Linzess and Bloating: What Users Say (Page 4)

• Reb...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 3, 2016

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "So I have been constipated since I was an infant. Only the colonoscopy bowel preps would ever give me a full bowel movement. I would drink that magnesium citrate when I got too bloated and uncomfortable. My GI doctor gave me some Linzess samples to try. I used Miralax at night and Linzess in the morning. On the first day, my body was shocked, and my bowels ejected lol... the second day I was constipated again. Third day, small bowel movement. I am hoping it will help with my abdominal pain and bloat, and I am sick of being in constant pain and discomfort."

• bmo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 22, 2018

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "I took Linzess for the first time a couple of hours ago. I didn’t know a single medicine could hit me this hard. It feels like I’m having a horrible IBS episode, I’m in ridiculous pain. Bloated, gassy... oh, and I am still constipated. I cannot take this medicine again, not if it causes this much pain each time."

• fae...
• March 9, 2017

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "I have been taking Linzess 290 mg for over 3 months now. In the beginning, I had a few experiences of diarrhea, but not so much now. What I cannot take is the stomach pain, gas, and bloating, which has gotten worse over time. I stopped taking the drug for a few days to determine if these symptoms were from the drug, and they were. The stomach pain came right back today when I took a dose. While it does help with the constipation, it is not worth the other side effects. Back to magnesium capsules I go."

• Dar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 21, 2024

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I have had chronic constipation for most of my life. I have gone as long as four weeks without a bowel movement. I have tried every laxative on the market with no success. My body is even resistant to the colonoscopy prep. Three doctors have tried to put me on Linzess and the insurance wouldn't cover it. This week I had a failed colonoscopy, the insurance finally approved the medication! I have been on the 290 Linzess for two days now. A lot of tummy rumbling, gas, and bloating, but no bowel movement yet. I am taking it on an empty stomach and waiting the prescribed 30 minutes, also drinking a lot. After reading these reviews, I am staying positive about success!"

• Meg...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 3, 2015

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "After six years of such extreme constipation that I was going maybe once a week, sometimes once every two weeks. Bloating to where it looked like I had a basketball under my shirt and such extreme gas I don't even want to go into it. And this was every day for six years. Every day. I'm scared to eat anything, absolutely anything. Then, after numerous doctor's visits and numerous doctors, I was given Linzess samples. For a month and a half, my life was completely changed, almost normal even. Then the samples ran out. I went to fill the prescription, it cost $500 a month! Even after the discount, I was in the $300 range after my deductible was met. I can't even remotely afford this. I'm devastated that I can afford this medication. Devastated!"

• Mel...
• June 3, 2017

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I have been on the medication for the last 7 days for chronic constipation and gastrointestinal pain. It has produced daily bowel movements in the form of diarrhea or very loose stools. However, it has also resulted in unbearable abdominal and intestinal pain, nausea, gas, distention, bloating, inability to eat, intestinal gurgling, and intestinal spasms that last 12 full hours after taking this medication. I was so hopeful that this would be effective, and it has produced daily stools (diarrhea and loose stools) but at the compromise of feeling 10 times worse than I have felt not having any bowel movements or minimal bowel movements before taking this medication."

• tif...
• December 9, 2016

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I have been taking Linzess for a few months now. I have diarrhea almost every day, which most times leads to accidents. I went to my GI specialist, and she suggested I take IB Gard to help with the diarrhea. I am tired of having diarrhea every day and not knowing when it's gonna come. I go to work, and I still have accidents at work, it's embarrassing and disgusting. I have not had any help with bloating or stomach pain. I was on 145 of Linzess, but that didn't work very well, so the doctor put me on 290, it just makes me feel miserable."

• Gar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 4, 2023

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "This medication has changed my life. I've suffered from chronic constipation for as long as I can remember, and nothing has worked. It got to the point where I could only go to the bathroom with suppositories, and even then, it was an incomplete bowel movement. I was in constant pain every time I ate anything. I had constant bloating and the inability to go to the bathroom but feeling like I had to go. Linzess works amazingly, but there are severe side effects that you may get. You must be near a toilet at all times for the first hour or two after you take it. For that reason, I sometimes don't take it every day. It has been life-changing in that I am no longer constantly feeling bloated and constantly feeling constipated and in pain. I'm able to go on walks and work out, which I didn't feel comfortable doing before. I've also lost at least 20 lbs since I started Linzess, and I know that that is not what it's for, but it's just been a positive side effect. Be prepared that it will be almost pure water coming out."

