Linaclotide and Diarrhea: What Users Say (Page 2)

• IBS...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 17, 2014

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "Best stuff to help with irritable bowel syndrome! I take it every day and have noticed the diarrhea subside and have 'regular' bowel movements after two weeks. If you take it each day and not 'as needed,' you'll notice a huge difference."

• Mom...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 29, 2016

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I have been using Linzess or Constella as it's known in Canada for over a year. It has been 100% a miracle for me and my life. I have played around with it and I wanted to share with everyone what I found. 1. I take this every 2 or 3 days and completely clear out. 2. The days I take it, I set my alarm to wake me up at approximately 4 or 5 am and take my dose along with 1 liter of water and go back to sleep. By the time I get up, I'm ready to empty. 3. You have to take it with more than a glass of water. One liter has worked best for me. Being dehydrated or not drinking enough water stops it from working as well since it's an osmotic (pulls water to the bowel). 4. Be aware you will have loose stool for the day. I will take it any day over constipation!!!"

• Ron...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 1, 2014

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "Have suffered from Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Constipation for many years. Have been taking Linzess for 2 months now. I take it every morning 30-60 minutes before I eat, and it works wonderfully! I no longer have to deal with that bloated feeling and belly pain I would feel throughout the day. I also feel that I completely get my stools out, no longer deal with straining on the toilet. Having a bowel movement is now very easy for me and I no longer have to deal with these issues on a regular basis. You do have to take it every day and not skip a dose. You might get loose stools on the first couple of doses when you start Linzess, wasn't a big deal and went away after the first few days. Probably 'loosening' my stools up so I would no longer be constipated."

• Doe...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 14, 2019

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I feel I need to share my history and reason for treatment with Linzess, as I see many negative reviews here. I have been completely dependent on laxatives for my entire adult life, I’m 44 years old, making me constantly sick. Obviously, this is not sustainable. I was reluctant to try this medication because other prescriptions have failed me in the past. My gastrointestinal doctor wanted me to at least try Linzess. And I must say, it’s a miracle! No pain, no cramps, no nausea! And it works like magic! Yes, you will have diarrhea."

• Ecg...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 21, 2019

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "From viewing many of the comments, it seems that in some cases, this drug was incorrectly prescribed. This drug worked for me as I have a long history of mega-colon and chronic constipation. Even taking magnesium carbonate (the fizzy kind), I'd have diarrhea that would flow around the extensive compacted stool throughout the large bowel. Also, fiber would only create inflammation in my intestines. Linzess is minimally absorbed, which is good as I usually react badly to most modern drugs. I started on the low dose (72 mcg) first and then tried the medium (145 mcg) dose, which seems better. It took about 2 weeks to eliminate most of the compacted stool, so it may take a while to perceive effective results."

• Tha...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 19, 2019

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I have suffered from constipation all of my life. I’m 44 years old, and I would barely have 2 bowel motions (BMs) a month. My GI doctor gave me Linzess a year ago and told me to take 145 mg twice a day. OMG, it worked so well. Now I take only 145 mg on a Wednesday and Saturday. This medication was heaven-sent because it has really helped a lot of people, including myself. As far as side effects, the only side effect I’ve had was watery stool. That’s why my GI reduced it to 145 mg once a day. But heck, I only take it twice a week, and I have a BM every other day as long as I take it twice a week. But hey, there’s no cramping or painful BMs as laxatives always did."

• Kay...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 12, 2019

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I have had chronic constipation for 15 plus years. It's unbearable pain, very depressing pain. So intense, I have passed out with pain from trying to poop. I found Linzess about two months ago, and I love it. Sometimes it's rough due to diarrhea, but it's worth it to me. The price is unbelievable. To everyone that takes Linzess, go to Prescription Hotline, it's for people that can't afford their meds. I thought, yeah right, $432.00 for Linzess. They got it for me through their manufacturer, and I get it for $49.99 a month. That is awesome, I can afford to keep taking it. They are super about helping you. Good luck."

• JPa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 19, 2019

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "I will never take this again! It works all right. Starts out as regular BM and then goes into diarrhea. Having diarrhea is one thing, but when it gives you no warning and just starts flowing out, that's another. I've tried this for a few weeks; some days weren't too bad, but the last time I took it at 5:30 a.m., and after about a half hour, it started to work. It was a nightmare. Though I was home, I couldn't even make it to the bathroom. Later, at about 9:30, I thought it was okay and went to aerobics class, and luckily I had a pad on as it started again. This med is too, too harsh."

