Covid and IBS D

[Squash56]

I unfortunately have Covid this is day 4 the normal symptoms are improving, although I have IBS D it’s been ok for the past 4 months. However on day 2 of Covid, I started with bad D worse than I’ve ever known, explosions / green colour and most unpleasant. Very painful wind as soon as I eat. It’s now the end of day 4 and the D is still bad , like a tap. I googled it and it advised not to take loperamide with Covid as it could make the virus last longer in your body. I have therefore been of course drinking lots of water (for Covid and the D) and also taking dioralyte to keep my fluids up. Has anyone else experienced this ? and if so how long does it last? When can I start taking Loperamide ?

Thank you in advance for any information.

[Chocolate41]

Yes I also have covid and am on day 5 feeling a little better but throat still swollen and sore.On day 3 I had diarrhoea on an off all day.I have just been drinking bottled water and haven’t had it back thank goodness.Covid goes to your weak spot I think

I didn’t have to take Loperamide it just went on it’s own.

[Squash56 in reply to Chocolate41]

Thanks for your reply, hope you are over the worse of Covid, if my Diarrhoea stoped I’d feel much better. I’ll give it another couple of days then take some loperamide .

[Blearyeyed]

I would contact the surgery , or the local hospital to speak by phone to someone who is working in the COVID care Department.Omicron , has a variant that my friend suffered from ( she also has IBS - D like you ) . It is a type of COVID Gastroenteritis. Her diarrhea had changed colour , she felt like vomiting all the time but didn't , the pain was worse than usual IBS as well as having usual flu like symptoms.

Interestingly , people with COVID Gastroenteritis often test negative for COVID with an LFT test , it only shows up in the hospital test as my friends did when she ended up going to hospital.

Your diarrhea therefore , may not just be the effect of IBS - D flaring up with COVID . It could be diarrhea caused by COVID or COVID Gastroenteritis. Therefore , you may get better help by telling the GP or hospital . They will probably have some sort of antibiotics or other medication that could help you that they don't usually give to patients with usual COVID symptoms.

They will usually prescribe the best type of electrolyte drinks for your infection type.

If not , they might be able to give useful advice especially about whether , in your case , you should stop certain medications or take something else than Loperamide.

Keep well hydrated , and I hope you feel better soon , Bee

[Rod2020]

When I had covid I had terrible vomiting & D so I think covid made my ibs worse.

[Squash56 in reply to Rod2020]

Thanks for your reply, I’m still suffering with the diarrhoea ongoing for 4 days so starting to get concerned as it’s like nothing I’ve experienced before. I vomited once on day 2 and then D started.Covid positive 5 days ago so believe it must be linked.

Can I ask how many days did your V & D last and did you stop trying to eat anything just take in fluids?

I’ll phone GP on Monday as 111 NHS so very busy.

[Rod2020]

I had the v & D for a couple of days and didn,t eat for a few days, I just took paracetamol and drank tea & water.

[Squash56 in reply to Rod2020]

Thank you, I feel worried now as it 4 days of bad diarrhoea. Being on my own doesn’t help.

[Pumpkin2009]

I had Covid 19 in November 2020. like you, D & vomiting horrible and choking sinus drainage, lost tastee, and other symptoms. My taste still has not returned and thinking it may not now. Nausea has mostly gotten better. D continues to be an issue, for the most part, daily, sudden and at times explosive. I also have lupus, so that kind of muddies the waters. I saw on immunologist recently and had slightly elevated tryptase which could mean mast cell activation which is linked with Covid 19. I have started treatment for mast cell activation syndrome to see if it helps. It is too early to tell. Hopefully, you are recovering from Covid 19 and won't be along hauler. It is not fun.

lots of healing hugs.

[Squash56 in reply to Pumpkin2009]

Thank you for your reply, you have certainly had a tough time hope the treatment helps you. Talked to my GP today he advised that with some people Covid has caused gastroenteritis type symptoms and it should pass but to get back in touch if it doesn’t.I did also get a prescription for anti sickness tablets which I’ll use if I have to. It’s day 7 for me so seems to be taking me longer to recover than a lot of people with Omicron.

[Pumpkin2009 in reply to Squash56]

Wishing you all the best. If you continue to have symptoms, do reach out to your doctor.

Healing hugs.