• Esi...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 9, 2016

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "This medicine only worked in the beginning. In the beginning, it made me go like two to three times a week. My doc increased the dosage to 290 mg, and I am miserable! With the 290 mg, I am completely unable to go and extremely bloated and gassy. I look pregnant! It is so depressing not being able to go."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 18, 2017

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "I had constipation for a few years. My bowel movements were so bad, I used to cry because I was in so much pain. I couldn't eat because I was so scared to have a bowel movement, I was always bloated. I finally made an appointment to see a GI specialist. Linzess 290 mcg was prescribed. This capsule changed my life on the toilet. I take it every morning on an empty stomach before breakfast with a glass of water. Before I was introduced to Linzess, I used laxative teas, stool softeners, OTC laxatives, nothing changed. I dieted, ate fiber, fruits, and had glasses of water, nothing. This medication worked for me."

• Sic...
• February 19, 2016

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "I have chronic IBS, and I had the diarrhea IBS when I was young. I'd go before dinner was over; now I don't go for weeks, and if I do, they are pearls. ;( I went to the doctor 2 days ago. I got a sample; my doctor said you don't bloat or cramp when you take this, which was not true. I looked this up because I'm in such dying pain. I've been miserable for 2 hours now, and I've gone 12 times. Every time I sit down, I get stomach pains. I run to the bathroom to explode. I'm getting leg cramps from sitting too much. I was using a heating pad. Now my butt burns. I need butt paste to heal, and for the last hour, I've had contractions of pain. Nausea, chills, and anxiety to go again, with panic and a burned butt with poo-looking particles of sand."

• Sja...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 14, 2017

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "So I took one yesterday and nothing happened. Took one today around 4ish. Around 6 pm I started to have severe gas and bloating. My stomach has been bubbling since 6 pm, it is now 1 am, and I have been having explosive diarrhea since 7 pm. Just want to go to sleep on the toilet. My butt is raw now, and my stomach is bubbling now as I type. I counted seven trips to the bathroom. Good luck to anyone who takes this."

• Lin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 6, 2016

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I've suffered from constipation for most of my life. I started using Linzess about 2 months ago, and it's prevented me from getting in the shape that I was in, but I don't feel as if it's regulating me nor cleansing my bowels. I can't take it as directed because I work in the AM. Every dose I take bloats me, and I'll have either a lot of explosive diarrhea or no bowel moments at all. I'm thankful for the relief it gives me, but I'm afraid I'm getting used to the medicine, and my body isn't reacting to it as it did in the beginning. But I do know that when taken as directed with lots of water, the Linzess works a lot better. :)"

• Ell...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 20, 2019

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I have had more issues with tummy pain, bloating, and nausea than with just constipation. Sometimes I won't go to the bathroom for 2 days. My gastroenterologist put me on Linzess. I go to the bathroom a little bit more often, but I didn't see a huge difference. The only thing that really helped me and made a huge difference in my life was going NON-GMO. My allergist told me that my digestive system couldn't handle genetically modified foods. It's like an explosion takes place in your stomach after you eat. Please, if you're in pain, look pregnant, and can't go to the bathroom, try a NON-GMO diet. I'm not a doctor, and I'm not telling you what to do, but this is what works for me."

• Con...
• August 18, 2015

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "Tried Linzess for about three months after fighting with the insurance company to cover it. It worked well for that time, similar to the once popular Zelnorm. However, at the third month, I bloated all over my body. This was listed as a side effect, so I stopped taking it and returned to Align. Too bad!"

• Nan...
• November 13, 2016

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "Linzess 290 only worked for 3 days, then I went right back to chronic constipation. I continued to take it for about 2 months, nevertheless. No results. I had terrible side effects: bloating and cramps. Eventually, I turned back to old-fashioned laxatives out of desperation. I'm still suffering from chronic constipation to this day. Change in diet and exercise has had no effect."

• Kay...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 8, 2019

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I have been so nauseated and weak. I have gained weight and bloated all the time. I have bouts of diarrhea and still feel bloated. I am so weak and sick to my stomach right now that I told my husband I need to look this up because the only thing different is the Linzess. I go to look it up and find it's definitely the medication. Wow, why is this still on the market? I definitely will not be taking any more of this medication."

