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

• Iha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 11, 2015

For Bowel Preparation "On September 11, 2015, I had my first colonoscopy/endoscopy (bad omen, right?) and the day before I began my Suprep bowel cleaner. WOW, this is like nuclear powerful! First dose was at 9 AM, and immediately, 7 minutes later, my colon began to 'purge' itself. Liquid, projectile diarrhea: I'm talking strap yourself to the toilet diarrhea. I thought I was being smart by eating only soups the day prior to prep, but I was completely shocked by this amount of liquid. It continued for about 3 hours before I was able to leave the restroom. 8 hours later, I was still 'going' and just in time for the second dose. At 5 PM, my second hell began and lasted until 2 AM. The taste is like 1970s Dimetapp cough medicine. Grape. YUCK!! Everything came out OK...lol."

• Deu...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 8, 2018

For Bowel Preparation "I took the first dose at 6 pm, got it all down within 10 min and 36 oz. of water within the next 20 min. Fast forward to 4 am and the second dose. I have had some stomach gurgling but have not gone to the bathroom yet. I got the second dose down same as the first, all Suprep and water within 40 min. I will be leaving for my colonoscopy at 7:30 am, so I hope this works before then. 1 HR 45 min after the 2nd dose, I had a small normal movement. Right now, it doesn't look good for my 8 am appointment. 2 hrs and 20 min after the 2nd dose, the diarrhea started. Within 45 min, it was mostly clear/yellowish, so I went to the appointment. I informed the nurse of my situation/concern but told her I thought the prep worked well enough. They took me in, put me under for the procedure. When they woke me, they informed me they could not complete it because the cleansing wasn't complete. I am now rescheduled with a different bowel prep. I followed all instructions to the letter, so thanks a s#*tload (pun definitely intended!) Suprep..."

• Gli...
• April 3, 2016

For Bowel Preparation "This stuff is pure poison and has nearly killed me! Tastes horrible the first go-round, and you start vomiting on the second bottle. I only used half of the second bottle and diluted it with water but couldn't even finish that. Drank more water and had to sit on the toilet all night. Four days later, I'm still unable to eat anything and having diarrhea!! NEVER AGAIN! I will die first. Whoever created this stuff should be forced to drink a gallon of it and see how wonderful they feel. I've taken Golitely before. It was awful, but I felt MUCH better the next day. Four days of agony and I can still barely function. No colon cancer, but this stuff just may kill me anyway. I am a 67-year-old woman who is 5'5" and weighs 150. Dosage is too much for me."

• Thr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 14, 2019

For Bowel Preparation "Ok, so first off, this stuff isn't that horrible, it reminded me of Robitussin flavor, just not as strong. I already have a problem with loose bowels, bile salt diarrhea, so that being said, this stuff started working within 30 minutes, and yes, there were times I didn't think I was going to make it. My advice: just chug it and then drink the next two 16 oz waters as quickly as possible."

• Thr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 14, 2019

For Bowel Preparation "Ok, so first off, this stuff isn't that horrible, it reminded me of Robitussin flavor, just not as strong. I already have a problem with loose bowels, bile salt diarrhea, so that being said, this stuff started working within 30 minutes, and yes, there were times I didn't think I was going to make it. My advice: just chug it and then drink the next two 16 oz waters as quickly as possible."

• 50 ...
• April 12, 2018

For Bowel Preparation "Ok, having read all these reviews and just been through the whole thing myself, here’s the deal. First, it’s not that bad, so don’t be anxious. Second, the tips that work are: cool down both the stuff and the water you mix into it. I found that drinking it through a straw just made the whole thing longer. The best way, as someone else suggested, is to pour it into a drinking bottle and just knock it down! Sips of ginger ale in between help. The two or three glasses of fluid you have to drink in the next hour is actually the hardest part for me! Yes, get next to a toilet. For me, it started working an hour after I drank it and finished two hours later. Liberal use of Vaseline and wet wipes rather than toilet paper are recommended! The next morning - take an attitude of ‘it’s just gotta be done’ - no worse than the night before. However, I found the diarrhea came on more quickly the next morning."

• jew...
• April 23, 2016

For Bowel Preparation "I took the Suprep at 6 and 11 pm Sunday. Had procedure Monday at 7. I was in a lot of pain all over, and when I woke from the procedure I was in worse pain. They sent me home, and I was unable to eat or drink, but no vomiting. The pain got worse by evening, and I was unable to walk. Off to the ER where I was admitted. My lipase level was over 3000, liver functions very bad, WBC very bad, and potassium dangerously low! They had to pump me full of fluids and potassium! Needless to say, Suprep almost killed me! Never again! And never again on colonoscopy! This was my fourth colonoscopy, and never had this happen before! Six days later and still have diarrhea!"

• Emp...
• November 13, 2017

For Bowel Preparation "Vomiting and diarrhea at the same time - horrible. The most vile tasting medicine. Tried mixing it with lemon-flavored water on ice and holding my nose. I still was gagging and vomiting. Doing it once is bad enough, but then have to get up in the middle of the night to do it all over again? There's got to be a better way."

