Plecanatide and Diarrhea: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Fac...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 17, 2017

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "So the first two days I was like yes! It worked, and it was normal, cramp-free BM. Next day, a bit of diarrhea, but only two BMs like that. Well, I decided to just take half of one. No cramps or pain, no BM. Skipped another day, and then today I took a half. It's been two hours of off and on the toilet. I stopped having anything solid. It's like I am going pee, but through my behind. Don't let this sway you from trying, but stop if this happens to you."

• Ale...
• April 19, 2018

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I used to have to push very hard to be able to poop. It would take me 20-30 minutes just sitting there and making a huge effort. I started developing severe abdominal pain to the point I couldn’t even walk. Several times I dropped on the floor, unable to walk. I thought the pain was related to my IUD device, so I removed it, hoping it would help. It was on that visit that my gynecologist recommended that if the pain didn’t go away, it was possible I had chronic idiopathic constipation and that a new treatment called Trulance was available. The pain didn’t go away, so I decided to try some over-the-counter laxatives, but they would make me get diarrhea. So finally, I changed my diet, and I noticed that as long as I didn’t eat any processed foods, I would be okay, but as soon as I ate anything ‘unhealthy,’ I would get cramps again."

• Bee...
• February 23, 2018

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "Oh my goodness, I can't get out of the bathroom!! I took it at 8 PM, at 9:30, I had my first BM after thunder in my intestines. Now, 6 1/2 hours later, I'm STILL pooping, and it smells awful!! And it is liquid with some formed but mostly watery diarrhea. I don't think I will use this again, hope the loose stools stop soon. I pooped on myself while asleep too!!!"

• Bee...
• February 23, 2018

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "Oh my goodness, I can't get out of the bathroom!! I took it at 8 PM, at 9:30, I had my first BM after thunder in my intestines. Now, 6 1/2 hours later, I'm STILL pooping, and it smells awful!! And it is liquid with some formed but mostly watery diarrhea. I don't think I will use this again, hope the loose stools stop soon. I pooped on myself while asleep too!!!"

• Kha...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 21, 2020

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "This drug worked fairly well for me the first couple of months I took it. It gave me stomach cramps and diarrhea, but I was willing to deal with it if it meant not constantly being 'backed up.' However, after a few months, I would get varied results when taking it. Some days it would provide a bowel movement, and other days only severe cramps with no BM. After about a year of taking it, it seems to no longer work for me, unfortunately."

• Jus...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 12, 2018

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I tried one tablet around 2 pm, and within the hour, I was on the toilet with a runny evacuation, then bloating, then more diarrhea, more gas, even more runny evacuation. This lasted until maybe 8:30 pm. That night, I experienced pains running through my body, my arms and legs hurt so badly. It’s hard to describe, not sure what that was. I think it was from the Trulance medicine, so I’m scared to take another one. I had a loose evacuation the next evening, and this was without taking another tablet on day two. I’m considering taking the tablet every other day but not sure. Someone mentioned weight, which is a huge neon green, orange, and red flag for me to stop. I want to lose weight, not gain it. Plus, I’d think cleaning out would reduce one's weight. Anywho, my verdict is on the fence for now, I don’t know. I am elated to have a BM, given I can maybe go once a week."

• Sof...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 13, 2021

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "This medication has given me a lot of relief. I would say I am 85% back to what my bowel used to be 4 years ago before the symptoms appeared in my life. I have been to 3 gastro doctors and have tried Montegrity, Lynzess, and Amitza. All of them gave me side effects that I could not live with. I went into depression as no one could, until this day, tell me what is exactly wrong with me. My symptoms are bloating, like extreme to the point I have to lay down for periods of time because of how uncomfortable it is. Also, constipation followed by diarrhea. I have tried elimination diets as well for over 3 years, and nothing seemed to help. My last gastro doctor recommended Trulance, and so I tried it, and immediately I had a bowel movement and with no headaches, stomach aches, or bloating. I did experience diarrhea, but I take that before constipation any day. I find it works best when I take it in the morning with a full bottle of water on an empty stomach and then eat breakfast. I need to go to the bathroom immediately."