• Jen...
• January 13, 2016

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I have experienced chronic constipation since I was diagnosed with systemic lupus 15 years ago. I have tried nearly every over-the-counter remedy with only short-term relief. I have been on 185 mg Linzess for a month and am happy when it actually works. Maybe it is too soon to decide if it is a great drug to relieve my constipation, but so far, it only stimulates a bowel movement 2-3 days/week; most often within 2 hours of taking the drug on an empty stomach. The other days, I am bloated, constipated, and full of gas."

• Wyn...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 22, 2019

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "Started on the lowest dosage, and when that didn't do anything to help with either constipation or the cramps with my IBS, my Dr. upped the dosage to 145 mg. This has definitely helped with the constipation, but the cramps and the bloating haven't changed. My constipation is relatively minor (I'd go once or twice a week during episodes) and was mostly looking for something to help with the awful stomach pains I got. Linzess hasn't really done a whole lot for me in that regard, hoping to find something better."

• Mr ...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 13, 2018

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I have been taking this drug for a couple of weeks, having been on the drug for 7 months previously before it stopped working. The bowel movements are good, considering I have chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC). I am finding it hard managing the drug: one day good bowel movement, next day diarrhea. I also find it sends a lot of water to the anal area, which makes being at work very hard because you constantly feel uncomfortable! I would advise anyone to keep milk, bread, and potatoes to a minimum, or this drug will cause hideous bloating and wind."

• D L...
• January 26, 2016

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I first experienced very good results with this medicine. Now, being on it for 4 months, I have had some side effects now for the past week. Feels like I have more bloating than before and frequent bowel movements, along with nausea and feeling pressure in my colon more so than before. Pain so intense that I have been taking Motrin to ease the uncomfortable feelings I have been having for a week now. I am reporting to my doctor tomorrow or as soon as possible."

• Rac...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 12, 2017

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "I have IBS mixed. Alternating constipation and overflow diarrhea. My doctor gave me 145 mg of Linzess to take 30 minutes before dinner. Nothing but gas. Then she said to take it with dinner. Two hours later, I had diarrhea a few times the first week. Then I got terrible stomach cramps a few hours later. I would go, but it was hard to pass, and a lot. The next couple of days, I would have the same stomach pain, have hard stools, but then diarrhea right after. I was all over the place. I told my doctor, and she gave me 245 mg and 30 minutes before dinner. It's been a few days, and I think my body is still adjusting because I did have diarrhea. But I've had many normal bowel movements! I feel it coming after I eat or wake up and go like normal! No belly pain, bloating, or rumbling. I hope I am finally stabilized!"

• Mar...
• October 2, 2015

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "Yesterday, I got samples from my GI doctor for Linzess, took it this afternoon 30 minutes before eating anything, had a yogurt, then got very bad cramps, pains, and bloating within 1 hour of taking it. It's now hours later, and I have been having very bad runs. Will not be taking this medicine anymore. Calling doctor to let her know the bad side effects."

• sno...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 22, 2019

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I used to take this medication occasionally to clear myself out, and it worked, but you do need to plan on being home for 3 to 5 hours, which isn't easy. I recently tried it daily, and some days it worked, and others I had to double up, as it wasn't enough, then I was on the toilet for, again, up to 5 hours. I read some scary reviews about this medication causing deaths, people? and so many horrific health issues. If you Google it, you will see the reports. It feels that I am trapped at home taking this, and then I have bloating like crazy, and it doesn't feel positive. I am going to stop taking it and go back to natural fiber pills and herbal laxatives. I take a natural mild laxative with rhubarb root and aloe in it, and it works much better all at once, rather than this one being explosive and watery with no warning. There must be a better alternative, as this med isn't good for daily use with all of the side effects and lasting several hours of being toilet bound daily."

• Tan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 9, 2016

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I have been on opioids for about 5 plus years for chronic pains. After a couple of years of using Miralax (joke), and several herbal blends and stool softeners, I asked my doctor for help. He gave me Linzess 290 mcg. I've been taking it on an empty stomach in the mornings for 2 weeks, and I haven't even noticed I've taken anything, except for a little bloating. Linzess should NOT be given for OIC (opioid-induced constipation) as it is useless. I will be asking for something else, maybe Relistor? It has preloaded injectables now. Has anyone had any experience with it? I'm desperate! The worse my constipation, the worse my body pains are. I'm convinced it's related. I have fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, neuromyofascial pain, etc."