• Ban...
• October 14, 2013

For Bowel Preparation "The taste of Suprep is every bit as horrible as they say on the Internet. It is effective in causing diarrhea, though, which is the intent of colonoscopy prep. It is horrible, you get the runs. Multiple times you will need to go to the washroom because of diarrhea. That is annoying, having to go to the toilet so many times in rapid succession. So, dehydration is a danger, and people have to keep drinking a lot of liquids. A recommendation I would give to those planning to use Suprep: wear an adult diaper or wear nothing at all. This is because while you are drinking Suprep, you may suddenly leak something. Suprep causes diarrhea, and it can do it quickly."

• Nat...
• February 15, 2018

For Bowel Preparation "Not kidding, this stuff tastes fine if you prepare. Put it in the refrigerator the night before you take it so it's chilled, add lemonade Crystal Light to the cup after you dilute it with water, and use a straw. It literally tastes like slightly off yellow Gatorade. I was so worried about taking this because I get nauseous easily on these kinds of meds, but I had zero issues. No nausea, no bloating, no headaches, just the runs. Took one dose at 6 pm the night before, took about 30-45 minutes to kick in then went nonstop for probably 2 hours. After that, it became less frequent until I went to bed around 11. The first one should more or less clear you out. In the morning, I took the second dose around 5:30, same deal. Took about 30-45 minutes, nonstop for probably two hours, then less frequent until I went in for the procedure. Was totally out through the whole thing and had a positive experience overall considering my expectations (this was my first colonoscopy)."

• And...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 30, 2015

For Bowel Preparation "I'm a larger guy. A full week before I did Suprep, I took Miralax every day and started a liquid diet two days early. Pre-Suprep, charged all electronics and put them in the bathroom. I've decided to hang out in here until done. Measured out two sixteen-ounce cups of water and put it in one giant cup. Upon opening the first bottle, I gave it a sniff test, and it smelled alright. Took it warm and slammed it like a giant shot. The salty taste threw me off, but I went straight to my big cup and slammed the water. Kissed my fiancée goodbye and have set up camp in the bathroom. Two hours later, light cramping and faucet-style diarrhea. After reading and hearing about preps, I came in scared. This feels easy as hell. Liquid went down fast."

• Ral...
• May 14, 2015

For Bowel Preparation "I have had 9 colonoscopies over the last 15 years, and of all the preps I have used, I dislike this one the most. It is very effective at its job, but it is also too effective, for I have had loose bowels and watery discharge for over a week. I will report this to my doctor, who I hope will advise his patients to use some other form of prep."

• Kwe...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 13, 2017

For Bowel Preparation "After reading horror stories about the taste, I was surprised to find how much I enjoyed it. I would drink it anytime I needed to clear out the colon. I looked forward to the second course and found the taste to be palatable. And clearly, it's working. The diarrhea was fairly immediate, and it's achieving the aim. I will drink liquids for another couple of hours, but I, for one, say this was a great (cleansing) experience."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 27, 2013

For Bowel Preparation "I got through the prep as most others have written. It's a tolerable prep to get down and a little easier if your stomach is relatively empty. My problem came the next day after my procedure. I was okay initially, but for several hours after the procedure, I felt sick all over and very nauseous. In the evening, I finally vomited and then began to feel better. Still had the taste of the prep when vomiting. Diarrhea has continued for three days after the procedure."

• Man...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 22, 2021

For Bowel Preparation "Horrible experience!! I have always used Miralax and Dulcolax for a colon prep. First time using Suprep. The taste was awful-bug spray flavor. It was so awful I chugged the first 16 oz as quickly as I could to get it over with. After drinking two more 16 oz glasses of water, I immediately had severe stomach pain and nausea. The following 3 hours were a nightmare-excruciating pain, trying not to heave. Could not take the second dose the next morning because I could not imagine going through that awful experience again and then go have a colonoscopy. Would have diarrhea on the exam table too. Who orders a prep where you take laxatives the day of a colonoscopy? Had to cancel and reschedule using the first above-mentioned prep instead."

• Loi...
• September 16, 2017

For Bowel Preparation "I used the Suprep for my colonoscopy. I have to have one every two years, and I am 74, so I have tried many bowel preps. This Suprep was horrible, I used a straw to drink the prep and have no problem with the taste, but this was the hardest thing I have ever had to drink, and while drinking, my stomach felt like a balloon. After going without food for a day and going to the bathroom all day and night, this nasty stuff did not completely clean the bowel! Afterward, I ran a low fever, cramps, and diarrhea all the next day."

• Pre...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 5, 2018

For Bowel Preparation "The first thing I can say that I didn’t see on this forum is do yourself a HUGE favor, buy petroleum jelly or diaper cream, because the diarrhea this causes makes everything down under VERY raw! After every movement, clean up and apply the jelly to keep this from happening, you will thank me later. The lemon and Zofran were a lifesaver. Other than the nasty flavor and nausea, this caused me to become shaky, flushed, and crazy dehydrated, even with the 32 oz of water post intake. It’s like purposely giving yourself the flu, worst experience ever. Hopefully, next time I can request a different kind of prep."

