Linaclotide and Diarrhea: What Users Say (Page 3)

• 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."

• Fli...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 17, 2015

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I have suffered for a year with severe gastro problems that landed me in the emergency room three times and a ride in the ambulance. This medicine is a miracle but can cause severe diarrhea (like stay close to the bathroom and don't leave your house till you adjust). It is a miracle medication and has greatly improved the quality of my life."

• DEE...
• May 19, 2014

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I started Linzess and within about 5 days, it worked for me. Actually, I got very loose bowels, but it was working. Within a couple more days, I felt sick, very weak and tired. I almost felt like I was drugged and could feel my head moving back and forth. This happened for two days. I stopped it for a day or two and was fine. I took it again, and the same thing happened. I had to get in bed and sleep it off. Tired, felt weird. I stopped taking it."

• Cat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 17, 2017

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I am on day two of Linzess 145 mcg for chronic constipation. Taking one in the morning on an empty stomach with 16 oz of water, then eating half an hour later, oatmeal or toast. I am pleased with the results and have not had any of the negative things other reviewers have mentioned. Sadly, I almost let the negative reviews keep me from even trying this medication, so glad I decided to see for myself and tried it. I already feel better after day two and am looking forward to tomorrow so I can take it again! Of course, you will have diarrhea, at least until your body adjusts. But so what? It's much better than constipation! One negative, though, is how costly this drug is if you do not have an insurance prescription program. If you are thinking about trying Linzess, please don't be discouraged by the negative reviews, at least give it a try and see how it works for you. Again, I'm only on day two, but I'm pretty sure this drug and I are going to be best friends forever!"

• jol...
• July 23, 2014

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I was prescribed Linzess for my Irritable Bowel Syndrome and the constipation that comes with it. After taking it daily for a week with good results, I got bad diarrhea. My doctor told me to only take it when needed instead of every day. I feel a lot better now that I'm not taking it every day. My only gripes are the diarrhea if I'm not careful and the very specific time of day I have to take it (in the morning at least 30 minutes before my first meal... kind of a pain for a busy working person). It's also pretty expensive, which gives me another reason to be glad I'm no longer taking it every day. Besides that, it's a huge relief to finally have regular bowel movements that aren't a strain to pass."

• SLO...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 9, 2017

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I have suffered from constipation for years, only going about once a month, usually brought on by menstrual cramps. I've been in and out of the ER, having them clean me out. Nothing seemed to work, and this works way too well. I take one pill, and about 3 hours later, I have ungodly diarrhea for the next few hours. I'm not complaining, it takes away the pain and the bloating and the miserable from the constipation. But I have no idea how people would take one capsule every day. Once I've taken a capsule and have the diarrhea for a few hours, I seem to not have any trouble for a few months. The doctor had originally given me samples enough for a 30-day supply, but I've only had to use 5 in the last year."

• tat...
• February 28, 2013

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "Linzess has been wonderful for me. I developed a bad fissure, and the over-the-counter options weren't working unless I didn't need to leave the house. With Linzess, I take it at 5:30, consume something at 6:00, and about 7:30 I'm finding relief. For me, it takes only 2 times, 15 minutes apart to feel empty, and then I'm okay the rest of the day usually. I've been able to tailor these bathroom trips around my schedule, and my fissure is finally healed without surgery. I haven't had any side effects, as the watery stools I greatly appreciate. I love this stuff."

• Cam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 13, 2021

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I have had chronic constipation for 20+ years! I have used everything under the sun! I even had to use enemas at least once a week in order to relieve the constipation. This drug is a miracle. I will take it every day, once in a while it causes diarrhea, but maybe once a month. That totally depends on the amount of H2O I drink! And I may be weird, but I would much rather have that than be constipated! 10/10"

• Ell...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 2, 2018

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "My doctor gave me quite a few samples of Linzess to try for chronic constipation. She told me to take it with my first meal of the day. This did not work, so I took it at night; and this works much better. I have learned that I do not need Linzess every night. Usually, I take it about two times a week, and I am fine. I have had no abdominal pain nor diarrhea. I also like that there are no systemic effects; the medicine goes into the gastric region and does its thing. (Other medicines, even OTCs like Miralax, made me irritable and sad). Linzess has been great for me. I have read other reviews, and I know that it has not worked so well for others. We are all different, and the same medicine will work differently in different bodies. Good luck with Linzess! I hope you get the relief you are seeking."

