Covid Recovery: How can I manage GI issues?

Posted by sieb369 @sieb369, Jan 3, 2022

It has been 5 weeks since my COVID symptoms began. I am well past the isolation date. I had nausea and diarrhea during COVID along with the usual symptoms of cough, fatigue, rapid heartbeat and sinus issues. I have felt like I was over this, but I began having GI pain in the last week. I feel as if my intestines are sore on the inside. I guess it is inflammation. Has anyone else had this and is there anything I can do to help it? Probiotics maybe?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Post-COVID Recovery & COVID-19 Support Group.

Colleen, could you comment on SIBO as a diagnosis for GI issues. I have only found information on treating SIBO, etc. by online clinics. I don't know whether to trust them and payment is all out of pocket. Thank you.

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@welchllb

Colleen, could you comment on SIBO as a diagnosis for GI issues. I have only found information on treating SIBO, etc. by online clinics. I don't know whether to trust them and payment is all out of pocket. Thank you.

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Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) occurs when there is an abnormal increase in the overall bacterial population in the small intestine — particularly types of bacteria not commonly found in that part of the digestive tract. Read more from Mayo Clinic:
- Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/small-intestinal-bacterial-overgrowth/symptoms-causes/syc-20370168

You can also join SIBO related discussions in the Digestive Health group (https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/digestive-gastrointestinal-problems/) like this one:
- SIBO diet https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/sibo-diet/

Lucy, have you been diagnosed with SIBO? Are you lactose intolerant?

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I have not been diagnosed with SIBO. Previous to COVID, I had IBS (D). I learned to cope with it through diet. I have recently had a colonoscopy resulting in no particular pathogenic diagnosis. Since COVID (August 2020), I have suffered with constipation. I have tried ALL the different OTC options. After using each of these options, I end up with VERY URGENT multiple daily small stools (sometimes up to 15x/day). Then, I try something else. My gastro appointment is not until Oct 11th, so I have been exploring on my own. I heard about SIBO through Mayo Connect (which I love to follow). Thank you for listening.

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@welchllb

I have not been diagnosed with SIBO. Previous to COVID, I had IBS (D). I learned to cope with it through diet. I have recently had a colonoscopy resulting in no particular pathogenic diagnosis. Since COVID (August 2020), I have suffered with constipation. I have tried ALL the different OTC options. After using each of these options, I end up with VERY URGENT multiple daily small stools (sometimes up to 15x/day). Then, I try something else. My gastro appointment is not until Oct 11th, so I have been exploring on my own. I heard about SIBO through Mayo Connect (which I love to follow). Thank you for listening.

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Long COVID and GI issues are real. You might find this blog by Dr. Vanichkachorn, medical director of Mayo Clinic's COVID Activity Rehabilitation Program, about mental health and long COVID that is both validating and helpful:
– Cognitive Changes and Post-COVID https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/post-covid-recovery/newsfeed-post/cognitive-changes-and-post-covid/

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Thank you but I don't see how this article relates to my GI issues. I have no doubt that Long Covid is related to GI issues and mental health. I am not a doubter.

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@welchllb

Thank you but I don't see how this article relates to my GI issues. I have no doubt that Long Covid is related to GI issues and mental health. I am not a doubter.

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I know you're not a doubter, Lucy. I thought you might appreciate the validation. 🙂

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@tosha4n6

My 8 year old daughter had Covid in December. Since that time she has experienced extreme bloating every day. We tried dairy free and gluten free diets to see if that was the cause and it was not . We went to a pediatric GI where they did multiple X-rays, an ultrasound and endoscopy. Everything was normal. They told us at one point it was constipation and we did multiple cleanouts and rounds of miralax, however the problem persists. I am trying to figure out if this could be due to long term Covid and what else we can try to give her relief.

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Read all the comments on this subject as something may work. Two weeks of Xifaxan followed by Pepcid worked for me but you need to consult your pediatric GI MD.

I think my distress was caused by covid in late January because the problems started in early February. I had a mild case of covid.

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@morningrobin

Read all the comments on this subject as something may work. Two weeks of Xifaxan followed by Pepcid worked for me but you need to consult your pediatric GI MD.

I think my distress was caused by covid in late January because the problems started in early February. I had a mild case of covid.

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Thank you!! 🙂

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I am having long term diarrhea from covid. Any advise? This is terrible.

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@lacy459

I am having long term diarrhea from covid. Any advise? This is terrible.

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I take probiotics and prebiotics and it helps. I have a tendency of getting better and then getting worse again but probiotics and prebiotics do help.

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