MiraLAX and Cramps: What Users Say

• Kit...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 24, 2019

For Constipation "I have had IBS since I was about 7 years old. Back then, there was no such thing as IBS. Finally, at age 15, I was told I have IBS. Back then, I got severe constipation, then severe diarrhea with such bad cramping! Then at age 20, it just turned to just constipation. So from the age of 20 till last year, I only went 2 times a week. I could not take anything due to the cramping. Then I found Milk of Magnesia, which did work, but I had to get the right dose, usually the child dose. About 8 months ago, I got so constipated! I always thought Miralax was harsh. So, since I had not gone in almost 2 weeks, I would try anything! I took it for 2 days, then I had the best bowel movement I can remember! Now I take it about 1 time a week, with NO cramping and NO diarrhea. From age 20 to my current age, I had only had those round balls of stool. Now when I go, it is sausage-like - how it is supposed to be! To be honest, I just can't believe how large and long my stools are! Have a great day everyone! You have got to try this!"

• ano...
• May 23, 2020

For Bowel Preparation "If you've got IBS-C and motility issues like me, this should be a good read. I was terrified because I know how horrendous the cramping/abdominal pain can be when taking laxatives, even ones as 'gentle' as MiraLAX. While the feelings of fullness and slight nausea persisted, this prep wasn't painful and I didn't experience cramping. I'm thin, small, and VERY sensitive to even small doses of meds, so I thought this bowel prep was going to wreck me. But it absolutely didn't. Remember, people only post reviews when they've had an experience SO far out of the norm, they felt the urge to warn others. The grand majority of us -- even with IBS and motility issues - get through this with moderate discomfort, yes, but no vomiting, cramping, or spasming."

• Ruf...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 18, 2022

For Bowel Preparation "I have a paralyzing fear of vomiting, which caused me to delay getting a colonoscopy for several years, even though I had suspected I had hemorrhoidal bleeding. My doctor prescribed MiraLAX with Dulcolax along with an anti-emetic (Zofran). I was so anxious I popped an Ativan before starting. I took (2) Dulcolax followed by 32 ounces of Gatorade mixed with 1/2 bottle of MiraLAX a couple of hours later. Early the next morning I drank the second 32-ounce bottle mixed with the remaining MiraLAX. I was instructed to take the Zofran 30 minutes prior to each dose. What a breeze! No bad taste, no nausea, no cramping. Just chills for a few minutes once things got going. I did not feel sick at all. I followed a low-residue diet for three days prior to my liquid-only day and had an excellent cleaning. I only wish I would have known about this option sooner. They discovered I had Stage 3 colorectal cancer. It took nearly a year of treatment, and I nearly lost my life. Please don’t delay."

• Nea...
• November 13, 2014

For Constipation "A few years back I was hospitalized with a bowel obstruction. Once I left the hospital, my bowel movements have been irregular. I couldn't make a movement in over 3 weeks. I was forced to take stool softeners (which never worked) and Dulcolax laxatives (which did work but I became constipated after it wore off). I went to the doctor and they suggested I try MiraLAX. I gave it a try, on the 1st day, it only gave me gas. On the 2nd day, more gas. On the 3rd day with MiraLAX, I was able to have a bowel movement. I was very happy because when I take Dulcolax I had cramps and had to have the toilet on standby all day. MiraLAX was a painless soft stool which relieved the pressure of constipation. And I started having regular movements."

• mnu...
• July 11, 2007

For Constipation "Schering-Plough announced on March 28, 2007 that prescription-strength MiraLAX® (polyethylene glycol 3350) is now available as an over-the-counter treatment for occasional constipation. The innovative formula of MiraLAX works with the body to increase the frequency of bowel movements without causing the side effects of cramps and gas. MiraLAX allows a comfortable, easy and complete bowel movement. MiraLAX has a strong safety profile and is not known to be habit-forming."

• Dee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 28, 2022

For Bowel Preparation "This is my 3rd colonoscopy in 2 years. Here are my experiences: 1st one - I used Suprep liquid and thought I was going to die. The taste was rough, but the chills, cramping, and the inability to move 2 feet from the toilet for hours almost did me in. It took days to recover. 2nd - I tried Suprep pills. They were SUPER expensive but easier to get down. Still had major chills, nausea, and cramps, and the result was much the same. The pills seemed to take longer to work, and I was worried that it would not finish in time. 3rd - the MiraLAX prep was the best! Gatorade made the flavor tolerable. I was able to drink it with no problem. I kept waiting for the drama, but it never came. I did the suggested soft foods the week before and included the 2 Dulcolax tabs at the beginning and 2 in the middle. The bathroom time was as expected, but no cramping or chills. Zero issues, procedure was flawless, and I feel great."

• J13...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 16, 2016

For Constipation "This drug was effective for me. I went through a bout of severe anxiety and panic for about 3 weeks. I lost 25 pounds and did not eat much of anything for 2 weeks. As a result, my digestive system basically shut down. When I began to eat again, I did not have a bowel movement for 15 days. I took a Dulcolax pill and had extreme cramping, dry heaving, full-body sweats, and painful bowel movements where I needed to be close to a toilet all day. I went another 8 days without using the bathroom, and I tried MiraLAX. I only took 1/4 of the dosage, and within a day I had 3 bowel movements. I did have some minor cramping, and I did sense an urgency to go and could not have held it, but it produced soft movements, not explosive painful ones."

