Magnesium citrate and Pain: What Users Say

• Vic...
• October 19, 2020

For Constipation "The doctor told me to prep for colonoscopy using magnesium citrate. I drank the whole bottle of this, and I thought I would need an ambulance. This pain was equal to childbirth and a kidney stone. I had some severe bad reaction. I made it through alive, but all night long I was moaning and writhing around in sheer excruciating pain. I seriously thought it might be the end of me. The doctor or nurses never heard of such a bad reaction before. I felt like I drank a bottle of poison. It did seem like a severe allergic reaction. I was so sick, I had to cancel my colonoscopy the next day, and redo it all again a few weeks later using an alternative replacement the doctor gave me. But it may be wise to test out drinking a smaller portion of this first on another day and see how things go before a colonoscopy. They have many different options. FYI, it did do its job and work as far as flushing out the colon, but it was the top worst pain I've ever experienced in my whole 50 years."

• I a...
• January 2, 2014

For Constipation "My stool (poop) felt so hard. It was very painful. Every time I get a bowel movement, I rushed to the toilet but it hurt so much that I just decide not to let it out, because I'm scared of getting hemorrhoids. Sometimes I feel the stool, and it was just painful. I tried bulk-forming laxatives, but they don't seem to have much effect. Finally just took half of a bottle of magnesium citrate. Doesn't even taste that bad, and it was cherry-flavored. After taking it, I also ate a banana. Worked after 3 hours. The urge was really great, and I was a bit afraid of the poop being painful to push out. But it didn't even hurt. I was really relieved. I'm glad magnesium citrate exists."

• Anonymous
• May 30, 2019

For Constipation "Okay. So I felt discouraged about this because I've been reading reviews where everyone had a successful bowel movement so quickly. I have been backed up for 3 weeks. I feel like it's from stress and life changes. My routine was different. I have tried 2 enemas and I was only able to get small rabbit-sized poop. I actually couldn't take it anymore and went to the ER. Wish I didn't because they didn't do anything but tell me to drink the magnesium citrate and do another enema. The enema wasn't too successful. I tried magnesium citrate at 8 a.m. Chugged the whole thing. Drank water. I waited and nothing. I felt so disappointed and felt miserable that I was going to have this stuck feeling with no result! 16 hours later came. Gurgling and pain. I went to the bathroom and released two massive pieces I've ever pushed out ever. Sorry, TMI, but I guess that's what's been backed up!!! So if you think it's not working, I guess I'd wait 24 hours. I feel so relieved now!"

• Gia...
• November 6, 2019

For Constipation "I feel the need to share this, only because I have never experienced being so constipated before. I currently have kidney stones, which they sent me home with Norco for pain. I knew constipation was a side effect, but I wasn’t expecting to have a plug and me straining for over an hour. Not only was I in dire pain because the hard plug of stool was literally trying to come out of my body. I waddled out of the bathroom and cried to my boyfriend. His mom recommended I try magnesium citrate. Definitely get the lemon flavor!! I drank the whole bottle around 10 pm because I was desperate, hours passed and it wasn’t working. I kept reading reviews and everyone said to hydrate! So I frantically started drinking water... still nothing. Until finally, someone had written to drink warm water... I drank two glasses. And around 3 am, I was able to pass the plug. It was painful, but it worked!"

• Hia...
• October 19, 2019

For Constipation "I have always struggled with constipation. I also can’t eat gluten and get pretty sick when I do, so I use this if I accidentally eat some. So I’ve gotten it down to a T. 1. Get 2 tubes of bum ointment. Trust me, you will thank me later! 2. Get some cheap baby wipes (or flushable ones like Charmin) 3. Get some books or make sure your phone/tablet is charged. 4. Get Gatorade or something hydrating. Make sure all your supplies are convenient and by the toilet. Take the day off of work. I couldn’t imagine going downstairs while on this, let alone the car. I like the lemon flavor. I put it over a lot of ice and drink quickly with a straw. I take a whole 10 oz, but I like to make sure it’s all out so... with me, there’s no cramping. Just some gurgles and intense urges. No pain. It also takes about 10 hours for it to work (for me! Others, it takes 10 minutes, so leave a long window open for staying home). This is the only thing that helps with me."

