Dicyclomine and Constipation: What Users Say

• Blo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 18, 2019

Bentyl (dicyclomine) for Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I've suffered with the symptoms of IBS for years, including excess flatulence, ridiculous bloating, constant stomach pain and alternating constipation/diarrhea. I don't like to take prescription meds, so I tried probiotics, digestive enzymes, yogurt, kefir, peppermint oil, herbal supplements...all to no avail. I had developed such a severe pain in my right-hand side, below the ribs, that I was starting to wonder if I had something more serious going on than just IBS. Within a few hours of taking this drug, my poor, outraged stomach and intestines probably cried with relief. The pain on my right-hand side is gone. No more bloating or dreading the after-effects of mealtime...no more avoiding social situations due to the IBS symptoms. My stomach has already gotten flatter and I no longer have the 5-month pregnant appearance thing going on. I've noticed some drowsiness and mild constipation, but these symptoms pale in comparison to the horrors of ongoing IBS pain."

• Tom...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 11, 2020

Bentyl (dicyclomine) for Irritable Bowel Syndrome "Doctor convinced me to try Bentyl for abdominal pain as he thought it was IBS. I suffer from constipation. He told me to start with 10 mg in the morning for 1 week then increase to twice a day because I am sensitive to many medications. Today was my fourth day and my pain and constipation are so severe I thought about going to the ER. I am trying to get my bowels moving again on my own. As my experience at the ER is they do a CAT scan, say everything looks ok, and send me home in severe pain. If I call my GI doc he says if it's that severe go to the ER, and then ER sends me home. It's so frustrating. I'm glad it helps so many others. I will never take it again."

• Han...
• December 2, 2019

Bentyl (dicyclomine) for Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I’ve been dealing with IBS-C and stomach pain for a few years now. At first, I was just managing it with over-the-counter probiotics, enzymes, fiber gummies, etc., but over time, everything stopped working. I needed something stronger once my stomach cramps got so bad it led me to throw up and have awful diarrhea. My doctor prescribed me Bentyl for the stomach cramps. I take Bentyl as needed anytime I feel the onset of my stomach cramps, but typically I don’t need it more than once a day. As soon as I take it, the cramping subsides and I no longer get to the point of extreme pain. But in my experience, once my stomach cramps get to their worst point, I don’t find relief with Bentyl. It only works for me if I catch it in time. I often feel my heart beating faster than usual, along with some drowsiness when I take it. A much better feeling than the cramping though. Also at times, I feel it makes me more constipated, so I try not to take it too often since I have IBS-C."

• mgi...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 22, 2013

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "For years, I didn't know what was wrong with me. I gave up drinking alcohol because even enjoying one glass of wine would cause my stomach to bloat, and I would be in so much pain that it would even be hard to get to sleep. I guessed maybe an ulcer or acid reflux, something along those lines. Finally, I was able to go see a specialist. I told him I would have severe pain from eating certain foods or drinking certain things. I also had a lot of trouble with constipation and having regular bowel motions. He decided to first give me DICYCLOMINE and see how things went. I also started to change my diet, in with the good, out with the bad. Been almost a year now ... DICYCLOMINE - my lifesaver!"

• Tex...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 4, 2018

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "When I have an IBS attack, I take dicyclomine (for cramps) along with mescopolamine. Within 10 minutes, the stomach quiets itself and the liquid, painful BM stops! Together, these drugs allow me to function a fairly normal life (until the next attack). When taking mescopolamine, don’t take the whole pill. It’s a soft tablet, and I just break off a third or less. That still works. If I take a whole one, it gives me constipation. Just experiment with it, and it will do you a first-class job! For constipation, I use magnesium gel capsules (the OTC kind they use as a supplement). It cleans you out overnight. If you don’t think you’re severely stopped up, I just bite the end off the gel cap and squeeze some of the white magnesium out so I don’t get a full dose. Again, just experiment. If you have IBS as bad as I do, you will have plenty of chances! Good luck, friends!"

• elt...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 21, 2024

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I took this due to the fact that I was having horrible cramps from IBS. The first time I took it, I got some relief. But subsequent doses have not helped me. My doctor says to take more Miralax, but my stools are already soft. I just can't push them out. Horrible pain, blurry vision, and cramping like I've never experienced in my life. This drug, I believe, has led to me being more constipated. I've been to the ER multiple times with this issue. They always say you're constipated, take a laxative or take more Miralax. The pressure gets so bad I get tenesmus, and I have trouble urinating. Also, it blocks my poop from coming out, just a small squirt at a time. Don't know what to do. Living like this is unbearable."

• EMB...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 26, 2018

Bentyl (dicyclomine) for Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I took them for a week. They did not help at all. I have severe constipation, bloating, or stomach pain; worsening of diarrhea or other irritable bowel symptoms. I stopped taking them tonight. Ask the M.D. to prescribe another medication. The pain I feel right now is excruciating."

• One...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 8, 2020

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I take this for IBS. My IBS goes from constipation for a couple weeks to diarrhea two weeks, especially during my period. The diarrhea is so severe with cramps that I suffered from an anal fissure. The GI doc prescribed this along with an ointment for my fissure and immediate relief from diarrhea, which over-the-counter diarrhea medicine couldn't do. The only two side effects I suffer are constipation and a horrible dry mouth. I take it only as needed because my GI told me it can cause constipation. I only take one when I get diarrhea and wait a day or two to take another one, then a few days later, I have a big glass of water with powdered fiber in it."

• Meg...
• August 3, 2017

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I've had IBS for as long as I can remember. It gets so bad that I vomit from the pain, then about 15 years ago, I began passing out from the abdominal cramping. Finally talked to my doctor after passing out while driving. Tried different drugs, and he finally gave me Lomotil, which worked but made my constipation worse. Finally, I became a nurse and, while working in a prison, I discovered dicyclomine is what they were prescribed, so I asked my doctor about it. It has been a lifesaver!! I take it only as needed when I start to feel the cramping coming on. The only downside is it makes me feel kind of high. Maybe it's just dizziness and tiredness, but I've been known to fall down a couple of times using it. It beats passing out on the toilet, though!"

• Jen...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 4, 2021

Bentyl (dicyclomine) for Irritable Bowel Syndrome "This medication is a literal lifesaver for my Crohn's. The side effects may be irritating to put up with, but I would rather the occasional drowsiness than frequent stomach pain, nausea, or inconsistent bowel movements. It helps me to actually go to the bathroom, even though my GI doctor warned me that some people experience constipation. This medication has saved me from being inconsistent with work and school. I don't have to worry about any discomfort while out and about."

• Ang...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 27, 2022

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I have had stomach issues since I was a child. Gallbladder removed, hiatal hernia surgery which almost killed me! Ulcers, acid reflux disease, and now dysmotility, which caused me to lose a lot of weight! One night, the pain was so severe I had to go to the ER. And that's when I was prescribed Bentyl 20 mg, 4 times a day. I couldn't take it as prescribed because it made me too sleepy, and I had dry mouth, constipation, I would almost fall, and confusion. So I only take it twice a day! It worked until my next flare-up! I had to change my diet because of the bloating, gas, and severe stomach pains. Along with the 40 mg of Bentyl, I can't eat anything good, including my favorite mac and cheese."

• yel...
• November 10, 2015

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "It stopped the stomach pain and diarrhea, but it gave me constipation really bad."

• Mik...
• September 4, 2017

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I've been on it for 3 years. It's great, unless I'm constipated, then forget it. I still get pain, but not as bad."