Feedback on Linzess for Irritable Bowel-C or Chronic Constipation

Posted by sue225 @sue225, Mar 9, 2019

I have both of the above-conditions. Took Linzess, (called Constella in Canada) and got terrible stomach pain. Feeling desperate and thinking about trying it one more time. Interested in hearing what kind of experiences other people have had with linaclotide/linzess.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Digestive Health Support Group.

mikayla68 | @mikayla68 | Nov 24, 2022

In reply to @brendaharvey "I have to reduce to 1 tbsp from time to time." + (show)

Hi, thanks, good to know. I've decided to never ever take Linzess again - another horrible day today. And now I'm beginning to realize I wasn't doing so badly with my Metamucil and Colace. I might just decide to appreciate what I have. Plus I've never carefully consumed fiber in a serious way, so I've been doing this that past couple of weeks. Sigh. It's a journey.

brendaharvey | @brendaharvey | Nov 24, 2022

In reply to @mikayla68 "Hi, thanks, good to know. I've decided to never ever take Linzess again - another horrible..." + (show)

I have Gastroparesis and had to cut out all fiber. Fiber makes it so much worse.
It’s a crazy disease.

mikayla68 | @mikayla68 | Nov 25, 2022

In reply to @brendaharvey "I have Gastroparesis and had to cut out all fiber. Fiber makes it so much worse...." + (show)

Do you have IBS? Cuz I don’t. My stools tend to form too wide which causes things like the fissure I’m currently struggling with so the GI thought Linzess might improve that. So discouraged!

brendaharvey | @brendaharvey | Nov 25, 2022

In reply to @mikayla68 "Do you have IBS? Cuz I don’t. My stools tend to form too wide which causes..." + (show)

I have Gastroparesis.
I had a surgical procedure done on Nov 1. Pyloroplasty.
Opened the Pyloric valve so my food could pass more easily from stomach to intestines.
I am still on liquids or foods tha I can liquify while chewing in my mouth before swallowing.
Linzess did help me have bowel movements for sure but left me cramping all day.

brendaharvey | @brendaharvey | Nov 25, 2022

In reply to @mikayla68 "Thanks. My GI recommends it, I wouldn't just take it on my own. I would follow..." + (show)

I have Gastroparesis. If I don’t have a bowel movement for 2 days, then on day 3 bacteria begins to form and I had to go to ER and have them remove the stool, some manually and some by drinking laxatives.
Now I keep both enemas and magnesium citrate on hand just in case I don’t have a bowel movement on that 3 rd day.
Only sip a very small amount of magnesium citrate! Don’t drink the entire bottle like prep for colonoscopy!!! Never ever do this!!!!

woodspixie | @woodspixie | Nov 25, 2022

In reply to @denisef "nothing at all works for me - lifelong problem with constipation since childhood. only thing that..." + (show)

Have you been checked for MALS (and or other abdominal arterial compression syndromes)? Make sure a vascular surgeon is involved, and that the radiologist and whomever interprets it *knows about MALS*. Also, if they do Doppler US and or CTA, that they *use MALS protocols*; they must visualize this on *expiration* as well as inspiration. I ended up self-diagnosing this because it was missed by every physician I’ve ever seen. I ignored the recorded instructions on the CT and exhaled completely for one of the 3 images. My celiac artery was completely stenosed on expiration, and when they opened me up, they had to reperfuse 4 arteries, and my abdominal aorta was compressed, plus a bunch more was wrong they corrected but couldn’t see on imaging.

(MALS is also far more common in EDS-ers …just sayin’)

heyjoe415 | @heyjoe415 | Nov 26, 2022

In reply to @brendaharvey "I have Gastroparesis. If I don’t have a bowel movement for 2 days, then on day..." + (show)

That's really good advice on liquid citrate of magnesium. Use in small amounts if it's not for colonoscopy prep. Literally, just a teaspoon.

I made the mistake of drinking an entire bottle (16 oz.) and was in the bathroom an entire day and most of the night. I mean it certainly cleaned me out but that's not what I wanted and it is not a pleasant experience.

brendaharvey | @brendaharvey | Nov 26, 2022

In reply to @heyjoe415 "That's really good advice on liquid citrate of magnesium. Use in small amounts if it's not..." + (show)

I have not been able to find this product, magnesium citrate, anywhere for past few months.
There was a recall.
Does anyone know if it is back in production?

heyjoe415 | @heyjoe415 | Dec 17, 2022

In reply to @mikayla68 "Thanks. My GI recommends it, I wouldn't just take it on my own. I would follow..." + (show)

Good to know your GI recommends it. Everyone is different - but what brand/dose do you take? Thanks!

mikayla68 | @mikayla68 | Dec 17, 2022

In reply to @heyjoe415 "Good to know your GI recommends it. Everyone is different - but what brand/dose do you..." + (show)

Hi, I'm having some success with boring ol' Milk of Magnesia in the mornings, and with spacing out a couple of low doses. Sort of experimenting. So no, never did take the Citrate. I think it's available on Amazon tho. By the way, I have a severe case of restless leg syndrome and magnesium is super helpful for it, so I'm kinda enjoying the benefits of the extra magnesium.