• The...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 11, 2016

For Constipation "So if you are like me, something as simple as using the restroom can become quite a scary event. I've heard so many people talk about 'picking the stuff out of their ass' and I about threw up! I have been taking the usual go-to products like milk of magnesia, Miralax, mineral oil, Dulcolax, stool softeners, and basically every over-the-counter thing you can imagine for some relief. Without fail, MAGNESIUM CITRATE is a GODSEND! I am a bigger guy, so I have to drink 2 bottles and a ton of water, but IT WILL WORK! The first initial poop might hurt, but after that blockage goes, it's smooth sailing. I would MUCH RATHER sit on the toilet with diarrhea than STRAIN AND BE IN THE WORST PAIN OF MY LIFE every time I try to poop. THANK GOD FOR THIS PRODUCT."

• Bet...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 29, 2014

For Constipation "I have been constipated for 6 days. It seemed there was no relief in sight for me. I took stool softener/laxative for a few days without any results. I then bought Exlax and took 4 pieces at one time. No result. I went to the ER as my stomach was hurting all up the sides and middle. The Dr. recommended magnesium citrate and told me to drink the entire bottle. I went to Family Dollar and it only was $1.25. I ate a sandwich prior to drinking. I drank the grape-flavored magnesium citrate at 8:00 PM with 16 ounces of water. After a few hours, I was still in a lot of pain and didn't feel anything happening. I couldn't even pass gas. At 1:30 AM, it started. It is now almost 3:00, and I am still going. Not sure how long this will last but I feel great!!"

• Res...
• October 5, 2019

For Constipation "I have been having trouble pooping for over a week now. My stomach is bloated, and I have pain. I had an MRCP done and an ultrasound plus obstruction X-rays done today. I drank a bottle of magnesium citrate yesterday, Friday around 5 p.m., and as of yet haven't gone. I had to use a Fleet enema to get some movement. My stomach looks like I'm pregnant. I am waiting until Monday or Tuesday to find out if I have a blockage in my intestines. Very much in pain. Please pray for me. I went through this 3 years ago, and they never found the problem."

• NoL...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 12, 2015

For Constipation "I've suffered from IBS-C for a few years now. Normally, Miralax does the trick but can take a few days. I decided to try MC, drank the full 10 oz of the grape flavor thinking I had to. Should have stopped at 1/3 of the bottle. Anywho, drank it from 7:45-9:30 pm after putting it in the freezer for 30 minutes. Didn't feel much right away and thought it didn't work. That's until my stomach started gurgling. Then came the pains and a lot of bloating. Holy Batman, the pains! Still, nothing came out after an hour filled with multiple tries. Laid down hoping to sleep through the discomfort. Was awakened at 4 am and sprinted to the bathroom. It worked. It's still working 8 hours later! Solution is VERY effective, may take a few hours to kick in."

• Mar...
• February 22, 2013

For Constipation "I had been constipated for over a week. The last two days were very bad, and I had pushed so much I ruptured a hemorrhoid (that I got from pushing, etc.) and had bleeding. I was completely swollen and sore. I tried a saline enema and another the next morning. Stool softeners with laxatives both days, but no help. Mineral oil laxative, and again no help. I was nauseated, sick, and very sore. I was about ready to go to the ER when a pharmacist recommended trying this. I drank 8 of the 10 oz. Tasted okay. After the first 8 oz, I was too nauseated to finish. After 1 hr, it softened enough to push. After another hour, I was vomiting but also able to use the bathroom, and it was liquid every 15 min for about an hour. Woke up and had more liquid stool but feel great."

• Bec...
• January 1, 2015

For Constipation "Every now and then I would get a sharp pain in my belly, and when I tried to go, nothing came out. If I waited long enough, it would, but it was not fun since it was large and took some effort to get out. At times I was in so much pain I was sweating and nearly in tears trying to get it out. One day I felt it coming but didn't want to go through all that, so I went and bought 2 10 oz bottles of the lemon flavor. I came home and covered the bottom of a tall glass with the soda stream lemonade syrup, half the bottle of magnesium citrate, sugar, and the rest with water. I somewhat enjoyed the taste, and after drinking half the glass, I gave birth to the plug. Easy peasy!"

