Linzess and Gas: What Users Say

• JDK...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 18, 2019

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I love Linzess. I have had chronic constipation for years due to very slow bowel. I can drink water, water, veggies, and no bread or carbs, and it's still as slow as a slug. I saw a Linzess commercial on TV and asked my doctor about it. He started me on the lowest dose, which did nothing. He upped me to 290, it's been heaven on earth, and now I do not have the pain from being constipated. I don't feel like I have something wanting to come out anymore. I have been on everything: Dulcolax, Mucinex, Metamucil, suppositories. Linzess is the only thing that wakes up my bowels. I have very little gas, my stomach growls, but no pain at all. Don't let all the reports about death, weight gain, kidney stones scare you, almost every medication can have similar reports. If you have a severe reaction, then it's not for you, get off of it. For me, it has been a godsend. Thank you for letting me share my experience."

• Nel...
• September 20, 2014

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "Before starting Linzess at age 21 (~1 yr ago), I was going to the bathroom about once every 3 weeks. Eventually, laxatives were necessary, but still, I was going maybe 3 times a month. I was experiencing severe stomach pains that left me in bed for hours at a time daily. Eventually, I ended up in the ER. Within 24 hours of starting Linzess, I went to the bathroom. Yes, the first few days it was diarrhea. Within the first week, I was having regular bowel movements and have been having about 1/day since then. MY STOMACH PAIN HAS DISAPPEARED (that's huge!!!!) Gas? Yes, all the time. Diarrhea? Only if I take it too late in the day. Increased hunger? Yes, obviously, because my stomach is empty. Worth it? 5 billion percent."

• wat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 25, 2020

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "Prior to starting Linzess, I took a daily dose of Miralax and was able to have a bowel movement almost every day, but I did not have a complete bowel movement. With Linzess, I was able to have a complete bowel movement at first, but after a few weeks, I had to add Miralax to be able to have any kind of bowel movement. It also made me gassy and bloated. I will not be continuing with the medication."

• KKa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 5, 2020

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I began Linzess last month after years of constipation. I started on a 145 dose and had no effect at all. The doctor increased it to 290. Still, no effect other than some gas. However, when coupled with Metamucil 2 times per day and Miralax once a day, I have decent bowel movements at least every other day. No diarrhea or bloating. I took all three medications for me... nothing effective on its own."

• KRA...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 12, 2013

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I have Irritable Bowel Syndrome with constipation. My doctor put me on Linzess 145. I was told to take it 30 minutes before my first meal. However, my schedule doesn't permit me to do so. I take it whenever my bowels are slowing down and I need some help (about once a week). Immediately, I start feeling the effects, starting with gas, then painless bowels that I can literally feel my stomach emptying. On average, it makes me go to the bathroom for 3 hours. It all depends on how much is in there. All in all, love."

• 31...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 14, 2014

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I have had irritable bowel syndrome with severe constipation for 16 years, and this is the first medicine that I can say has truly worked for me. On the medicine, I have diarrhea, bloating, and a lot of gas, but it definitely cleans me out. Hope to get past the gas and bloating once it gets in my system good. Only been taking it for 3 days."

• Por...
• April 30, 2019

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I've been using Linzess for about 6 months and wanted to share how I made the medicine work for me. I tried taking it in the morning like the directions say but couldn't handle the gas and bloated stomach for several hours after. I decided to try taking it before bed instead, and it's been so much better! I now have a bowel movement about 30 minutes after I wake up and none of the side effects. I also highly recommend taking it for several weeks before you give up because it takes some time to adjust, and then I had hardly any side effects. I started on the 145 mg dose, which worked for a little while but stopped, so now I'm on 290 mg, and it's working great."

