Magnesium sulfate / potassium sulfate / sodium sulfate and Headaches: What Users Say (Page 4)

• She...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 30, 2017

For Bowel Preparation "This prep tastes nasty to me. I used ginger ale as a chaser, which helped. White Cherry Powerade tastes too much like the prep, so I couldn't use that. I did use Breathsavers after each gulp, which helped. By the 2nd prep at 2 a.m., nothing could help this go down. I didn't think it cleaned me out enough, but apparently it did because the doc didn't complain. A couple things: Gave me a terrible headache starting during the first prep, which was last night. Test was this morning, and I still have the headache. Only worse now. I've also been fighting nausea all day long. I did not have these symptoms with other prep. So glad this doesn't have to be done often. Hopefully they'll use another prep next time."

• Sal...
• January 21, 2021

For Bowel Preparation "This is the worst taste I can imagine. Anyone who says it’s not that bad must not taste things the same way as the rest of us, and for that, I am envious. I’ve used Suprep twice and it tastes worse each time. It helps to chill the solution, mix it with Crystal Light or Propel electrolyte powder, use a straw, and chase it with lime (better than lemon). Warning that (at least for me) it works super quick - like 15-20 minutes, so I have to chug it quickly. Once it starts working, it is incredibly difficult to keep choking it down. It makes me super nauseous, chills, shivering, horrible headache, and I felt like I got hit by a truck. Zofran helps with nausea and sleeping. Three days later, and I’m still lightheaded, my belly is swollen, and my glands are swollen from trying to detox. Both times I’ve followed doctors' instructions (no food for 24 hours before the procedure, drink 1 bottle at 6 pm and the second 5 hours before the procedure), and there have been no problems with preparation."

• Kan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 24, 2021

For Bowel Preparation "This was the single worst medical experience of my life, due entirely to the Suprep Bowel Prep. This stuff is awful. I did a liquid diet for 24 hours prior, mixed the product per instructions. Worst tasting thing I’ve ever experienced, caused gagging and nausea, followed by chills, shaking, and projectile diarrhea for 5 hours. Next dose even worse. Was truly afraid I couldn’t do it. Fighting nausea the entire time, became hugely dehydrated. This product causes nausea, flu symptoms, chills, headache, muscle cramps. The bowel cleanse is the easy part - the Suprep side effects are awful. The taste makes it nearly impossible to stomach - if you stuffed a cadaver in a barrel to rot, then covered it in cherry syrup - you have Suprep. This stuff is dangerous in that while it works as a bowel emptying process, its side effects make the process harrowing. Dehydration is dangerous, the chills and disorienting effects, gagging, nausea are awful. Will never use this again."

• MHa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 28, 2019

For Bowel Preparation "The stuff costs between $50 and $100. Probably costs a dollar to make. I'm sure the packaging cost more. It tastes horrible. It requires you to get up at 5 a.m. to take the second dose. Yes, it cleans you out, but so did the old stuff, which tasted good and cost about $10. After the colonoscopy, I have a headache and stomach ache. That could be from the anesthesia."

• Tum...
• August 28, 2019

For Bowel Preparation "I read a review that said it tasted like 'salty soup'!!! Well, that's certainly NOT how I would describe the taste. It was so bad it hurt my teeth! This is the first time using this product, used something much less gag-inducing last time. I feel poisoned, my body aches, my head aches, weakness is almost debilitating, bloated, burping, abdominal pain. Dear God, how am I going to be able to drink the next bottle??? Not to mention it only induced approx a cup of water at a time. I don't know how that will 'clean' me out for the procedure."

• yuk...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 8, 2018

For Bowel Preparation "I find this to be worse than anything on planet Earth. No, it is not tolerable. It is downright freaking awful. You can put a man on the moon 50 years ago but can’t figure out a better way to make this stuff. I also have a pounding headache. This is worse than the actual colonoscopy."

• Jen...
• February 3, 2014

For Bowel Preparation "Yes, it's effective, however, the taste is so putrid. I threw up after taking the final sip of my first round last night. It is 6:30 am, and I'm working on the second round. My head is killing me. There has to be a better way to do this. My stomach is making crazy noises. Scopes scheduled for 12:50 this afternoon, it's gonna be a long day!"

• Kak...
• December 23, 2019

For Bowel Preparation "Be warned! If you have hypertension or are sensitive to sodium, do not use Suprep. This was my second colonoscopy. I used a different prep for my first colonoscopy and didn’t experience any of the problems I did when I used Suprep. Suprep is definitely effective in cleaning out the bowel, but the side effects I experienced were awful! I was able to get the first dose down, and it worked well. At 6 a.m., I awoke to take the second dose and had a severe headache. I got the second dose down, but was immediately nauseous, and it was all downhill from there. I could barely make it to the appointment due to weakness, shaking chills, and vomiting. When I arrived at the center, my BP was elevated, and I required additional medication to treat it. The colonoscopy itself went well, but 4 days later, my BP is still elevated; I just returned from my doctor, who prescribed a “water pill” to help me clear the fluid I retained."