• JS ...
• June 3, 2014

For Constipation "I had been backed up for 5 days. I went to CVS about 3 hours ago or so and picked up a ten-ounce bottle. All I can say is that it is working. It is slightly painful, though, but totally worth it if you are constipated."

• Yos...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 25, 2016

For Constipation "Amazing stuff!! I was constipated for over two weeks, hardly getting anything out and in constant pain, still having to go to work. Tried everything: senna, Miralax, Ducolace, and a few enemas. Got a bottle of mag citrate, drank it all at once with water. 4 or 5 hours later, it was the scene from Dumb and Dumber when Lloyd got Harry with the turbo lax. LOL. P.S. I'm a 6'4", 210 lb man, so one bottle should be plenty for most."

• Ren...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 17, 2016

For Constipation "I had surgery on my lower spine and was constipated for 9 days afterward. I had tried multiple times to let fly, but nothing happened. The last time I was going, there was so much pain. And since I was unable to push too much, it was very difficult, and I actually started to freak out a bit. Then I remembered that my girlfriend had picked up a bottle of magnesium citrate. I chugged the bottle with a chaser of water. I then continued to sit there on the toilet with nothing happening. I decided to go lay down for a bit. About 1.5 hrs later, I rushed for the porcelain god and ripped my drawers down, yelling at my girlfriend to go, go, go!!! I sat there wondering how much it was going to hurt, and then it happened."

• ras...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 11, 2015

For Constipation "I had a very bad case of hemorrhoids, when it was to the point I couldn't use the bathroom. Even I tried, all I wanted to do was cry because it was so painful when it would pass. So one day I was so backed up I just couldn't take anymore, I couldn't stand. It was to the point I could barely pee. So I decided to try the cherry magnesium drink to help me pass a stool, and yes, it did WORK!! I didn't feel any pain, the only time I did was when I did have to push. But other than that, the drink does help. Don't like lime, prefer cherry. This drink does help."

• Poo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 29, 2016

For Constipation "After surgery 6 days ago, I took Percocet and also lay in bed for 3 days without a lot of movement. I believe this is what caused my constipation. I tried Ex-Lax Max Strength on day 6 of not going, and it only caused pain. My stool seemed to be too big and too hard to pass. I talked to my doctor and was told to try magnesium citrate. The cherry didn't taste bad at all, and I was able to drink the entire bottle. 6 hours later, and my stool was STILL too hard to pass. I ended up using Fleet Saline Enema, and that did the trick. I believe that this product would work for most people and would certainly use it again, but with the amount of blockage I had - I needed more help!"

• 123...
• December 24, 2014

For Constipation "I had surgery and was extremely constipated. I literally felt hard lumps of stool that were too large to expel. I tried everything and even took the prescribed laxatives and stool softeners during recovery. Still, these huge stools the size of-literally-baseballs. I couldn't take it anymore because the strain of pushing was beginning to cause tears and compromise my surgical incision. I used one suppository and drank 9/10 of the bottle. The suppository worked in 30 minutes but was painful, and there was still more stool. I feel though it made way for the magnesium citrate to do its wonders. I was weak and nauseated at first. About 2.5 hours later, I had a bowel motion here and there. Started to feel better. By 3.5 hours, I had diarrhea. Yay! Empty and tired."

• Lai...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 22, 2017

For Constipation "So my sister told me about MC. So I purchased it at my local Walgreens. I'm a pretty small person and was worried about having the runs, so I only drank about a fourth of the bottle. I did lemon, which wasn't too bad, just sour. I took it at 1 pm. Then at 2, I sipped a little more, so I drank half of the bottle by 2:30. In between the dosages, I drank lots of water. By 3 pm, my stomach started gurgling and I started feeling pressure. I ran to the bathroom. The 'plug' or hard part of the stool was still pretty painful to pass, but I was prepared for that. What I wasn't prepared for was the burning. My bum burned like the fire of a thousand suns. But it works well and fast. I would do it again for relief."

