On Linzess For A Week, Not "working" - Help! (Page 3) (Top voted first)

Hi all! I'm new here, but not new to constipation... However, I only got my first *prescription* medication to treat it a week ago when my new PCP finally related enough to my digestive woes and the frustration that comes from years of living through the futile cycle of Miralax, MoM bombs, evil teas, and throwing my hands in the air.

She gave me samples of Linzess (low and high dose) and thoroughly educated me on how to take it properly, along with a fair warning to remain near the bathroom those first few days. Honestly, I was pumped! And I know beyond a shadow of a doubt I've taken, and stored, this medicine correctly because I was all in on making this work, as gruesome as those first days might be.

But alas, radio silence. I started with the low dose a week ago (a Wednesday) this morning. Nothing. Except a feeling like my GI tract is turning to stone. NOT cramping, not "abs of steel." Not gas. Something closer to petrification. Thursday wasn't any better. Switched to the higher dose on Friday. Nothing-- except the "hardening" is getting harder/ harder to bare and I swear I've gained 5 visible pounds of lumpy, gross fat. (That's noticeable on me and really kicking me when I'm down. I'm only slightly ashamed to say that I care a lot about my appearance and work very hard to look good! Not cool, Linzess!) Repeated this on Saturday, Sunday, Monday. NOTHING. Except those cool side effects!

By yesterday morning I'd had enough. I decided not to take the Linzess at all and I didn't take it today either. No relief yet, nor even from the painful side effects. If anything, I feel like I have more of a calcified sensation in my middle GI tract than ever. This is not my typical constipation-related pain and/or area of distension.

My PCP told me that Linzess doesn't work on the bloodstream, so I'm wondering, does it just work straight in your gut? This possibility has me concerned that if you have to "pass" Linzess in order to pass it out of your body, I'm not going to be able to get it out of me... at least in theory. I know in actuality there's not going to be a toxic waste site declared in my GI tract just because the dam is backed up with Linzess pills.

Has anyone else experienced this? I feel like the only person who isn't ripping the toilet seat off six times a day!

If nothing else, any advice if this has happened with another failed constipation medicine? We are WAY past the general constipation that brought me to Linzess in the first place (in other words, thank you kindly, but warm water with lemon or chomping down on some garlic isn't exactly the words I'm looking for!).

And not to mooch too, too much, but if anyone wants to throw out a pow-er-ful, lasting, constipation rx (or not rx)... that didn't make them gain weight-- that's some BS, Linzess!-- I'm all ears. Thank you all so, so much!

-Kathryn

PS, I am a 30 year old female, in peak physical shape, I maintain a healthy diet (especially in light of lifelong constipation issues), drink PLENTY of water, exercise daily, no thyroid, autoimmune, inflammation imbalances, etc.

REPLY

REPORT

I haven't had a bowel movement since last week. I took linzess but it has not worked because I just realized that it's expired. I am extremely bloated and feel uncomfortable. I am desperate for a bowel movement. I am suppose to leave for a cruise this Saturday but I can't go like this.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Ahh... you sound just like me! After 4 years of trying to get put on, finally I was put on the low dose. 1st day nothing, 2nd day relieved me and since nothing. I gained 2 lbs overnight when I started and after a week I've gained 5 lbs and am so constipated. Really feeling like there is no hope for me. I read online that for some people it works better with eating so tried that... did nothing either.

Good luck - if you figure it out - please share.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

It hasn't worked for me either. I started taking this about 2 weeks ago. Nothing. I doubled my dosage. Nothing. I finally had somewhat of a bowel movement. It was very laborious and painful. You sound exactly like me. Before I had the slight bowel movement, I felt as though I was 3-4 months pregnant. I also felt like I was having labor pains in my lower back. That is not possible for me. When I get backed up, it's hard for me to urinate because of the pressure.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I have been on Linzess now for over a year. I love this medicine. I have suffered from constipation since I had my children. I had The sleeve in 2015 and I found I was allergic to just about every laxative out there. After awhile I guess it happens. It took a couple of weeks for the Linzess to get regular but now I use it every other day. Keep taking it everyday and it will work. I know my doctor said to take a stool softener with it at first and it wasn't necessary.My son is 40 years old and it has been a miserable 40 years. I have gained some weight but I never connected it with the med. I eat alot of junk. Good Luck

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I am in your boat. No luck with linzess. After reading your post...I would just say ditto to your issues. Not sure what to do. I feel backed up with some type really hard substance in my GI. Thought I would give it a few more days, but doubt that will work.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

My disabled daughter has been taking Linzess for a week and still has not had a bowel movement. I have tried everything with no luck. Please advise.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I took Linzess low dose and it worked ok. then after a week, it started tapering off so I went up to the middle dose, still barely any results!
I take in the morning then wait half an hour to eat. I drink plenty of water with it , it just seems to stop working! Even though I feel the need to go, it feels there is a brick inside of me! Please help me, I am desperate!!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

My husband has been under the care of 3 doctors and has been giver everything in the book including Linzess for over a month no results yet. He has lost 36 pounds and is getting weaker by the day and all they do is up his medicine. What kind of crap is that. He needs something else done

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I am sorry Linzess is not working for you. I am a 74-year-old female and I have been constipated all my life when I was a child, my parents would give me castor oil or milk magnesium. As an adult, I have used every laxative on the store shelves. I would say, to have a bowel movement was like working a job. Now I have discovered Linzess at my age and wonder why someone had not manufacturer the medication sooner. I understand how you feel when you have constipation nothing about your body seems to work. Good luck on your journey and I hope you don't have to get to my age to find release.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: David (# 3)

