Has anyone experienced Covid Gut? What helps?

Posted by robintromp @robintromp, Oct 14, 2022

I have been diagnosed with Long Covid Gut issues. Bloating started two weeks after I recovered from Covid and I am now in my ninth month. The GI doctors have tested me for everything and it all came back normal. Has anyone experience Covid Gut? If so, has anything helped or have things improved with time?

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I experienced covid Aug 22, then long covid gut Sept 22 for 6 weeks, then periodically. All tests normal. Started Activia twice daily and Loperimide as needed for diarrhea, bloating, gut pain. Lost 9 lbs that first 6 weeks due to severe diarrhea, now just occasional gut pain. No more diarrhea, bloating. On soft, bland diet, still eat Activia am and pm to keep the good probiotics in control.

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My son has had GI issues since November, 2021. He has lost 100 pounds. Has had every gastric study done at the VA Hospital, all tests normal. He can only eat a handful of foods, mostly crackers with peanut butter, fresh fish, egg whites. All blood work normal. Also has muscle pain in his arms 24/7. He had covid 3 times since 2021. No specialist can give him a diagnosis!

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I have had gut issues for almost a year and a half. Have had every test imaginable with coming back normal. My doctor has not diagnosed me with long COVID. So I now have another test scheduled, along with instructions to take 3 OTC meds all at the same time. I don't know if we'll ever get to the bottom of this.

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@doglover17

I have had gut issues for almost a year and a half. Have had every test imaginable with coming back normal. My doctor has not diagnosed me with long COVID. So I now have another test scheduled, along with instructions to take 3 OTC meds all at the same time. I don't know if we'll ever get to the bottom of this.

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From the studies I've read, Covid plays havoc on our gut bacteria, so the last time I saw my cardiologist I asked if it would be beneficial to empty my gut of all bacteria and start all over. Thankfully, he felt the benefits exceeded the risk and we did a two-week dumping and he suggested I use VSL#3 over the counter probiotic to rebuild the gut bacteria. Didn't get rid of the gut issue entirely, just made it a lot more tolerable.

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@still4141

Very interesting. I don't have typical GERD presentation either. Mine is more so confined to my throat where it feels like a burning sensation. I also had that chest tightness you mentioned over the summer, but that symptom has gone down quite a bit to almost not at all. Oddly though, when I got scanned, everything looked a-okay. When I got scoped, it all came back normal and negative for anything and everything so the doctor recommended that I stop using the PPI in the absence of clinical pathology. I might try going back on Amitryptaline to see if it can help correct any sort of nerve misfiring between the brain and gut, however I don't meet the IBS criteria (no pain) although my stools have been insanely off. If you figure out anything that helps you that is natural, I'm all ears, and best of luck to you in your healing sooner rather than later.

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Did it resolve this feels like me 🙁 and im allergic to everything high in histamine

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I had gastro symptoms as my biggest covid issue. After 3 months and losing 15 pounds from diarrhea, no appetite, bloating, pain, diverticulitis, etc. I am now on a low fodmop diet at the direction of my gastroenterologist. Seeing a nutritionist to help. Also probiotics.
If necessary, take hycosamine. Keeping a very specific food diary with any symptoms. Low fodmop seems to be helping a great deal.

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@19465

I had gastro symptoms as my biggest covid issue. After 3 months and losing 15 pounds from diarrhea, no appetite, bloating, pain, diverticulitis, etc. I am now on a low fodmop diet at the direction of my gastroenterologist. Seeing a nutritionist to help. Also probiotics.
If necessary, take hycosamine. Keeping a very specific food diary with any symptoms. Low fodmop seems to be helping a great deal.

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The low FODMAP diet seems to have helped me too and I’m beginning to identify problem foods, mainly gluten. Interestingly, my gastroenterologist wasn’t very encouraging about it, but it does seem to be effective. Good luck and keep trying!

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@lbyrd02

From the studies I've read, Covid plays havoc on our gut bacteria, so the last time I saw my cardiologist I asked if it would be beneficial to empty my gut of all bacteria and start all over. Thankfully, he felt the benefits exceeded the risk and we did a two-week dumping and he suggested I use VSL#3 over the counter probiotic to rebuild the gut bacteria. Didn't get rid of the gut issue entirely, just made it a lot more tolerable.

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What did you have to do for a guy dumping?

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I had covid 4 months ago with severe diarrhea. I also had a kidney transplant 3 years ago so I'm on immune suppressingsuppressing drugs. I was able to finally eat something for several weeks after getting diarrhea. Then one day the most severe nausea I've ever had in my life. And also had severe burning in my bowel. My stomach line was so sensitive I couldn't even take a vitamin. Even my transplant medications were upsetting my stomach. My doctor put me on omeprazole. I can barely eat anything probably about six different foods especially dairy and breads are nasty. Severe pain and bloating in my stomach. After 4 weeks omeprazole wasn't working it just got worse. I was going to the bathroom a little everyday. Then one day I got the runs and it empty my bell completely. Now I feel like I have no bloating or no stomach pain but I haven't eaten for 2 days I'm afraid to eat now that eating going to start again discomfort and pain again. Has anybody dealt with this situation. A naturopath suggests that it's probably candida that's causing the extreme inflammation in the stomach lining.

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@lbyrd02

From the studies I've read, Covid plays havoc on our gut bacteria, so the last time I saw my cardiologist I asked if it would be beneficial to empty my gut of all bacteria and start all over. Thankfully, he felt the benefits exceeded the risk and we did a two-week dumping and he suggested I use VSL#3 over the counter probiotic to rebuild the gut bacteria. Didn't get rid of the gut issue entirely, just made it a lot more tolerable.

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what is a gut dumping? How did he get rid of the bacteria? And what is VSL#3

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