1. < Digestive Health

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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joyce1109 | @joyce1109 | Dec 31, 2022

Thank you so much. I will try this!

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TSB | @terrirussell | Jan 2, 2023

Don’t forget that in Ireland Drs say they can paper their walls w Celiac diagnosis given that it’s carried genetically……throughout the British Isles………they simply follow a totally gluten free diet there to correct the problem. My mother refused to not eat what she loved and suffered her entire life instead. I am gluten free and so are both my children . They had enough with the nastiness of the reactions.

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lebanon100 | @lebanon100 | Jul 6, 2023

My gastroenterologist recommended linaclotide aka constella for my constipation. He wants me to try it for two weeks. On day seven, I experienced arrythmia. I don't know if constella caused it. If it was constella, wouldn't I have experienced arrythmia on day 1? I'd love to hear from others.

Thanks, Diana

REPLY
3 replies
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Jul 7, 2023
In reply to @lebanon100 "My gastroenterologist recommended linaclotide aka constella for my constipation. He wants me to try it for..." + (show)
@lebanon100

My gastroenterologist recommended linaclotide aka constella for my constipation. He wants me to try it for two weeks. On day seven, I experienced arrythmia. I don't know if constella caused it. If it was constella, wouldn't I have experienced arrythmia on day 1? I'd love to hear from others.

Thanks, Diana

Jump to this post

Hi @lebanon100, I moved your question about linaclotide (brand name Linzess or Constella) to this discussion that @sue225 started a while back:
- Feedback on Linzess for Irritable Bowel-C or Chronic Constipation https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/feedback-on-linzess-for-irritable-bowel-c-or-chronic-constipation/

I did this so you can read previous helpful posts of the expeiences of others and connect with many members dealing with IBS-C and chronic constipation like Sue and @ric2 @grateful4life22 @tarmansbks @upartist @lasirvent @astaingegerdm @aethos @heyjoe415 and others.

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reillyg1013 | @reillyg1013 | Jul 7, 2023
In reply to @lebanon100 "My gastroenterologist recommended linaclotide aka constella for my constipation. He wants me to try it for..." + (show)
@lebanon100

My gastroenterologist recommended linaclotide aka constella for my constipation. He wants me to try it for two weeks. On day seven, I experienced arrythmia. I don't know if constella caused it. If it was constella, wouldn't I have experienced arrythmia on day 1? I'd love to hear from others.

Thanks, Diana

Jump to this post

I was a participant in the drug trial for Linzess, although it was a blind trial and I didn’t know the name of the drug at the time. I’m 100% sure that I was on the actual drug and not the placebo because of the reaction I had to it. Fast forward 2 years later and they called me to take part again as the drug was headed for final FDA approval. I declined, but that was how I found out the drug name. The best advice I have for anyone suffering from chronic constipation is to try eating Australian black licorice. I have suggested this to several friends undergoing chemotherapy who were experiencing constipation and it worked for all of them. This is my go to remedy- hopefully it may work for you also. Be warned- flavor is very strong and different from normal black licorice. Good luck!

REPLY
2 replies
lebanon100 | @lebanon100 | Jul 7, 2023
In reply to @reillyg1013 "I was a participant in the drug trial for Linzess, although it was a blind trial..." + (show)
@reillyg1013

I was a participant in the drug trial for Linzess, although it was a blind trial and I didn’t know the name of the drug at the time. I’m 100% sure that I was on the actual drug and not the placebo because of the reaction I had to it. Fast forward 2 years later and they called me to take part again as the drug was headed for final FDA approval. I declined, but that was how I found out the drug name. The best advice I have for anyone suffering from chronic constipation is to try eating Australian black licorice. I have suggested this to several friends undergoing chemotherapy who were experiencing constipation and it worked for all of them. This is my go to remedy- hopefully it may work for you also. Be warned- flavor is very strong and different from normal black licorice. Good luck!

Jump to this post

Thank you. I'll look for Australian black licorice. I have never heard about it.

REPLY
2 replies
ani04 | @ani04 | Jul 8, 2023
In reply to @lebanon100 "Thank you. I'll look for Australian black licorice. I have never heard about it." + (show)
@lebanon100

Thank you. I'll look for Australian black licorice. I have never heard about it.