• Con...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 11, 2019

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "Linzess is truly a miracle answer to my prayers. I’m not sure how this voodoo medicine works, but it works!! It has been years of cramping and discomfort until I found Linzess. Rectal fissures requiring surgery, hemorrhoids, etc. I would go 3 weeks without pooping WHILE taking stool softeners. Nothing worked. I could down 3 bottles of Miralax and water, senna tablets, along with some of those magnesium drinks in one sitting and still NOTHING. Linzess is MAGIC. I sometimes get diarrhea from using it, but it dulls the pain, so it’s nothing like regular diarrhea. Anyway, if you have chronic constipation and have tried everything (or not), Linzess is for you!!"

• Bda...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 11, 2014

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I was hospitalized for a week because of a bout with diverticulitis. As a result, my intestines, so I was told, stopped pushing waste through. I was constipated for 3 weeks! My doctor gave me samples of Linzess. It was a miracle! I began having bowel movements on the first day! Some mild diarrhea, but I'm going and there is no cramping, no aches, no bloating. Amazing. I have had constipation issues for years, but not anymore! I highly recommend trying it! Thanks Linzess!"

• LAC...
• June 22, 2014

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "Have had YEARS of irritable bowel syndrome with constipation. Bowel movement usually only twice per week...in and out of the bathroom for several hours, cramping and pain that would sometimes give me cold sweats. Then exhaustion and residual intestinal ache all day. No one understood. Fiber was useless. Several bouts of diverticulitis. Never realized that IBS and constipation could contribute to the development of diverticulosis. To me, Linzess is a miracle. Yes, you do need to be near a bathroom and the bowel motions are mostly liquid in the first 2 weeks I have been taking it. But NO PAIN, RESIDUAL ACHE, OR EXHAUSTION! I can take it and go to work. Going out...just get up a little earlier. I even feel better and more energetic overall."

• LIf...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 22, 2014

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "From infancy to my 50s, I've used it all - phenothalein laxatives, castor oil, fiber, Miralax, enemas, bisacodyl, exercise, hydration, Zelnorm while it was available, and on and on. Only the phenothalien/old Ex-lax formula laxatives and Zelnorm were of use. Phenothalien also required drinking 8-16 ounces more fluid when you were already congested, adding painfully to existing distension and then needing to wait up to hours. Since that laxative was removed from the US market in the 2000s, availability now is very limited; Zelnorm was recalled by the FDA for strokes and cardiac issues (and did cause punch-in-the-gut cramping.) Linzess is amazing, reliable, no pain, some diarrhea, but complete control and great increased quality of life!"

• 31...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 14, 2014

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I have had irritable bowel syndrome with severe constipation for 16 years, and this is the first medicine that I can say has truly worked for me. On the medicine, I have diarrhea, bloating, and a lot of gas, but it definitely cleans me out. Hope to get past the gas and bloating once it gets in my system good. Only been taking it for 3 days."

• Che...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 21, 2019

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "So I’m only on week two, but I have felt better than I have in a really long time! The first couple of days I took the 72 mcg and didn’t have a bowel movement yet. The third day I went up to the 145 mcg and I had a bowel movement two hours later! I took that for 4 days and now went back down to 72 just to see if it would work. I’ve been taking 72 since, and I have a bowel movement every day. I experienced a little bit of diarrhea, but nothing horrible. Nothing that kept me in the bathroom back and forth all day or for hours at a time like others have said on here. I have IBS-C, so I constantly felt bloated. I swear this medication reduced the bloating the very next day! I felt so much better in general even though I hadn’t had a bowel movement yet! It works wonders for me! I’d highly recommend it!"

• msb...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 5, 2019

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "Linzess is awesome. I've had chronic constipation most of my life. This is the first thing that has worked! I take it, and a couple of hours later, it starts clearing me out. No nausea. No cramping. I feel like a new person. No longer miserable. You will get diarrhea for an hour or so, but it's worth not being sick and bloated all the time."

• Sal...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 25, 2016

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "I LOVE this medication. For years, I felt like a rabbit. Hours in the bathroom only to produce pellets if lucky. Diagnosed with severe diverticular disease in the entire colon and several diverticulitis attacks within a year. Colon resection and the possible candidate for a bag was on the table until my GI recommended Linzess. (Miralax, Milk of Magnesia, and many others did not work for me.) This pill is a miracle for me. Taking the 290 in the morning, I wait 30 minutes to eat, then within 3 hours, I am empty and ready for the day! Yes, there is diarrhea sometimes within those 3 hours, but NOT painful or uncomfortable. I have not had 1 diverticulitis attack in 1 year now! I am just over the moon thrilled. I am thankful for this prescription."

