Plecanatide and Diarrhea: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Suz...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 15, 2019

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "My doctor gave me a free sample of Trulance. My problem is chronic constipation, I go to the bathroom daily but strain to go sometimes. Took my first dose before going to bed. Within an hour, I was having stomach cramps followed by liquid diarrhea. I was awake the entire night with more of the same. I'm really shocked that my doctor gave me no insight into the possibility that people can have this kind of reaction. My constipation is mild, so I'm not sure why she thought this would help. Horrible. Just wondering when it will be safe to eat again or leave the house. When will my stomach return to normal? I will certainly ask more questions before I try any other drug cures."

• Blu...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 25, 2020

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "The doctor gave me samples of this after Linzess made me constantly bloated (I looked pregnant) and gave me nothing but diarrhea. Trulance does the same to me when it comes to diarrhea, and it seems a bit worse at times, like having to stay on the toilet for 2 hours. Sometimes it doesn't work as great, and I feel horribly bloated on my left side until I wake up the next day. One good thing is that I'm not constantly bloated anymore, but the diarrhea is a letdown because I need to be able to leave the house. It's been 3 weeks on this medication, and I'm not sure if I'm really liking it much, I'm not sure what the doctor will suggest next."

• Hay...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 24, 2018

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I love Trulance! I’m surprised people are saying it made them gain weight, as it is not a listed side effect, and I actually managed to lose 2 lbs while taking it. I’ve suffered from severe bloating and moderate constipation for almost two years. I was sick of the constant cycle of laxative on Friday night - flat stomach Saturday - constipation building Sunday through Friday - repeat. I was tired of planning my life around my laxative and my bloat. There were and are many times when I take a laxative and it would do nothing but make me bloat up to two sizes bigger than I am. Trulance has been gentle. No cramping, only mild bloat, and no water retention. My only negative comments revolve around the day-long diarrhea and the stomach distension that comes from going off it cold turkey. (I ran out and am waiting for my prescription)"

• BRa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 24, 2019

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "I hadn't gone in 5 days when my insurance finally approved Trulance. My doctor had prescribed Linzess, but the insurance company denied it. They wanted me to try Trulance first. (My longest was 8 days without a BM, and I ended up in the ER for bleeding after straining.) I took the pill shortly after I picked it up from the pharmacy. Within 1 hour, I had explosive diarrhea.... yes, I felt relief but not better. The side effects are too much... headaches (and yes, I drink tons of water), lack of energy (I am usually bouncing off the walls), and the fast weight gain (4 lbs in two days)! I also experienced no bowel movement when I took the second, third, and fourth dose. Horrible indigestion and just a flu-like feeling. I hope one day I can find relief, but for now, I think I will go back to laxatives and stool softeners."

• Jul...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 31, 2018

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I was so excited to take this. I took one on my way home from the doctor, as I hadn't gone in 2 weeks! So I went out to eat, and an hour after I took it, I ran to the bathroom-explosive diarrhea for 3-4 hours to the point I couldn’t make it to the bathroom. So the next time, I decided to take it at night, and an hour after, my stomach gurgled loudly for 2 hours, then back to explosive diarrhea for 3-4 hours, the kind you don’t even know is coming! Wish it would work for me, but I would rather be constipated at this point!"

• For...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 25, 2019

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "Doctor gave me samples of Trulance 3 mg to try. Took it for 6 days, feeling nervous because side effects include diarrhea. Nothing, I mean nothing, even with a little help (suppository & enema). Felt so bad that I had to take that vile citrus of magnesia to get some relief. It may work for you, but did nothing for me."

• Pun...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 18, 2018

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I take it twice a week. Usually works within an hour and have relatively normal BM unless I am backed up. Then I get the diarrhea everyone complains about. Have to make sure you have fiber when taking, and that seems to help decrease the bloating."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 13, 2018

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "After years of trying everything on the market, including Linzess and Amitiza, I was given samples. It has been working great! I do have days of loose stools, but the alternative to me is worse. I go every day, and my bloating is gone! No cramping, headache, or bloating. I would recommend this medication. I'm not sure the cost, though, I haven't purchased from the pharmacy yet. I hope it is not too expensive! Drug companies need to know that what we go through is awful, and these drugs should be covered by insurance!"

• Chr...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 28, 2022

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I have a barrel full of gastro diseases. I was prescribed Trulance for chronic constipation and gastroparesis. I don't take it every day, but when I do, I have a bowel movement within 2 hours, and it's done within a few hours (I take it when I get home from work). I have no side effects except for some diarrhea mixed with solids. Do note that if you do not drink liquids when you take Trulance, you probably won't have a BM. Trulance works by drawing liquid into your small intestine. If you're already dehydrated, Trulance more than likely won't work. If you're feeling 'sick' after taking Trulance, again, it is more than likely because of dehydration. Make sure you can keep liquids down prior to taking, during, and after taking Trulance, that's how Trulance works."

