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IBS Tales Home > Treatment Reviews > IBS Supplements > Glycerin Suppositories

Glycerin suppositories are small, often torpedo-shaped capsules made from glycerin. They attract water into the bowel and dissolve in the body. Glycerin suppositories are used to treat constipation, especially where painful anal conditions such as hemorrhoids are involved. The suppository is inserted into the rectum with a finger. It is then retained for up to five or 10 minutes, until the urge to have a bowel movement is felt.

Glycerin suppositories side effects

The most common side effects of glycerin suppositories are anal irritation, a burning sensation, diarrhea, gas, nausea and abdominal cramps.

REVIEWS OF GLYCERIN SUPPOSITORIES

Review by Chass

It all started after I had my son. I had to have an emergency c-section and I asked to have my tubes tied at the same time. From the day I left the hospital after my tubal ligation I started to experience constipation and extreme gas issues.

I had never experienced constipation before my c-section and tubal! I went to the bathroom at least once a day but after my tubal I had a lot of problems with bowel movements, sometimes not being being able to use the bathroom for weeks at a time. I had a sour stomach, belching, vomiting and hot and cold chills.

We all know how ill and very unpleasant you feel, not to mention bloated, stuffed and hungry but scared to eat, when you do not have a bowel movement. I finally tried a suppository. They saved my life and that of everyone around me! Thank God I will definitely continue to use these.

Review by Shelley

After suffering with IBS for many years and being told by a fair few doctors to eat things with fiber in, eat plenty of fruit and so on, taking their advice to no avail, still years on I'm still suffering in the toilet department. Anyone with IBS knows how traumatic this can be.

Having moved to a different area and changing doctors (plus having tests only to find out I now have fibromyalgia) I started taking new medication hence more problems in the toilet department. Having gone well over a week with not even as much as a rabbit dropping and being in so much pain I had a panic attack and almost passed out...so another trip to the doctors.

Anyway I saw the doc, got a prescription, went home opened my bag and saw these glycerin suppositories staring at me. I've never used anything like these before so was very nervous about using them and felt a bit yucky at the thought of having to insert one into my rectum. But at this point I would do anything to stop being in pain and be able to sit down and not feel so drained.

So glycerin suppository in place...boom, 10 to 15 minutes later let the toilet action begin! I can't tell you how much relief I felt, it was like there was a choir of hallelujahs going on in my bathroom. So now I always have my little glycerin suppository friends in my bathroom cabinet. If you are suffering in the toilet department get some of those little beauties I'm so glad I did. Thank you glycerin suppositories.

Review by Jane

I have had IBS and celiac disease almost all my life. Due to other painful injuries and the like I take medication that further backs me up. I take laxatives if it gets too painful (or my clothes stop fitting) but they make me extremely ill. Today I tried a Dulcolax suppository as my mum has the same issues and has tried them. I was skeptical, as anyone would be when sticking a foreign object up their bum, but I tried it. Within three minutes I had a bowel movement and lo and behold it was pain-free and I felt fantastic! I would recommend giving them a go at least once.

Review by Michelle

I was just recently diagnosed with IBS. I'm 18. I visited my specialist and he prescribed fiber and probiotics. I had been constipated for about six days and these things didn't make me feel any better. The doctor informed me that it would take a few days for them to take effect and clear my bowels. I was tired of the discomfort and the doctor urged me to take glycerin suppositories. I was a bit skeptical at first (and afraid but you didn't hear that from me) but after six days I was happy to try them. To my satisfaction, within 15 minutes they took effect and I felt better, my abdomen stopped hurting and I was instantly able to get back to my daily life. So no fears all you young people!

Review by Becky

When I used to get constipated I'd always rely on powder fiber supplements (Fibersure in particular) to help me out. They weren't exactly a miracle solution but they were usually reasonably effective. It was only one day I was in the chemist and I noticed glycerin suppositories. I had never actually heard of such a thing before, but I thought I might as well give it a go. That was on my lunch break at work.

