Senokot and Cramps: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Chr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 12, 2017

For Constipation "Senokot is an unpredictable laxative. I take pain pills for chronic pain. For years, I took magnesium oxide, which worked like a charm. However, I had to keep adjusting the dose, and it finally stopped working altogether. After trying other laxatives unsuccessfully, I tried Senokot. Began with 2 pills: nothing. 3 pills: nothing. I finally took 4 pills, and the next day, excruciating cramps & went 4 times. Stools were not soft, and I had to strain despite taking stool softeners (these have never worked alone, but I read that taken with Senokot helped). At my wit's end because nothing aside from enemas works. I eat prunes, plenty of fruit, dried figs, & tons of vegetables. I can't take the cramping side effect, which I never had with magnesium oxide."

• Car...
• October 3, 2017

For Constipation "I have constipation regularly. Milk of magnesia gives me terrible cramps and makes me have nausea. Usually no BM. Miralax takes 3 days to work on me. Bisacodyl tablets react the same as milk of magnesia, except with horrible gas. Senna, I have normal cramping before a BM, it usually takes 8 hours to work. Very pleased."

• Day...
• July 19, 2021

For Constipation "I actually would recommend this product when you feel uncomfortably bloated. I took/take one tablet at night if I feel the need with a mixed herbal tea. The next morning, you do need a bowel movement, and you do get some cramping, but if you don’t take more than you need, it’s bearable and relieving. Heed the warnings, though, if you think you might not tolerate this or you’re tempted to take more than you should - DON’T. You will be on the loo on and off with severe stomach cramping for hours and hours. I took 2 one night, and I could barely walk around town the next day, I was in so much pain with my stomach and feeling sick. Can have really horrible side effects, but if it’s needed, it’s needed."

• Day...
• July 19, 2021

For Constipation "I actually would recommend this product when you feel uncomfortably bloated. I took/take one tablet at night if I feel the need with a mixed herbal tea. The next morning, you do need a bowel movement, and you do get some cramping, but if you don’t take more than you need, it’s bearable and relieving. Heed the warnings, though, if you think you might not tolerate this or you’re tempted to take more than you should - DON’T. You will be on the loo on and off with severe stomach cramping for hours and hours. I took 2 one night, and I could barely walk around town the next day, I was in so much pain with my stomach and feeling sick. Can have really horrible side effects, but if it’s needed, it’s needed."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 20, 2019

For Constipation "I took Senokot, and it took about 9-10 hours for mine to start to work. When it did work, the experience itself is not the most comfortable, given slight cramps and a BM with a soft but foreign feeling consistency. However, it did get the job done, and I do not regret choosing this option. Would only recommend if constipation lasts for more than a couple of days, else, don’t put yourself through discomfort for nothing."

• Mom...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 31, 2018

For Constipation "Ok, so I took two pills at 8 pm to help with some constipation I’d been having for a couple of weeks. Honestly, I didn’t really look into it before buying it. I’d never taken a laxative before and didn’t really think about how they work. So after I took the pills, I Googled it. The reviews scared me to death. They read, “explosive diarrhea, extreme cramping, vomiting... then more explosive diarrhea.” Not the stuff dreams are made of. I was so scared. The next day, I was to have a 7-hour car ride with family, and I thought for sure I’d be stopping and exploding diarrhea all day. I packed toilet paper, Imodium, and Advil. What I got were period-like cramps, I felt a little crappy, but no diarrhea. Thank God. About 11 hours after I took the pills, I had soft stool. Then about 20 hours later, I had a little diarrhea. Not explosive :) I would use it again, though. I felt a little crappy all day, but it didn't really do much for me."

• HIG...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 4, 2024

For Constipation "Despite the bad reviews, I've used this medication four times now and had an excellent experience. I think the difference is you have to drink a lot of water before bed (you'll definitely wake up to pee) and drink lots when you wake up. There is a sense of urgency, although the defecating itself is not painful nor should it be. I think people don’t drink enough water and get bad cramps! I have chronic constipation (usually 5 days) and was prescribed Restorilax by my MD. When it didn’t work, I used this instead. Don’t overuse as it’ll lead to dependency!"

• ont...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 13, 2018

For Constipation "Product works! (But beware) I bought Senokot to bring on vacation (time change messes with my bowels), and I was feeling a little backed up, so I decided to give it a try ahead of time to test the effectiveness. I only took 1 pill before bed, and as other comments said, I woke up around 2 a.m. with some slight cramping and discomfort but was able to fall back asleep. The next 2 days produced 5 movements and a lot of gas and cramping. Nothing excruciating, but certainly not comfortable. For someone with severe constipation, I'm sure this product is great, but for the occasional user, this is simply too strong."

• Ano...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 25, 2018

For Constipation "I suffer with IBS-C (irritable bowel syndrome with constipation) and rarely will have a bowel movement naturally. I take Senokot-S every 3 days, and it consistently produces a bowel movement, but it varies how my body reacts to the medication. At times, I have to take two or three doses, and other times, it causes extreme cramps, nausea, and diarrhea after one dose. Unfortunately, any stimulant laxatives such as this cause “lazy bowel” and dependency issues. So, although effective, I would recommend starting with something different, such as Lax-A-Day, before turning to this medication."

• Jus...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 7, 2017

For Constipation "Took one the first night, got cramps and diarrhea, ate half the next night, was okay, half the third and nothing. Took one the next, got cramps and diarrhea. Took three-fourths of a tab for two nights straight, nothing, nothing. Took one the next night, STILL nothing."

