Magnesium hydroxide and Bloating: What Users Say
Brand names: Milk of Magnesia, Phillips' Milk of Magnesia, Pedia-Lax Chewable Tablets, Ex-Lax Milk of Magnesia, Dulcolax Milk of Magnesia
Reviews for Magnesium hydroxide
- You...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- November 23, 2014
For Constipation "I took the recommended dose at 9:30 am after horrible constipation, cramps, and bloating. Nothing but stomach gurgling occurred that entire day. I had to take another dose that evening around 7 pm. Still...nothing by bedtime. I didn't get relief until around 9 am the next morning, and from that point on, I was afraid to move or leave the toilet. And it took about a full 10 hours of off-and-on emergency bathroom trips (those uh-oh! Get up and run! kinds) to get it all out."
- LoC...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- December 21, 2015
For Constipation "Y'all... was having some discomfort from constipation and bloating. My stomach just generally felt horrible. Wanted quick relief, so I took 4 tbs of MoM. Yes, you read that right, FOUR TABLESPOONS! I have been off and on the toilet for the last hour and realize now I took too much! Will definitely use again in a much lower dosage."
- Amk...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- July 22, 2015
For Constipation "Best laxative out there! I have chronic constipation due to psych meds. I've tried every laxative out there and have a very healthy, plant-based diet, etc., but nothing has helped. Milk of Magnesia is the only effective remedy I've found. Best to take it on an empty stomach-it doesn't seem to work if you're full of food-and drink lots of water. Within 2 hours of taking 4 tbsp, I had 2 bowel movements. No cramps or bloating or pain or diarrhea. This stuff works great."
- Kar...
- April 2, 2017
For Constipation "I was not feeling well and had stomach pain. I went ahead and took Pepto-Bismol, and it made me feel worse. Within minutes, my pain became stronger, I felt bloated and discomfort. After a few hours in pain, I went to the market and purchased MOM. Within one hour of taking it with a glass of water, it worked. The results were AMAZING! Everything was gone, and I felt very clean!"
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Your review helps others make informed decisions.- Rea...
- August 23, 2016
For Constipation "I've never had problems with my bowel movements. However, I just had to have surgery and was taking a narcotic - mostly to sleep at night. I had a small bowel movement the third night home, but then felt horribly constipated. It was almost worse than the operation. It was painful, uncomfortable in my belly, and bloating. I took olive oil, ate fruit, did all the things to get my body moving. I walked around for hours. Still, nothing. Finally, my mother came over with the Phillips Milk of Magnesia, and I took the largest amount. Nothing right away. I became frustrated and took another two teaspoons about three hours into waiting. Exactly six hours after I took the first dose, my system finally kicked in - BIG TIME. It was really painful, but relief."
- Pir...
- June 12, 2015
For Constipation "I have been told I had IBS in the ER. The doctor said MOM is very gentle if I got constipated, and I do from time to time. So after feeling bloated and bound up, I took the 2 Tbsp dose and waited... well, in an hour, I was almost running to the throne and every 15 minutes after for an hour. It does as advertised."
- Krn...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- September 12, 2018
For Constipation "I have had the worst constipation experience ever. It literally affected me for almost a month. I was gassy, bloated, heaviness in the bottom of my stomach, and an awful, awful pressure feeling in my rectum. I tried several OTC remedies with minimal (rock/pellet) results. I bought MOM Sunday and took my first dose (30 ml) — nothing and no signs of anything. I am absolutely miserable — can’t sleep, can’t eat, and now, after taking MOM, nauseous!!!! On Monday evening, I took 60 ml (and chased it with 8 oz of water — something I failed to do with the initial dose. I didn’t sleep well at all Monday night — but on Tuesday morning things began to happen (thank goodness!!!). Initially, it was hard medium-sized “rocks.” But I literally have had 3 BM’s today (that has never happened in my 61 years of living). I feel better today than I have in weeks. Plan to take a smaller dose tomorrow. MOM will have a place in my household from this day forward!!!!"
