Linaclotide and Upset Stomach: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Ker...
• February 7, 2020

Linaclotide 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."

• Tit...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 9, 2021

Linaclotide for Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "Linzess works. It does have a major flaw. It can affect the stomach for hours. It also may upset your stomach and have you running periodically to the bathroom. I'm taking it twice a week to curb unwelcome side effects. My advice is to plan when not to take it in order to enjoy your day."

• Che...
• April 28, 2019

Linaclotide for Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "64 yr old female. When in my 30s, I used Zelnorm. Loved it, but it was taken off the market. In my 40s, I switched to Amitiza. I used it, but it has always given me flu-like symptoms. Body aches, nausea, headache, did not like it. I also found that with all these drugs, you have to start low on whatever dosage works for you, but your body develops a tolerance for it over time and you need to up the dosage. I was having to take more Amitiza, making me feel sicker. When Linzess came out in my mid 50s, it worked for me and it does not make me sick. But over time, I have noticed increased bloating, puffiness, weight gain, and joint pain. Hate that! All of them caused diarrhea. I take mine when I go to bed, maybe around 11:00, and begin to feel stomach cramps about 3-4:00 in the morning. I get up and go, then sleep a couple of hours until 6:00 when I get up for work. I don’t get great sleep that night, but it’s better than being at work and going, and going. I take 2 highest doses every 2-3 days."

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

Linaclotide 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..."

• MsJ...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 20, 2014

Linaclotide "I have been diagnosed with small bowel bacterial overgrowth. I had eaten at a restaurant last September and had gotten very sick from the food, and have had stomach problems since then: bloating and constipation. The GI prescribed me Linzess a few days ago. I took the first one yesterday, and a few hours later, I had such horrible, severe diarrhea. My stomach cramped most of the day, and I was pretty nauseated to where all I felt comfortable eating was toast and Cream of Wheat. Just took my second one; I will see if that was a one-time effect or if it'll happen again. If it does, I will not take any more, as the diarrhea was so, so severe that I'd rather put up with the bloating and constipation than the severe diarrhea."

• Ser...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 31, 2021

Linaclotide for Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I have been taking this med at 145 mg for about two months. It does work, but it's very harsh. Within three hours of taking it, I'll have an intense bout or two of diarrhea that wrings me out completely. A few days of this in a row leaves me feeling fatigued, so I alternate: two days with Linzess, two days without. Side effects include feeling very bloated and a weird stomach ache that I can only describe as a raw, torn-up feeling. I've also had a few accidents, especially in the first week of taking. What a mess. So altogether, it's not ideal, but it's better than never going to the bathroom at all."

• Kat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 23, 2018

Linaclotide for Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "My doctor gave me samples of Linzess to try. I have IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), she says. But I am not constipated. I told her that. Two days of taking the lowest dose at 8 a.m. produced seven hours of watery diarrhea and stomach cramping and backache for over five hours. At this rate, I will have dehydration and malnutrition. I am a 66-year-old female with a diagnosis of gastritis and esophagitis. I just called her office to report my results. I had a colonoscopy, and this one pill did more than my prep!"

• zaz...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 31, 2016

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "Half an hour after the first dose, taken on an empty stomach first thing on waking, I had to RUN to the loo and had an explosive BM. After this, it failed to work again (as was my experience with Epsom salts, very similar). I did, however, get very bad bloating, gurgling, sloshy sounding belly, felt tired and nauseous, and thirsty, needing 4 glasses of water at night. Bloating was far worse than my usual IBS symptoms, and no further BM after 6 days on the drug. Just felt toxic and my face was puffy... so I discontinued its use. Back to low FODMAP diet and enemas when necessary, which is often the case. I was so hopeful after the first dose, but think severe bloating affects the nerves and hinders the reflex of evacuation in my case."

• pre...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 4, 2021

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I was instructed to take this medication by my GI doctor due to constipation. Let me tell you this stuff works, at least for me anyway. It cleans you out. My experience is stomach cramps, dizziness, and it makes me feel kind of sick, like I have a cold or something. I also get a terrible headache the next day. The side effects may be my fault, as I don’t take the medication like I should. I’m supposed to take it in the morning, 30 minutes before eating. But I only take it once a week due to its side effects. I’m on the lowest dosage, 75 mg. This has been the only medication that has allowed me to go, it’s just the side effects are a bit too much for me to handle."

• Cab...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 18, 2021

For Constipation, Chronic "I had severe constipation and bowel motility problems that just kept getting worse and worse. I was in terrible discomfort. No celiac disease, no apparent bowel disease of any sort, just severe constipation. I was taking sennosides, docusate, polyethylene glycol, magnesium hydroxide, and psyllium all together every day, and eating tons of soluble and insoluble fiber, and I still couldn't have a bowel movement without an enema. Then my gastroenterologist put me on linaclotide, 72 micrograms a day. It has changed my life. I almost feel normal. It is such a relief. I don't have to take any laxatives or stool softeners anymore. I just eat whatever I want without worry. Sometimes I have very loose stools and stomach gurgling, and a vague queasiness, but that is nothing compared to what I endured before. Give this medication a try. I hope it works for you the way it has worked for me."

• Jam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 4, 2022

Linaclotide for Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I was prescribed Linzess after being backed up for more than 3 weeks. A trip to the ER and what felt like an exorcism of my colon later, the GI gave me this. The first couple of days taking it, my stomach cramping was still happening, and I had a lot of discomfort. Taking it regularly produces bowel movements on a regular basis. Once I was going every couple of days, I stopped taking it and started getting backed up again. Took it with the hopes of it working later in the evening, but it worked within an hour or two, and I was racing for the toilet at a family gathering."

• Mik...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 16, 2021

For Constipation, Chronic "Summary: Linzess works wonders, but it is expensive and only available in the US. I had been on Linzess / Linaclotide for 5 years because it was the only thing on the market that helped me be regular, otherwise, I have IBS-C with bad stomach cramps and chronic constipation. Last year, I moved abroad. I could not find Linzess. It sells only in the US. My doctor could not prescribe it to a Canadian online pharmacy. I could not find it in India (where they make just about all meds) or in Europe. I tried to get it shipped from the US, however, without health insurance, the 28-pill box costs $450. So, I am trying alternatives. The Ayurvedic cure involves drinking salty water while doing a set of exercises that are supposed to restore a healthy peristalsis. This, combined with Dulcolax suppositories, helps the bottom end of the colon relax and allow passage. I am learning to deal with the psychological causes of IBS-C that doctors don't talk about."

• Kin...
• December 2, 2016

Linaclotide for Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I bled from my rectum after using this medicine. I had stomach cramps as well. I recommend that you never use this medicine unless you want to be in severe pain."

• Hug...
• April 6, 2016

Linaclotide for Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "I took one pill that gave me a terrible stomach ache that lasted three days."

• Ric...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 27, 2019

Linaclotide for Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I was given a sample of the lowest dose Linzess to try this morning and developed severe cramping, followed by the runs and stomach rumbling. I had to use both Pepto as well as Imodium to help me."

• Mka...
• February 1, 2018

Linaclotide for Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "Tried this for my chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC), but it caused bloating, and my stomach felt upset. Had to stop, will try something else."