Magnesium sulfate / potassium sulfate / sodium sulfate and Cramps: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Joy...
• January 24, 2017

For Bowel Preparation "I am 62, and this was my 6th colonoscopy. I have to say this was the best prep so far. I had this done at 7 this morning. I took the prep at 4 pm yesterday, and by 5, I was finished with the 1st round. No cramping, no nausea. I paid attention to not eating raw fruits, vegetables, and nuts 3 days prior. At 9 pm, I did the 2nd round. I was in bed by 11 and woke up once in the middle of the night one time. The taste isn't great, I found the cold water and a little lemon helped. It's a little pricey but worth it. Ask the Dr. for a coupon. By the way, I had nothing to eat all day yesterday, and I think that worked for the better."

• BBa...
• June 28, 2019

For Bowel Preparation "After reading all the negative reviews, I was fearful about using it for my 5 yr colonoscopy. I'm 6'1" / 195 with no bowel problems, just a family history of colon cancer. I didn't find the taste as bad as most described-- I'm neutral about it. Rather than slow torture with straws, I mixed it with ice cold water and chugged it down with the two 16 oz water chasers in 10 minutes. The intake was no problem at all. I waited 2-1/2 hours for it to work. This was followed by 3 bathroom sessions from 8:30 to 9:30. These too were not as extreme as described in many reviews. Faucet descriptions are accurate, but I didn't have any cramping or nausea. At 3 am, it took 15 minutes to get all the next dose down. The ice cold mix gave me the chills, which lasted for an hour. I laid waiting for it to work, 2 hours later, bathroom visits began and were similar to my evening prep. Best advice: don't believe everything you read. I had very different results than most, and I would highly recommend this drug."

• Its...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 10, 2017

For Bowel Preparation "I read all sorts of horror stories, and I was terrified of this medicine and what to expect. 1) The taste didn't bother me whatsoever. I've had cough syrup that tasted so much worse. It tastes like salty cherries, and I had no problems drinking it. It was almost pleasant. I chilled it prior to drinking and drank it like a beverage (mixed with water). 2) I experienced no nausea, no headaches, no cramping, none of the horrible side effects I read about. Just a faucet butt about 15 minutes after I drank the dose that lasted intermittently for an hour. Really not that bad. The anxiety was so much worse, and really, there was nothing to stress about."

• JJS...
• November 6, 2016

For Bowel Preparation "I have had UC/Crohn's for 30 years with colonoscopies every 1-3 years. This was the best prep I have ever used. The taste is acceptable, and the smaller quantity of fluids is very easy to handle. I just chugged it right down. It worked quickly-within the hour, no cramping, no chills, no headache. I used the split dose, and the only downside was getting up at 3 am because I had an early morning procedure scheduled. I will use this prep again; it was a breeze. I highly recommend it."

• Tjt...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 11, 2015

For Bowel Preparation "I just have to write this because what people told me seems to be right. People only come on these sites to complain. So I'm here to give a positive review. I just finished my first dose of Suprep and ran through the runs that go along with it. I did feel nausea about halfway through the dose, but it fades quickly once I started drinking slower. It kicked in in about an hour and lasted for about 2 hours. After the initial nausea passed, I had no issues whatsoever. It did its job. It didn't give me cramps or headaches. Also, the taste really isn't terrible. I'd compare it to salty Gatorade. Just don't take huge swigs of it, and you'll be fine. Overall, I'm not too nervous about my second dose. Not a terrible experience at all."

• SC ...
• January 30, 2014

For Bowel Preparation "This is the first time I've had to prep for a colonoscopy, and I'm wishing I had checked tips and tricks from others before I started. The Suprep kit works well, but the taste is NOT good. My doctor said to mix the 6 oz. bottle with apple juice to the 16 oz. mark on the cup, but I didn't think that helped the taste. I could only do a few ounces at a time, wait a few minutes, then do a few more ounces. A STRAW definitely helped get the solution past my taste buds a bit. After finishing the entire first 'dose,' I found my chief complaint was belching. I was very glad that there was no cramping or abdominal discomfort at all. Definitely need diaper rash cream. Second dose is going in the freezer to get as cold as possible. Just don't stop!"

