Feedback on Linzess for Irritable Bowel-C or Chronic Constipation

@denisep I know this a pretty old thread, but what are you currently taking?

@wch1017 - welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect.

Do you also have IBS-C? Are you currently taking medication for constipation?

I was on Linzess for about 14 months. Many mornings of major diarrhea and unpredictable at times major incidents requiring clothes changes etc. I have had success w/ Visceral massage, some pelvic floor training, metamucil.

@lisalucier yes and Linzess

I, too, had great expectations for Linzess. I took 72 mg as directed it worked every day— forceful watery diarrhea— in the morning hrs; it was unpredictable as to how many times i would use the b r. Over time it became less consistent. It did not work for 5 days straight. I became quite frustrated and stopped it. I felt sooo much better physically and emotionally. Linzess was not for me; had it worked more than ince a day, i would have continued Im currently relying on Senna but am asking dr for motegrity with high hopes for gut motility and elimination

@schuljoa1 i did not last but 4 months for the reasons you named; i felt so much better emotionally and physically when i stopped it.
Senna works for me but i realize it is not designed for long term. Since motility is a problem, im asking my gastro for motegrity Are you familiar with it?

@denisep i became very frustrated and anxious with Linzess and stopped taking it after 4-5 months. It became less predictable and effective, preventing my plans each dsy. Im taking senna often with results but i would like to try motegrity since i have slow gut motility
I did try massage and it was not effective. Osmotics are disastrous also. Your experience with motegrity?

After nearly a year on Linzess starting with the lowest and ending up with the highest dose, there was no discernible effect. I took it upon waking with two glasses of water before eating or drinking coffee. Two weeks ago I took myself off of it (after checking no gradual approach required) and there is no difference at all.
I have been diagnosed with IBS, silent reflux, and believe I have total GI slow transit.
I wonder if Linzess affected electrolyte balance. I have been diagnosed with hypotension/low blood pressure and instructed to increase my salt intake, electrolytes, and be sure to hydrate. After a week of doing that, it may be a coincidence but I feel better and less fatigue.
My general practitioner has ordered Prucalapride/Motegrity so we will see.

@cezanne My story is not unlike yours. Linzess doesn't work for everyone. Hopefully prucalopride will be better for you.

I have pathologically slow transit due in large part to dysautonomia. I recently took a breath test that my GI doctor ordered and I tested positive for intestinal methanogen overgrowth (IMO). Slow transit creates the opportunity for IMO, and in turn the methane produced in the gut as a result is known to slow transit even more. It can be a vicious cycle.

Consider asking your doctor if a breath test would be appropriate. Mark Pimentel, MD, at Cedars-Sinea is leading the research on small intestinal overgrowths and has said that in many cases IBS-C is actually a manifestation of IMO.

BTW, I haven't noticed that Linzess significantly altered my electrolyte balance.

Linzess didn't work for me and actually made me sick.. I'm on Trulance and it was working great.. 3-4 Bristol stool chart #4 daily ..occasional Miralax.. until July 23 when the allergist gave me a Xolair injection for CSU ( Chronic Spontaneous Uticaria).. have been to ER 3 times since for constipation and just had a colonoscopy..( quite upset wrecked my life.. 6 1/2 years of "gut work" wrecked..and now I'm sitting here stressed just hoping it will work again..I've also tried Amtisia and it didn't work . so the DR said .. out of options..I'm going to ask about Motility.. today! ) But I tried Linzess years ago and it made me sick and also about 2 years ago..and i t didn't work!