• Bet...
• January 29, 2017

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "Chronic constipation has been a problem most of my life. I was on Zelnorm until it was taken off the market by the FDA. I have had serious complications due to my constipation, including having to be surgically unimpacted last year after neck surgery. Almost was the end for me, I was septic. Full recovery and put on Linzess 5 months ago, and it's been a miracle for me. Yes, I do get some gas and can't leave home right away, it's sudden and quick when it works. I've gotten used to the small side effects now. I go every day, and I have had no more issues with constipation. I love Linzess!"

• sin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 18, 2013

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I just started taking Linzess, and it is a miracle worker for me. I've been constipated for over 30 years, and nothing helped me. Even Amitiza didn't help, it just bloated me, gave me gas, and pain. Linzess works most of the day, so I don't take it when I'm out and about. This morning, I took 290 mcg, and within an hour, I had a bowel motion. I recommend it to anyone who suffers from constipation like me."

• Tob...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 8, 2016

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "Like many others, I had high hopes. After a year of stool softeners, laxatives, exercise, water, high fiber, etc., with a bowel movement 1 or 2 times/week and rarely feeling like I was 'empty,' I got a 30-day RX filled (my ins paid). I didn't experience anything for a couple of days, then a few soft stools. As the days went on, I would have an occasional bowel movement, but I started having horrible gas! I tried to stick with it since I figured it would just take time to regulate everything, so I refilled RX. Well, today is MY LAST DAY TAKING LINZESS!! I have been more bloated today than ever in my life, I have pain from my sternum to my pelvis, my abdomen is so distended. Gained 4 lbs in 6 days!! MIS.ER.A.BLE!!"

• TT8...
• November 8, 2019

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "My doctor gave me the lowest dose of Linzess to start out with because I have been backed up due to being overly stressed with school and work. I was told to take both Linzess and Miralax. The low dose started working out great, but when it got near my 4-week check-up, it stopped working completely. So now I'm at the 145 mg dose while taking Miralax as well. Yes, I do get the abnormal pain (with the side effect of gas sometimes) more so around nighttime. I wake up at 3 a.m. every day to take my medication, and I will wake up at 6 a.m. to have to use the bathroom twice. I find it weird that since I've started taking this medication, it doesn't like it when I use any dairy products... In the morning, I always have a bowl of cereal with milk. About 10 minutes later, I'm going to the bathroom again. I did mention it to my doctor, and he said that I might have a small amount of lactose intolerance."

• cle...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 14, 2014

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I have been suffering from constipation since I had my lap band surgery. It's been horrible, and after using Miralax for a while, it stopped working. Yesterday I finally decided to take Linzess yesterday evening since I can't take it in the morning due to my work schedule... wow, it worked within 2 hours. It cleaned me out and was still working in the morning. I probably will not take it on a regular basis due to how well it worked. I did have bloating and gas with the medication."

• Pud...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 27, 2020

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I've suffered from constipation for about 6 months. My doctor gave me 145 mg of Linzess. After only one dose, I developed horrible bloating where it was difficult to breathe. The flatulence was like being in a sewer. I had a horrible headache and nausea. My daughter suggested I was having a reaction to Linzess, had me take 2 Benadryl, and symptoms subsided in a half hour. No more for me!"

• Tez...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 5, 2015

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "I have been taking Linzess for irritable bowel syndrome with constipation for about 9 months. It has been very helpful. I take one 290 mg tablet every day a half hour before dinner and have a comfortable bowel movement first thing the following morning. I have never been this regular before. It is such a relief to know that I will not spend the day with cramps, bloating, and gas. The only issue is that my stomach is very noisy and bubbly during the night, but I find that oddly comforting because it means the Linzess is working!"

• DSh...
• June 22, 2013

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation "After suffering most of my life from all the issues related to irritable bowel syndrome, gas, diarrhea, chronic constipation, I have finally found I have a normal life with little or no gas, no more constipation, and rare loose stools. But for anyone who has ever suffered from constipation, having loose stools is a welcome trade-off. Thank you, Linzess."