I can explain. I have followed absolutely every eating guideline there is and have tried natural supplements as well as prescriptions. I have gone so far as eating blended foods and avoiding anything that could lead to constipation to no avail. I have had this issue since childhood. Some people’s bodies just don’t work the way they should, plain and simple. To question someone’s diet you don’t even know is just flat rude. It’s difficult and frustrating enough to deal with than to be criticized on a website where people who are desperate try to get some answers from others who suffer. End of rant

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: David (# 3)

Actually I’m not done. I have seen specialist after specialist and had every test performed that are available. I have asked about surgical options. There are none.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: Blithe (# 34)

Am having same issue it worked twice in 2 weeks... idk what to do... am in alot of pain...

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: David (# 5)

It can also be in some cases not all you dont get that urge to go, some people may call it a lazy bowel. I think there are certain test you have to take when there is no blockage or there is no reason why you are not going. Some people can drink a cup of coffee and they get the urge to go but not everyone is like that.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I have Lupus and major stomach issues. Started Linzess and was so happy that it was working but then it just stopped. Did some research and found that this medication should not be taken out of the bottle it's made in,should be refrigerated, should only be taken with a empty stomach, and must take with water. None of which my dr or pharmacy told me. So this morning I took and stored it the correct way and boom it worked just fine.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I took linzess for 2 and a half weeks. No help. I was taking as directed. At least 30 min before food. I did it Abita longer. Maybe 45 to an hour. Anyway no help. Dr suggested to take it with breakfast. I do notwork so it's OK. First morning BAM it really worked. But after went back to sleep with bad night mare. But stomach is way better. Guess it's a trade off.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: David (# 3)

If you have a redundant colon, even with healthy eating and plenty of water, chronic constipation might still be an issue Just because you are doing right thing doesnt mean constipation is impossible.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Well Linzess didn't work at all. I now have been taking Movantik for 4 days. Again no help. Like others, When I do go it's not hard. It's like my body just won't push it out. I have spinal stenosis. Thinking my nerves to muscles are shot. Any thoughts.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

@Linzess man,

Thanks for clearing up that part of your earlier post, regarding the whole "20 years of chronic constipation". I was a little confused at first wondering why after 20 years there hasn't been a solution for constipation; but I do understand that IBS is often referred to as a long term disorder many people deal with in this day and age.

Something I find interesting though is that WebMD notes how stress and anxiety can supposedly trigger symptoms associated with IBS. This makes me wonder if those factors played a role in its manifestation..like if you are into living a fast paced lifestyle, not getting a lot of sleep, often stressed from work, etc? Nevertheless, I wish you all the relief in the world as I can't imagine what it would be like dealing with it for that long. I'm glad to hear that Linzess is helping someone out there despite all the negative reviews.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 2

Hey all,

I've been seeing a lot of posts here lately in regards to Linzess not working correctly or people just experiencing bothersome side effects shortly after taking it. Just wanted to share a few links to some of these related discussion threads below, so you know you're not alone:

1. Discuss/linzess-issues-291637.htm

2. Discuss/linzess-weight-gain-247630.htm

3. Discuss/Anybody-else-with-these-issues-280143.htm

4. Discuss/BAD-CONSTIPATION-289909.htm

And while it's not my intention, I do understand that some people may get upset when others mention trying natural remedies for their constipation... But it seems to me that if a "healthy diet" is still causing a person to be THIS "backed up" if you will, then there's either an underlying issue that needs medical attention (potentially surgical - god forbid) or you're diet really isn't as healthy as the word healthy makes it sound when you say you eat a healthy diet...And I don't mean any offense by saying this, honestly, no one's perfect; I just don't get how constipation like this can keep reoccurring in an otherwise healthy body for so many years? I.e. - What is it that causes chronic constipation for 20 years besides what you've been putting in your body on a daily basis through your diet? (RE: post #2) Can anyone expand on this with medical reasoning?

REPLY

Was this helpful? 4

I was on Amitiza 24 mcg twice a day and Miralax was switched to Linzess 3 weeks ago. I am having so many issues, feeling...

3 REPLIES

I have been on Linzess 145 mg for a month. it worked great the first 2 weeks and now it just stopped. I don't know i...

3 REPLIES

I was a scatter-brained mom of two young children, couldn't concentrate, organize, plan, or function at all beyond b...

12 REPLIES

I have been taking linzess off and on for a few months. The first few times it worked great, but now it just makes my be...

8 REPLIES

I have been on Linzess for about 9 months. It was working really well until about a month ago. Now my stools are like sm...

4 REPLIES

I've been taking Linzess about every other day for 2 months. Does anyone else experience some runny spurts than noth...

2 REPLIES

I started taking the low dose now I take too of them a day...only had one bowel movement when I started ...don't kno...

3 REPLIES

I was told by my gastro doctor to take linzess 30 minutes before I eat anything on a empty stomach. but it not working. ...

6 REPLIES

I have been on Oxycodone 30 mg IR for more than ten years and it has worked fine. Now my doctor has changed to Hydromorp...

5 REPLIES

Is there anything that would help with my arthritis and body pain that's felt all over? My Oxycodone is not working....

1 REPLY