• Jur...
• May 23, 2018

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "Donna C mentioned sinus problems. My sinus issues (post-nasal drip in particular) were a result of reflux and hiatal hernia. When the bad PND got worse, Nexium greatly improved things! I figured out myself-tons of online research. My gastro said he'd heard that can be the case. Unfortunately, it doesn't fix the greater problem but thought it might be useful. I have severe constipation thought to be the result of scar tissue in the abdomen-1X had a complete obstruction that resulted in resection. Have tried every possible med. Experience with Trulance was initially positive-lasted about 3 days. More gas than usual, but it moved my bowels more completely and more normally looking. Since then, it has been almost explosive diarrhea, though not as terrible as with Linzess. Giving this a bit more time but, like others, really just so tired of how this controls and limits my life. Still on trial packs, but RX is approved and waiting for me to pick up."

• She...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 21, 2018

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "The very first time I took Trulance was in the late afternoon since that's when I got home from the doctor who gave me samples. About an hour or so later, I started having increased diarrhea that went on for 3-4 hours. So I picked different times to take it. The next time wasn't so bad, but after a week and a half, it just doesn't work! So now I will experiment with taking it at bedtime. Not giving up yet."

• NTH...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 28, 2023

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I take Motegrity daily and just started Trulance every other day. I have a bowel movement within an hour of taking the Trulance. I was using Amitiza and Motegrity, but it was slow to work. I also tried Linzess in the past, which made me super nauseous and abdominal pain. I am getting some diarrhea from the Trulance, but I’m hoping my body gets more used to it with time."

• Mom...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 8, 2021

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "Thank God for this pill! Was on Linzess for about 3 months, and even though it worked, I could not even leave my house! Started having to take it only when I knew I would be home. I then started taking Trulance, and I don’t have as much cramping as I did on the Linzess, and also it works great. Still will have liquid stool at times, but nothing like the other med! Definitely recommend this. I also can take this at night, unlike Linzess. My doctor said I can take it freely, which is so nice."

• sol...
• February 25, 2018

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "No way I'd use this thing again. Certainly, it's not possible to do so on a regular basis. I took it several hours ago; can't stop going to the bathroom. It might work perfectly for some people, though. If you can spare a day, try it and see if it produces a normal bowel movement, or has you running to the bathroom with diarrhea. I can feel it trying to work the next day early in the morning (5:00 AM) waking me up. So no thank you to this drug again!"

• Tru...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 28, 2022

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "Do not take this medication under any circumstances. I paid $500 for an RX, took 1 pill in the late evening. Woke up at 3 am with bedclothes and bedding soaked with diarrhea, leaving an embarrassing and unsanitary condition that took hours to clean up. The problem did not stop there. The 'cleansing' went on for three solid hours non-stop. I have been nauseous and without appetite for 4 days. Lost 4 pounds from my normal body weight of 98. My insurance company insisted I try this instead of my regular medicine, which I have taken for years, or they would not cover my regular prescription. This medicine is poison for people with my issue. Now I am out $500 to satisfy big pharma's need for a 'trial' victim."

• Owi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 8, 2021

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "IBS-C and Linzess did not work for me. Been using Trulance for almost 4 months now, and overall it has really helped me. It works best for me either right before or right after a meal, about an hour after taking it, my stomach starts to rumble and grumble, and within a few hours it does give you diarrhea (some days worse than others), and with me, it’s usually more than 1 trip to the bathroom. I will say it’s not super consistent for me, some days I go, and other days I get the rumbling without going, but I’ll take that over not being able to go for weeks at a time. Sometimes I get cramps and lots of gas and dizziness, but usually only when I ate bad food or haven’t eaten at all."

• Anonymous
• August 24, 2017

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "Experienced diarrhea and muscle pain in my left arm. Increased blood pressure, rapid heartbeat with only 1/2 dose of 3 mg pill. Also felt chest pressure from tightness in chest. Discontinued the drug after speaking with my Dr."

• Anonymous
• October 15, 2024

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "Trulance works very well, and it’s the only thing that helped me. However, it took a month before it started working. Also, I have discovered it works best if I take it on an empty stomach in the morning with a glass of water. Oh, but beware, when it did start to work, it made me go on myself while asleep because the stool was too loose, but after that one time, I started having normal bowel movements. Nothing else worked for me, but Trulance, and now I have normal bowel movements, especially if I am not dehydrated."