• cee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 28, 2016

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I've only been on this med about one week, but it worked immediately. My intestinal motility was vastly improved, I had no cramps, stomach pains, or discomfort. The only side effects I've experienced are diarrhea with some urgency and a slight increase in gas, but with no bloating. I haven't taken any of the significant amount of laxatives I've had to take in the past, the Linzess is all I've had to take. I'm hoping that overtime the urgency for the diarrhea will adjust (I don't mind the diarrhea itself, it's far preferable to the uncomfortable constipation!)."

• 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."

• Bam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 25, 2017

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I took the 145 mcg for chronic constipation. It worked okay for a week, then I didn't have a bowel movement for a couple of days, then diarrhea one day and regular movement the next. I got a lot of gas and flatulence. Within a month, it stopped working, so I contacted my doctor. He said to take 2 capsules equal to 290 mcgs. I got diarrhea for 2 days, then no bowel movement, then some normal movement. More gas pains and flatulence. Very disappointed with the medication. Doesn't really work as advertised. I will tell my doctor about it when I see him for my follow-up. This medication sucks."

• Bam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 25, 2017

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I took the 145 mcg for chronic constipation. It worked okay for a week, then I didn't have a bowel movement for a couple of days, then diarrhea one day and regular movement the next. I got a lot of gas and flatulence. Within a month, it stopped working, so I contacted my doctor. He said to take 2 capsules equal to 290 mcgs. I got diarrhea for 2 days, then no bowel movement, then some normal movement. More gas pains and flatulence. Very disappointed with the medication. Doesn't really work as advertised. I will tell my doctor about it when I see him for my follow-up. This medication sucks."

• Bam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 25, 2017

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I took the 145 mcg for chronic constipation. It worked okay for a week, then I didn't have a bowel movement for a couple of days, then diarrhea one day and regular movement the next. I got a lot of gas and flatulence. Within a month, it stopped working, so I contacted my doctor. He said to take 2 capsules equal to 290 mcgs. I got diarrhea for 2 days, then no bowel movement, then some normal movement. More gas pains and flatulence. Very disappointed with the medication. Doesn't really work as advertised. I will tell my doctor about it when I see him for my follow-up. This medication sucks."

• amb...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 6, 2013

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I've had chronic constipation (IBS-C) since 2000. I have not been normal since then, and if I don't take anything, I won't go for months. Nothing ever worked except Zelnorm, and then the only other thing was taking 4 Dulcolax pills before bed. The doctor prescribed Linzess, and nothing has happened in 4 days except gas pains. I had high hopes ... I guess I'll be back on Dulcolax."

• Jaw...
• August 22, 2019

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "Day 3 and still nothing. Have not experienced the diarrhea mentioned or warned about from the doctor. Although no one likes diarrhea, I would love to have it right about now. My stomach rumbles, and I can feel the gas moving around, but no BM. Will stick with it to see if things will change. However, may need to throw in the towel and get the doctor to give me something else for this severe constipation."

• Mel...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 23, 2019

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "I've dealt with chronic constipation since my childhood. Then, after being prescribed opiates for severe reasons, I was doomed until I started Linzess 290 mg. Then, I would still have days of constipation after taking it for a few years. Then my doctor requested I take a dose of MiraLax as well, and I never thought I'd be so excited to go to the bathroom like a normal person. I do have a lot of gas, which is embarrassing noise-wise, but that's about it from that perspective. I'm noticing this actually, though. I've been taking Linzess for many years."

• 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."

• All...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 17, 2016

For Chronic Idiopathic Constipation "This medication is definitely not for everyone. Be careful when you take it for the first few times and make sure you are close to a restroom! I have struggled with constipation my whole life and my doctor finally gave me Linzess to try. About 2-3 hours after taking the medication, I have at least 2 BMs that are diarrhea. And the gas it creates is horrible for me and everyone around me. I have been taking this medication for one week, and I can't even continue to see if it will subside because it is just too terrible. To the point that I am scared I will have an 'accident' at work. My point to others is - beware."