• J13...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 16, 2016

For Constipation "This drug was effective for me. I went through a bout of severe anxiety and panic for about 3 weeks. I lost 25 pounds and did not eat much of anything for 2 weeks. As a result, my digestive system basically shut down. When I began to eat again, I did not have a bowel movement for 15 days. I took a Dulcolax pill and had extreme cramping, dry heaving, full-body sweats, and painful bowel movements where I needed to be close to a toilet all day. I went another 8 days without using the bathroom, and I tried MiraLAX. I only took 1/4 of the dosage, and within a day I had 3 bowel movements. I did have some minor cramping, and I did sense an urgency to go and could not have held it, but it produced soft movements, not explosive painful ones."

• Mag...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 19, 2019

For Constipation "Within hours of taking the recommended dose to help with post-op constipation, I basically got to relive the experience of a bowel prep all over again, but this time with violent gas pains, cramping, and bloating. I woke up at 1 AM and spent the rest of the night and following morning staggering back and forth from bed to the bathroom in agonizing pain. When the waves of cramping hit, I could barely stand or move. Excruciating! The worst part was, the consistency of my stools was so weird that I just kept having to go very little amounts at a time. It felt like the misery would never end. Especially after my poor insides had been scrambled around during surgery, this was one of the painful things that could happen. I even passed out for one hour in between all the madness and had a vivid nightmare that I was deceased and no one could help me. That is a pretty fitting summary of what taking one dose of MiraLAX felt like post-op. This stuff is pure awful."

• lil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 8, 2022

For Bowel Preparation "I wonder if people recounting stories with vomiting and terrible cramping are also using the MiraLAX prep with Dulcolax, which can be known to cause these issues. I've been prescribed MiraLAX ONLY prep (no Dulcolax or other laxatives) now twice: once for a colonoscopy, once for abdominal surgery. Both times it is the easiest prep I have ever done, as someone who has had 3 colonoscopies prior and had to take other prep. I, like many of you, am in my 20s and still have an intense fear of vomiting. There is absolutely no nausea for me taking the MiraLAX-only prep. 14 caps in 64 oz, so a LOT of liquid, which helps as it draws water to the bowel and cleans you out. I was never advised to do split prep, so all in under two hrs. When mixed with Gatorade, pretty easy to get down, not the best tasting but a breeze in comparison to other colonoscopy preps I’ve had to do. No cramping or pain, the only discomfort I feel is the bloating and fullness from the amount of liquid consumed!"

• Eas...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 20, 2021

For Bowel Preparation "I used this for my first colonoscopy prep this past week. I was so happy with the experience after hearing horror stories. I followed a low-residue diet for four days, then a clear liquid day. Mixing the Miralax in Gatorade was tasteless and very easy to drink. I was able to do a split prep, so even the volume I had to drink was tolerable. I had no cramping, no pain, no nausea. My doctor rated my prep as “excellent.” Would highly recommend this prep approach."

• Mar...
• June 8, 2023

For Bowel Preparation "I am 74 years old, and today was my 5th routine colonoscopy. MiraLAX was the easiest prep that I have ever consumed. I mixed it with Crystal Light, and it was just like drinking lemonade. There was no additional taste, flavor, or consistency to the Crystal Light. I had no nausea, gas, cramps, or any side effects. My doctor said my colon was clean and easy for him to see inside. The only negative is you must consume 32 ounces at 2 different times. I found drinking through a straw helped me drain it quicker than drinking from a glass. I have never tried the pills. I did not want to consume 32 large pills. Compared to Suprep and other liquids I have had, MiraLAX was hands down the best liquid prep for me."

• CBa...
• May 26, 2016

For Constipation "I was lulled into a false sense about this drug by my doctor and reviews, which said it would work over several days and help me have a natural bowel movement. This is not my current experience. I haven't had a real bowel movement in 9 days, which is the first time in my life this has happened. I have some health issues and have been eating 400-600 calories per day. I took the MiraLAX at 7 pm, assuming nothing would happen for a few days. At 9:15, abdominal pain, cramping, running to the bathroom. Sweating bullets through my clothes and feeling incredibly nauseous, it took a while, but it started working. Almost 2 hours later, I am hoping the worst is over. It was effective because it is working, but be aware it CAN work fast and feel terrible."

• Wor...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 18, 2015

For Constipation "I'm a 24-year-old that recently had back surgery. They had me on tons of medications, of course, one being a stool softener because a lot of medicine intake tends to make one constipated. Well, the stool softener that I had to take twice daily didn't work one bit. I got so bloated and had some serious stomach pains that I finally decided to try a laxative (never having tried one before, I was a little intimidated). Now, before injuring myself and having the surgery, my BMs were extremely regular: once a day. After that, I was rarely going. When I tried MiraLAX, it worked within the hour of drinking it in some ginger ale! I felt SO MUCH BETTER! It makes your stomach gurgle and gives slight cramps, but worth it in the long run!"