Jump to this post

I am from Australia and also never heard of Australian black licorice .
More information would be great

REPLY
1 reply
ani04 | @ani04 | Jul 8, 2023
In reply to @reillyg1013 "I was a participant in the drug trial for Linzess, although it was a blind trial..." + (show)
@reillyg1013

I was a participant in the drug trial for Linzess, although it was a blind trial and I didn’t know the name of the drug at the time. I’m 100% sure that I was on the actual drug and not the placebo because of the reaction I had to it. Fast forward 2 years later and they called me to take part again as the drug was headed for final FDA approval. I declined, but that was how I found out the drug name. The best advice I have for anyone suffering from chronic constipation is to try eating Australian black licorice. I have suggested this to several friends undergoing chemotherapy who were experiencing constipation and it worked for all of them. This is my go to remedy- hopefully it may work for you also. Be warned- flavor is very strong and different from normal black licorice. Good luck!

Jump to this post

Hi, i am from Australia , where can Australian licorise be purchased and how does it differ please ? ,,

REPLY
1 reply
upartist | @upartist | Jul 8, 2023
In reply to @lebanon100 "My gastroenterologist recommended linaclotide aka constella for my constipation. He wants me to try it for..." + (show)
@lebanon100

My gastroenterologist recommended linaclotide aka constella for my constipation. He wants me to try it for two weeks. On day seven, I experienced arrythmia. I don't know if constella caused it. If it was constella, wouldn't I have experienced arrythmia on day 1? I'd love to hear from others.

Thanks, Diana

Jump to this post

Hello Lebanon100. That is an interesting reaction to the Linaclotide. I get arrythmia here and there, and its uncomfortable. I have been taking the linzess for years. I also have to use miralax along with a careful diet. All together, I do have to keep close tabs on my hydration... then on to my electrolyte balances according to what is happening with the bowel. It gets tricky at times. I work to keep the stools unformed, which does effect my electrolyte levels. The electrolytes can potentially effect the heart. Pain levels can be debilitating when my stool backs up (even when they are loose to liquid). The linzess helps decrease this pain so the bowel is less likely to spasm up and create blockage. The amount of water drawn into the bowel can potentially dehydrate the body. I choose to work with these medications, because without them, the pain levels are truly overwhelming and can incapacitate me. I have just begun to use electrolyte drops in my water, as I drink a lot of water. I will see if the episodes of arrhythmia are impacted. They may not be impacted. In addition, I love Australian licorice (YUM!!!), but it has never had any effect on my bowel patterns. You might want to talk to cardiology regarding the arrhythmia. Possibly a completely separate issue. Good luck with this.... and be aware that not all the IBS-C comes from the same etiology, and therefore must be managed differently.
Cheers!!!!

REPLY
1 reply
lebanon100 | @lebanon100 | Jul 8, 2023
In reply to @upartist "Hello Lebanon100. That is an interesting reaction to the Linaclotide. I get arrythmia here and there,..." + (show)
@upartist

Hello Lebanon100. That is an interesting reaction to the Linaclotide. I get arrythmia here and there, and its uncomfortable. I have been taking the linzess for years. I also have to use miralax along with a careful diet. All together, I do have to keep close tabs on my hydration... then on to my electrolyte balances according to what is happening with the bowel. It gets tricky at times. I work to keep the stools unformed, which does effect my electrolyte levels. The electrolytes can potentially effect the heart. Pain levels can be debilitating when my stool backs up (even when they are loose to liquid). The linzess helps decrease this pain so the bowel is less likely to spasm up and create blockage. The amount of water drawn into the bowel can potentially dehydrate the body. I choose to work with these medications, because without them, the pain levels are truly overwhelming and can incapacitate me. I have just begun to use electrolyte drops in my water, as I drink a lot of water. I will see if the episodes of arrhythmia are impacted. They may not be impacted. In addition, I love Australian licorice (YUM!!!), but it has never had any effect on my bowel patterns. You might want to talk to cardiology regarding the arrhythmia. Possibly a completely separate issue. Good luck with this.... and be aware that not all the IBS-C comes from the same etiology, and therefore must be managed differently.
Cheers!!!!

Jump to this post

Thank you for taking the time to respond so completely and so well and so helpfully.

REPLY
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