Linaclotide and Constipation: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Chr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 3, 2015

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I am on methadone maintenance. I have been on it for years. It causes serious constipation for me. I had to manually pull it out! Pain, bloating, you name it. My Dr gave me samples of Linzess. I took it at 2 pm and just took a seriously satisfying poop. Miracle drug. No side effects, yet. I strongly recommend it for anyone chronically constipated."

• Bin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 4, 2020

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "I’ve been on this medication since November at 145 mcg, and I either have mostly watery diarrhea to where I have to run to the bathroom, and then there are days where I’m just constipated. I have rarely had any normal bowel movements since starting the medication. Not sure if I need to up it or lower the dose."

• Psy...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 4, 2017

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I have had a positive experience with Miralax, but I'm not supposed to use that long-term. I tried Linzess for 2 weeks. I wound up with constipation, hemorrhoids, blood, and pain. Not fun! I'm back with what works for me. Linzess was a waste of my time. I'm now gun-shy to try anything else."

• Roc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 4, 2022

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I have IBS-C and a significant history with constipation in redundant colon and volvulus. Since beginning Linzess 75 a week ago, my constipation, bloating, and pain have actually worsened. I'm confused because the hallmark response to Linzess is diarrhea. I can't find any information about Linzess worsening constipation. But I'm miserable and will be discontinuing the Linzess."

• Mrs...
• February 24, 2019

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "This is my second go at Linzess - first time was the full 290 mg and it made me housebound for 2 days. Finally worked up my nerve to try again on the 72 dose. I’ve taken two so far and no activity other than I can feel my guts “moving” around, which normally I do not, so I’ll take that as a positive. I’ve battled constipation since childhood thanks to a damaged parasympathetic nervous system. In my early 20s, I delivered my son and incurred a sidewall tear all the way through the rectum. To say this compounded my bathroom issues would be an understatement. Because of these injuries, I have permanent nerve damage in those areas - by the time my brain gets the message to find a bathroom, it may be too late. Worse yet, sometimes the horse has already left the barn. You can see how this leaves me a very narrow margin for error. I will report back on how the low dose works for me. I appreciate everyone who has taken time to share their experiences."

• Dee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 29, 2019

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I used Linzess for 8 days. My doctor said that I would go every day. I did have severe constipation and was desperate. During the 8-day period, I had 4 days that I did not go! I was drinking at least 64 ounces of water every day. I also had a lot of cramping that didn’t let up for over a day, even though I was cleaned out the day before using large amounts of Miralax! This medication is very expensive, so I found out through my daughter-in-law, who has a master's in nutrition, told me about a natural product to use. I wish I could share this on this website. It is totally natural. It contains 1035 mg elemental magnesium and 99 mg elemental potassium. (It is not a regular vitamin supplement, not the same thing)."

• Jay...
• March 23, 2016

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I was nervous taking this at first, always have been afraid to take laxatives. After about 2-3 weeks now, I've noticed that for the first 12 hours or so after taking Linzess, I have no appetite and very loose BM almost to the point of diarrhea. After that 12-hour window, I'm right back to constipated and in pain from the stomach/intestine cramps. Need to contact the Dr to see what to do now."

• Hap...
• May 28, 2018

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "I suffer from bloating, constipation, and abdominal cramping too. My social life was gone. I'm afraid to take a vacation with my husband because if I ate something, it goes right through me, no warning at all. I spend all my time in the house in the bathroom, 8 hours or more, trying to have a complete bowel motion. I still didn't get good results, I still had the urge to go. This was an everyday routine for me. I had been battling with this problem for 6 years. I had a colonoscopy in 2015, everything was normal, but I still wasn't having a complete bowel motion. I talked to my doctor, he had me try different laxatives, none of them worked. Finally, he referred me to a GI doctor, and she gave me samples of Linzess 290 mg to try. Linzess 290 mg changed my whole life. The best thing to ever happen to me, I have no regret! I take it every morning with a hot cup of coffee and a full glass of water. Two months later, and it's still working for me. The trick is drinking plenty of water, the more water, the better the results. THE HAPPY LADY!!!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 15, 2016

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I've experienced horrible constipation ever since I had a stroke. Took this as a last resort after trying so many other natural remedies, acupuncture, and eating/drinking more fiber/water, etc. Took it in the evening, and about 2 hours later, had a lot of relief, diarrhea though, but not complaining. Better to go than not! Lots of noise in my stomach after going four times. Hopefully, that will subside."

• 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."

• Flo...
• October 9, 2016

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I rated Linzess a 9 because it works, but it is still a drug, with unknown long-term effects. I have decided to take that risk for quality-of-life reasons. I have been on it for 18 months (145 mg once a day), and it works very well for me. I got headaches at first, but that subsided. I gained 5 pounds, but that may be due to other factors. I used to take Aloe 450 capsules twice a day - don't do it. That resulted in the worst case of melanosis coli my gastroenterologist has ever seen; time will tell if it is reversible. I had severe constipation and crippling gas pain for 30 years before the diagnosis of IBS. With Linzess, I have normal BMs 80% of the time (diarrhea 10% and constipation the other 10%). Gas pains are rare (usually when stressed)."

