Amitiza

My daughter (17) started with 8mcgs 2 x daily for 1 week - no results - still very constipated. Dr. then switched her to 24 mcg 2x daily w/2 dulcolax. She moved her bowels with violent diarrhea foraboutn3 days, then it stopped. All along her symptoms of nausea and cramping everytime she ate any type of food persisted.
She stopped the Amitiza on her own accord and just used the dulcolax and moved her bowels. The side effects of flushness of face, exhaustion, and overall "illness" within 4 days of using this drug was not worth it.
This is not a drug to be experimented with as the side effects can be immediate and chronic.

just need to know what is Amitiza used for?

I have been taking Amitiza for about 3 weeks. I have chronic constipation and do not make BM without stimulant laxatives for about 7 months. Had a colonoscopy, pelvic exam, and test for celiac disease.  All came back normal.  Dr started me with 8 mcg 1X a day for a week. No results. Side effect was heaviness in chest--nothing I couldn't deal with.  Ended up using EXLAX.  Then taking 8 mcg 2X a day with no results. Side effect: Still heaviness in chest but seemed to be getting less noticalbe. Again more EXLAX.  Then on 24 mcg 2X a for one week now with miralax once a day.  Finally had very normal consistency BMs after a week of not going.  About 5 in one day.  Next day had 3-4 large, soft BMS in morning alone.  Verging on running now.  So it is working.  However, now I feel that every time I took a 24 mcg pill, my chest feels very heavy and uncomfortable.   A couple of times I felt like I was getting very flushed in my face (red and hot).  A couple of times I felt very very tired and went to bed hours before I normally do.  I am going to try to take only one a day and see what happens.  Maybe two pills is too much?  Or maybe its the miralax that is actually making me have BMs?  Will post a follow up.

I have just been taking amitiza for three days and want zelnorn back.  Two of these days I have experienced nausea, dizziness, several uncontrolable BMs and have been so weak have had to go to bed immediatley for the rest of the night. 

I have just been taking amitiza for three days and want zelnorn back.  Two of these days I have experienced nausea, dizziness, several uncontrolable BMs and have been so weak have had to go to bed immediatley for the rest of the night. 

dizzy headaches weakness

i had severe nausea,chest and back pain ,headaches ad after i quit i felt raw and sore, and i still have some nausea and  back pain and soreness.i just want to feel good i am tired of this.

I am happy to share the good experience that i had taking Amitiza!
   I was told by my Dr to take it twice a day, OR as needed. So i've been taking it once a day, AT NIGHTTIME! otherwise i would vomit.
I have been taking it for 5 months, and i have been able to lose 12 lbs....

I feel great, love it!

I have been taking Amitiza for 14 months. I was prescribed this by my physician after horrible constipation issues. At this time I had just had a complete hysterectomy and continued abdominal pain. While being on Amitiza I still had bouts with constipation, one day it was very difficult then the next day it would be diarrhea. I also had a huge decrease of energy, joint and muscle pain, weight gain, mood swings and could not get to sleep at night. I also experienced rectal bleeding (fresh blood just leaking out) and sometimes waking up to a pool of poo. Alll this I figured was this was all due to the hysterectomy and changes in hormones. The poo and blood incidents became more frequent in the past couple of months. When I began taking Amitiza there were no forums on the internet about Amitiza so I never suspected all my problems where the direct result of the Amitiza but just age and hormones. After all it is just supposed to be like a super stool softener which I had taken plenty of prior and didn't think it would be a medication with all the side effects. After my last rectal bleeding incident, I got on the internet and started reading some forums and discovered that my current problems may be caused by the Amitiza. I stopped taking the Amitiza and within 2 days everything has disappeared. My husband told me last night when he came home and saw me, that I had a twinkle in my eye that I have not had in a very long time and had so much energy it was incredible. He said I usually look like I am just whipped which I am and usually have to push myself to do things after coming home from work.
Thanks to all of you that are willing to share your experiences. With the proper diet, exercise, water and Activia I am having success with BMs and hope that it continues.

After taking Amitiza the night before, the next morning I had a dark green stool. Is this a side effect of taking Amitiza? Usually, my stools are light brown.

I found it did not help the constipation but gave me severe headaches and nausea - and I felt like I was getting chest congestion - also I suffer from leg cramping and it became much worse.  Has anyone else had these side affects?

no symtoms after morning dose 24mg.  i take a second dose with dinner and i usually feel achy, hot, and my lungs feel sore.  although this seems bad, it is mild compared to the symtoms of the constipation.  the drug really works!!!

sore abdomin and diarrhea 3x's a day