• Jun...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 7, 2013

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "I was given this pill after asking for yet another GI consultation. I've been suffering from IBS-C for almost 9 years now, and it's the worst kind of hopelessness when you keep getting told, 'try this' and it doesn't work or it makes it worse. It took Linzess, and about 2 hours later, I had a small meal and within 30 minutes I was having watery stools, but NO PAIN! It's true that about 2 hours after it causes diarrhea, but OMG I'll take painless watery stools over that agonizing, gut-wrenching pain of my IBS attacks. I was having them daily and had lost hope. I am excited to see if this medicine continues to work so well!"

• Ozz...
• July 14, 2015

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "Chronic constipation my whole life. Tried all over-the-counter meds over the years. After a bout of 3 full weeks straight of constipation, not one bowel movement the entire time. Went to the pharmacy and bought an enema. It did nothing. The next night I went back and bought an oil-based enema. That did nothing. Pharmacist advised I go to the hospital. Went to the hospital. X-ray showed the entire digestive system filled from the bottom to the top. No blockage, though. So they gave me a drink. Told me to drink it at home and I would have an explosive bowel movement. It did nothing. Went to my doctor, he gave me 290 mgs. of Linzess, finally I went for like an hour. Only diarrhea toward the end. Switched to 145 mgs when needed. Woohoo!"

• Ter...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 13, 2016

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I have dealt with chronic constipation and IBS for years, and nothing has worked. I have been prescribed Miralax and used laxatives that leave me nauseated and have major stomach cramps. I usually go 2-3 weeks without a bowel movement, and my doctor didn't seem concerned. When I was finally able to have a bowel movement, I had to miss work because I became extremely nauseated and had major stomach cramps. I finally talked my doctor into prescribing Linzess, and I took it for the first time yesterday morning, 30 minutes before eating. It took about 2 hours to work, and I had warning with my stomach cramping a little, but nothing major. I went to the bathroom 3 times, and although it was loose stools, it was a nice relief. No nausea and no horrible side effects."

• Dav...
• July 27, 2015

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I have suffered from constipation all my life. I'm 60 and take medications for my heart, and it has gotten worse. I've been taking Linzess for two months now, and it's a miracle drug, at least for me. Sure, I get some diarrhea, but if you suffer from chronic constipation, that is a welcome thing some days. Just to be able to clear my colon every day is awesome. Thanks for coming out with this drug. Changed my life."

• Mee...
• June 11, 2017

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I have suffered from chronic constipation for well over 10 years. I have just started using Linzess for 2 weeks, and I had my first bowel movement without an enema or without milk of magnesia or Senna the second day of using it. In 10 years, even though most of it has been diarrhea, I would rather have diarrhea than to not use the bathroom for up to 10 days, get deathly ill, and have to go to the ER. Linzess so far has been wonderful. I feel much better. The nausea and stomach pain have reduced dramatically! I am thinking if I take Linzess every other day instead of every day, it will not be diarrhea but will be a regular stool, so we will see how that goes. Two thumbs up to this medication."

• Con...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 6, 2013

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "After 20 years of constipation and swallowing all the products on the market (MiraLax, Senokot, Phillips, etc.), I think this Linzess product may be the answer. I have been on it for almost a week, and today the diarrhea is gone. I notice that after I eat a meal, I get really bloated. I guess I need to give this medicine more time. I do hope this is my answer!"

• Art...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 15, 2018

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "Fantastic… I can finally have bowel movements daily after suffering constipation no matter what diet I was on or how much clear water I drank. Linzess has given me my life back. Side effects can be diarrhea, and if you feel like you need to pass gas, don't until you are in the bathroom. But compared to what my life was like, this is heaven… 10 stars!"

• gol...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 29, 2017

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "Linzess 145 mcg gave me explosive diarrhea for hours. I thought I must have eaten something bad, so I waited a day and took Linzess again, and about 2 1/2 hours later, it happened again and lasted 5 hours. Obviously not for me. I strongly suggest you're at home the first time you take this, just in case."

