Linaclotide and Cramps: What Users Say (Page 3)

• ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 1, 2015

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I have chronic idiopathic constipation due to opioid pain medications and also have chronic Hep C. I'm in the fibrosis late stage. Having fibrosis of the liver affects the secretion of chloride and bicarbonate into the intestinal lumen, mainly through activation of cystic fibrosis. Hence, I have had cramps, pain, fullness, unable to eliminate stools completely. Even with laxatives and Miralax, I still had a hard time even getting the urge. Hard stools, sometimes I would cramp so hard I would scream in pain, unable to move. Even an enema didn't work. Then I started this medication 3 days ago. It worked the first day well. I took it in the morning and went the next morning and eliminated completely. I feel so much better, no more fever, not nauseated anymore."

• Tum...
• November 4, 2014

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I've had stomach issues for most of my life (I'm 41) and have tried 'everything,' with no reliable consistency. I've tried the OTC medicines, Miralax worked for some time then stopped. Suppositories once a week had become my only source of bowel motions. I took Amitiza for 6 weeks, with no positive results. I took 2 doses of Linzess and, boy, I spent the next 6 hours in the bathroom. Not fun. I even had to step out, mid-shower, conditioner in my hair, to use the bathroom more! And cramps, oh, the cramps. This is my 2nd week with the samples my Dr. gave me. I took a pill yesterday...and the same cramps and episode occurred. Didn't last as long but hurt as much. I am sore this morning; my stomach hurts. I will continue with Linzess; it works."

• Tex...
• August 27, 2016

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I have tried Dulcolax, which will only work if I take 3 or 4. MOM only works if I drink half the bottle. I took one Linzess and started drinking a lot of water, in about an hour, I was going and had no cramps or bloating feeling. Just don't pass gas because that's probably not what that is. Don't forget the WATER."

• cat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 3, 2016

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I have been taking Linzess 145 mg daily for about 2 weeks, with bowel movements every second or third day. It is solid. It seems I have a motility dysfunction in the colon. It began 9 months ago. I have had a colonoscopy/biopsy, which was negative. I have no cramping. I am just happy to be having a BM, even if it isn't like it used to be."

• 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!!!"

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 19, 2020

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "Have had chronic constipation for years, have tried quite nearly everything (Miralax, Exlax, Dulcolax, Senna, Milk of Mag, Amitiza, + home remedies and other medications I can't remember), and this still did not work. Started low dose, just horrible (but not Dulcolax level) abdominal cramping and nausea in waves."

• Goi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 6, 2013

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "Today was my first day taking the Linzess. I took it at 7:30 a.m. and had my first bathroom visit at 11:30 a.m., and after I was done, I had really bad cramps that lasted a few minutes, but after that, I have felt good. I have not used the bathroom anymore, so I will have to see what tomorrow brings, but today was a good day."

• wor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 21, 2015

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I have yet to figure this medication out. I have been on it for about 15 days. I take it when I first wake up with 16 ounces of water. I always wait at least 30 minutes to eat, often much longer. Some days, I have very bad diarrhea from it, and other days I have some passing cramps with no bowel movement at all. Without it, I can't really have a bowel movement on my own, so this beats that, but still, I wish it worked a little better. Running to the bathroom while at work, hoping I make it, is not an ideal outcome. I did have the $30 co-pay card from my doctor, so that helped with the cost, but I think it's only good for one month."

• Goa...
• October 9, 2016

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "62-year-old male, diagnosed with IBS-C at age 57. The product literature for Linzess says it is not a laxative, but with me, it operates just like a laxative. I take it on an empty stomach, it works in 3 hours, it causes the same sort of watery stool as Mag Citrate, but it is finished after 3 trips rather than 20, and my doctor says Mag Citrate will cause kidney damage, Linzess won't. I took Amitiza intermittently for 5 years, 16 mcg at a time, usually with similar results. This notion that Linzess causes less cramping during buildup or that it calms the colon seems like marketing jive. I wish it came as a tablet that could be cut, I think the standard dose is too strong for me."

• Uns...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 14, 2016

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "This drug was a miracle for me. I could get relief with magnesium citrate, but my doctor said having to resort to that every few days was bad. I have chronic pain syndrome, so I need my meds. I tried a few other RX meds, but after a few days, they stopped working. I used to go every day before my pain meds stopped me up. But with this med, I get relief. I have no cramps or side effects. Two hours after taking this med, I'm in the bathroom. I can feel my bowels start to move 30 minutes after I take it. The only downside is my insurance doesn't cover it, and it's so expensive I'm going to have to try something else. I hate the fact I found something that works, and when the samples are gone, I'm out of luck."

