Lubiprostone and Bloating: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Sco...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 21, 2023

Lubiprostone "I had colon cancer in 2007 and survived (3rd stage). However, every two years afterward, I experienced lower bowel blockages. I was informed that it was due to scar tissue from the four surgeries I had. I was always concerned about what to eat. There were periods when I improved, but as a naturally thin person, I easily lost weight. My usual weight was 175 pounds, but at one point, I dropped to 160 pounds. In 2022, I noticed severe constipation again. I couldn't have a bowel movement for 5-6 days, if at all. Eventually, I had another total blockage and had to go to the emergency room once more. While there, I saw a gastroenterologist who prescribed me Amitiza. I had doubts after trying various other treatments over the years. I started taking one Amitiza pill on a Monday morning, even though the recommended dose was two. After 2-3 days, I still didn't see any improvement, and I felt very bloated. However, on the fourth day, my stomach began cramping, and I finally had a bowel movement! This has continued for 2-3 consecutive days, and I am incredibly happy. Amitiza has been a lifesaver for me! If anyone reading this is considering taking it, please be patient. It was difficult to wait, but it was worth it! Also, remember to drink plenty of water. I am praying that the positive effects continue."

• DBa...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 28, 2018

Lubiprostone for Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I started taking Amitiza several months ago because my insurance wouldn't cover a different medication. Honestly, I still find myself needing to take other methods almost weekly for elimination. I haven't had any testing done by a GI specialist yet, so I'm not sure if maybe I just have something more going on that makes the medication ineffective. I didn't expect it to work like a laxative exactly, but I did think I would go more than once or twice a week. Sometimes, I still become incredibly bloated with stomach pains from lack of movement, so I don't think it works very well for me."

• blo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 31, 2015

Lubiprostone for Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "I was given this medication at the gastroenterologist's office, and it has not worked after 2 days of taking it. I went to the doctor because I have been so bloated. Amitiza has worsened the bloating!!!"

• Not...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 14, 2020

Lubiprostone for Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "Side effects got me feeling terrible. I was already experiencing severe bloating before I tried Amitiza, now I'm twice as bloated, feeling like I can't breathe, with dry mouth and headache. The first day taking a dose, I had a watery bowel movement, but after that, I haven't had any other movements!"

• Ath...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 27, 2017

Lubiprostone for Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "I was forced to take this medication by my prescription coverage. It has by far been the worst experience of my life! It doesn't help with going and leaves me in horrific pain and so bloated I can't breathe. If you have IBS-C, run far away from this drug! I am impatiently waiting to get the override on my old medication."

• Bee...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 11, 2021

Lubiprostone for Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I've been on Amitiza for a while now for IBS. I was on the 8, then the 24. It worked for a little while. Then constipation started for months, dizziness, bloating, weight gain, overeating, severe sweating, heart races fast at times. I ended up in an ER visit, they thought I had a blockage. I called the doctor again, told him my reactions, the nurse said to stop taking it, so I stopped Amitiza."

• sib...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 19, 2020

Lubiprostone for Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "Amitiza did nothing but make me severely bloated and very tired! It did not appear to help much with constipation, although I was on a low dose. The bloating was HORRIBLE! My waist went from a 27 to 35 in hours from the bloat. I have a painful spastic colon, and it did help decrease the pain from that, but the bloating made it not worth it."

• Anonymous
• October 1, 2009

Lubiprostone for Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "I take 8 mg, 2 pills a day; 1 teaspoon of milk of magnesia at night; worked great for a month, then stopped. I am either not going or have runny stools; terrible gas and bloating; affecting my entire life; I take Gas-X and charcoal tablets daily; no real consistent relief, but runny stools are better than nothing for me; no nausea with food."

• Hal...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 29, 2019

Lubiprostone for Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "I was prescribed Amitiza for IBS. I’ve tried both the higher and lower dose. As others have mentioned, it causes nausea, bloating, and cramps. The higher dose caused all that plus headaches. It took several weeks to “work,” and even then I continued to have issues. I’ve been on it about 8 months now, and I’m considering stopping the medication as it no longer does anything. Though I must say it worked well for a period of time."

• Dar...
• August 8, 2019

Lubiprostone for Opioid-Induced Constipation "I’ve been on Zubsolv for several years and only had BM about every 1 to 1 1/2 weeks. I got really tired of the bloating and discomfort, so my doctor gave me some samples of this drug. It worked a few hours after the first dose and then nothing. Immediately back to constipation. I’m so disappointed, as I was looking forward to being regular again. I will be trying another drug that will hopefully work better."

• NL7...
• May 28, 2021

Lubiprostone for Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "After having fissurectomy and hemorrhoidectomy surgery concurrently, I knew I was going to need something to help me when chronic constipation came back. At 46 years old, prune juice and increased fiber intake were no longer working. I was already running 2-3 miles a day and consuming enough fluids. I tried Miralax, but it was hit or miss-some days I had diarrhea, and the bloating was awful. My family physician prescribed Amitiza. It’s been a miracle drug for me. I take 24 mg once a day in the AM right after breakfast with plenty of water. I do have some abdominal gas pain later in the afternoon. Gas X minimizes this. I will take this trade-off to relieve the constipation any day! The only drawback for me is cost. I pay out of pocket because insurance will not cover it. However, I’m willing to budget wisely so I can pay for this medication! I encourage anyone who is suffering with chronic constipation to talk about Amitiza with their doctor. It has been life-changing for me!"

• Nur...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 12, 2018

Lubiprostone for Opioid-Induced Constipation "I recently had back surgery and was given Dilaudid for pain. I have lymphocytic colitis, which usually means lots of watery diarrhea, but I had been having constipation before my back surgery. After surgery, the constipation has been awful. My doctor gave me samples of Amitiza, and I took one 24 mcg pill a day, and after the 3rd day, it was somewhat easier to have a bowel movement. It’s now been about 2 weeks, and my doctor increased it to 2 pills a day. It is not working at all. I am more constipated than I was before surgery. I don’t know whether to continue on it or not. I hate this bloated, full feeling all the time. Any suggestions?"

• coo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 23, 2018

Lubiprostone for Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "Doc prescribed this medicine to me for my IBS problem. Sure, it did help with my bowel movement, but I ended up spending close to an hour in the bathroom due to the persistent pain! Into the 3rd day of taking it, it has caused me multiple horrible side effects - bloating, nausea, giddiness. The last straw came when the following day, it even resulted in vomiting! Would not recommend this due to the strong side effects."

• Han...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 30, 2017

For Constipation, Chronic "I have suffered with chronic constipation for the last 9 years, it has got progressively worse, and I have literally tried EVERYTHING treatment and drug-wise, and nothing works anymore. I only pass BM when I have a weekly colonic irrigation, which even now is taking over 90 minutes to work. Lubiprostone was a last resort, I am 7 days into 24 mg twice a day, and nothing except nausea, sickness, the worst bloating I have ever had, to the point I can't breathe by the evening. My chest is tight, and my arms are having muscle spasms. I am despairing....."

• jac...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 23, 2014

Lubiprostone for Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "Bloating was my biggest problem. I felt so bloated, I looked pregnant! Nothing helped... and I tried them all until I tried and stayed with Amitiza. It was and is worth the expense."

• lin...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 12, 2018

Lubiprostone for Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "I have IBS with constipation. I take Amitiza twice a day. I lost 52 pounds in one year. It has been wonderful! No bloating anymore."

• Ace...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 9, 2019

Lubiprostone for Opioid-Induced Constipation "On Amitiza, I had side effects of recurring UTIs and stomach pain with bloating. Not good!!"