Covid Recovery: How can I manage GI issues?

My Long Covid issues included chronic diarrhea which became worse of the course of 5 months. I felt like I couldn’t leave the house for fear of having a soiling my pants unless I took Immodium AD. My GI doctor prescribed Xifaxan for 2 weeks because she said that sometimes remnants of the virus do not flush out of the body completely. Remnants can hang out in the intestines and wreak havoc. After the course of Xifaxan, I felt like a new person. Then I got Covid again, and had a relapse of diarrhea. I did stool samples just to be sure it wasn’t C-diff or parasites. The tests came back negative, so my doctor prescribed a 2nd course of Xifaxan, and that cleared up the diarrhea.

Thanks for sharing the information. I was wondering how you knew you needed Xifaxan? I believe I have SIBO, though gastro said no. I was going to do my own SIBO breath test, and I see Xifaxan is used a lot to remedy. Did you GI doc do a sibo test for you or something to know to prescribe? My 2nd bout of covid seems to have messed with my gut health a lot. Thanks for sharing.

Hi there,
I have had covid twice and my first case in October 2021 was not respiratory, but instead impacted my GI system and I developed a rash on my body, inside my mouth and in my throat. I also experienced heightened nerve sensitivity all over my body. I haven't been the same since. Prior to this, I had had some issues with my digestive system, brain fog, etc.... and through the elimination diet, I discovered a sensitivity to gluten and also lactose. Once I removed those, my body healed.... covid initiated something in me though and those, as well as many other problems arose and I'm still dealing with them. Along with severe gastrointestinal problems, I struggle with fatigue and at times particularly if my stress levels are higher, I experience numbness and tingling along the left side of my face, in my left shoulder, and down my left arm. I also have twitching in my left hand. I have seen an allergist who suggested a low fodmap diet and I'm now seeing a GI specialist. They just did an endoscopy and colonoscopy and detected thinning of my stomach. They took biopsies and they're considering if covid may have caused me to develop a stomach autoimmune disorder. Even with the diet changes, I have at least 2 days each week with stomach pain and diarrhea and sometimes more. I am now really allergic to tomatoes so I've eliminated those. They caused itching all over my body, followed by a migraine and then stomach cramps and diarrhea. I have been dealing with these issues for 2 years now and while I would love to say I'm getting better, I honestly think it's gotten worse. I'm hoping to discover answers soon and hopefully be on a path to healing.

I hope you have been able to recover and are feeling much better.

Be well!

Out of the blue I developed GI issues in the second six months of post Covid. I took Zifaxin for three weeks, which knocked down the abdominal pain by 50%. I then started taking Nortriptyline, which eliminated the abdominal pain. But a few days later I developed GERD. I added Famotidine, a prescription Prylosec, and I am almost recovered. My GI issues are not completely gone but I feel a heck of a lot better.

My was wife was in Israel on a tour from 5/2 to 5/11/23. When there she had a UTI and on return she was diagnosed with covid. She was in the hospital 3 different times during the week after her return for covid, She had a couple of UTI's within the first month of her return but none since. She continues to have constipation, severe pain on her right side/back, no energy, and poor near-term memory etc. She also has the early stages of dementia- she is 79- so her memory is not good- but is much worse since returning from her trip. We are moving from our home of 42 years this month. I feel if she could get better from the covid symptoms I could deal better with dementia issues. Any thoughts?

I have sibo again after getting diagnosed a few months ago and taking antibiotics but has a very high recurral rate. Seeing a Dr next month but for now low FODMAT diet seems to quiet it down a little

@duck43, that must be challenging for you and your wife, dealing with Covid recovery, early stages of dementia and moving from your long-time home. I invite you to also join the discussions with other caregivers in this support group:
- Caregivers: Dementia Support Group https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/caregivers-dementia/

Yes it is difficult- especially when nothing is working on my wife's problems. I have a daughter here in Cedar Rapids who is a nurse and another who is married to a dermatologist. Both are very supportive of Jeanie- my wife.. Prior to covid I saw signs of dementia- but nothing like they are now- and her gut/side hurts constantly. I think part of the problem is she does no exercise because she hurts so much. However, on those rare times when we can get her out to walk her mood changes. I hope that when we move the end of this week and she starts to get settled in that she will relax more- and feel better- no I pray that will be the case!! The other thing is that she is obsessed with the thought that she has colon cancer- but none has been detected. I think this is coming from two areas-A) she looks to find a solution on the internet and when she sees something that she thinks describes her symptoms that is what she believes she has and B) she is the youngest of 6 kids- two of which have died of cancer and one that currently has cancer. I asked her if this is on her mind and she says no. I read the comments on this site but I do not see anything to try at this time. We have DR appointment tomorrow- but I only expect that my wife will come away frustrated with any new items to try- and more pain and dementia to follow!!! Any ideas of what to try?

she is also exhausted most of the day.

I imagine she has been tested for celiac and other GI inflammation (microscopic colitis and other). Most of my family died in their 60's of cancers, so I know how that feels (I'm 69). There are early-stage dementia meds that can slow the progression (helps for a friend of mine). Does your church/community have visiting programs? I hope you are taking care of yourself as well; caretaking is hard. I don't know if she would accept homework assignments, like short walks or other exercize, doing puzzles (helps with dementia), or other.