Has anyone tried Linzess for chronic idiopathic constipation?

[Nay]

I'm considering asking my gastroenterologist if it might work for me, and I'd like to hear if anyone here has had actual experience with it.

Thanks!

[ncrainbowgrrl]

1. What timing?

I haven't been on DU for a while now....
And then I see this

It's awesome- and unlike others in the "unblockme" class, doesn't just work on opioid constipation. I've even found I can go on and off it, if I haven't been gobbling pain meds, or other things that would clog me up. I'm using the higher dose, and my insurance covers it happily.

[Nay]

2. So you don't have the diarrhea that some people experience? Frankly, I

would welcome a bit of diarrhea....

I had a marker test that showed I had a verrrrrrry slow colon. No reason for it -- colon is perfectly healthy and pink. Just slooooooooow. I have been using a combination of turkey rhubarb (daily), senna (every couple of weeks), and 2 doses of Miralax (daily). The Miralax by itself stopped working about 2 years ago when I had a 24-hour stomach bug that gave me insane diarrhea; I had to start using the other stuff to supplement. You can't imagine how freeing it would be for me to just take one pill per day and actually GO.

Do you go every day that you use it? Do you have to take anything else (like Miralax) along with it?

Thanks for answering. I'm at my wit's end. I'm diabetic and have just fought off breast cancer, and I'll be damned if this stupid constipation (going on 8 years now) is the most bothersome of my health problems.

[fadedrose]

3. I have diverticulitis

and have suffered severe cramps for years until the last few years. I went to have a colonoscopy and the doctor couldn't do it because of sharp bend near the opening that the tool couldn't pass. She sent me to another doctor and gave me some sample Metamucil to tide me over, and diagnosed the diverticulitis. I never did go to another doctor.

I took the Metamucil capsules (at least 6 a day) and have been using it ever since (6-7 years), either that or a knockdown of psyllium husks made by stores with their own brands (much cheaper). That, and as much as I hate Cheerios, I couldn't function without them, and a few prunes every couple of days, keep my plumbing in order.

I know from just seeing what comes out that the bend is gone, purely from bowel movements that straightened out the boomerang shapes I no longer have.

Rarely do I have an episode. It's usually when I have to go out or have to babysit in the morning before I can spend some time in the bathroom. When I finally get time to take care of myself, I use an infant or adult suppository to just get a start - then take the capsules, cheerios and prunes to get them pipes working again.

Nerves are a huge part of constipation, and my routine works for me.