Gut problems with Pavlovid

[Sweetpea0508]

hiya, never posted before but just seeking advice. I have GPA was diagnosed at the start of COVID. I currently take azathioprine. After avoiding it for all this time COVID finally got me and I’ve finished a course of Paxlovid. Despite some residual symptoms mainly breathing difficulties I have recovered but have been left with stomach issues. I am painfully bloated, have aching in my lower abdomen, pale stools and a decrease in appetite. Has anyone else experienced this? If so any tips to get my gut back to normal? Thanks very much

[AmyS1]

See you GP if you stools are pale. It may be something else.

[eh66]

For me I would be eating a wide variety of vegetables, fruits and nuts, especially those high in fibre and polyphenols. If you can tolerate with a weakened immune system; live fermented foods like live yogurt, kefir, saurcraut, kimchi etc.

Dr. Will Bulsiewicz; theplantfedgut.com/book/

[PreetyK]

Hi there,I was suffering with stomach issues only to understand that I was not prescribed antacid along with the medicines (when I was taking ibuprofen and paracetamol with diagnosis pending). Omeprazole or Lansaprazole on empty stomach first thing in the morning sorted the issue slowly for me. And then I was recommended azathioprine and prednisolone. But if issues persist I usually reach out to rheumatology nurse or rhuemetologist to adjust the antacid dosage. Hope this helps you in some way.

[Diamister]

hi. I’ve just completed a 5-day course of paxlovid. I’ve had a look at the patient info leaflet and other sources and your side effects are pretty much what they warn may happen. All I’ve had is a rotten metallic taste and slightly looser bowels although I’ve also been on antiobiotics so hard to tell what’s caused what!)

Normally these will reduce as you complete the course but if they don’t then I’d speak to the person who prescribed.

It’s not a drug that’s been around for ages so it might be worth recording your experiences (there a link in the info leaflet) which can help the manufacturers get their warnings right.

Hope you get over it soon. It’s worked pretty well for me I think. I tested neg for Covid on day 6 and have less of the post-viral weariness than I’ve had on previous doses of Covid.

I’m not a medial professional so these are just my thoughts given what I’ve read. Interestingly paxlovid was not originally recommended by the NHS regional prescribing team but my hospital renal pharmacy team overruled them with the latest guidance. So it’s a bit of a minefield when it comes to Covid treatment for renal patients at least.

Good luck.

Steve

[Downtime]

Yes I have to say I gave up on it because of stomach issues. Awful bloating constant indigestion and constipation. I recovered normally from Covid. My stomach did get better once I stopped and just treated it gently for a few days 🤞

[RichardGPA65yrs]

Hi, pale stools could be a liver problem. Probably worth seeing your GP for blood test of liver function. If only to see if you can take Paxlovid again in the future or not.

I hope that you get better soon

[Paprika60]

Me too! I avoided Covid without vaccine for two years and finally caught it for the first time.

After finishing Paxlovid, I ate organic Kefir for two weeks (despite the fact I normally don't eat dairy) to renormalise my gut. Lots of greens and fruit along with bean based food too. To ensure I get back my healthy gut back, I have also been taking Probiotic (by Victoria Health) that has 8 variety of healthy bacterium. My bowel movement is finally back to normal but I will continue with the bottle till I finish. Hope that helps. Good wishes

[Sweetpea0508]

Thankyou so much for all your replies that is all really helpful! Have felt very alone since being diagnosed particularly as it was through COVID. Still learning about how this condition affects my life. It’s so nice to feel less alone with it. Thank you all very much

[ZiggyDiego]

I’ve had awful gut problems since I had Paxlovid (and COVID) at Christmas. My situation is complicated as I have reflux anyway (thanks prednisolone) and had my gallbladder removed last year. Have had some residual problems from that. But my stomach was so much worse after Covid. I had a gastroscopy and colonoscopy and was told I have gastritis. Some days it’s worse than others. I hadn’t made the Paxlovid connection but will definitely mention when I see doctors in 2 weeks so thanks for mentioning.