• Jke...
• August 16, 2017

For Bowel Preparation "I am very happy that I used this rather than the mega ounces of disgusting solution I drank for my first colonoscopy. If I ever have to repeat this, I'm going to chill the solution first. I drank two sips at a time, alternating sips of soda and sucking on candy. There's no getting around the nasty taste, but here are my recommendations: follow a soft diet two days before your procedure. The day before, follow a liquid diet to the letter. You won't have cramping nor abdominal pain. Distract yourself while you sip the solution. I stood in front of my TV, taking two sips at a time while sucking on a piece of candy. Alternate sips of icy cold water, soda, and solution. Best of all, it works quickly."

• Hap...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 19, 2021

For Bowel Preparation "I read a lot of reviews of this product and expected horrible taste, bad cramping, bloating, a nasty burning sensation, and a bunch of other un-good things. This was my 3rd colonoscopy, and this prep was by far the easiest. I followed the directions on the package and the ones my doctor gave me that included eating a light meal 2 days before, 'the more water you drink, the better off you'll be,' and I applied A&D Ointment before everything began. The product had a mild cherry flavor and wasn't the least bit unpleasant. I had no cramping, bloating, painful bowel movements, burning, or any of that stuff, and I wasn't sitting on the toilet for hours. I would use it again in a heartbeat."

• Its...
• January 27, 2015

For Bowel Preparation "Certainly easier than the prep I used 10 years ago. I started prep at 4:00 pm and was still 'responding' at midnight. Second dose taken at 5:45 am and was much easier than the night before. Elimination was clear by 8:00 am. No nausea, cramping, just chills."

• Geo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 6, 2016

For Bowel Preparation "I have to be one of the scariest individuals in the world when it comes to medication. Therefore, after reading all of the reviews, I was traumatized and afraid to begin my bowel prep. However, I took the advice of some of the other reviews and made sure that I followed the liquid diet, chilled the Suprep, took small sips, and used a lemon as a chaser. The medicine began to gently work within the hour without any complications. The purpose of the medicine is to clean the bowels, so I expected that I would have numerous trips to the restroom. However, that process was not bad as well. The second time at 5:00 a.m. went exactly the same. I am happy to report that I didn't experience any nausea, vomiting, or cramping. The rest is history!"

• Sci...
• October 18, 2019

For Bowel Preparation "Had my first colonoscopy today and used Suprep. It wasn’t as gnarly as I thought it would be. First dose yesterday at 5, onset in 50 min, was in and out of the bathroom for about three hours, second dose at 6 am came on a bit quicker and had more output but only lasted for about 1.5-2 hrs. (The second dose is important. My stool ran brown after being clear last night. It was back to clear by the next “round” of the second dose working this morning). Try to go on a mush low-fiber diet for three days before the prep. And be hydrated. I gulped it down in two sips. It did give me the chills almost violently for a few minutes but that may be the body’s reaction? It wasn’t awful. No bloating or cramping (I took 2 simethicone (Gas-X) tabs with the water as soon as I gulped the prep. The doctor told me to and it helped I’d imagine). Don’t worry about the horror stories you can do this. It’s really not that bad. Just get it done."

• hap...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 4, 2014

For Bowel Preparation "Dreaded starting after reading some of the reviews. This was VERY easy - the taste was not as bad as some said. Didn't need to chase it with anything, drank tepid water after (cold would have caused me to cramp). The worse part was the lack of sleep due to the second dose. Will use the product again... in 5 years!"

• con...
• January 13, 2015

For Bowel Preparation "I thought it was going to work immediately but took a good hour. Hour mild cramping and diarrhea for 45 min. Thought I was done and could go watch The Bachelor. I got 5 min into the show and almost didn't make it back to the bathroom. 15 min waiting for diarrhea to stop. Finally, I can go watch The Bachelor. 20 min into the show and it hits again. 10 more minutes of diarrhea and finally done. It was not as bad as everyone was saying. Now for my morning prep."

