Post Covid gastrointestinal issues: How long do they last?

I have been on lots of different kinds of meds, both OTC and Rx. Nothing even touches it. I now have an appt to have a tube put down my nose to check my esophagus. Am now also on 3 different OTC meds. I'm supposed to take all 3 of them everyday. I've tried each one at one time or another, but no relief.

Nah, you'll still be here! I've been sick since October 2021, and I'm alive and kicking! Granted, I am sick to my stomach every day, no appetite, have lost 12lbs., no energy, ringing in my ears, brain/gut disconnect. But I refuse to give up. You don't give up either!

I developed gastroparesis and some dysbiosis post-Covid. It took a couple of months for the symptoms to really build up so it was confusing. I changed my diet, started a prokinetic, digestive enzymes, and zinc-carnosine to help repair my digestive tract. Since January my digestion has improved a whole lot. I still have other LC issues going on but this one has gotten much much better. It was a lot of effort - I went to a whole foods diet, no sugar, no dairy, no wheat. But it worked.

Thank you for this information.
Glad that you are doing better!!

Welcome to BS AMA doctors. The have absolutely NO idea what they are doing, and are all about maintaining their 'Billable' treatment hours!
I met with one of our HCP (KP) GI specialist, who actually admitted that they have absolutely NO IDEA how to treat Long COVID. I was prescribed LUBIPROSTONE 8 mcg TID, on 3/24/23. Has not done anything to improve my G.I. issue.

Per Dr. Vanichkachorn “While we are NOT sure yet, there are several POSSIBLE ways the COVID-19 infection could cause gastrointestinal problems,” Dr. Vanichkachorn says. “For example, the lining of the gut has a large amount of the receptors that the SARS-COV2 virus uses to invade cells. The general inflammation caused by the infection can also disrupt the normal bacteria that live in the gut and stimulate some of the gastrointestinal system’s nerves.”
Even Mayo Clinic does NOT KNOW!

Thank you for this information. I just keep hoping things will gradually improve!

I am on Pantoprozole and consuming lots of Activia yogurt and probiotics!

This forum is the closest to my symptoms but I can't find any info on what exactly happened to me. Been dealing with this for a year now with zero improvement. In May 2022 I got COVID with strong vomiting and diarrhea. Couldn't eat, and lost 10 lbs (180 to 170) in less than a week. Right in the middle of this I woke up and my abdomen was distended. My size 34 pants were 3-4 inches from closing. I've mostly recovered from other COVID symptoms but the GI issue remains. Had lots of tests (MRI, x-rays, 2 Colonoscopies, endoscopy, done at Kaiser with no findings. Was prescribed a antibiotic for the gut bacteria. I'm on my 2nd GI and neither are able to help me. Now I've been referred to a dietitian and I'm a week into the FODMAP program now ( 4-10-2023). I've now developed a new symptom of lightheaded and hard to concentrate. I get more concerned every day now. I'm really at a loss and don't know what to do.

Mike, I'm so sorry you are dealing with this. Long Covid symptoms are tiring and there are many folks with a lot of long Covid issues. I would strongly recommend a good probiotic for your gut. Were you on any antibiotics during Covid? I know you said the doctor prescribed one for the gut bacteria. Antibiotic overload is hard on the gut and it wipes out the good flora in the gut. I am taking Microbiome Labs Mega Sporebiotic for my gut. I was on a lot of antibiotic for Covid pnuemonia/asthmatic bronchitis. I do not have the same symptoms you do but, my reflux worsened with Covid and I also have another issue that is still hanging on after 8 months. Have they mentioned Irritable Bowel Syndrome? Have they done a SIBO, H-Pylori, C-Diff test? It seems to be trial and error to find the right doctor and the right treatment. Praying for you to get better. Don't give up. God Bless You!

Wow, thank you for the reply. I've been on probiotic for about a week when I started FODMAP. I took paxlovid during covid (May 2022). I had the gut antibiotic earlier this year, so quite a long time in between, but it was to address SIBO like stuff. This is the 1st I've heard of H-Pylori and C-Diff but I think this is along the right track because of the timing of this. Which was in the middle of my worse symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea - and I took paxlovid on Thursday afternoon and woke up Friday morning with the distention - literally overnight - and it continues unchanged today. I've continued to exercise throughout and of course stay well hydrated(I've been athletic all my life). I attached a pic I took the following day(5/28/2022) as I was so shocked at it - that's not what I looked like prior.

From what I've been researching, my theory is that covid attached my whole abdomen area (stomach, intestines, etc) and hasn't resolved. I think everything is inflamed/swollen as all the tests show no ascites or anything else they look for in the endoscopy, colonoscopy, CT scan, X-ray and mri. So no doctors have been able to help me, which is what led me to the FODMAP, I'm doing it for the 4-6 weeks but I don't think this is going down the right track - although there's no downside to it.

I've looked a hundreds of articles on abdomen distention and covid stuff but nothing that is similar to my situation of happening overnight and remains unchanged day and night and no matter what I eat. I do feel full all the time I think because of the inflamation.

So, I wish it wasn't, but that's my story