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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.

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anniewee | @anniewee | Jan 17 5:43pm
In reply to @bb4eternity "@anniewee My GI did not tell me NOT to take it. I looked it up as..." + (show)
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@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.

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@bb4eternity
Thank you for getting back to me. Very nice of you.
At least none of us who use this forum have to deal with this subject alone!

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Moderator
Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | Jan 20 10:51am
In reply to @cezanne "@astaingegerdm Thank you so much for taking the time to reply and for your helpful remarks..." + (show)
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@astaingegerdm
Thank you so much for taking the time to reply and for your helpful remarks and suggestions. I suspected as much about the liquid stool going around the collected stool. Once I have results from an upcoming colonoscopy and endoscopy I might seek out a specialist at a university hospital. I doubt the prep for the colonoscopy will clear me out (failed in past years and I use Cologuard now) but they want to try Sutabs with Miralx and Dulcolax as a prep.

Any notions about what might work or what steps are taken if Linzess fails are appreciated.

Thanks again. This is a great support group.

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Hi @cezanne - just wanted to touch base and see if you have had your colonoscopy and endoscopy? How did the prep go?

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cezanne | @cezanne | Jan 21 7:04pm
In reply to @lisalucier "Hi @cezanne - just wanted to touch base and see if you have had your colonoscopy..." + (show)
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Hi @cezanne - just wanted to touch base and see if you have had your colonoscopy and endoscopy? How did the prep go?

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@lisalucier Hello, thanks for thinking of me. The endoscopy went well with no abnormalities noted but pending biopsy results.
As I feared, even the two day prep did not clear me out for a satisfactory colonoscopy. Upon informing me right after, my GI doctor who performed it suggested we try again the very next morning upon my doing another prep that night. I managed that and the second colonoscopy was successful and looked like probably normal. Thank goodness. I meet with him in early Feb for a full report.
Normal procedure outcomes are welcome and may be one step toward figuring out what are the cause of my symptoms as I continue this journey.

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bkatz43 | @bkatz43 | Jan 22 9:53am
In reply to @cezanne "@lisalucier Hello, thanks for thinking of me. The endoscopy went well with no abnormalities noted but..." + (show)
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@lisalucier Hello, thanks for thinking of me. The endoscopy went well with no abnormalities noted but pending biopsy results.
As I feared, even the two day prep did not clear me out for a satisfactory colonoscopy. Upon informing me right after, my GI doctor who performed it suggested we try again the very next morning upon my doing another prep that night. I managed that and the second colonoscopy was successful and looked like probably normal. Thank goodness. I meet with him in early Feb for a full report.
Normal procedure outcomes are welcome and may be one step toward figuring out what are the cause of my symptoms as I continue this journey.

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@cezanne
You have a very nice doc!!

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vincentjr | @vincentjr | Jan 22 12:23pm

Hi there, I was on linzess it might be the dosage, what mg is your linzess?

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cezanne | @cezanne | 6 days ago
In reply to @vincentjr "Hi there, I was on linzess it might be the dosage, what mg is your linzess?" + (show)
Profile picture for vincentjr @vincentjr

Hi there, I was on linzess it might be the dosage, what mg is your linzess?

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@vincentjr Hello, I was started on the lowest dose, 72 mcg for two months, no changes at all. Then we tried the larger dose 290mcg which going into second month late summer '25, no discernible change in chronic constipation or bowels. I have continued it to date. I am curious what is the longest time one could expect the Linzess to start making a difference? I am also curious if the Linzess can help with other abdominal discomfort systems?

I have other issues: silent reflux and hiatal hernia. Sometimes where I imagine my stomach is, I have a sense of fullness to the point where I don't want to eat (lost about 15 pounds in a year), rarely also mild nausea. I am fairly careful with what, when, and how much I eat under usual reflux guidelines. Fiber aggravates everything and I have to be careful with that.

In the interim, still continuing the 290 mcg, not long after colonoscopy and upper endoscopy (could be a coincidence) for a few weeks now I have had diarrhea, mostly controlled. I stopped the Linzess just in case and after a week went back to the 72 mcg every other day. I didn't see any changes. Possibly because of the diarrhea I have less discomfort associated with the constipation so ironically feel better because of that and of course, no laxatives needed.

This group has been a solace and when I see the more severe and big lifestyle changes members endure I appreciate I am managing OK and I wish all relief.

I see my GI doctor in a few weeks.

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