• Jef...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 29, 2021

For Constipation "This product is amazing! For years, I have had issues having a bowel motion and have spent lots of money trying different products. I have been taking Senokot for 2 weeks now, and I have gone every day! Take 2 gummies before bedtime, and the next morning I go! No cramps, icky taste, or stomach aches. This product really works. Thanks, Senokot!"

• Not...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 19, 2018

For Constipation "Whoa. Ok, it will produce a bowel movement. But you ain't gonna like it. It will also produce cramps, gas, and an unpleasant feeling. Do not take this before going to work! I only took 2 pills and it hammered me. It is anything but gentle. Am throwing these out and sticking to stool softeners, no laxatives."

• Jan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 10, 2022

For Constipation "I took Senokot last night and was fine this morning, went to the bathroom, not diarrhea but close, and the cramps in my stomach are horrendous. I can hardly move, I had to go to bed, and I'm still here at 3 pm. I will never, ever use this product again!! I only took 1 tablet, and that was too many."

• Tee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 8, 2021

For Constipation "I am a small female, and I took 3 Senokot pills before bed, because taking just one in the past did not help at all. I had a bowel movement in the mid-morning, but very painful cramps on and off for the next several hours. Would not recommend because of that."

• Cra...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 4, 2021

For Constipation "I would not recommend. I took one tablet after not having a bowel movement in around 4 days, and 6 hours later got the worst diarrhea I've ever had in my life, think liquid, explosive, and painful. It happened on and off for a few hours and was terrible because I had just had surgery and was not the most mobile. I also had unbearable abdominal cramping to the point of nausea. I was surprised by this reaction since it seemed like a safe bet of a stool softener, and my chemist recommended it highly."

• Nev...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 9, 2022

For Constipation "Worse experience EVER. Took this med for the first time and then 2/3 hrs later I was buckled over with the worst cramps EVER, then I started sweating so bad drips of water were coming down my face. I couldn't get comfortable and kept screaming and moaning. Hurt so bad I had to call my mother who was outside because I felt like I was dying and I'm 55 years old!!! My BP started going high and had my mother call an ambulance. Right after that I took 2 muscle relaxers, BP meds, and a Klonopin because I figured if I calmed down myself first from the panic I felt I'd at least get rid of THAT feeling. Never again will I take this...0 effective. I'm a person who goes once maybe twice a month. I'd rather be constipated than feel the way this made me feel!!!!!"

• sub...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 26, 2021

For Constipation "I've been on Senokot for about 4 months with no issues. I take two, 8.6 mg at 10 pm at night, and usually at about 11 am the next day, I either have a brief abdominal pain followed by some gas or brief abdominal pain followed by a bowel movement. Today, however, is different. Today I woke up with that pain at around 9:30 am, and it was severe. At about 11:40 am, it got so bad I puked up all my liquids, then it quieted down for a bit. It's now 1 pm, and I still get quite extreme cramps, although less frequent, and I still haven't been able to pass gas, let alone a BM. It's 3:40 pm now, and I feel like I might be okay, I haven't had a cramp in about an hour. I found a way to lie down in my bed where I wasn't cramping as much, and that seemed to put me on the right track. For the love of God, though, be warned. I've dislocated my shoulder, broken ribs, my back, elbow, chest plate, I've even gone through heroin/fentanyl withdrawal, and those Senokot side effects were the worst thing I've been through."

• Con...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 16, 2017

For Constipation "OMG, awful tablets! Made me cramp at 2 am, which woke me up, and then the drama started. Drink water and try a more natural approach! No way I could take this daily! It's not a nice feeling! And tad nauseated."

• Cra...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 13, 2022

For Constipation "I haven’t tried Senokot since the 1990s. I had cramping then. I decided to try 2 gummies last night about 9 pm. By 10 am, after breakfast, I had mild cramping and then a movement. I’ve been going almost every hour afterwards with bad cramping beforehand. I won’t be taking it anymore."

• Mar...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 17, 2024

For Constipation "The pink Senokot for women is far gentler than the rest of the Senokot brands. Does its job overnight and does not cause severe cramping or pain. Don't believe the negative reviews. Constant severe constipation might mean you need a colonoscopy to rule out other issues like polyps, adenomas, and stricture. Also, drinking water is very important. But eating fiber bulks up your stool, making constipation worse. Try things like bananas, chicken, rice, bread, food without too much fiber. Caffeine and pain meds will add to your constipation as well."

• Lee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 10, 2018

For Constipation "While I was on vacation in Malaysia, I took Senokot because I was constipated. Four pills before I was going to bed were enough to make me sick for three entire days: cramps, severe migraine, dizziness, vomiting two times, difficult breathing... PLEASE don't take this ever!!"

• Wis...
• December 12, 2020

For Constipation "I only took one last night. It worked at 6:00 tonight. Don’t take it unless you’re at home! I have cramps and feel a bit weak."

• Mor...
• December 10, 2018

For Bowel Preparation "Took 1 pill at 6 pm. Woke up expecting the need to go, but nothing happened. Then around 1 pm, I'm hit with cold sweats and bad cramping pains. Would not recommend."

• Wis...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 27, 2025

For Constipation "I took two tablets, six hours later, I’m having awful cramps and constant diarrhea. Luckily, I’m not going out today. I’ll never take them again."