Linzess and Bloating: What Users Say (Page 3)

• M K...
• August 19, 2015

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "I started on Linzess in April 2015. I thought it was my miracle drug, but it seems to have stopped working as well, and I have severe bloating/abdominal distention. To make matters worse, I've gained weight. Not water weight either. I work out and eat low carb, but since starting Linzess, the scale is going up. It looks as though I'm not the only one. Linzess needs to list potential weight gain as a side effect. But why would they do that? It's all about sales."

• Kri...
• March 15, 2017

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "I started taking Linzess 3 weeks ago for IBS-C. I have suffered with IBS since I was 18 or so. If I didn't take anything over the counter, I could go 4-5 days without a movement. My Dr. gave me the starting dose, which had little effect for me. Once he called in the 290 mg, I can't believe the difference. Sure, I've had a couple of headaches and bloating, but it has been a Godsend to me. No diarrhea for me at all. I am going every day, sometimes more than once a day, and have actually lost 5 lbs. I am also surprised to see when people say they've experienced rapid weight gain because I've experienced the exact opposite. Glad I didn't read those reviews before starting!"

• Cor...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 19, 2016

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "If you're taking samples currently, please read this. I have to love and hate this medicine. Pros: It does what it says it does. It makes you go! It doesn't give you full-on diarrhea if you take it every few days. Just soft stools, which is a great thing! Cons: You cannot take this medication every day, no matter what the doctor tells you. Maybe it's my body or something, but I can promise you, your body will soon reject the medication if taken every day for more than 5 days. If continued in such a fashion, you will bloat, cramp, and become MORE constipated than before. It will plug you up FOR REAL. It's not strong enough to make you go a lot the next day if you need it. Take a weak laxative with it. Still, the best IBS/Constipation meds I've found."

• One...
• September 11, 2013

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "Took one Linzess and 30 minutes later had massive cramping from my stomach and intestines. If I even took a sip of water, it got worse. Rolled up in a ball, crying all day. No one, not the doctor or pharmacy, had any idea of how long it would last. Best guess was 24 hours. It stopped at 9 PM for the most part and started at 5:30 AM. Today my entire body is sore to touch, bloated, and has a horrible stomach ache. Can't eat anything."

• Ron...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 21, 2013

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "I'm 65, have suffered from Irritable Bowel Syndrome-Constipation my entire adult life. Have taken 145 mcg dose of Linzess off and on since the middle of August 2013. The longest stretch I have taken it for is 12 days. I was also taking Align, but discontinued it during the 12-day Linzess experiment so I could evaluate the Linzess objectively, and got horrible trapped gas and splenic flexure syndrome for my troubles. I resumed the Align, which has been a blessing, and now do Linzess every second or third day. The Linzess is a very effective laxative, although it will give you at least one or two bouts of diarrhea every time. But without the Align, it seems to aggravate the abdominal pain and bloating, NOT alleviate it. Align is more effective for gut pain."

• rii...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 1, 2013

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "I have suffered from irritable bowel syndrome-constipation for 16 years, and I had tried just about everything on the market. I finally gave up, and after a few years of having nothing, my new doctor gave me Linzess. I was sure it would be like most of the others, but it worked right away and has continued to work for 3 months. I love it. Thank you to the pharmaceutical company for this product. My bloating and bad cramps have gone away. I did have to change how I take it, it says to take 30 minutes before I eat, but I take it after I have eaten some of my meal because it seems to work better. I will say that you must be near a bathroom when the urge to go hits because you can't hold off."

• TV3...
• August 23, 2016

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "Before I took this medication, I read many reviews from others so that I could make sure that I wanted to take it, as some of the reviews made me think twice about taking it. Based on the review of someone on here, I decided to take mine with 20 oz of water, and while I had a little bit of bloating for about an hour or so, other than diarrhea about 2 hours later for 15 mins, I was fine. The bloating I did find uncomfortable for that time, but once I went to the bathroom, I was fine. I have only been on it a week, but I have learned when to take it, how long it takes to kick in, and for the side effects to fade. So far, so good, just a helpful tip is to make sure you are drinking enough water too. I drink about a liter within an hour of taking."