• Wel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 17, 2017

For Bowel Preparation "I am so thankful I found this site before I took my first taste! The taste was awful-cherry-flavored seawater. Thank you to the writer who suggested sugar-covered lemon wedges! That really helped! I sucked a sugar-coated lemon wedge, took as big a sip as I could handle, and sucked on the lemon wedge again (even wiped my tongue with it). Needed about four lemon wedges for each of the doses. I do drink water fairly willingly, but 32 ounces beyond the 16 needed for the diluted solution was really tough. I used nearly the entire hour to finish getting the prescribed water. With the first dose, I started to experience cramps after about 35 minutes. I found that doing knee lifts helped fight the cramping."

• Jac...
• September 5, 2017

For Bowel Preparation "I had my first colonoscopy last week. I was prepared for the worst. It's no fun, but not nearly as bad as I expected. I mixed the Suprep with ice water and drank it through a straw. I took four big sips, rested for a minute, then four more, rested again, and then finished it off. The taste isn't great, but bearable. Afterwards, I let a single peppermint lifesaver dissolve on my tongue; it completely removed the aftertaste. Finally, the elimination process was gentle. No cramps or nausea. The process took about two hours. Colonoscopy results were pretty good. Glad I went, although sorry I waited until I was 61. PLEASE do not let fear of the prep process prevent you from getting this lifesaving exam."

• Cle...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 16, 2015

For Bowel Preparation "This will be my 2nd colonoscopy. My 1st was 5 years ago (no polyps!). Used the dreaded Golytely that time. Was instructed to mix the Golytely with raspberry lemonade Crystal Lite. It was awful! Almost not doable. Suprep was much better. This time using Suprep. Everything about it was better! The 1st dose was at 6:00 pm. Mixed with cold water, not fun but got it down without too much complaining! Started 'going' within 30 minutes, done in 2 hours. No cramping, no bloating, no problems. 2nd dose at 3:45 am. Have to admit I couldn't get the last 1/2' down, figured I better quit while I was ahead! The effect wasn't as fast or as dramatic as the 1st dose. Again, no issues."

• glo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 11, 2015

For Bowel Preparation "Followed advice here-use cold, cold, cold water. Taste is like cherry cough meds but lighter-second cup seemed saltier (maybe I didn't mix the water and dosage bottle well enough?) Anyway, it worked for two full hours-all almost clear. Next dose-still clear. I felt good I had been a good light eater. Then to bed at 10. Wake up at 3:30-cramps; run RUN for bathroom; that last meal high in the colon was on its way down!!! Probably should skip that last light meal the day before you start the prep! All in all, the experience was fairly easy-hard to drink all that water, also used ginger ale as others have noted. Too much sweet juice made me a little nauseous. Would definitely use this again."

• Win...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 23, 2016

For Bowel Preparation "My first colonoscopy was yesterday. I am glad I found this site beforehand, as I used several suggestions. I chilled the solution, mixed it with room temp 7Up, divided it into 3 cups, drank with a large straw, and sucked on a lemon slice between each drink. It did work very fast. Went through the same procedure the next morning. I had no issues with chills, nausea, headache, or cramps. The hardest part was drinking the additional water after the first round of the solution."

• Gan...
• January 26, 2021

For Bowel Preparation "Really not bad at all. If you have ever had food poisoning, this is nothing. Chilled the prep from the morning of, diluted with cold bottled water -- drank it in 5 minutes. Very little taste - a bit of grape and cough medicine. Two more bottles of water in the next 40 minutes (also cold). An hour after the prep, things got moving and kept moving for another hour and 20 minutes, but it was never that bad, but bring some reading material. Next dose at 3 AM the next morning -- more difficult to drink, because my body would rather have been asleep. Action was a bit quicker this time, again lasted about an hour. In general, not as severe the second time. I seem clean -- will find out for sure in about 3 hours. Knocked back 32 oz of Gatorade after the first one - was feeling thirsty and a bit dehydrated. Abdominal cramps after all was over both times, but nothing bad. I would definitely hydrate well before starting this, but all in all, for me, not a bad experience at all."