- GM9...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- January 14, 2022
For Constipation "I have had chronic constipation for over a year now. I have tried everything! Miralax, Dulcolax, Tums, magnesium citrate, psyllium husk pills, and even prescription meds like Trulance and Linzess! None of them compare to MOM. I was feeling so bloated and backed up, my tummy looked 6 months pregnant. I was using saline enemas every other day, which I knew was not a great idea, but it was the only way to relieve the pain. I went to CVS to get more but saw MOM on the shelf and decided, what the heck? Took the appropriate dosage before bed, and sure enough, first thing in the A.M., it all came out. I was taking multiple trips that morning. Then, after each meal for the day, I would also find myself in the bathroom. Definitely would recommend this, as my constipation is probably one of the worst out there, but it worked for me."
- Jan...
- June 15, 2016
For Constipation "Taking painkillers for shingles, I was constantly bloated and in pain with constipation. In fact, my stools were impacted. I tried several laxatives to no avail. Then I remembered as a child, Mom giving us Milk of Magnesia. So I got a bottle from the chemist. I did as the instructions said: 15 mL. It worked a treat."
- Had...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- November 10, 2016
For Constipation "I changed my diet about 6 months ago and just recently (the last month or so) have been experiencing constipation. Before this, it had been very few and far between. Roughly every 3-4 days is when I would have a BM, not comfortable at all. I finally caved after having horrible bloating and pain at work today. I went to the drug store and picked up a bottle of MOM. I took 2 tbsp about 7 pm. I didn't have any discomfort or gas, but I couldn't sleep very well either. Finally, about 1 am, the blockage is gone, and I'm so much more comfortable. I didn't experience any cramping, and the beginning was still somewhat difficult to pass, it was soft but very bulky still. I don't feel any further urges to go to the toilet, but it's only been 20 minutes."
- Poo...
- January 19, 2017
For Constipation "Was constipated due to pain meds. PCP recommended Miralax. Made me very crappy and gassy. Then told me to try Amitiza or Movantik--both are very $$$ even with insurance. Saw a GI and he recommended a high fiber diet (basically done by mixing high fiber cereal with another tastier cereal) and then adding 30 mL MOM. Nothing happened. Tried 45 and then 60 mL, but nothing. I hadn't gone properly in 7 weeks and felt bloated, so I drank a heap of MOM--gives you fluid--and 7-8 hrs later, WOW!! So much came out that I thought that I'd filled the entire bowl. Fortunately, it's a power flusher toilet. Took about 6 flushes but finally got it all down the drain. Felt so good. Now I won't wait as long. If no BM in 2 wks, drink a bottle & GO!"
- Z10...
- February 1, 2015
For Constipation "I have motility issues (i.e., idiopathic constipation) and Milk of Magnesia works, but causes severe bloating for me. For anyone with this issue, Dulcolax is enterically coated, so no bloating. But the urge to 'go' comes on very, very suddenly."
- Nib...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- October 21, 2015
For Constipation "I am 12 weeks pregnant and have not been able to for over a week. Needless to say, the bloating and cramping was insanity, and my stomach felt rock hard. I took 2 tbsp of MoM the first time, and it didn't do anything. So the next day, before I went to bed, I took 3, and I woke up and finally had relief! It did come in the form of basically just straight water, which was unpleasant. But I don't hurt anymore!"
- Hor...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- July 2, 2017
For Constipation "Took at 9 a.m., hoping to move bowels the same day, after days of horrible constipation and bloating. MoM claims it works within 6 hours, but nothing happened. I took another dose at bedtime, still without any movement. The following morning, I have awful diarrhea. It's so bad it gave me an anal fissure, and I've been taking Imodium and putting on lidocaine to ease the pain. Ridiculous to go from one extreme to the other. Yes, I should not have taken a second dose, but thought it would be fine since it did not work at all after 14 hours, and supposedly, you can take this daily. I thought this would just quicken transit time, but no, it stayed in my gut, mushed everything to liquid, and gave me the worst diarrhea ever. Never taking again!"