• KCa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 14, 2018

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I had to share my experience. Opposite of most. I was afraid to even try this, reading how much diarrhea people get. Took the first one in the evening and prepared to rush to the bathroom. Felt nothing. Next morning, I had a very small hard bowel motion. Throughout the day, I began to feel progressively more sick. Headache, exhausted, foggy, shaky. Almost a migraine-type feeling. Took the second dose that evening. Woke up the next morning feeling like I was run over by a train. Horrible headache, shaking, pain in face behind eyes, totally wiped out. I was completely bloated, felt like I had a round balloon in my stomach. I had a hard time getting through the day and decided I needed to stop. It took a full 24 hours to feel better. Finally, 36 hours later, I have started pooping again and the headache is fading. This medicine was NOT for me. I have never had such serious side effects."

• FOS...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 14, 2019

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "Five days of taking this medication and not impressed. Had diarrhea twice, for which I'm thankful after reading some of the reviews. All I'm getting from this medication is a stomach so bloated it would appear I'm in my 9th month of pregnancy and cramps that have me constantly running to the bathroom with absolutely no results. Glad this was a sample and I didn't pay any money."

• Mbe...
• October 17, 2017

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I started taking this RX after years of severe constipation. I thought this was just a 'woman' thing. I never knew IBS was also a constipation thing. I started out on Linzess and was moved to this drug as a cheaper alternative that was maybe better. So, 5 days into it, I had nothing.....belly bloat, looked pregnant, and miserable. Day 6 came and let's say it was terrible, poo all over my bed as I slept. Day 7, poo all over the bed again. As I slept, severe diarrhea. So now I sleep with my first pair of diaper underpants. ????? I am 49, this is not a part of my life I wish to have at this point."

• Luv...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 3, 2021

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "I have had horrible, chronic constipation for 3 decades. Having a bowel movement was like having a baby, with the result ending up with pelvic prolapse. Finally started Ametiza, took it for 5 years with still hard stools. Finally switched to Trulance in February. Have tried at various times, but diarrhea is always the result. COVID has kept me home, and so I can handle it. But we normally travel a lot, and I cannot imagine going out with uncontrollable diarrhea. I feel frustrated. Miralax gives me putrid-smelling gas. Linzess is not an option. Wish Trulance came in a lower dose. Maybe that will reduce the diarrhea?"

• Bri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 31, 2018

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I have struggled with chronic constipation my entire life. I am a 29-year-old female, and my gastro doctor prescribed me Trulance over 2 weeks ago. For the last 11 years, I have tried everything, including Amitiza, Linzess, bag enemas, Miralax, Dulcolax, etc. None worked. I was diagnosed with gastroparesis, celiac disease, and chronic constipation. My entire colon is slow transit. I was really optimistic when I saw other reviews saying within 2 hours they were having diarrhea. I was surprised some people gave up taking this drug due to the diarrhea. I have a 4-year-old son, I don't have time to feel awful anymore. I am so disappointed. Over 2 weeks on Trulance and nothing. Just bloating and gas. I plan on seeing my doctor and asking about removing some of my colon. I am desperate to stop feeling toxic. I am glad this medication works for some people. I would recommend at least giving it a try, you could have better results than what I did. Good luck!"

• Gut...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 28, 2023

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "Nope. Nope, nope, nope. This stuff was a disaster for me. I have MCAS and hEDS, and over the past couple of years, my motility has slowed down a bit. I had been considering motility-enhancing medications for some time and discussed with my new GI doctor if anything like that would be helpful. We talked about Linzess (which I had tried years ago, but it gave me diarrhea) and Motegrity (he felt it would be too harsh). He suggested Trulance as a good option since I'm sensitive to many medications. I took a half dose at 10 a.m. Exactly two hours later, I started experiencing the urgent need to use the bathroom (I had some rumbles and cramping beforehand). Within 20 minutes, the consistency changed from straining to liquid, accompanied by intense gut pain. It has now been three hours, and I'm still not finished. The stool is mostly liquid with a small amount of solid. It feels like I'm going through a colonoscopy cleanout. I'm grateful that we have a high-quality bidet seat in our toilet. I will never take another one of these pills again, not even at a half dose. It's pure and simple torture."

• Gst...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 16, 2024

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "Hit with gastroparesis in 2012. The first 6 years I was near death. Slim treatment options. I forced almost every BM with manual tactics and fought sepsis for many years. I regained control of my life with daily enema use. Recently, I got a new gastro doc and asked her for the newest treatments available for chronic idiopathic bowel obstruction, gastroparesis, CIC, etc. Fast forward: I've been on Trulance for a couple of weeks. As warned, I did suffer mild symptoms of upset stomach and diarrhea once the medicine first entered my blood. And I felt good about it! No further 'troubling' gut reactions have occurred. Had some annoying dry sinus for a few days. I kept taking the pill with half a multivitamin daily - and all my gut pain went away overnight. I'm already doing #2 pretty regularly now. I might finally have my life back after ten years lost. For me, it's a miracle pill!"

