Feedback on Linzess for Irritable Bowel-C or Chronic Constipation

@nycmusic. Correction : the comment I wrote about magnesium glycinate is not about colonoscopy prep……just 1 way to get things moving…some other forms of magnesium are even stronger ( cause the runs )… I defer to people with more expertise.

Linzess has been a game changer for me. At first it seemed to cause diarrhea and the 1st few days I thought if I continued, I'd never be able to go anywhere! My system finally regulated and while my stool is still a bit watery, I now have movement daily and it is not uncontrollable.
I notice many replying are on a fairly high dosage. Mg vs mcg. Maybe lowering your dosage may help with the "uncontrollable" diarrhea and/or stomach pains?? I am on 290mcg and it is working for me.
Definitely drink plenty of water!!

I have been taking Linzess for over 3 yrs . Started out at lowest dose win no results. Been at 290 mg ( highest dose) for most of the 3 yrs. It helps a little ( I guess) bit I still add something else daily as well. The only time I experienced bad side effects was when I tried it before bed...or with food. ( no,-nos). I take it 30 minutes or more before breakfast on an empty stomach. Hope this comment is of some help.

@mrsbv I have CIC, I only take lynzess when I get constipated. I agree no way I could take it everyday and leave home.

@nycmusic wondering if integrative medicine has something to offer here, since meds don’t always help….also, osteopaths can sometimes help- they are fully trained doctors specializing in helping the body heal itself.. I have one on my team and he adds a lot to health.

@stellacat Maybe your dosage is too high? I'm on 290 MCG and after a week of wondering about leaving home it did finally regulate. When I read up on Linzess, it stated to take it daily to work and NOT to take other stimulant laxatives or bulk forming fiber laxatives with it such as Benefiber or Metamucil.

@bb4eternity does this med come in lower dosage, or can you split the pills for lower dosage ?

@nycmusic They come in capsules, not caplets so can't split them. The 1st week when it caused diarrhea to the point I wondered if I'd be able to leave the house, I spoke with my GI doctor and he advised it should regulate after about a week. If not, he mentioned he could lower the dosage. So yes, I do believe they come in lower dosage.

@bb4eternity
...interesting comment. My GI told me to take Metamucil or Benefiber daily ....and a stimulant tea if needed as well as Linzess.
The PA had me taking all that as well as Miralax!
Ugh...I am working on myself on my own now...plan to stop Linzess after this month...been on it a few yrs...I seem to be the same. Oh well, I will keep positive with this issue as best I can.

@anniewee
My GI did not tell me NOT to take it. I looked it up as it was suggested not to take other stimulant laxatives or bulk forming fiber laxatives with it. Here is what it said,
"You should not take Benefiber or Metamucil (psyllium) at the same time as Linzess without talking to your doctor first, as combining them can increase the risk of diarrhea and potentially make both medications less effective by interfering with absorption or masking symptoms, requiring a separation of doses by at least 2 hours and medical guidance for safe use."
I followed that advice as Linzess caused diarrhea at first and very soft stool once it regulated.
Why would I want it to get back to runny? HA!
If your GI told you to take them together, then by all means do so. I'm not a doc! Good luck to you and hope you find what works for you.