Living with IBS-C: I am an advocate for my health.

*This post has been sponsored by Salix Pharmaceuticals. All opinions are my own.

I have Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation (IBS-C) and I’ve battled it for as long as I can remember. I thought I was the only one living with constipation and abdominal pain. Turns out I was wrong. In fact, I’m one of 3.6 million U.S. adults living with IBS-C.

What is IBS-C? In a nutshell, it’s a condition where one experiences recurring periods of constipation accompanied by abdominal pain and sometimes bloating. In my case, these episodes usually turn into painful and sudden bathroom emergencies. I know where every bathroom is. Shopping mall, yep. Supermarket, for sure. My nail salon, check. You get the gist. It’s a crappy subject, pun intended, but let’s normalize talking about our health...all of it.

Living through the pandemic as an entrepreneur and mother increased my stress levels which manifested in a lack of sound sleep, low energy levels and even lower body confidence. A true recipe for burnout. It wasn’t pretty. In fact, I didn’t feel very pretty at all. 

I experienced painful bloat and abdominal pain married with constipation that would last for days. Yes, that’s plural. My body was living in a constant state of chaos and I felt it inwardly and outwardly. There was no script for what we went through and I fought to keep my business afloat. It was in this state that I consulted my physicians and began asking questions and I want you to know you have options. We all do. 

Trulance® (plecanatide) is an option for my fellow IBS-C warriors. As a wife, mother and entrepreneur - I didn’t have the option to stay in bed and have a sick day. We had to pay the bills, get scrappy and pivot. Managing my symptoms became a part-time job but I’m stronger for it. Elimination diets won’t solve my symptoms which meant I had to work with my doctor to develop a treatment plan that worked for me. My doctor also let me know that the most common side effect that can happen is diarrhea, though I didn’t have any.

It’s okay to ask for help. It’s more than okay to know that you deserve to feel better.

Here is some more information about Trulance, and to see how it works visit here.

What Is Trulance?

Trulance® (plecanatide) 3 mg tablets is a prescription medicine used in adults to treat Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation (IBS-C) and Chronic Idiopathic Constipation (CIC). Chronic means the constipation is long lasting. “Idiopathic” means the cause of the constipation is unknown. It is not known if Trulance is safe and effective in children less than 18 years of age.

 What is the most important information I should know about Trulance?

• Do not give Trulance to children who are less than 6 years of age. It may harm them.

• You should not give Trulance to children 6 years to less than 18 years of age. It may harm them.

• Do not take Trulance if a doctor has told you that you have a bowel blockage (intestinal obstruction).

Before you take Trulance, tell your doctor:

• If you have any other medical conditions.

• If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if Trulance will harm your unborn baby.

• If you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if Trulance passes into your breast milk. Talk with your doctor about the best way to feed your baby if you take Trulance.

• About all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

What are the common side effects of Trulance?

Diarrhea is the most common side effect and can sometimes be severe. Diarrhea often begins within the first 4 weeks of Trulance treatment. Stop taking Trulance and call your doctor right away if you get severe diarrhea.

These are not all the possible side effects of Trulance. Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

You are encouraged to report side effects to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088 or you can report side effects to Bausch Health at 1-877-361-2719.

Please also see Medication Guide within the full Prescribing Information.

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