• Kar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 28, 2017

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "Has been a wonder drug for me! I have suffered from extreme constipation for years. Now, I have a regular bowel movement about 2 hours after I take it. It took about 2 weeks to work, so give it some time! I have never had the diarrhea side effect."

• Sun...
• March 23, 2017

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "This medication has been great for me. I take it every morning (the lowest dose) on an empty stomach when I first wake up. I have had many years of chronic constipation and have tried MANY different things. This is the only thing that has really worked for me. Fortunately, I have not had the diarrhea issues that some people have reported. My doctor did say this can be a side effect for some. For others like me, it has worked great. Like any medication, there is always the chance you may have side effects and have to discontinue it. I think it's worth trying to see if it's right for you if you have had years of constipation that has affected your quality of life."

• Got...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 26, 2019

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I took Linzess after being constipated for 4 straight days. I took it around 4:30 pm in the afternoon. By 6:30 pm, my stomach was gurgling and rolling, and by 7 pm, I was on the toilet with explosive diarrhea. Everything but the kitchen sink came out of me. And let me tell you, it felt great to get cleaned out. My stomach did not hurt. No cramping. Just lots of bathroom trips. Be sure to be at home when you take it. You'll go A LOT. Also, drink lots of fluids because diarrhea like that can dehydrate you."

• Nny...
• August 22, 2015

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "First off, I would like to say that the majority of people not having a good experience with Linzess are not taking it properly. Following my doctor's orders which were also labeled on the packaging from the pharmacy, Linzess 145mg works perfectly for me. I have suffered from chronic constipation since I was a young girl, and now I have a bowel movement every morning! A few things to keep in mind: Linzess takes 2 weeks to cycle through your body before it will work properly. Get through the first two weeks, and it's great. I do have watery stools every morning. Always take it in the a.m., 30 mins prior to breakfast with a full glass of water. I allow 2 hours for Linzess to work through my system. So plan accordingly!"

• Joa...
• April 26, 2021

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "It does cause loose stool. I find the same day it’s loose, the next day I take it, I’m constipated. I have to push real hard to have a bowel movement. It feels like the loose stool is able to pass the collection of harder stool, leaving behind more formed stool. I ended up in the hospital impacted. The stool had a strange odor."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 7, 2013

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "I'm on the low dose, even though I've been diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Even on the low dose, there were days where I would go 10 times, or I would have diarrhea. My doctor didn't want to take me off it though, because this is the only thing that really has worked. I have noticed that the amount of water I drink while taking it/before my meal can affect it. My doctor also thought adding a probiotic might help settle it down a bit. I've started taking the probiotic with Linzess, and since then, I've had more normal bowel movements. Some days I do have more than one now, but 2-3 is not bad. I highly suggest trying the probiotics (colon health) before discontinuing due to having too many bowel movements or diarrhea."

• Mel...
• August 5, 2016

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "I've been on Linzess for 2 weeks and feel amazing! Yes, I go to the bathroom a lot in the morning, about 4 times, mostly watery. BUT it beats feeling cramped and gross all day like I did before. My stomach is flatter because I am finally not bloated. I am not sure how people gain weight on this because it makes you go to the bathroom a lot. Maybe fluid retention. I do drink a lot of water with this medicine and followed the recommendation of increased fiber in my diet. I've lost 5 lbs. It's only been 2 weeks, but I am having amazing results and am finally pain-free!"

• Bet...
• June 28, 2014

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I have had constipation problems for years. Before Linzess, I was taking up to 6 different medications to try to go, and then it would hit with a vengeance and last all day long. I couldn't work a full-time job because of it. I was miserable all the time with bloating, cramping, and nausea. I have only been on it for a week, and I already feel so much better. I now have bowel movements like normal people. Yes, there is some diarrhea, but I think I am still getting used to it. If the diarrhea gets bad, I will cut back to every other day. But, I will talk to my doctor first."

• LJa...
• March 19, 2014

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I began taking medication for my thyroid about a year ago. Prior to that, I NEVER had issues with constipation. I was an 'at least once-a-day goer' and happy about it. The various medications I started REALLY messed me up. I would go DAYS without a bowel movement and I FELT TERRIBLE. I was not made for this. I tried every over-the-counter medication, both natural and not, that you can imagine. Nothing would work. About 40 days ago, my doctor prescribed me Linzess, and I have gone *almost* every day since. It is almost ALWAYS loose stool, however, I sometimes even have to run to the restroom. But I will take that over constipation ANY day. One other drawback is that my stomach is VERY loud when I'm on it. Quiet rooms and quiet meetings..."