• NJB...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 30, 2013

For Bowel Preparation "This was my 3rd colonoscopy and the first time using this prep. The two previous times, I had used the Miralax/Gatorade 'gallon' prep, which was difficult to handle the massive volume of liquid. I found this prep terrible tasting (but so were the previous preps). This one was less consumption of volume. I didn't get any cramping, no chills like some others, and had no overall bad side effects. As far as the prep is concerned...make sure you use 'cold' ice water and not cold tap water when mixing it, as well as the follow-up 2 x 16 oz containers of water. The taste is very salty/sweet, and I recommend not breathing through your nose when downing the mixture."

• WIN...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 21, 2016

For Bowel Preparation "This will be my first colonoscopy. I used many hints from the reviews here. I chilled the solution and mixed it with part water and part 7UP. It tasted like salty cherry soda. I divided it into three cups and used a large straw. I sucked on a lemon slice between each drink. I then drank all the extra water in a short time. It does work very fast. I started at 5:00 pm and was done by 10:00 pm. I had no headache, chills, cramping, or nausea. The second round was no trouble either. I am very glad I read reviews on here first."

• Mik...
• June 24, 2016

For Bowel Preparation "Had my endo and colonoscopy at 7:30 am. Started taking the first dose at 7:30 pm the night before. It took an hour to work with a bit of cramping and nausea. It kept working for the next three hours. Took the second dose at 2 am. Almost vomited due to nausea and spent the next couple of hours in the restroom. The second dose works faster. The hardest part is taking so much water within the hour. For those who are worried about the actual procedure or sedation, don't be... the procedure is the easiest. Good luck to everyone."

• My...
• July 9, 2021

For Bowel Preparation "I just finished my first age-recommended colonoscopy. My experience was straightforward; no side effects, and Suprep worked. I was worried after reading some of the reviews here; it was easier than I anticipated. Things that worked well for me: 1. Refrigerate both the bottle of Suprep and the water you’ll mix it with. 2. Drink the Suprep/water mixture through a straw to bypass some of the taste buds. 3. Have a flavored beverage nearby while drinking the Suprep/water to cover the Suprep taste between swigs. I used Sprite once and orange Gatorade the second time. 4. Mix the post-Suprep water/beverage with Simethicone drops (1.8 ml = 3 droppersful per 16 oz water) to prevent problems with gas. 5. Coat your bum with Vaseline before you start drinking. 6. Use a bidet toilet seat if you have one. Fortunately, I didn’t have any nausea, cramping, chills, or gas that others have mentioned. You can do it! It’s really not bad."

• Cle...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 26, 2019

For Bowel Preparation "I have several had procedures and have used 3 other preps, all of which are much better than this nasty stuff. The most horrible taste ever... I can't think of anything to compare. Then get it down and the water, sit and bloat and cramp for 3 hours, and then bingo. I went once about every 15 minutes for 4 hours. Then had chills and felt like I was hit by a big truck. I gave up and sucked down the second dose after 2 hours because I was sure that at 2 AM the second dose wasn't happening. I went off and on all night and just before my procedure at 7 AM the next morning. Warning: Your poor butt will burn like you are sitting in the fireplace. Yes, the wiping does irritate it, but I am convinced all the salt in this mixture is gas on the fire. I told my Doc never again."

• Got...
• January 16, 2019

For Bowel Preparation "This is my first colonoscopy, and the prep was not as bad as I imagined. My procedure was scheduled in the afternoon, so my dosing schedule was 7 pm the night before and 6 am the day of. The Suprep tastes bad, but it’s not unbearable. I put a scoop of (yellow) lemonade powder mix into the mixture, added some ice chips, and drank it as quickly as possible with a straw. I drank the required 32 oz of water over the next 30 minutes, and about an hour after drinking the Suprep, the “faucet” opened. I had no trouble making it to the bathroom and no leakage. I was on the toilet every 10-30 minutes for about 3 hours, then a couple of more times after that. I got decent sleep, then woke up for round 2. At the suggestion of some websites I visited, I applied some Vaseline after wiping and am very glad I did! Overall, some gurgling, bloating, and minor cramping, but not bad. Bottom line (pun intended) is that it’s better to prep for a colonoscopy than chemotherapy. You got this!"