• 637...
• August 20, 2019

For Bowel Preparation "I’ve used Suprep for two colonoscopies. Tastes awful and is hard to choke down. Makes me feel like vomiting for about an hour. Causes cramping, bloating, abdominal pain. But does the trick. For me, diarrhea begins about 3 hours after taking it and lasts for 2-3 hours, intermittently. Pop a movie into your laptop. It’ll help pass the time! Second dose is rough. You often have to do it in the wee hours of the morning. Laying down after my dose gave me awful heartburn or reflux, but it was impossible to stay upright at 4 am."

• MAS...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 17, 2017

For Bowel Preparation "Female, 54 years old. Normally, I eat a high-fiber diet and was directed to a low-fiber diet the day prior to prep and clear liquids the day of prep. Took first dose @ 5 pm; nauseated, abdominal cramps, headaches. Drank about a 1/2 gallon of water over the next few hours, and nothing happened. Woke up @ 3 am and felt the need to fart, but it was diarrhea and gas. Couldn't go back to sleep because of hunger. Liquid diarrhea continued until 6 am when I took the second dose. As the hours and diarrhea continued, it became clearer, almost urine-colored. The cleansing continued up to the moment I had the procedure at 11 am. Lots of gas and continued 'cleansing' diarrhea until about 24 hours after the initial dose. Opt for water, not soda, after colonoscopy."

• Peg...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 4, 2016

For Bowel Preparation "PLEASE PLEASE FIX THE TASTE!!!!! It was quite effective for its intended purpose. It cost me $83 with my insurance. Getting it down was awful. I gagged, choked, and threw some back up. I hope there is something more palatable next time around. I had pills last time - would have preferred them to this prep. PS: it's been 3 full days since my colonoscopy and I still have diarrhea, gas, and nausea. Trying to find out why. Had to leave work because of it all today."

• Edd...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 8, 2018

For Bowel Preparation "This did not work for me twice. It resulted in poor bowel prep. It did not clear me out. Suprep is simply too violent for some people and works too rapidly. In my case, I took Suprep and expelled it within 30 minutes-rather painfully with violent, rash diarrhea-and did not have a clean colon. The doctor suggested I repeat the procedure using the same Suprep-with poor results. It seems some people need a high-volume prep that is less extreme and slower acting. This also caused quite a bit of bowel pain. I went to a different GI doctor this week who is talking to me about another solution to my problem, since I turned up polyps during my colonoscopy and need to have a repeat procedure."

• Mad...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 24, 2018

For Bowel Preparation "I found the taste bad, but tolerable. The second was worse than the first because I knew what I was in for. I did one at 5 pm and one at 8 pm for a morning colonoscopy. The first one only worked a little, but the second hit within 30 minutes. Once it hit, I could not leave the toilet. I didn't have a gotta go urge, so I would have pooped my pants. Just bring a book or tablet or something to make it more tolerable. After the colonoscopy, I was told that my prep wasn't good, and while he thought the exam was adequate, I still had some stuff in there. I followed instructions to a tee and drank 2 quarts of water before even beginning. It also seemed complete since I was pooping pretty clear liquid at the end. I went to eat afterward and am having diarrhea now (19 hours after the last dose, 6 hours after the procedure, and 4 hours after eating). Perhaps it was my schedule with 2 very close together or maybe I'm just having a delayed response. Pretty crappy nonetheless!"

• akw...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 19, 2017

For Bowel Preparation "The smell is deceiving, it smells sweet and fruity, NOT!! It is just one of the nastiest things I've ever put in my mouth. Although I did chase it with Gatorade, which seemed to wash away Suprep aftertaste. The diarrhea wasn't anything I haven't had before. This is my second colonoscopy. Was more worried about the prep than the procedure. The lemon-lime stuff I drank the first time was way better tasting. If you have a weak stomach, ask for something else."

• Fif...
• October 10, 2017

For Bowel Preparation "I've been disabled for 3 years. I am on pain medication. I don't really eat more than one meal a day. The doctor was aware of my medication and had a Barium CT prior, so it showed some stool, which I guess is normal. He didn't seem concerned when ordering the endo/colonoscopy Suprep. I had to have fluids the day of starting the prep. I even started an hour early, the taste almost made me want to vomit. I used candy, juice, you name it... About 45 minutes in, it started. I'm doing the endoscopy for my pain in my abdomen, but I figured with family history, I would do a colonoscopy. 4 hours later, the second dose was even harder to get down, I was going all night. Still, I was unable to do the colonoscopy. Now I'm home with constant diarrhea. Never again. The thought of that drink makes me gag."

• NYC...
• October 15, 2015

For Bowel Preparation "This was the worst tasting bowel prep I've ever used (and I've had 3-4 previous colonoscopies). The taste is incredibly disgusting and nauseating, and I don't know how I didn't vomit. It cleaned me out very well, but I almost had an accident with the explosive diarrhea."