Linzess

[b1b1b1]

Hi - My gastroenterologist has recently mentioned Linzess as a potability for constipation. I am wondering if anyone else here takes this, and if so, what your experience has been. Thanks for any thoughts.

[xjrs]

Hi b1b1b1, I take Linaclotide (Linzess/Constella) for IBS-C with visceral hypersensitivity (IBS pain). When I took it it reduced my pain by 50%-60%. Full pain effects are felt after 10 weeks. Unfortunately for me it didn't help with BMs, but I manage that with diet. Though I know it helps others with BMs. After the 10 weeks I added in Alflorex (Align in the US) probiotic and that reduced my pain to zero. The pain only comes back if I am being particularly challenging with foods that I am eating. Alforex/Align made me far more tolerant to different foods and fibre. I still take Linaclotide (Linzess/Constella) and Alflorex today. In terms of the Linzess/Constella, I may have had a bedding in period for it of a couple of weeks of BMs adjusting when starting to take it and then that settled back to my normal.

By the way I was happy to take Linzess/Constella, since it only acts locally in the gut and is broken down into peptides and eliminated in waste.

[b1b1b1 in reply to xjrs]

Thanks for your thoughts. I actually don't have any pain from IBS, although I am very careful with diet and I know that I can't have lactose. My main problem is constipation. In addition I know that I have diverticulosis and internal hemororoids. For these reasons, I try to eat a high fiber diet and I also take 150 mgs of magnesium citrate every evening. This mostly works, but it is not 100% and I worry if I have to go out before 10 or so in the morning. Because it does not work for sure, the doctor mentioned Linzess. Some of the reviews say that it causes a lot of diarrhea, so I am quite hesitant.

[xjrs in reply to b1b1b1]

Yes. I saw those reviews. It could take a couple of weeks to settle down. However, everyone's reactions are different. Either you won't have any issues at all or you might have issues for a couple of weeks then it settles or you don't get on with it at all. Some people swear by it. Everything is trial and error. Wondering if you could start it over a period where it isn't necessary to be out of the house, just in case, if that's at all possible?

[edwangy]

I take constella every morning, makes me go but doesn't help at all with pain, in fact I think it makes pain worse as it stimulates the colon, and keeps on even after bowel is 'empty'

[b1b1b1 in reply to edwangy]

Thanks. Does it cause diarrhea?

[edwangy in reply to b1b1b1]

I take it at about 9.0 am, 1qtr of a 290mcgrm(you can only get 290 in UK).I takes about 2 hours or so to work and does empty your bowels but does cause diarrea, this stops after a few visits to loo. Doesn't help at all with my pain though

[Chicagopv]

Oy, I hated Linzess. It caused me to just gush out. I use a bisacodyl suppository every other day instead. It took nine years! consulting with gastros, getting pelvic floor pt, doing IBS meditation, trying various meds and diets and Fodmap--and finally am getting relief.

[b1b1b1]

I am glad you are finding relief. I tried pelvic floor PT, but it didn't make a difference. I try to eat a high fiber diet and take 150 msg of magnesium citrate. It mostly works, but it is not 100% and when it doesn't work then there can be problems later in the day when I am out.