• Thr...
• June 12, 2016

For Constipation "I just need some stability in my life. If I can't get that from a laxative, where can I? I tried this several weeks ago for 5 days with no results, so I ended up taking Dulcolax pink tabs and almost got myself hospitalized from those little pink tablets of hellfire. My doctor advised I try MiraLAX every day to keep things moving, so I tried again. Three days/doses later, I began cramping after dose three and moved my bowels eight times in six hours with much vomiting. Very different experiences from one person."

• Pau...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 11, 2018

For Constipation "I have severe bloating and stomach cramps. I had an unusual incidence of severe constipation, and after it resolved, my doctor prescribed MiraLAX. After six days, I still haven't been to the bathroom except partially with an enema and have severe cramps. My whole gut is swollen and churns around like I have diarrhea, except it won't come out. I suspect it has harmed my normal gut bacteria. I will not take it again."

• poo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 8, 2022

For Constipation "I was put on this for anal fissure, and it was not worth the side effects. Excess gas and burping, nausea, and slight confusion. Healthy 21-year-old male. My stomach hurts 24/7, cramps. Makes life miserable."

• LQa...
• August 2, 2016

For Constipation "Started taking MiraLAX about a week ago. I didn't have it with me this last weekend, and I still went to the bathroom. I must say since I have been taking it, I have had a little cramping, this pretty much is the red flag saying time to use the restroom. I must be really constipated if this cramping is happening. But I'm going to keep taking it and see how I feel in a few weeks. So far, I'm going to the restroom, it's slowly moving out. Yeah! MiraLAX."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 26, 2017

For Constipation "I started a new medication that made me extremely constipated, I could only go to the bathroom if I drank coffee. I decided to try this after not having a BM for 2 days, and it did nothing. I tried it again the next morning, and still nothing. On the 3rd day, I bought the Dulcolax pink pills and took 2 (supposed to work in 6-12 hours)... 12 hours later and still nothing. At this point, my stomach is so bloated and hurts pretty bad. I go by the store and get a glycerin suppository, and that did the trick after about 30 seconds. I think I was just so backed up that nothing was working. After the first BM (it wasn't much), all of those laxatives started kicking in and giving me horrible cramps for 30 or so minutes. Finally, emptied everything out."

• Lin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 25, 2023

For Bowel Preparation "Love, love, love MiraLAX/Dulcolax prep. Much better than other preps. The doctor put me on a low-fiber diet for 7 days and drank additional water. If I was constipated, took one Dulcolax for 2 days before prep day. On the day of prep, I took a nausea tablet one hour before and a Gas-X tablet with 4 Dulcolax tablets at noon. Drank 8 oz of water/Gatorade hourly. Later, at 6 pm, I took MiraLAX prep, another nausea tablet, and another Gas-X, and I drank water/Gatorade hourly. I had no cramps or nausea. Not sure if nausea or cramp meds were needed, but didn’t want to take a chance. Super easy prep. Used lemon-lime Gatorade. The next day, second half of prep, although things were pretty clear the first day of prep, with nausea and Gas-X helped. Good luck. It was a breeze."

• She...
• November 15, 2020

For Constipation, Acute "My first day of use of MiraLAX, I had a lot of passing gas and one small movement. My second day, a small movement, but cramping and bloating feelings began. At night, the nausea and cramping stopped me from sleeping. Third day, still some cramping and fullness. No movement, just cramping and bloating. Going back to the urgent care for instructions. Will not take MiraLAX again."

• Cle...
• July 30, 2021

For Constipation, Acute "I’m a healthy 24-year-old female. Usually very regular. But after a recent round of antibiotics, I was suddenly constipated for about 9 days. I tried everything: Metamucil, prune juice, Dulcolax. I finally decided to try MiraLAX. The first time I took a capful, the recommended dosage, it did nothing. Then a couple of days later, I upped the dosage. I poured half the bottle into about 8 oz of prune juice and chugged it. I didn’t feel anything until 3 1/2 hours later (around 10:30 pm). When I tell y’all BUBBLE. GUTS. The most sudden and abrupt bout of gas, gurgling, cramping, and farting. I felt like I was going to poop my pants. I ran to the bathroom. Everything in my stomach was melted and pouring out of me. Not all liquid, just very, very soft stool coming out in a steady stream. For the rest of the night and into today (it’s 3 pm), I’m battling diarrhea. It’s not as bad now, and the cramping has stopped. But I feel so much lighter and relieved."

• Vga...
• August 3, 2019

For Constipation "Took MiraLAX 4 days straight. It gave me severe stomach pains and major cramps. I did use the bathroom, but the pain and cramps are unbearable. Any one else have this happen?"

• Jas...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 3, 2016

For Constipation "Awesome! Works great! Stop waiting and go to the store. This product is a lifesaver. Works without getting gas, cramps. Tastes like water. Simply the best!"

• Kan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 6, 2020

For Constipation "It worked but caused me severe and sudden cramping."