• mb1...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 9, 2023

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "I have Irritable Bowel Syndrome with constipation (IBS-C), and this drug is a lifesaver for me. Without it, I would have had a colon resection by now. I have taken Linzess and Amitiza in the past, and they were not effective. My doctor told me to take it with good fatty food, like a handful of pecans, a handful of almonds, and a handful of peanuts. Does it produce a normal bowel movement? Of course not. My G.I. tract is smoked. However, this draws enough water in that I’ve got about an hour and a half of diarrhea after an hour's wait, and it cleans me out daily like clockwork. For me, diarrhea is much better than constipation. My local G.I. hadn’t heard about this fat interaction, and I had not read it anywhere else. I hope it makes a difference to someone who sees this and gives it a try."

• Bet...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 11, 2018

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "Began taking for severe constipation, and from the very first to almost 3 months later, I still have nightly very, VERY watery stools for 5-8 hours. Cannot take this medicine and have any evening plans. I can almost guarantee that 1 1/2 hours after taking this medicine, I will feel the first gurgle and will spend the rest of the night in the bathroom. It has helped with the pain in my abdomen, and distension is almost gone. I feel better the next day until I take the next dose."

• mis...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 8, 2019

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "Took it for a week. I've been so bloated with horrible gas pain the whole time. Diarrhea all day, and then when the diarrhea is done, I strain to pass the same small pellet stool I have when I don't take anything. Tried splitting the pill in half and get the same results. Drinking 3 liters of fluids a day and still feel dehydrated. The only good thing I can say about this medication is that it was a free sample at my doctor's office."

• jrz...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 20, 2023

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I was prescribed a particularly unpleasant drug, which I took as directed: one 3 mg pill. Shortly after ingestion, I was forced to rush to the bathroom. Three hours later, I had experienced diarrhea nine times in a row and was headed back for the tenth time. The experience was extremely uncomfortable, with cramping, bloating, and a persistent need to go. Despite being instructed to take the drug on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, I have no intention of taking it again on Friday."

• Jay...
• July 12, 2017

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "After being on Linzess for 2 years, where that med caused me a range from horrible diarrhea to not working at all, so my gastro put me on this new med. It seems to work within the hour of taking it, and I do not get serious diarrhea like Linzess gave, so that's great. I am bloated, but it's too early to tell if it's from this med or not, since I've only been on it for 2 weeks. I just hope it doesn't cause me weight gain like Linzess did. One thing I do notice is that I feel tired since taking this medicine, which I don't think is just a coincidence. I'm going to try this for a month and see if that side effect goes away."

• Cak...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 17, 2019

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "I have had gallstones with all of the worst symptoms like IBS and severe pain, removal of gallbladder followed by a trip to the ER. Fast forward a year of IBS with constipation and gas that I have tried to treat with a healthy diet and lifestyle. After bleeding started, I had my first colonoscopy, and they found and removed a benign polyp. Fast forward another year of avoiding dairy and upping fiber and water, still constipated with acid reflux and gas. I got to a point I couldn’t swallow food without getting choked, so I went to the doctor for the reflux and constipation again. I took Trulance for a week, thought nothing was getting better because I had hard small BM for 6 days. Day 7 - the evening after my endoscopy, it hit me. I finally had a good BM, but it was followed by hours of diarrhea. I was going every 15 minutes as if I had taken the prep drink for a colonoscopy."

• LuL...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 3, 2023

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "Used Amitiza for 8 years until it stopped working. Linzess for about 2 years before it stopped working. Switched back to Amitiza at twice the dose and experienced terrible heartburn. My insurance company changed to Trulance, and I am glad they did. It has been the very best. Works well daily within 2 hours of taking it. I do occasionally have a day with no bowel movement. Usually normal, soft consistency stool. No cramping. Occasional mild diarrhea. No other side effects. I also eat fiber, take fiber supplements, and drink 3-4 quarts of water a day."

• red...
• February 18, 2018

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I have IBC, and after years of laxatives and enemas, which stopped working, I was put on Linzess for just shy of two years. I gained weight, had horrible bloat and brain fog feeling. I could not take Linzess every day, and in the last few months, Linzess raised my blood pressure. I just started Trulance for a week. I had diarrhea movements within two hours but do not feel bloat or that horrible brain fog anymore. I also stopped gaining the weight Linzess was causing. I am praying this will keep working for me."

• Cat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 7, 2018

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I have chronic constipation all my life - I’m 50 years old. No pain, but I can go a week easy only having about three rabbit-sized bowel motions. On a good week, I might go 3x a hard 5-inch bowel motion. I decided to start it in a particularly bad week at night. No cramps, but lots of gurgling. Two times I went an ok BM, but at least it was back to back. The third morning was HORRIBLE. Diarrhea so bad I couldn’t control the flow, like a colonoscopy prep for hours, but dark brown like it was clearing me out all the way. I was housebound for hours. Sorry. Not for me. Back to over-the-counter laxatives, which stop working. I had high hopes."