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

For Bowel Preparation "Nightmare! Severe nausea, dry heaves, dizzy, headache, chills, horrible stomach cramps. I could only drink the first 16 oz. bottle. Felt very sick. I had to cancel my colonoscopy appointment because I could not finish the second required bottle of Suprep due to the horrible side effects. Felt sick the next day also. Do not take Suprep."

• IAm...
• January 22, 2018

For Bowel Preparation "I started the drink (it tastes like misery with a dash of cherry vomit) at 3 pm and mixed it with water and Crystal Lite. In between sips, I drank water and sucked on a lemon drop. I got the whole thing down in about 20 minutes. I only had 2 small bouts of diarrhea by 6 pm. I ended up taking Miralax around 7 pm and within 20 minutes I was glued to the toilet. My stool was not clear, but I was nauseous, had chills, and a headache, so I did not take the second Suprep at 9 pm like I was scheduled to. I was still able to get the colonoscopy done without any problem! For reference, I am 21, 5’9”, 131 pounds. If you’re small, I would ask your doctor if you can go without the second bottle because you may not need it like I did!"

• Vio...
• February 1, 2018

For Bowel Preparation "After completing the first phase - drinking prep followed by two 16 oz waters, I vomited so violently that my head (& chest) felt like it was exploding. I had to do the second round very slowly (after conferring with the doctor). Directions should not be so exact -- more going in than coming out caused it. Plus, the prep tastes very nasty. I still have a headache 2 days later. I don't recommend this prep. Also, the prep kit cost me $90. Way too expensive. I used a Miralax prep with a prior colonoscopy -- that is my preference."

• Ang...
• August 20, 2021

For Bowel Preparation "Ended up in the emergency room. Almost choked on uncontrollable violent vomiting instantly after the last pill of the first 12-pill dose. Vomiting for 15 minutes nonstop with a horrible headache, throat closing up, almost passed out. Chest pains, choking on stomach bile. Horrible experience. Never have been that frightened about not being able to breathe and violent vomiting. No stomach pain but very weak afterward. Canceled procedure. Read other negative reviews... this is horrible."

• NoM...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 30, 2017

For Bowel Preparation "Took my first dose 2 hours ago. I smelled it and thought to myself, 'this won't be too bad. It smells like cough syrup!' Well, two sips in, I was gagging like no other. It took about a half hour to choke it down. Instantly, cramps and the worst nausea I've ever experienced. Slowly, a headache added to my problems and I've been miserable since. First movement just happened and yeah, faucet butt that won't shut off! It definitely works. But I'm scared that I won't be able to get my second dose down."

• Ang...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 8, 2019

For Bowel Preparation "Awful tasting. Very difficult to get past 8 oz without feeling like gagging and/or vomiting. Be prepared for bloating and stomach cramping. It also made me feel like I had the flu with chills, a splitting headache, and nausea. It took every ounce of psychological willpower (and sucking on a lemon) not to vomit. The only reason I gave more than one star is because it worked relatively quickly (compared to other preps) and sufficiently cleaned me out, like crystal clear! P.S. You don’t have to drink it within the 15-minute window - take breaks between sips if necessary."

• Sha...
• July 16, 2015

For Bowel Preparation "I am a 28-year-old female, and this is my first time using a prep. I suffer from constipation, and I am used to taking laxatives at least once a week. Before the prep, I did not eat breakfast (as advised), which was very hard to do. The chicken broth sucked, so I mainly ate ice cubes and drank water. At 7 pm, I started the prep. After about an hour of drinking the required 32 oz, my tummy started to rumble. The taste is awful, but you can do it. I used the bathroom until 12 am. I felt extremely exhausted and had a headache. It was also hard for me to fall asleep. I woke up at 8 (an hour later than I should have) and started the prep again. It was extremely hard for me to swallow. After braving up and drinking it as directed, I did feel nausea."

