week but they never mention Covid connection! Best of luck to you!
Chris, I have Interstitial Cystitis. It's under control now but I still watch my diet. If you're diagnosed with IC, carefully consider your choices of management. I took Elmiron for 15 years and now have eye problems. Look it up.
Good luck,
Lucy
No, I have not been diagnosed with SIBO. I have had all the tests. Some days/weeks are better than others. I have tried prescriptions with no success. Currently, I east prunes, yogurt and take 500 MG of Magnesium day and night. As I said, some days are better than others. Not a pleasant problem, especially when it's unpredictable. Always appreciate your feedback, Colleen.
Lucy
Magnesium night and day + fiber foods + lots of water + yogurt works for me some of the time but I still get constipated occasionally or experience unexpected, embarrassing pebbles. Hard to know what the day will bring.Thanks for your affirmation!! Lucy
You may want to ask your doctor for a prescription for Zofran
Thank you everyone for your very helpful posts. I am a retired physician (retired because of health problems), 60 years old. I had COVID mid Feb, mostly with respiratory symptoms. My usually mild asthma was the worst it's ever been in my life, asked my MD for a nebulizer and got it, that helped a lot. Then my throat became extremely sore and my fatigue escalated suddenly, I told my MD it felt like mono, she said "no way" but tested me and yes, I was positive for mono! Thank you, COVID for "resurrecting" my mono. Apparently it can do this.
I started feeling better, then GI symptoms started up: gas, very frequent bowel movements, nausea, weight loss, feeling generally rotten. Thanks to these posts I'm guessing it's COVID again. I'll call my MD but suppose that I will just have to wait this out and maybe try some of your tips. What a mess!!
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5 ReactionsI had COVID in July 2022 and have experienced diarrhea ever since. My physician suggested a specific type of probiotic, and some other gut treatments, but the diarrhea has not really improved.
I have most recently read Dr. Davis’s book “Gut Health”, and am now going to try his recommendation for homemade yogurts.
Additionally, I have high cholesterol and an out of balance hypothyroid. To deal with that part of the issue I am using Zonya Foco’s “Eat Real” Cookbook 28 day Kickstart.
Some foods definitely trigger the worst symptoms. But I haven’t identified the specific foods well at this point. When the symptoms are intense, I have rumbling in the lower abdomen, bloating, and gas besides the diarrhea.
The diarrhea is low to moderate, but the bloating and gas will wake me up in the middle of the night.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.