Linzess and Cramps: What Users Say (Page 4)

• All...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 28, 2015

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "I was diagnosed with IBS after a long, painful battle with RLQ abdominal pain. I was prescribed Linzess. Before I took Linzess, I could go to the bathroom every single day, multiple times if I needed to. First day of Linzess - cramps literally DOUBLED my original rating of an 8 on a 1-10 pain scale, 10 being the worst pain in life. I was in complete agony until it wore off. Couldn't go to the bathroom at all. Second day of Linzess - cramps literally TRIPLED my pain. I've been in bed crying because I can barely talk due to being in so much pain, and yet, still no bowel motion. Not only is this medication making my pain much worse, it also caused me to become constipated because I wasn't constipated before. I will NOT be using this medication again."

• Gor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 7, 2019

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "Dr. gave me samples. Today had BAD abdominal cramping. Took my first pill and ate about 45 mins later. 2 hrs later BAD severe stools that were all water. The side effects said this is the no. 1 side effect that can happen the 1st 2 weeks... never expected 2 hrs. Very disappointed."

• cMo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 6, 2015

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I was prescribed this drug due to chronic constipation due to hyperparathyroid. It helps most days, but only if I take Senokot the evening before. On its own, it didn't work well. I cramp badly all day until I get relief."

• Cra...
• December 20, 2015

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "May help an occasional constipation, but for chronic IBS, did not help me. Water trickled out after approx. 30 minutes after taking Linzess, then nothing but severe cramping. A waste of money. A lot of cash. Took as directed, for 21 days, notified the gastro, he told me to discontinue use."

• Sai...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 11, 2021

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "Is this supposed to work? I’ve been on it for 5 days now, and I had terrible cramps but had soft stool after 4 hours. Day 2, I had watery stool once and cramps. Day 3, nothing, Day 4, nothing, Day 5, now still nothing. I can’t relate to everyone here blowing out their bathroom. I wish I had that. My doctor refuses to up my dosage and says to keep taking it even though it isn’t working. I’m going to try the fridge like some suggested. What else do I have to lose but more $$$."

• SWa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 23, 2020

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "I have been taking Linzess for about 3 months for IBS-C. At first, I was taking it every day, but it was resulting in daily diarrhea and cramping, so I switched to every other day. I still get a little bit of cramping and loose stool when I take it, but it doesn’t last long, and I would prefer this than going 3-5 days without having a BM, which results in even more bloating, cramping, and pain for me."

• Dis...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 8, 2017

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "I started taking Linzess 145 in January 2017. It worked great for a couple of weeks and then suddenly stopped working. I had to resort to Milk of Mag. I gave it another try, and it worked on and off. I gave it one more try, and all I have is horrible gas and cramps, even after a bowel movement. Seems like my life revolved around this med. I have an appointment with my PCP next week and will discuss it with her. I am currently not taking any medication but still feel effects from it after 5 days of not taking it."

• GWI...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 18, 2018

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "I was on Linzess 145 for a bit. Then it wasn’t working. Tried 290s. They worked for a few years but had to go to every other day. Lots of diarrhea and accidents because of no control. I was just living with it for years because I was so happy not to be constipated. My doctor heard me say I had accidents and said we needed to fix it. Put me on 72s, was not enough. I had samples, so I continued but on 2-72s. Worked awesomely. 290s every other day took about 5 hours to work and a lot to a minimal amount of diarrhea. 2-72s every day work in 1-2.5 hours. Formed stools with only a couple of times of a minute amounts of diarrhea. So tried 1-145 per day. Awful, first one didn’t go at all and lower stomach cramps. Bad. Then next day, 2-72s, so much better. My point is the 72s are new, and I swear there’s a new component in them that works so well. Weird, I know. Just wanted to know if anyone has taken and seen a big difference in taking one 145 and the two 72s?"

• Pat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 11, 2018

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "I was diagnosed with IBS-C years ago. Have struggled with it since then. Had an episode with diverticulitis about a year ago. The gastroenterologist treated the episode, but issues continued for the next year. Recently saw a new doc, and he re-diagnosed IBS-C. I started Linzess 290 and had severe bloating, cramping, and diarrhea. I used it for 5 days, the doc told me to give it a week, and I had to stop. Couldn't go to work, too many runs to the bathroom and an accident or two prevented that. I requested the dosage be reduced as despite the 'issues' I was going! I will wait and start the new dosage over the weekend. Fingers crossed the major issues are less and I can function again."