• Pin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 9, 2021

For Bowel Preparation "The colonoscopy of ages is in the morrow. I was Rx the Suprep. I'll say everyone is built differently inside and reacts differently. This stuff I was told to take at 6 pm the day before and then 4 am the day of (my dual endoscopy is at 11 am). So, I start prepping stuff to drink at 6 pm. After my first drink (tastes awful), I felt my lips getting a little fuzzy, and I wear a wristwatch with monitors and saw my heart rate go from 70 BPM to about 130. Waited for that effect to go away, then started drinking smaller sips with a sip of Pedialyte and a sip of water. 1, 2, then 3. It helped keep the side effect from getting really bad. When I was close to being done with the first dose, I stupidly did 2 drinks of the Suprep, and my heart rate hit 140, and my head felt terrible (like full of pressure). I drank more of other drinks and waited till my BPM went down and felt better drinking more. Finished drinking at 8:30 pm. 10:30 pm...still sitting on the throne. Yellow water now."

• It...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 8, 2015

For Bowel Preparation "I took the Suprep as directed in two doses the evening before my colonoscopy. Very nasty taste, it took me close to an hour to finish. I felt like throwing up, but lucky for me I didn't. Well, I waited and waited to no avail. Had a massive headache, so bad! Bloating and the noises in my intestines were so bad even my dog got scared and started to bark. I still had not gone to the bathroom yet and took the other half at 2:00 am in the morning. By this time, I was feeling so bad from lack of sleep and the headache. I lay up in bed not meaning to fall asleep, and when I woke, I was covered in the brown stuff. I was 8 hours in before this stuff worked. My colonoscopy had to be canceled due to not being clear in time. It just didn't work for me."

• Cat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 4, 2020

For Bowel Preparation "Took Suprep prep for colonoscopy on 2/3/2020. I’ve had three previous colonoscopies. All three previous, the prep was only the night before. I drank the second half of Suprep at 4 am, arrived at the doctor’s office at 8 am. I began to feel lightheaded, started seeing spots, and got a pounding headache. The nurse took me back and said the prep may have caused dehydration. She said IV fluids would help. She had trouble locating a suitable vein for IV due to dehydration. After finally finding a good vein and starting fluids, the side effects subsided. The taste isn’t pleasing, I downed the prep both times in one gulp to avoid the taste. My doctor said the prep worked and I was clear for the exam. Unfortunately, it’s 11 pm, and I still have diarrhea. Hoping it’s gone by tomorrow. The stuff works, but for me, it’s harsh!"

• mm1...
• June 22, 2018

For Bowel Preparation "Took the first bottle and two 16-ounce containers of water at 3 pm. Five hours later, nothing. Called the doctor on call. She said to take the second dose at midnight instead of 5:30 and get a bottle of magnesium citrate just in case. It started working at the 6-hour mark. At 1 AM I took the second bottle. Had the first 'squirts' within 10 minutes. Stayed on the toilet for an hour. Didn't wake up early enough to do the magnesium citrate. Bowel movements were yellowish and rather clear. The colonoscopy report said that the prep was only 'adequate.' Photos attached to the report showed bits of fecal matter. Pros: Not much cramping. The taste didn't bother me (hold your breath and get it down as quickly as possible). Cons: On the toilet for hours, waiting for something to happen. A toilet isn't ergonomic for long sits. The headache from sitting in an awkward posture, not having real food, withdrawing from caffeine, and being dehydrated was excruciating."

• TTi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 13, 2018

For Bowel Preparation "Now I know what it feels like to have cholera. Seriously. Ever seen the TurboLax scene in Dumb and Dumber? Well, this is worse. It tastes like chewing aspirin and immediately gave me a headache and nausea. The diarrhea started about 30 minutes later and hadn't stopped by the time I had to take the next dose. Golytely made me horribly sick to my stomach, but I'm not sure that this is better. Even with this, I had to starve myself all day. Next time, I'll just starve myself for a few days."

• JCN...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 10, 2017

For Bowel Preparation "Threw it up 45 minutes after drinking it. Am waiting for a half hour to try again. Slight headache, but that could be from being really hungry. Two days ago, bad half chicken breast for lunch and grilled cheese sandwich for dinner. Yesterday, had a small cup of cottage cheese for lunch and chicken broth for dinner. Have had a lot of water and soda. But I am soooooo hungry."

• Dre...
• July 14, 2017

For Bowel Preparation "Horrible!!! I vomited, had bad cramps, the worst taste and smell all night, then had to do it all again in the morning. I've had the worst headache ever, and I'm still sick a full day later."

• Sad...
• December 20, 2018

For Bowel Preparation "I guess it did what it was supposed to do, but I experienced severe nausea and headache. All in all, a horrible experience."

• tom...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 24, 2021

For Bowel Preparation "Do not use this, it was a disaster for me. It did not work, it made me a mess. I had headaches for 4 days and had to do another prep."

• Cel...
• November 21, 2015

For Bowel Preparation "Agonizing bloating and cramping after the first dose. Couldn't straighten enough to walk at some points. Didn't take the second dose, couldn't face the thought of it. Headache."