• Ano...
• January 4, 2017

For Constipation "After a round of antibiotics and eating too much junk food over Christmas, I was constipated for 3-4 days. The 'plug' was too big. I couldn't go on my own. I used MC once before - I took the whole bottle then and had the experience everyone here has described. This time, I read the recommended dose is 6 oz. The bottle is 10 oz. So I drank about 2/3 of the bottle. Twenty minutes later, I heard some gurgling, but I didn't have any new urge to go. Instead, I took a three-hour nap. When I woke up, I had to go. It was still painful to pass the 'plug,' but not as much as the other days I had tried. Success! And without complete diarrhea. The stool became soft enough to pass it all. 3 hours later I had a second normal BM. Great product!"

• don...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 21, 2022

For Constipation "You will look like you’ve eaten the entire McDonald's menu. Your stomach will make sounds you’ve never heard before, and it’ll rumble like you’ve never felt before. You will start to feel like you’ve been lied to-cheated on-possibly… and then it hits. RUN. Run as fast as you can to the nearest toilet, porta potty, hell, even a damn bowl or 7-Eleven Big Gulp cup (heads up, you will need multiple if you decide to go that route). This stuff will clear you out like no other. If you’re anything like me, you’ll be on the toilet in the worst pain you’ve ever experienced but also laughing your ass off because this is just too funny. You will be shitting water, your farts will wake up Granny, and your butt will feel like it’s split apart. This stuff works. Pro tip: keep some cheap perfume on hand to cover the stench."

• Ppr...
• January 3, 2017

For Constipation "I was constipated for what felt like a whole week. I tried Miralax, enemas, yoga, ileocecal massage...nothing worked! I was in pain. Super bloated. Felt like I'd gained ten pounds. I actually took magnesium chloride, not citrate...and about 2.5 hours later, I experienced the glorious poop chute waterfall. So relieving. I'll always keep magnesium on hand from now on."

• Tim...
• January 19, 2019

For Constipation "This works. Could not go #2 for 4 days and lots of pain. Bought the cherry kind from Shoppers Drug Mart and drank half the bottle as per the pharmacist, and 6 hours later, it worked. I feel a whole lot better now as I sit here on the throne writing this! I totally recommend this product 1000%."

• Abb...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 18, 2022

For Constipation "Ok, friends. If you are reading this, I expect you are likely as miserable as I am right now, and I’m sorry. Whether you are still constipated, waiting for the floodgates to open, or sitting on the porcelain throne, pray for the gates to close… I feel your pain. If you are severely constipated and other things haven’t worked, this stuff will work. And work, and work, and work. I mean, really, I checked to see if I was pooping out my intestines at least three times during this process. It is 8:38 am, and I drank the whole 10 oz bottle mixed with a 33 oz Smart Water yesterday morning at 8:45. From 10 am to 1 pm yesterday, I had the WORST abdominal cramping I have ever had. It literally felt like contractions. Sweating, doubled over on the bathroom floor, felt like I was dying, then wished I was dying kind of pain. BUT THEN I finally pooped after nine days, and I pooped out a foot-long log that was clearly blocking the rest of my guts. Needless to say, it opened the gates. GOOD LUCK."

• Sca...
• February 8, 2017

For Constipation "I was backed up for almost a whole week after taking a bunch of different antibiotics, and every time I tried to go, it wouldn't come out, or it would hurt too bad to come out. I tried everything, and finally a pharmacist offered magnesium citrate, and after about 6 hours, I was able to go to the bathroom with ease. I've still been going almost every 4-6 hours for the past 2 days. But I feel much better. I would recommend this to anyone having any troubles. I thought I would still be in pain going, but I wasn't."

• fin...
• March 4, 2015

For Constipation "Four days after surgery, narcotics, and some serious constipation, I purchased some stool softening pills and some milk of magnesia and tried both. Neither had worked too well for me. I had begun to lose my appetite and had a hard time sleeping because of the pain. I purchased some grape magnesium citrate recommended by my doctor, and at 2:00 pm today, I took about 3 oz just to be careful. Only twenty minutes later, I had to go to the bathroom and had a little bit of luck. Then again, around 4:00, I took another 3 oz. At 8:00, it took full effect. I was able to empty out most, but had to keep running to the bathroom about every half hour for a few hours. It's close to diarrhea when it comes out, but not too bad. I highly recommend!"