• Hap...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 27, 2017

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "I have IBS-C. I took Linzess 145 for 4 days now. Worked good until today! Incomplete bowel movements and bloating, cramping some too! I do not know if I should up the Linzess to 290? Sort of scared to do that. I really had high hopes for Linzess!! Because I do suffer from constipation too."

• ibs...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 19, 2020

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "I took 72 mcg for IBS-C and CIC. I had severe diarrhea, bloating, cramping, rumbling, and fatigue. I switched from taking it once a day to every other day and still had the side effects. I then switched to once a week and still had terrible side effects. I could hardly function. For reference, I'm a 150 lb 18 y/o female."

• Kai...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 3, 2018

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "I had chronic IBS-C for years and was on opiates for at least 6 years. The suffering I had on Linzess for 2 weeks I have anxiety just thinking about it. When I was taking opiates, I would have a bowel movement once a week. I never had gas, cramping, or any other issue other than going once a week. Recently, I started Linzess at the request of my doctor. See, I had been stuck without a BM for almost 3 weeks. I went to the hospital twice because of this rare pain and not having a BM. I did find out I had a hernia, but it didn't have anything to do with it. The first day on Linzess I had no BM, but the next day I was helping my husband pack for a work trip and... well, I had to throw away those pajamas. This kind of thing continued for 11 days. My doctor took me off the medication, and 4 days later I still am afraid of leaving the house. When will the pain and pooping end!!"

• Toi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 15, 2017

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I have been given the 290 samples, and I'm usually tied down to the toilet for about 3 to 4 hours afterwards. I've only been on the 290 mcg for three days. I called my doctor to see if I could get the 145 mcg, and I am starting those tomorrow. I do have to say my cramps have gone down tremendously, even though I get them here and there. But nothing like what they used to be. Here's to hoping the 145 works better!"

• lil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 12, 2022

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I started Linzess two and a half weeks ago after intense cramping brought me to the ER. I have struggled with chronic constipation over the last several years because of taking buprenorphine for chronic pain. I then went to a gastroenterologist who prescribed this medication and instructed me to take 72 mcgs, plus Metamucil and Miralax, but the combination just increased my gas, bloating, and cramping, including severe pain in my pelvic floor. I have been originally taking an herbal tea with senna in it, but it stopped working after a few years. The Linzess worked in settling down my upper GI tract but not for my lower. I'm constantly dealing with zero motility and need a laxative to get moving, but Linzess doesn't seem to work. My doctor told me to take two if I went two days without a BM, and that was a mistake. The cramping and bloating I got was horrible. I'm also losing too much weight. I have to go back to the gastro doc, but Linzess definitely isn't for me."

• EGr...
• October 30, 2016

"I was diagnosed with gastroparesis in 2012 and have a neuro-abdominal stimulator transplant. I take both strengths: 290 when home and 145 when I travel. Both work well as I have no ability for food to move out of my stomach. I do take it every morning, and while I can consider it a bit violent at times (stay close to a bathroom after a couple of hours of taking it), if I don't take it, I will not have any movement. I don't care for Miralax or other over-the-counter medications as I experience a lot of bloating, gas, and cramps before it finally kicks in... and it takes too long to kick in for me. My specialist has approved me to take the different strengths; I still don't know over the long term what effects will be on my kidneys or liver."

• Chr...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 29, 2022

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "After reading the reviews here, I was worried about taking the drug for moderate constipation. Here’s my story: I’ve been getting worsening constipation since quitting smoking 15 years ago at age 35. I always eat healthy whole foods (not processed), exercise 3-5 days per week, and drink over 50 oz of water daily, and still have constipation! 2 years ago, I developed SIBO - a bacterial overgrowth of the intestines associated with constipation, IBS, and the like. My experience with Linzess 145 mcg capsules: great! I did not have diarrhea at all, no cramps either. It’s not a complete “cure” for me, I still take Miralax twice a week, plus keeping up my healthy eating and exercise. If I don’t drink water, it won’t work as well. Also, it took a couple of months for me to get “regular,” but I finally am “regular” and have been for the last 3 months."

