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Does anyone have this particular GI symptoms post COVID?

Posted by bescarti @bescarti, Apr 10, 2023

Hi - I had COVID in June 22 and been having lots of issues since: dizziness, fatigue, brain fog... but the most bothersome has been lingering GI symptoms. They have been getting better over time but I still get these episodes- they used to be every 2 weeks, now its more every two months - of severe abdominal pain it used to be my stomach but now it is more my intestines - like pain, gas, inflammation and nausea, but no diarrea and no vomiting. I also feel very weak, almost dizzy and the second or third day I develop a severe headache. About three to four days aftetr I am back to "normal" which is not exactly normal but I can function. I am on probiotics, pantoprazole (these two help) and excluding gluten, dairy and eggs from diet - not sure if this is helping, though, as is based on one of those non-evidence based IGG "intolerance" tests, but I was willing to try anything I guess. Does anyone has similar episodic GI symptoms? Drs dont say much, they just want to do colonoscopy to rule out other things, but I dont see the point as it seems no one with long COVID shows anything wrong in these tests so why take the risk...

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covidstinks2023 | @covidstinks2023 | Apr 11, 2023

Bescarti, I have battled a some of these symptoms over the years having Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Covid made that worse, but, it has calmed down after 8 months. With Irritable Bowel you can have bloating, gas, fatigue, diarrhea or constipation, belly distension, spasmatic pain in one or both of your sides and tenderness on each side. It may be worth asking your Gastro doctor about. Praying for you!

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1 reply
bmd | @bmd | Apr 12, 2023

Second infection in February, ‘23. Experiencing upper belly pain, sometimes extreme, and bloating. Tenderness. Did not have this long Covid symptom after my first infection a little more than a year ago. Hope you feel better soon.

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1 reply
tnik22 | @tnik22 | Apr 13, 2023
In reply to @bmd "Second infection in February, ‘23. Experiencing upper belly pain, sometimes extreme, and bloating. Tenderness. Did not..." + (show)
@bmd

Second infection in February, ‘23. Experiencing upper belly pain, sometimes extreme, and bloating. Tenderness. Did not have this long Covid symptom after my first infection a little more than a year ago. Hope you feel better soon.

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Look into the ileocecal valve. I've read on a fb page that I am on for long covid that some people are having problems with. I have been since last June, getting better since digestive enzymes and massage the area. I've been to er 3 times.

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3 replies
bmd | @bmd | Apr 13, 2023
In reply to @tnik22 "Look into the ileocecal valve. I've read on a fb page that I am on for..." + (show)
@tnik22

Look into the ileocecal valve. I've read on a fb page that I am on for long covid that some people are having problems with. I have been since last June, getting better since digestive enzymes and massage the area. I've been to er 3 times.

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Thank you for the information. I’ll look into it. Hope you’re all better soon!

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ritzgerb | @ritzgerb | Apr 13, 2023

I can identify with most everything you mention.
Most helpful for me has been to take a high quality probiotic, prebiotic and digestive enzyme. It will take at least 12 wks to notice a positive change. I have been instructed to drink a glass of water with either 1 tsp of lemon juice or Braggs vinegar first...take a couple bites of breakfast and then take enzyme. As you are down to a couple bites of breakfast then take probiotic and prebiotic.
Drink plenty of water throughout day. I deal with ongoing constipation so use Miralax daily and eat a very healthy diet. I am MUCH better than I was 6 months ago. My issues started after a second time of covid last July of 23.

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silverfish0409 | @silverfish0409 | Apr 14, 2023

I had covid twice, now 7 months after I have developed constipation,abdominal pain,nausea, stomach bloating and pain can't eat I've lost 18 lbs, gas so bad that it effects my breathing extreme nervousness, brain fog,loss of balance, blurred vision blood pressure bouncing all over the place put me in the hospital twice this has been going on for about 3 months now, in pain 24-7 doctors are pretty worthless still waiting to see stomach doctor.

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sunny8 | @sunny8 | Apr 15, 2023

One month after I had mild covid, I developed gut long covid. The worst lasted 6 weeks, with watery diarrhea, painful guts below my belly button, painful bloating, nausea, but no vomiting. No appetite. I started on a bland BRAT diet, added two servings of Activia yogurt daily, took OTC anti-diarrheal Loperamide 2mg as needed for the cramping pain and diarrhea. The gut long covid settled down gradually and not I get occasional cramping, gas, loose stools, maybe every couple weeks. Like a gut "flare".

I saw a GI nurse practitioner who agreed it was long gut covid and just to continue my treatment plan.

Good luck now.

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bescarti | @bescarti | Apr 17, 2023

Thanks for all your replies. I am reintroducing diary products after 6 months of exclusion from diet and I believe that that is what is causing my symptoms now. Has anyone developed intolerances after COVID? I had dairy with no problems before.

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bescarti | @bescarti | Apr 17, 2023
In reply to @covidstinks2023 "Bescarti, I have battled a some of these symptoms over the years having Irritable Bowel Syndrome...." + (show)
@covidstinks2023

Bescarti, I have battled a some of these symptoms over the years having Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Covid made that worse, but, it has calmed down after 8 months. With Irritable Bowel you can have bloating, gas, fatigue, diarrhea or constipation, belly distension, spasmatic pain in one or both of your sides and tenderness on each side. It may be worth asking your Gastro doctor about. Praying for you!

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Thanks for your response - yes it seems like the symptoms are very similar to IBS. My Drs just prescribed probiotics and pantoprazole and insist on endoscopy / colonoscopy - to rule out other stuff I guess but I am very reluctant to undergo the tests as I am sure they will come back normal as all blood , stool, echographic, and CT Scan tests have come back ok... what helps you with IBS symptoms?

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1 reply
bescarti | @bescarti | Apr 17, 2023
In reply to @silverfish0409 "I had covid twice, now 7 months after I have developed constipation,abdominal pain,nausea, stomach bloating and..." + (show)
@silverfish0409

I had covid twice, now 7 months after I have developed constipation,abdominal pain,nausea, stomach bloating and pain can't eat I've lost 18 lbs, gas so bad that it effects my breathing extreme nervousness, brain fog,loss of balance, blurred vision blood pressure bouncing all over the place put me in the hospital twice this has been going on for about 3 months now, in pain 24-7 doctors are pretty worthless still waiting to see stomach doctor.

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Hope you find some relief soon - thanks for sharing

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