• Tan...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 15, 2019

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "Made life worth living again. Expect diarrhea, of course. They should give this for colonoscopies! Works so much better than the gallons of medicine you must drink. Diagnosed with IBS-C, I go 6 or more days without any movement. Linzess takes pain away almost immediately, and within 1/2 hour, I can use the bathroom. On the highest dose."

• Mar...
• November 18, 2014

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "Have had Irritable Bowel Syndrome-Constipation since early adulthood. I am now 59. I have a great gastro doctor. A few years back, he put me on Amitiza, it kind of helped, but not much. About 6 weeks ago, he put me on Linzess. It is a miracle. In the beginning, it did cause diarrhea and runny stools... at 2 weeks. After that and up to this morning, I take the low dose 1 hour before breakfast, and now for the first time, I have normal bowel motion."

• Mar...
• November 18, 2014

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "Have had Irritable Bowel Syndrome-Constipation since early adulthood. I am now 59. I have a great gastro doctor. A few years back, he put me on Amitiza, it kind of helped, but not much. About 6 weeks ago, he put me on Linzess. It is a miracle. In the beginning, it did cause diarrhea and runny stools... at 2 weeks. After that and up to this morning, I take the low dose 1 hour before breakfast, and now for the first time, I have normal bowel motion."

• taz...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 25, 2013

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "I've been on Linzess, the low dose, for about a month now. I had diarrhea the first day every couple of hours, but I had no bloating, gas, or that horrible stabbing pain. Over the first week hurdle, I noticed that the more water I drank at the time I took my medicine, the more the likelihood of diarrhea was. So I wake early in the morning, take it, and go back to sleep, and this way, I've been able to tell when I will go, which is usually 30 minutes after I eat. This medicine has been life-changing, I feel almost normal, have energy again, and most of all, I don't have that dooming hopelessness. I go about three times a day and feel like I am really going. Although some days I experience a little pain at night, it's nothing compared to my restless nights."

• Rel...
• November 1, 2016

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I was having almost no bowel movements without help for a year. No laxatives worked, the only thing that worked was Mag Cit. My doc gave me 290 mcg of Linzess, and it's a miracle drug. I take this at night, and the next morning I'm good to go, and it isn't like diarrhea at all. It's normal for me."

• ssc...
• December 13, 2014

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I'm 27. I have suffered from chronic constipation for almost 12 years now. Was diagnosed 6 years ago. Went through total hell and back when I was diagnosed. Over the past four years, I went from taking 2 capfuls of Miralax to 6 daily. My whole life revolves around my stomach issue. I'm on my 3rd day of Linzess and have already cut my dosage of Miralax by over half. Hope to be totally off it soon. So far, Linzess is the answer to my prayers. Anyone looking for an alternative should definitely give it a try. Bowel movements are loose but always are, nothing new. They do come on quick within a couple of hours of taking the medication, be close to a bathroom to see how it affects you. Super happy about Linzess!"

• Tri...
• February 26, 2016

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "I have been taking this medication for 8 months now, and I have to say that even though it gives me diarrhea and I'm stuck to the bathroom for a little bit of time in the morning, it's much better than dealing with the absolute intense pain and constipation I have had for 20 years. I think Linzess has this interesting side effect that is difficult to deal with sometimes, but for me, it is well worth it. Thank God for Linzess."

• Tha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 9, 2018

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I'm 27 and have severe endometriosis that has attached to my colon, causing IBS. I go through horrible bouts of diarrhea and then constipation. I started this medicine on the lowest dose. It is recommended to take as soon as you wake up on a day you have off to first see how your body reacts. You take it on an empty stomach, then eat about 20-30 minutes later. It does its job, and you do use the bathroom a lot for the first few hours until you are emptied. In my case, it doesn't continue working all day long. Some of these reviews shocked me because I love this. It doesn't give me stomach cramps. You do have watery stools, so it doesn't hurt to pass. I highly recommend this. I do not take it daily, but maybe once a week. It is expensive, but I was given a coupon. Every person handles medications differently, so don't get too worried with all the reviews."