Covid and ibs flare

[ShamrockNY]

Hi everyone. I’m new here.  Just found this board while goggling for doctors for help.  I have dealt with IBS in the past but what I’m experiencing now is just god awful. I have been to two gastro doctors. Had multiple tests, ct scan, Endo, colonscopy, ultrasounds and blood work. All cleared.  I have been suffering for 5 months now every day all day. It started with pain in my upper right area under my ribs. I thought it was gallbladder related.  It then turned into horrific gas and movement throughout my gut but mainly settling in the same upper right area.   My stomach always feels hungry even if i eat.  I lost over 10ths because it’s difficult to eat. Every day has become so difficult. The pain has me up at night and throughout the day.  I was an extremely active person before this. Had to mention i had covid and then several weeks later these symptoms began and I haven’t had a day for relief since.   Some days i will make numerous trips to the bathroom. Other days just feel like it do but don’t.  Doctors have been so unhelpful and dismissive. I am disgusted by the treatment.  One doctor told me to go to a psychiatrist and get medication… can you believe it.  I am in the field myself and very aware of anxiety and the gut connection.  And yes is my anxiety up YES because i feel so sick and no answers.   I just want my life back and not sure where to turn.  Looking for alternative doctors to see what can help.  Anyone else have constant pain on their right side with gas and never any relief.   Now they want me to do a gastric emptying study to see if my stomach is emptying properly. I don’t believe this is the issue.  I have done so many tests I’m disgusted. Thank you for listening and I appreciate any sharing and thoughts that anyone has.  Anyone experience awful stomach issues after covid with no diagnosis?    Best of health to everyone and hope you feel better soon. It’s awful feeling so lousy.  

[Jeffrey Roberts]

Your situation does sound rather puzzling. If it is Covid related then this is unfortunately new territory for everyone. Doctors are only learning as they go along about the effects that covid causes. I know a lot of GI doctors across the country and I don't know if any that are focusing on covid related symptoms.

One thought, if you feel something might be going on, is to try and get an intestinal ultrasound which is different than the usual abdominal ultrasound. It looks very closely at the thickness of your bowel walls in the small intestine. Another test is a called MR Enterography. It's a little different than the standard MRI as it looks again specifically at the small bowel and organs. Lastly, you could see if a capsule study is right for you. You swallow a capsule which takes pics of your bowel all the way through.

I don't think you should dismiss a referral to a psychiatrist. It's not for your anxiety, but rather they know medications that can help manage the constant pain. You would likely be given a small dose of a medication in order to benefit from the anticholingeric effect. Psychiatrists help patients with migraines, fibromyalgia, and other ailments. It's not all that unusual.

I hope this is helpful.

[ShamrockNY]

Thank you for your reply.  I since have had a SIBO test done testing positive for methane SIBO.  My GI doc is not that experienced with treating it.  She prescribed some antibiotics and are waiting for my insurance company to approve.  The tests you mentioned sound beneficial. First I need to find a new GI and mention it to them.  I just have constant upper right abdominal pain and gas 24/7. It’s awful. Never feel a complete bowel movement and always have terrible hemorrhoids. It’s just awful.  Anything I eat bother my stomach to the point of. Not wanting to eat. Eating low FODMAP diet and trying my best.  Still haven’t found a doctor that cares enough to try to help.  Thank you again for your kind words 

[Mom of IBS teen]

Just know you are not alone. My daughter has been diagnosed w/ IBS-C for a few years. She had Covid in Aug. ‘22, and hasn’t been able to get out of the flare up since. Her GI said that Covid attacks the nerves, and b/c IBS patients often/usually have hyper sensitive nerves in the gut & brain, they are seeing a lot of flare ups for patients with IBS. Hopefully the SIBO meds helped. Hang in there.