• bre...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 31, 2024

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "Day 4 on Linzess, I pooped 12 big poops, no diarrhea, I am so happy. I am on 145 mg, take Linzess at 7 am, eat at 7:40 am, and on the toilet at 8:30 doing my business. I am so glad that I finally got a doctor who listened to me. I had a little cramping, but that's it. This is a miracle drug, love it, it works for me."

• bre...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 29, 2024

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "I've been taking Linzess for 2 days now. The first day, nothing, today is the second day, and man, am I going to the bathroom. Again, regular. Guess it's getting all the constipation out. It feels good to be able to go. Before Linzess, I was going every 2 months and had to take 6 different laxatives. I'm taking the 145 mg. Feels good to go again, no side effects except cramping when a bowel movement is coming."

• Suz...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 26, 2021

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "Initially, upon taking medication for about the first 2-3 months, it worked well and I had to take care to watch the consistency of my bowel movements as well as any indication that I might be coming down with a case of cramping, excess thirst, bloating, and eventually diarrhea. Now, after 6 months on Linzess, I can take four 290 mg capsules and it doesn't do anything. I don't have diarrhea, I'm constipated for weeks and bloated. The only way I seem to be able to have a bowel movement is if I take a medication that states 'do not take with Methadone,' which throws me into the shaking sweats and cramping of withdrawal for 4 hours, after which I have to take 2 doses of my Methadone to bring me past withdrawal and back to the point before the medication bonded with the Methadone."

• Aro...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 2, 2018

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "I’ve been on Linzess 145 mg to treat my IBS-C for 6 months now. The first 4 months, the medication worked great. The past 2 months, the medication only worked off and on. On the off days, I use it as a laxative, I’ll take 2 pills and eat right after without waiting the 30 min. I go right away. The worst side effect I experience is the severe, hunched-over abdominal cramps. It’s very intense. After I go about 3 times, I know the cramps are over. It’s worth it, rather than dealing with the constipation, bloating, and cramps."

• man...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 12, 2022

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I have intermittent constipation. Primarily, I can get away with the small Fleet 4.5 fluid ounce enema bottles when I use multiple times by cleaning and refilling with warm water. I elevate my legs and torso for about 5 minutes. This almost always helps empty my lower bowel. However, not often, I start 'filling' up after 3 or 4 days, and I use one (145 mg) pill of Linzess with one Ducolax. Generally, within 5 to 8 hours, I have an initial regular stool movement and then a few hours of diarrhea that empties me. There are some cramps, peristalsis, a bit of nausea, and frequent (be near a bathroom) trips. Otherwise, other laxatives just do not work. Before, I found out about Linzess, I could use 6-8 Ducolax to get a movement. For me then, it's a great drug that I don't use often because the Fleet enemas work very well, which at times I use 3-5 times a week."

• SMa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 20, 2021

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "Man, the first day I took it felt like everything I had eaten for days finally left my body. I have been dealing with issues with my BM since I got my gallbladder removed and had a Nissen fundoplication. I have had the urgency to go to the restroom, but that's to be expected until my body gets used to it. I have only been on it for a month and a half, but no cramping when I go to the bathroom, and it even helps with my lady cramps because those were worse, and I would be constipated during that time. This has really helped. I take it in the morning between 9-9:30 am, and then by lunchtime, I have gone to the bathroom at least twice. I am still getting used to the urgency and can hold it but try not to. Good thing that I work from home though. Thanks for letting me share. Have a wonderful day, everyone!"

• Jel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 22, 2020

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "Have been taking it 2 days and already pooped 4 times! They are a little watery, but I feel great after I go and am not cramping. Still on the lowest dose."

• Bla...
• January 10, 2014

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I've been on Linzess for a couple of hours, and this really works. No cramps or bloating."

• LH6...
• August 13, 2015

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "Severe bloating, abdominal pains. When it does work, I get diarrhea along with cramps. I actually think this made me more constipated."