Covid and ibs : In December I got Coivd and why... - IBS Network

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Covid and ibs

bodrumboy profile image
9 Replies

In December I got Coivd and why the Coivd was not good I had no Ibs symptoms my toilet was regular no acid I felt normal and for few weeks after. I did not eat much why I had covid all I had was apples ice lollys and fizzy sweets and I know I drunk lot of water.

I wish I had the power to eat small and drink more water all the time. But once you get back to work and the stress of life old habits come back

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bodrumboy
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Beechview profile image
Beechview

HiI know what you mean about having all those good intentions that last till lunch time then oops you eat a bit too much and your body makes you pay.

There's a really cool drink container you can get, I've seem them in couple of places like b&m, asda. They have markers on that indicate how much you should have drunk by lunch time, then dinner, then evening. Sometimes it can help to actually see how much you are drinking. I can't touch fizzy drinks, too much gas and just discovered sugar free squash makes me bloated and gassy so stuck with plain old water. The only positive is its free 🤣

I really try hard to brainwash myself that if I eat snack meals I can have more of them. I don't know about you but I eat a meal feeling really satisfied then 20 mins later it hits the digestive system and OMG feels like I have swallowed half a cow. I would do anything to turn back the clock, but yes, next day do exactly the same. Self discipline definitely not my strong point. Digestive problems are pure torture if you are a food lover.

Good luck with your desire to eat smaller and drink more water. Please please share any tips if you succeed always desperate to be more healthy

Tc 👍

bburzycki profile image
bburzycki

When I am sick or work out and have other pains and soreness I can see reduction of ibs symptoms. I assume my body is too busy trying to find out what is going on to worry about ibs? It is hard to know but I have seen similiar findings.

xjrs profile image
xjrs

Have you been getting any help with your IBS? Here is some information about IBS that I have shared with others in this group in case any of these tips are of interest to you:

IBS can be due to a number or combination of factors - these can be stress (including stress from early life experiences) which impacts the communication between the brain and the digestive system. There are lots of free webinars online at the moment regarding mindfulness meditation which might help. Plus you can ask to be referred for CBT or something similar to reduce anxiety - I would have thought online appointments are available. Exercise can play a major role in IBS in terms of reducing stress, helping your gut microbiome and regulating bowel movements.

There is also not absorbing certain types of carbohydrates called FODMAPs very well, the residue ending up in the colon and bacteria feeding off them causing symptoms. Ordinarily feeding gut bacteria is a really good thing - when you feed good gut bacteria these produce by-products that have great health effects in the gut and throughout the body. However, in some people with IBS bad bugs might have the upper hand over good - these bad bugs may cause symptoms such as excess gas, pain or disordered bowel movements. There is an interesting infographic on this here:

gutmicrobiotaforhealth.com/....

This is why it’s worth trying probiotics such as Alflorex (which has been scientifically studied for IBS) to crowd out the bad bugs and make their numbers die down. If that doesn't work you can try the FODMAP elimination and reintroduction diet. This is normally under the guidance of a nutritionist via GP referral - this may not be possible at the moment so you can read about it online. If you download the Monash University FODMAP app and Kings College fodmap apps, they will tell you which foods contain FODMAPs and in what quantities. You can eliminate all FODMAPs for 2 weeks and then introduce each type of FODMAP one at a time starting in small quantities, increasing over a 3 day period and wait up to 4 days for symptoms. I go much slower than this - only introducing a small amount (1/4 to 1/3 of a normal portion size) of the same food for 3 days and then increase if tolerable or no symptoms and cut back to the previous amount if symptoms for longer and then try to increment again . I've read your microbiome can adapt to handling a new food if introduced very slowly and your bad bugs are under control with a good probiotic. Ideally you want to eat as many FODMAPs as you can since they are good for your health. Many people with IBS don't have diverse gut bacteria - it has been found that people who lack a diverse microbiome are more prone to diseases in general. In the long run, if you can get your symptoms under control, the ideal situation is to have a very varied diet - lots of different coloured fruits and vegetables, a variety of protein and carbohydrate sources including cereal fibres. This may seem a long way off, but with the right treatment all of this is possible. The year before last all I could consume to control my IBS was white rice, protein and limited low fodmap veg. Using the approach above (particularly introducing Alflorex) I am now able to consume far more foods - more than I've ever dreamed of including wholewheat bread which is unheard of for me.

If you are also suffering from pain, you may be suffering from visceral hypersensitivity (functional abdominal pain) - there is info about it here:

iffgd.org/lower-gi-disorder...

It is where the brain interprets the normal activity of the bowel as pain - this is due to a wearing down of neurons in pain control centres of the brain which can be caused by PTSD, neglect or abuse in childhood, extreme stressful events etc. The first line treatment is nerve pain agents such as low dose amitriptyline. There is a theory that being on something like amitriptyline for 6-12 months can help the pain control centre neurons to regenerate. Note that amitriptyline can cause constipation, but this can be helpful in people who are diarrhea dominant. Unfortunately I couldn't tolerate these. Linaclotide (for IBS-C only) & Alflorex have helped me with this intestinal pain.

You may also find assistance with anti-spasmodic medication such as mebeverine (Colofac) or enteric coated peppermint.

You can find some info on self management here:

theibsnetwork.org/the-self-...

If all of the usual IBS remedies fail and you are experiencing diarrhea, it is worth getting tested for BAM (Bile Acid Malabsorption), which can cause constant diarrhea - there is a separate test and treatment for that. Good luck.

bodrumboy profile image
bodrumboy in reply to xjrs

That very interesting what you say about visceral hypersensitivity. In the last 4 years I have a very traumatic experience I thought I cope well with it and up until that point always been ibs d now c

I will look in to this more thanks

Funkyfaerie profile image
Funkyfaerie

I often wonder if we don't think about it too much!?And while you were ill and probably worried about covid, you weren't thinking about your stomach!?

Just thoughts!

JulieB5200 profile image
JulieB5200 in reply to Funkyfaerie

I think there’s definitely some truth in this. I tend to have my stomach issues on my mind virtually all the time now we’re all stuck inside.Since lockdown my symptoms have been far worse.I think it definitely helps to concentrate on something else.

bodrumboy profile image
bodrumboy in reply to JulieB5200

Yes I travel lot for work and apart from the Ibs c I don't get any other things but when I'm back in the UK it start again at the start of the first lockdown I was at A&E with pain maybe I need a hobby lol

Funkyfaerie profile image
Funkyfaerie in reply to JulieB5200

Not easy though Julie....I'm constantly tuned in to my stomach. Most people don't even give theirs a thought, it just works.

Will1234 profile image
Will1234

Hi,Odd but had a similar type of experience. I was in hospital for kidney stone surgery and after , I ate small meals and had to drink lots of water , which I hated . Still have to say IBS d was much improved .

I have to take Potassium Citrate , which can cause intestinal , gastric issues , including D , however , I still felt my IBS D was much improved.

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