• Cra...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 9, 2018

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "Miracle drug for me! I’d suffered from lifelong constipation without any hope of a cure. Finally, my doctor prescribed Linzess after determining that I had a redundant colon. Talk about amazing results! I didn’t even know what diarrhea was after a lifetime of pain and suffering, passing petrified rocks through my sphincter. When others refer to “blowout” results, this brought tears to my eyes! No more pain. No more bloating. No more heartburn. Nothing but pure joy! After a few weeks, my doctor lowered my dosage to 145 mcg, so I could walk the streets and go to work without fear. The most important thing is to take it daily and drink water, otherwise, blockages will return and then you may have pain or bloating again with the good fighting with the bad to get to the finish line. Otherwise, I didn’t know it was even possible to have a bowel movement daily (I’d averaged once a week), let alone multiple times without bleeding or blowing an O ring in the process. Amen for Linzess!"

• Chr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 3, 2015

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I am on methadone maintenance. I have been on it for years. It causes serious constipation for me. I had to manually pull it out! Pain, bloating, you name it. My Dr gave me samples of Linzess. I took it at 2 PM and just took a seriously satisfying poop. Miracle drug. No side effects, yet. I strongly recommend it for anyone chronically constipated."

• Dai...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 13, 2019

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I have suffered with chronic constipation for years. I recently had to have pelvic surgery, which has worsened my constipation due to a rectocele that was done. I went to the ER twice and was told to go home and take Miralax AM and PM. It stopped working, so the surgeon ordered Linzess 145 mg, which started out great, I would go after 2-3 hours. But the problem is now it is taking longer to work. Anyway, the surgeon ordered 290 mg, which seems to be working. Maybe the dose I need for my constipation was 290 mg. It is great not to be impacted anymore. Still have cramps and bloating. Only been on medication 3 months now."

• Eli...
• October 25, 2016

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I just started Linzess last week, and it's already made a huge difference in my life. No more struggling to go or ending up in the hospital. Yes, my constipation was so severe it was called obstipation. I have had 3 episodes this year alone in the hospital. Linzess has turned things around. No more bloating, stomach pain, or stomach distention. I'm happy to say this drug was a miracle for me!"

• Joh...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 18, 2017

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "I can't believe my insurance agreed to cover this! It's $10 per pill otherwise. The 145 mcg is a high enough dosage. 290 mcg and your system will go nuts. This medicine works great and usually within 12 hours. Take it at night, not in the morning like the instructions say. Make sure you have the day off. Best way to take it: have a light dinner, wait one hour, have dessert. In one hour, you will have bloating, cramps, and gas. The cramps and bloating are normal. It means your system is moving. By the next morning (maybe sooner), the bowel movements will start. DO NOT TAKE THIS EVERY DAY! Your body will build an immunity if you do. Keep hydrated as you will lose quite a bit of water."

• maj...
• March 23, 2017

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "How come the makers of this drug don't mention the weight gain associated with taking it? It works well for about a week, and then the bloating and weight gain sets in. More than very disappointing, and shame on them!"

• Peg...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 26, 2019

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "Took the 290 mg dose, and in less than an hour had severe cramping and bloating! Passed a lot of foul-smelling gas, and about an hour later had explosive watery diarrhea! I will not recommend this drug, although it helped with the impaction quickly, the smell is awful, and the cramping and diarrhea is not worth it unless it’s a last resort! Try lactose medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil, which works much better with fewer side effects."

• rmu...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 30, 2024

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "It’s working great for me so far! I take the 72 mg dose in the morning with a glass of water about 30 minutes before eating, then I have a good BM about 1 hour later. Sometimes I have a small looser BM about an hour after that, but luckily never any urgency so far. I have not noticed any new flatulence, bloating, or cramping. It is likely best to be near a toilet until you know how it affects you. Linzess is working better than osmotic laxatives ever did for me."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 1, 2017

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "Linzess has been extremely helpful for my constipation. I am able to go every day now, sometimes more than once. My only two complaints are the diarrhea and weight gain. I am a bit of a gym addict and go at least 5 times per week, running and weight lifting. I have a very healthy diet around 1300 calories a day, high protein and fiber, low fat, low carb, and low sugar. Since I have been on Linzess (4 weeks consistently), I have gained 7 lbs. I believe I am retaining water despite being able to go to the bathroom often. This is the only drug that has worked to alleviate the constipation, and I have tried MANY! However, I am not happy about the bloating and weight gain."

• Aan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 2, 2019

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "Took for about 3 weeks. TERRIBLE! Started on 145 mg, took a couple of days to work, finally did with diarrhea for 2 days, which was fine compared to my chronic constipation, BUT it did not continue to work, then went up to the 290 dose and only worked minimally, became extremely backed up, and this medicine made me constantly belch, which was never a problem before. It was the type of painful belching that never gives you relief. I also developed heartburn, burning in my entire stomach, pain, nausea, bloating, and just a lot of acid. I felt so sick I couldn't even eat. After a trip to the ER and a CAT scan to rule out anything serious (which showed that I was still extremely backed up), I realized that maybe it was this medicine making me feel this way. Then I read reviews with similar effects, not to mention the serious long-term side effects this medicine can cause. NO THANK YOU! I've never felt worse since taking Linzess and would not recommend."