• Ket...
• August 1, 2015

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "Linzess works well for me. Since I have been a child, I have suffered with constipation. However, I have gained 5 lbs. since I started taking the medication. I see others are suffering the same side effects. Weight gain is not mentioned as a possible side effect, but it should be."

• 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!"

• 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. :)"

• 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."

• Bro...
• September 22, 2016

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "I suffer from chronic constipation and was told that it is now severe. My GI doctor gave me Linzess 145 mg. It helped a little. Then he increased it to 290 mg. For a week, it was fine with the exception of very hard stools coming out. I have not, as of yet, experienced diarrhea from this medicine, nor do I have to run to the bathroom. Now, it has become ineffective, and I am making smaller stools with required straining. I am still severely constipated, and my GI doctor does not want to give me a different medicine to take. I am nervous that there will be nothing to help me."

• 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!"

• Ker...
• February 7, 2020

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I had a hysterectomy last week and hadn’t been able to use the restroom (constipated). I’m also on many medications that make me constipated. The doctor gave me the 72 mcg Linzess capsule, and it worked within two hours. It relieved the bloated feeling I had since my surgery. I wouldn’t take this long term though, as it does seem to cause diarrhea. It cleans you out very well. But I needed that. I liked it, as it did not cause cramps, gas, or stomach discomfort with other laxatives or things I’ve taken to relieve constipation."

• rep...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 28, 2016

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "My experience is only a week old, and I'm here to see what other users have diarrhea during the initial two weeks of taking Linzess. But I did want to reply to Bronx boy's fears about what will help him if this doesn't. Magnesium. I deeply understand his fear, as there's nothing worse than constipation. Before Linzess, I took a product called CALM, which is a fizzy drink of magnesium citrate. It works! My problem with it is it woke me up in the night - works fast. I've found, during these initial days of taking Linzess, that I can still take CALM in the morning if I have that miserable 'incomplete' feeling, and CALM will work within an hour on an empty stomach. I rated it a 5 at this point pending further experience."

• Son...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 7, 2020

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I’m 22 years old, female. I’ve taken this medicine, Linzess, for constipation twice. Once after my C-section, the pain meds blocked me up a lot. And then I just took it again today. My doctor thinks I need my gallbladder removed, so I was given medication to help until COVID-19 is over and I can go for testing. The meds he prescribed made me extremely constipated. Normally, I can drink a cup of coffee or apple juice and be just fine, but that hasn’t been the case the past few days, so I took one 290 mg Linzess, and I now have horrible diarrhea. It worked, to say the least. I’m honestly scared to even sleep right now, that’s how bad it is. I’m still having stomach cramps around my gallbladder area. But it is working for constipation."

• Joj...
• August 12, 2015

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "My doctor gave me a coupon for the first month free, then after that my co-pay was $30 through my insurance. The medicine does not work consistently, some days I don't have a bowel movement, while other days I have severe diarrhea, but it beats being chronically constipated. I take the medicine at night, and usually the next day in the afternoon or evening, I have a bowel movement. It took a few days for it to kick in. Then I stopped taking it due to diarrhea, then got constipated again. I take it consistently now."

• 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."

• JBa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 14, 2019

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I was diagnosed with SIBO-C a few months ago, did the round of rifaximin for 3 weeks and started to feel better but was still experiencing the bloating and constipation. My doctor put me on the 145 Linzess and so far it has done nothing but make me feel worse. I take it as prescribed (3 days in), and I’m going on day 3 of no movement. Miralax has done more for me than this drug. I am going to stick out the week and see if my body just needs to adjust, but I might as well not take anything at this point."

• Lin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 8, 2018

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I just started taking this medication. My doctor put me on the lowest mg to start. I have IBS and have for so many years I can't count. I go through diarrhea and constipation with my condition, and I'm looking for a way to have a balance in my system. I have read complaints on here, and I've learned from all they are saying. I believe using this medication, eating low-fat foods, drinking plenty of water, and taking my probiotics with it every morning will get me on the right track. Many times, foods will cause our bodies to go through things we can control but didn't know would happen. I plan to keep a diary of my daily foods and medications so I can prevent many of the things I have read that some have complained about. I'm hoping this medication gives me more of a normal life."

• Csm...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 25, 2020

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I take pain meds that cause constipation. I've tried OTC for years, but nothing helped without extra issues. My neurologist gave me samples of Linzess to try. I took a 72 mcg capsule this morning and had a BM within 2 hours. Since then, I'm having the gurgly stomach noises and some discomfort. I realize I've literally taken 'one'... But, I'm commenting because it seems like every person has very different experiences. I've never seen such inconsistencies with a drug as far as reviews!? Between this and my symptoms, I'm reluctant to continue..."