Post Covid Long Term Chronic Constipation Like Marbles - Anybody Else?

Covid can cause GI inflammation and best to check with a gastro doctor before starting elimination diets. Pelvic PT and other exercises can help, but it is important to find the cause of the inflammation. My celiac disease was initiated by catching H1N1 flu 14 years ago. The only thing that controls that is not eating anything with gluten in it. A celiac panel blood test can show tTG, IgA, and IgG inflammation, but even if negative, people can still have intolerances to gluten or other foods. Herbs, fiber, and fluids aren't enough if something that you eat causes inflammation. My C (constipation) actually went away when I had covid in March, probably because my immune system was distracted. I assume the doctors have checked your "pebbles" to make sure you have a good mix of bacteria? Stool tests are good to rule out nasty things like c difficils bacterial overgrowths. Colonoscopies can rule out microscopic collitis and other damage. Illioscopies can see damage to the small intestines.

I've been dealing this COVID constipation issue since 12/26/22. So far I have found Magnesium oxide to be useful.

I started experiencing the same thing about a year ago (right after my relatively mild acute infection). I started taking a stool softener (docusate sodium) and that has helped. Bowl movements are not easy (and later in the day then previously) but I'm somewhat more "normal".

Me, too. Before Covid, I was diagnosed with IBS-D. Now, I feel I have the opposite - many pebbles. It's not fun and I've been completely checked out. If I use probiotics, etc., I go back to IBS-D. My plan right now is at least one prune a day, bran cereal in the morning, lots of water, 500 mg magnesium at night. If I get really "stopped up", I take Magnesium in the morning and at night. Too many days of that regime puts me right back in the IBS-D cycle. It's very uncomfortable and unpredictable. (Serious case of COVID in August 2020 so I'm going on 3 years of this nonsense.)

Omg so glad to hear this ! Out of the blue along with everything else the big C has struck ! I will try any and all suggestions . LC 🥵as soon as I get better one place something else strikes.

So sorry to hear regarding the length of time this issue has effected you. I have also found when I get stopped up, that dissolving 1/2 tsp. of 'sea salt' in boiling H20, then once dissolved, adding in cool water to bring the total liquid amount up to 2 cups of water, then drink. Takes a couple of minutes. If longer than a hour then I drink another 2 cps and that does the trick.

Hope your situation changes for the better soon.

On a side note: I also wonder from time to time if the vaccine also might have effected my system? I know of people who got the Madera vac and their body DNA was changed.

I've had chronic constipation since very young childhood: I am now 80. About 2 years ago, my newer doctor recommended that I start using Mira lax daily. I was very hesitant, since I've tried so many things. The laxative I'd been on for years {natural vegetable] was not truly dependable; sometimes having to take too many, resulting in very runny bowels. So, I have been on the miralax since, and it is truly a blessing! It is tasteless! It is dependable! I take it every night. I also have IBS, so now and then I skip a night when I need to. Good luck to you!!

I also have the "pebble" syndrome and will try the miralax.
Thank you all for the information. It's nice to hear from people who are going through the same thing and are willing to share their experiences.

Oh my goodness! Forgot to check back on my original post once I was healed - and yes, I am healed! I want to update you on how this happened. Shortly after my post ( nearly 1 year post Covid ), I began seeing a holistic minded chiropractor who also does acupuncture. I had a neck problem, but also wanted to discuss this issue. She immediately shook her head yes as I was describing it all, and understood and agreed with what I knew was happening. I had a strong immune system; I take probiotics; I had been Covid vaccinated; and then I got the strange intestinal only Covid. My immune system and the Covid vaccine were having a battle in my intestines post Covid. Intestinal inflammation was causing stool to stay in intestines too long, removing too much water from the stool, resulting in hard marble like stool.

She suggested a book called The Prime written by a doctor (here in the USA, but originally from India). She created a program for her (mostly obese) patients whom she discovered had very unhealthy gut/colon/intestines. Long story short - EXACTLY what was needed. A simple gut healing detoxification. No weird cleansing of innards, nothing like that. You do it in 3 stages: starts with making a tea each morning using 3 spices: fennel seed, cumin seed, coriander seed. Drink it all day. You begin taking something I already knew about and had forgotten: Triphala - it's simply 3 berries. Also add some natural fiber and ground flaxseed every few nights. And there were a few other simple things. My body responded almost immediately. The tea and Triphala soothed and reduced the inflammation. You add a few more things in stages 2 and 3. I am grateful every single day for a normal functioning gut. I also had 1 acupuncture treatment specifically focused on the gut. I think it also contributed to my healing.

I'm happy to share more details. Those of you still dealing with this - don't give up hope - our bodies are amazing at healing. We just need to help it a little and understand how.

Awesome share! Thanks! I've been doing a lot of research of Ayurveda and discovered Triphala. I will read the book. What is your main source of nutrition for your body? I've been plant based since 2011. Dr. McDougall starch diet has been a game changer for my health. -namaskaram