Feedback on Linzess for Irritable Bowel-C or Chronic Constipation

I find that it helps to manage my expectations. I take Linzess in the morning before my first meal as well, although usually with (lots of) plain tea, and find that 45-60 min before eating works for me. Also, I've added lots of fiber to my diet and really push fluids. My goal is not about frequency any more -- it was when I started -- but instead about stool quality (https://nafc.org/maintaining-a-healthy-bowel/). As long as I'm sitting at Type 3-4, I figure it's under control, even if it's several days between bowel movements. If it pushes into Type 1-2, I start adding more fiber to my diet, try to increase my exercise (which really matters, but that's easier for me to say than it is to act upon), and if necessary, add Miralax.

Agree that stress doesn't help. And that the brain/gut connection is real.

@bernadette8 Same thing happened to me with Linzess. I am now having success using Motegrity in the morning along with CALM magnesium oxide powder every afternoon/evening. Motegrity (prucalopeide) did not work initially but I stopped for 2 weeks and then tried again and it started working for the past month. I like that it hasn’t given me day-long diarrhea, just one or two usually normal bm’s in the early morning. Needed my gastro’s office to get my insurance to cover it as “necessary.” Not a drug usually covered.

For me, daily Linzess worked great -- until it didn't. Just stopped being effective on a daily basis. I keep some on hand as a rescue, and it helps -- but not as well as it did when I started it. It's not the only time I've thought I'd found the answer, only to have it peter out. Developed a resistance? Who knows.

I never got to the actual prescription stage, doctor gave me samples and it made my bowels completely uncontrollable same as OC MiraLAX. I’ve been diagnosed with IBC constipation for years since my 20’s. I’m now 61 and have had different digestive issues. Ischemic colitis, one the bleeding stopped I had colitis attacks for a few months and then gone. I have failed multiple occult blood test. This last round is still inconclusive because of lack of communication and office processes. I just finally said enough, cancel capsule test because no one ordered my prep prescription. So please continue to monitor and don’t overlook changes it could be serious. But no I had no success with Linzess.

So appreciate all the feedback. Thank you!
Absolutely agree that stress can be a trigger, and in my case often is. Also change of routine ie traveling doesn’t make it easier to live with the disease.

Hi @charzy, and welcome!

Did your prescribing doctor have any thoughts as to why Linzess stopped being effective for you?

Hi, Janell. No, my GP didn't know. He offers osmotic suggestions that don't really work. The last digestive doc told me to take flax for constipation. Big help (not). I've been fighting this for over 50 years. The mind-body thing is real. I better not get started. Thanks for the question.

The one thing that worked for me was a tea called smooth move.

@azsunshine7 Gee, I haven't used that in years. Thanks for reminding me. Maybe tomorrow.

@charzy
You are welcome.

If I drink the tea it’s before bed so when I wake it works pretty quickly.