• JRo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 23, 2019

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "My doctor gave me a month's worth of Linzess samples to see if it would relieve my chronic constipation. All it did was give me terrible bloating, stomach aches, and reflux. Then suddenly, in one week, I gained 7 lbs. I look 4 months pregnant. I am not taking this anymore."

• Roc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 4, 2022

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I have IBS-C and a significant history with constipation in redundant colon and volvulus. Since beginning Linzess 75 a week ago, my constipation, bloating, and pain have actually worsened. I'm confused because the hallmark response to Linzess is diarrhea. I can't find any information about Linzess worsening constipation. But I'm miserable and will be discontinuing the Linzess."

• Anonymous
• April 26, 2016

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "My experience with this medication has been absolutely horrible! I have been taking it for 2 months. I have severe bloating, gas, and bad diarrhea. Can't even leave my home. My doctor told me to cut back to one pill every other day, and it's like it has completely stopped working. I have bad pain and nothing coming out! I have had IBS-C for 14 years, and I just wish they could come up with something that works and that's not so harsh on your bowels! It's absolutely terrible!"

• avm...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 14, 2016

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "My doctor prescribed Linzess for my irregular but chronic constipation. I have been on the drug for 2 months, but today is the last day I will take it. This drug controls your life. It is a good thing that I am retired because there are some days I cannot leave the house. The effects of the medicine can last up to 6 hours, and I have to remain really close to the bathroom. I have gained 6 unexplained pounds since I began the drug. My abdomen is so bloated, Spanx does not help. I have to find an alternative."

• Uli...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 23, 2021

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I’ve been taking Linzess for 9 years to treat chronic constipation. I had previously tried Amitza and several other medications my doctor recommended. I was diagnosed with celiac about 7 years ago and changed my diet. I still had stomach issues and constipation, so I continued the Linzess. After years of limiting my diet to less than the low FODMAP elimination diet, I still continued to be constipated, have trapped gas, extreme bloating, and terrible stomach pain. I didn’t take my Linzess for two days so I could do a hydrogen breath test just to be sure it didn’t affect results. ALL of my symptoms went away. I felt like a completely new person. I’ve even tried a few things off the low FODMAP list and felt fine! So sorry I didn’t question this med years ago. It has caused so much pain and even a trip to the Mayo Clinic to try to figure out my problems. ☹️ If you don’t think it’s doing much for you or you have these symptoms, get off of it ASAP!"

• Nur...
• January 7, 2016

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "I've tried this medicine three times. The first and second time had no response. The third time I had major gas, bloating, diarrhea, chest pain, shortness of breath, sweating, and anxiety, major fatigue so bad I could not function. I took myself off this and felt better. Never again. I also gained water weight, I have no diabetes or thyroid issues. I couldn't even eat, I would bloat so bad, so why the weight gain in five days? I'll go back to Miralax. I have IBS-C. Wish they would bring Zelnorm back, it was the only thing that worked with no side effects."

• Tex...
• August 27, 2016

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I have tried Dulcolax, which will only work if I take 3 or 4. MOM only works if I drink half the bottle. I took one Linzess and started drinking a lot of water, in about an hour, I was going and had no cramps or bloating feeling. Just don't pass gas because that's probably not what that is. Don't forget the WATER."

• Hap...
• May 28, 2018

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "I suffer from bloating, constipation, and abdominal cramping too. My social life was gone. I'm afraid to take a vacation with my husband because if I ate something, it goes right through me, no warning at all. I spend all my time in the house in the bathroom, 8 hours or more, trying to have a complete bowel motion. I still didn't get good results, I still had the urge to go. This was an everyday routine for me. I had been battling with this problem for 6 years. I had a colonoscopy in 2015, everything was normal, but I still wasn't having a complete bowel motion. I talked to my doctor, he had me try different laxatives, none of them worked. Finally, he referred me to a GI doctor, and she gave me samples of Linzess 290 mg to try. Linzess 290 mg changed my whole life. The best thing to ever happen to me, I have no regret! I take it every morning with a hot cup of coffee and a full glass of water. Two months later, and it's still working for me. The trick is drinking plenty of water, the more water, the better the results. THE HAPPY LADY!!!"