• Jod...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 14, 2021

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I have been on Trulance for over six months now. Trulance may have improved my condition a little, but not much. The doctor told me to add Miralax to my Trulance, which causes chronic diarrhea. Seems nothing will help."

• Sky...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 24, 2024

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "Was prescribed a sample of this for slow digestion and constipation and no movement after taking Miralax daily for 6 days. Took it after a meal, and within 30 minutes, my stomach and butt started rumbling. Had several small movements (liquid). Ate again later, and the rest came out rapidly but cramp-free and pain-free. Everything was good until I woke up at 5 am feeling like I had the flu and was going to have diarrhea and throw up. Took a Dramamine chew, and neither happened, thankfully. The next morning, I can still feel my colon moving and making noise. It works, but be sure that you're home or near a bathroom if you eat anything. It basically turns your stomach into an instant juicer."

• Bor...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 5, 2021

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "I have struggled with IBS symptoms my whole life, often with constipation and even occasional diarrhea. My GI doctor prescribed Trulance, and I was hopeful at first, but after taking it for about a month, it did not work for me, unfortunately. Extreme diarrhea every day that lasts anywhere from 2-5 hours within an hour to an hour and a half after taking the medication. My doctor is now prescribing Linzess. I'm optimistic. If it doesn't work, I'll stick with coffee and fiber."

• And...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 19, 2022

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I have been dealing with chronic constipation for about 4 years. Trulance worked for me the first 2 days (explosive diarrhea after it stopped working). I had to use suppositories as my belly was so swollen, and I felt a constant exhausted, dizzy lack of motivation, slightly depressed, terrible headache. Awful drug for me. I had to stop. For me, it didn’t work."

• Sas...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 29, 2022

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "First time taking this for my irritable bowel syndrome and constipation was yesterday after breakfast, and exactly 1 hour after taking the pill, my stomach was rumbling, and I had diarrhea. I pooped about 8 times yesterday with the constant “gotta poop” feeling all day. I was liquid pooping after the 2nd trip, even at bedtime, I felt the “gotta poop” feeling, but only pooped once during the night. I did have bloating and gas, but I was afraid to fart because it felt like I’d poop on myself. I took Linzess for 1 month and gained 15 pounds! So I stopped taking it immediately, plus, it never made me poop ever. Today is day 2 on Trulance, I took my pill 10 mins ago and already feeling things moving in my tummy. No side effects for me except the poops all day. I definitely wouldn’t take this before I had to work that day."

• Mer...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 28, 2017

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "This medication caused severe diarrhea. Took one pill and had constant diarrhea for 27 hours straight along with stomach pain. My bf is a gastroenterologist and hadn’t seen this reaction before. Go figure, but this medication doesn’t work for everyone."

• Nik...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 17, 2021

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I have had chronic constipation as long as I can remember. I have taken this medicine about four times now, and I cannot say no enough. I am truly thankful that I don’t have to work tomorrow. I was up all night with the worst diarrhea I have ever had. And that’s saying a lot because I have taken several laxatives. I imagine this medication is similar to the stuff you drink before a colonoscopy. I have no energy. I keep trying to drink water, and I’m so scared to move because I don’t know if I’m finished yet. I see that some people had a good experience, but each time I took this, my stomach felt so bad with cramps and diarrhea. I waited a few days and tried it again after trying half a pill the last time, and I am just going to go ahead and say no. I wish I could get my $25 back."

• Pat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 15, 2023

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "My doctor provided a sample of Trulance to try. I experienced explosive diarrhea, bloating, and stomach pain. I was dehydrated, and the next day I felt low energy. I don't think this medication is for me."

• Pix...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 3, 2022

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "The first 3 days were fine. Then I started to poop when I ate. Small, firm poop. Then the next day, diarrhea. Day seven, I was having severe diarrhea, and twice couldn’t make it to the bathroom. Skipped a day, took it, more diarrhea. Skipped several days… with no bowel movement. Then I took it, and I was horribly constipated. It did not work until seven hours later, and by then I had already taken some MiraLAX. This is not the answer for me."