As soon as I got back to work I decided to give it a try. No time like the present, huh? Now you must understand that I had no idea how it would take action. There was no leaflet inside the box, only very vague instructions and stuff on the back of the box, with no indication of time-scales or anything as useful as that. I suppose I was sort of expecting the effect to be similar to that of the fiber supplements I was used to taking; that is to say far from instant. How wrong I was.

Within seconds of inserting it I had this God-awful feeling pass over me. I began sweating profusely, I felt sick and faint, I could no longer even hold myself up. It really was as though life was being physically drained from me. I sat down on the lavatory and I can distinctly remember thinking about how much I'd pay to go back in time a couple of minutes and not do it.

If I hadn't known better I'd have thought I was having a stroke. I cannot stress how much pain and trauma I felt. I could not go on with this. I pushed it out and felt pretty much OK again moments later. No bowel movement occurred, but right then it really was the least of my worries. I was just grateful not to have passed out.

Needless to say, I left the things well alone for a long time. Well, several months anyway. It was only today that I decided it might be worth having another go. This time I was at home, and of course I knew what to expect. Now don't get me wrong here, I was pretty terrified once again, but I just thought that I had to be a man about it and show my colon who was boss once and for all. So I went for it and again, almost immediately, started experiencing a similar feeling. But I could not back down so easily, at least this time I was semi-prepared.

I sat down again and everything came flooding back. It was the height of summer and I was sweating like crazy. It was something else entirely. After a few minutes of intense suffering the suppository had done its job and I felt utmost relief. I really couldn't believe how effective it had proved. The dizziness, nausea and heat went away too. It was incredible. It was definitely worthwhile, despite the hideous side-effects of the procedure.

I'd be interested to know if other people experience this when using suppositories. I mean, of course a measure like this is never going to be the most pleasant form of medication, but the main thing is that it works: quickly and powerfully. I would use a suppository again, but from now on I am going to take better care of my diet so as not to end up in the situation where I need one!

Review by Loretta

About nine years ago I had bowel surgery to remove a blockage and as a result I now have IBS. I have a lot of scar tissue throughout my intestines because of the blockage surgery. I also have interstitial cystitis, a painful bladder disorder, as well. These both being the case I already suffer from a lot of abdominal pain.

Many years ago I tried Dulcolax suppositories and I have never used them again, but I did not remember why, that is until right this very moment. The pain I normally deal with is pretty bad and now due to this really horrible product I am in so much pain that I wish I was dead so I didn't have to deal with it. I feel like my bowels are being ripped out of me with a dull rusty spoon on the outside and a set of razor blades on the inside.

Review by Melissa

After suffering from the effects of other medications I have used I found CVS glycerin suppositories located next to the enemas I hate so much. These are wonderful at relieving the symptoms of being bloated and constipated. I love these and will continue to use them.

Review by Jasmine

Glycerin suppositories have saved me so many times. I have suffered for years, especially after having my children, and no matter how I changed my diet or how much fiber or prunes I tried to consume it never really worked, I would go three or four days without a bowel movement, feeling stiff, my stomach bloated and with painful gas. I suffered from bleeding hemorrhoids and all!

My baby was constipated by lactose as a baby and the doctor advised me to try a child-sized suppository. I tried it one day and wow, what a difference. The laxatives would give me cramps and I'd never know when the movements would occur so I'd be stuck home all day. The suppository is completely different and within minutes I'm relieved. It is great for me, especially if I know I have to go to work as I can get relief and go to work happy! No side effects for me so far.

Review by Muriel

I have just been diagnosed with IBS. Apparently, I have experienced this for months before visiting the doctor. I used OTC laxatives until one day I was knotted over with abdominal cramping and pain. At this point I saw my doctor and she suggested suppositories - they work wonderfully and I get instant relief within 30 to 40 minutes. Hope someone will find this helpful.

Review by Vivian

Since I was a child I suffered from constipation, which led to hemorrhoids and rectal bleeding. Now, whenever I am constipated, instead of sitting for long periods suffering and waiting, I use a glycerin suppository, and within minutes I am eliminating painlessly and fully. My medicine cabinet is always stocked with them and I have not found any adverse effects to using them; actually, quite the opposite!

Do you suffer from IBS? Have you tried glycerin suppositories? Please contact Sophie to send in your review.

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