- Net...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- July 6, 2016
For Constipation "I've had issues with constipation since October 2015. The doctor had me on Miralax daily until I got into the gastroenterologist in April. He gave me samples of Amitiza and told me to try it on the weekend. It was horrible cramps, gas, and bloating. So I went back to Miralax. Then my regular doctor suggested Milk of Magnesia. I took some before I went to bed last night, 7/4/16. I was awakened at 4:30 a.m. with pain worse than labor pains. I filled the toilet bowl with what looked like snack pack chocolate pudding. Terrible gas pains, stomach just knotting up and turning. I have my colonoscopy scheduled for 7/8/16. I hope the prep they gave me doesn't have the same effect on me. My stomach is still messed up 24 hours later."
- Tam...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- March 29, 2018
For Constipation "I was having trouble going potty and felt really bloated from not going, so I tried the mint Milk of Magnesia, and even though it took a day or two to work, I felt so much better. My stomach was making a bubbling noise, and I knew it was the start of something. Good warning for sure! I find taking it right before bed works the best!"
- Bec...
- April 24, 2018
For Constipation "Ok, so my body decided to pass one kidney stone from each kidney. One surgery and hospital stay with narcotic pain meds, and I was severely constipated. I tried fiber, prune juice, and stimulant laxative. Nothing. I was so bloated that I looked pregnant and was miserable. I happened upon a commercial for M.O.M., and sent my hubby to the store. I took the maximum dosage, and within 2 hours, had sweet relief."
- Ess...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- March 2, 2018
For Constipation "I had an abdominal hysterectomy and was on Norco for several days, as well as other pain meds intravenously, which had me severely bloated, in pain from gas, and constipated. I was given stool softeners that didn’t work. My friend suggested MoM. I took the full dose, and it worked! Now, 3 weeks post-op, I’ve taken it once or twice when things don’t flow after a couple of days, and it gets everything moving again without cramps. I highly recommend."
- Vik...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- February 6, 2020
For Constipation "I've had chronic constipation all my life, and Miralax wasn't cutting it for me anymore. Nothing else was working either (magnesium citrate, enema, double the Miralax, senna tea kind of worked, though), and I was bloated on and off for two months. I finally decided to go to the store and buy a bottle of Dulcolax liquid (magnesium hydroxide) to see if it would get things moving better. Oh boy! Hard stool shot out first, and then came the liquid, nonstop. I was on the toilet for almost 2 hours, making sure it was done. I'm not even sure if it's done yet at this point, but I'm hoping so. Didn't cause me much cramps, just gave me the intense urge to go 2 hours after taking it. This is definitely going to be something I'm keeping in my medicine cabinet for times like these."
- Hel...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- August 27, 2018
For Constipation "I took the max dose of it after breakfast for the first time for chronic constipation. I didn't have a BM after 7 hours and just had horrible heartburn, stomachache, nausea, bloating, and vomiting. It was basically a lot of pain, and I was so sad that I took this in the first place because the pain was worse than not pooping for 2 weeks! I got a BM the next morning, and it was completely watery diarrhea, and it was the worst pain ever. I told my doctor that this is just painful, but he told me I have to take this because I already tried everything, nothing worked, so MOM was the last choice. I already done a test, and it was all normal. Anyway, it was the worst pain ever, and I would NOT recommend this!!!"
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For Constipation "Did not have a BM for 8 days and became very bloated and uncomfortable. I took the maximum dose of Milk of Magnesia - MOM (45 ml) at 17:45, and by 18:30, I passed a healthy BM. I'm very surprised MOM worked so well. I've struggled with constipation on and off for a few months now, and I'm super happy I've discovered MOM."