• bre...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 7, 2024

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "I have been on Linzess for 2 months now. I started on 145 mg, and after a month, the doctor switched it to the 290 mg dose. The first 2 weeks were rough, but now it works great. I take it at 6 am, eat at 6:40 am, and am on the toilet by 7 am, taking care of business. A little bit of tummy rumbling and cramps, but for me, Linzess is a godsend. I struggled with IBS-C for years. I drink plenty of water and eat oatmeal and half of a banana. I am on the toilet within 15 minutes of eating most of the time, but no longer than 40 minutes. I absolutely recommend Linzess."

• Myr...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 1, 2016

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "I have suffered from constipation and IBS for over 40 years. The drug works great, no gas, no cramping. I still have occasional problems and occasional diarrhea. I will soon find out if it works as well when I travel -- which has been terrible in the past. If it works when I travel, it will be a miracle! The price, however, is shocking, and so in order to buy it at all, I have to order it from Canada."

• Tar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 23, 2023

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "Holy smokes! I took the first pill, and 2 hours later, I can't get off the toilet. Over-the-counter laxatives do not work as fast as Linzess. However, I will not be taking it every day because I can't imagine having these cramps and staying in the bathroom all day."

• 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."

• 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."

• Tri...
• August 20, 2015

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "I took one 140 mcg capsule, and within 20 minutes got cramps. I had severe watery diarrhea that literally shot out of me for almost 2 hours. It scared the hell out of me. I would compare it to the bowel prep before a colonoscopy. Never again."

• 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."

• 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."

• Dre...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 27, 2017

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "Male, 68 yrs old, chronic constipation for 20 yrs. Started on 145 mg for 30 days, results positive. Must drink lots of water. Had BM within 1 hr. No serious side effects. Reduced Rx to 72 mg for 2 weeks but stopped working, so returned to 145 mg. Now BM occurs after 2-3 hrs with no diarrhea. Have abdominal cramps for 6-7 hrs. Going back to Dr. soon."

• 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."

• 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."

• Did...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 7, 2016

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "Only gave Linzess an 8 because I just don't know yet - it's too early to give it an educated rating. I have taken Linzess only twice. I took it last Friday, and I went to the bathroom for 3-4 hours. It was like a colonoscopy prep. I fasted on Saturday (as I do twice a week), so I didn't take one. Sunday, I went to a Christmas party and was afraid to take one. Monday, I had workers here working in and around the bathrooms, so I didn't take one. Finally, yesterday I took one, and I experienced cramps and small hard stools several times that came out like an explosion. Not going to give up yet. Going to take another today. If I have to stay home for a few days and condition myself, I will do it. Have had constipation all my life."

• riv...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 28, 2015

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "Linzess worked perfectly. I did not have the cramping like I did using laxatives. However, I had rapid weight gain...10-pound gain in just over a week. I stopped taking it, and weight started going down, started taking it again, and the weight went back up. I already fight my weight, so I will not be able to use it. I hate that because it really worked great."

• jul...
• June 22, 2018

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "I suffered greatly, unable to poop for years. Then I started Linzess 145, taken 30-60 min after a hot, fatty breakfast gave me 6-10 bouts of diarrhea daily, sometimes spastic cramping of intestines. The first 2 weeks were worst with all listed side effects, especially bloating, cramping, and gas, but also including a wired, speedy feeling that prevented me from sleeping/resting. By the 3rd and 4th week, I felt less severe side effects. In the 3rd week, the pockets that painfully retained matter were cleaned out, and I felt much better. The Linzess seemed to keep me cleaned out, and I felt good besides the accelerated nervous system and diarrhea. Overall, my lifestyle was compromised, but I physically felt better. At week 5, the doctor was unhappy with diarrhea and reduced my dose to 72 mg. My body responded the same, but at week 6, like a switch, my body turned off and the Linzess didn't work at all anymore. I was back to not being able to poop at all, along with severe burning, inflammation, and pain. Now I'm very depressed and waiting for the doctor to return my call."

• CW1...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 14, 2016

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I've had severe chronic constipation for 3 years now. About a week ago, I finally got health insurance, so the first thing I did was make an appointment with a gastro. She prescribed me Linzess. For the first 2 days of taking it, I had horrible cramps, and my stomach was constantly making noises. Well, on the 3rd day, I finally went. It was only a tiny bit, which was very disappointing. I'm now on day 4, and I am literally stuck to the toilet. I have severe cramps, nausea, heartburn, headache, and no energy whatsoever. I feel like I could fall asleep on the toilet. I have never been so miserable. I will definitely be calling my doctor on Monday and will never take this horrible pill again."