Senna and Constipation: What Users Say

• Sus...
• September 6, 2017

Senna for Constipation "I had leg surgery last week, and the morphine from the pain relief gave me rather severe constipation - it was the worst feeling. I was sore sitting down that I was crying and depressed. I tried prunes and Fybogel - but no movement. I couldn't bear it. I took 2 Senokot 2 nights ago before bed - nothing. I took another 2 after 12 hours. About 2 hours later, I had a rather painful hard bowel movement. A couple of hours later, I had crippling stomach cramps - which led to a further 2 bowel movements, each getting softer (but no diarrhea). I had another before bed that night - back to my normal consistency, then another on waking this morning. I am delighted. Was it a pleasant experience? No. Would I do it again? Absolutely!"

• Bob...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 2, 2020

For Constipation "I had another medical condition, so I was prescribed a medication that was effective but made me constipated as a side effect. So anyway, my GP gave me a prescription for senna with instructions to take it daily. A few months later, I began experiencing lower abdominal cramps before I needed to poo. My GP was unconcerned. Some time later, I moved house and registered with a new GP. During my first appointment, she looked over my medical history and my repeat prescriptions, and she was shocked to see I’d been taking senna every day for a year. She said it should never be prescribed for long-term use and she would never have a patient on it for more than one week. She told me to stop taking it and instead prescribed Laxido as a daily laxative (I'm in the UK). I hoped that the pain would then stop, but unfortunately, it hasn’t. My GP thinks the overuse of senna has inflamed my intestines, and I’m now having to see a gastroenterologist. So while senna was effective, overuse can cause serious problems. I can only hope that the gastro doctor can help."

• Fal...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 24, 2020

For Constipation "I suffered from trauma and a subdural hematoma that landed me in the ICU and hospital for 5 days. I was started on narcotics and muscle relaxants for pain and was not very active, both led to constipation. I was started on Purelax, an osmotic stool softener that is mixed in 6-8 oz. of liquid once per day, as well as Senna, two tablets/day approx. 10 hours apart. Used this way, the combination worked great other than my first BM, which needed manual removal. Once home, I stayed on both until I was more mobile and gradually decreased to one tab per day and then no tabs, and finally stopped the Purelax once I was somewhat back to my normal activity level. Like all meds, they have to be used properly and for the correct indication and application."

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

Senna 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."

• RHY...
• February 14, 2018

Senna for Constipation "Okay, I too at first had painful dry bowel movements, which I took as causing my constipation. The ones behind it were loose. (after taking Senokot) With me, it seemed like the ones behind it had to push the old dry ones out first. This might take a day or two with Senokot. Ever since taking Senokot, my movements have been loose. I have had constipation for years. I take two Senokot at night and sometimes one an hour after lunch."

• Jes...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 2, 2019

For Constipation "After my recent bowel surgery, I was placed on some heavy pain medicines. Due to these pain medicines causing some constipation, I was given Senna to get things working. I took two pills at 10 pm at night, not expecting much. I spent the next three days on the toilet, a constant feeling of needing to open my bowels, which ended up causing a lot more straining and issues. In conclusion, the pills do work, but be prepared to call the toilet your best friend for a few days."

• Ico...
• December 25, 2016

For Constipation "I take opiate pain relievers, but if I do some walking, I usually don't have a problem. When I stay in the house too long, I get constipated pretty badly. It's been about 8 months since I've taken any Sennakot, so I figured it would work. The ones I'm taking are 8.6 mg, and I've found in the past that if I only take 2 or 3, nothing happens. I found that I need 5 or 6. Sometimes, I would get some bad stomach pain, but it was a small price to pay to get some relief. Twice this week, I've taken 6 before bed (8 a.m.), but nothing happened. The second time, while getting up to use the bathroom, I felt it working and went back to sleep, but when I got up an hour later, nothing. Anybody else have this happen? Maybe I sleep past my opportunity."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 14, 2016

For Constipation "My medicine gives me extreme constipation all the time. My number two norm is about once a week. My doctor prescribed this med last Wednesday, so I've been taking two pills a day for more than a week and still have seen no improvement. I do feel bad for the rest of you for being in so much pain and agony. I'm not sure if taking the generic brand works differently, I wouldn't imagine. I'm just wondering how long I should keep taking it with no results."

• CJ6...
• November 19, 2017

For Constipation "Senna works best if taken every day. I don't like taking pills every day, but I need to incorporate these into my life. If I don't take them every single day, I will get backed up. I usually take 3 in the AM. However, I didn't take them for 3 days due to my stupidity. Now I feel bloated and backed up. Took 4 tonight and gurgling like I don't know what. So nasty. Why can't I get it through my head to just take them every day? That is the key to Senna! My 2 cents worth!"

• Kel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 12, 2021

Senna for Constipation "I was initially directed to use this post-op, and because of the medications I was on, it caused constipation. It worked when all else failed. I generally took one or two, and by morning I would go, and the side effects were mostly mild. I now use it for IBS occasionally. That was until yesterday. By 10 pm I was having trouble. After taking one, I noticed a few dizzy spells, then overall weakness. It escalated to difficulty breathing, like an elephant was on my chest, and intense gas. My heart was pounding, I got extremely anxious, and I began vomiting until I had broken blood vessels around my eyes. I took a half dose of Zyrtec, which helped for a bit, then another half when it started again. Finally, I got some sleep after 3:30 am and woke up still feeling under the weather with swollen eyes. I really thought I was headed to the ER if it worsened. It’s 8:20 pm the next day, and I feel beat up with light chest tightness and gas. It was great until it wasn’t."

• Mik...
• May 11, 2022

Senna for Constipation "I have been recently prescribed 30 mg codeine phosphate for a football (soccer) injury. I was in that much pain at first that I double dosed on the codeine (not a smart idea) and the next morning waking up, I had the light feeling of needing to go to the toilet but just couldn't. I have dealt with weaker OTC versions of codeine and had slight constipation issues, but normally waking up, I'd have a nice strong coffee and then, 20 minutes later, I could go to the toilet. I had taken Senokot 7.5 mg (2 actually) when I had the same sort of codeine-related constipation issues. I can even say they had the best effect and I found myself timing my doses of codeine to leave approximately 24 hours so I could use the toilet and then re-dose. All the negative side effects like stomach cramps and major abdominal pains never happened to me, even when taking 3, so in essence I suppose it affects everyone differently, much like other medication, etc. What I do now is simply take it midday and use a timer."

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

Senna 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."

• Way...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 21, 2021

Senna for Constipation "Horrendous 2 weeks with my first ever bout of constipation and stomach cramps (after a pretty poor lifestyle through the distress of COVID lockdowns and rules). I went on the offensive, decided enough was enough, nothing solid for a couple of days, and also a couple of Senokot, read the label, what harm could it do? Friday evening took 2, nothing. Saturday evening took 2 more, nothing. Sunday the same. Monday morning a further 2, a smoothie, and a full carton of apple juice. Hey presto, bowel movement of lessening density, no more than 5 times that day. Problem solved, I thought. Well, oh no, that evening in bed, woken by the most horrific stomach cramp ever, sweats and that water feeling in your mouth. Half asleep, thought not much of it. Next morning, feeling a bit groggy, needed to go to the toilet again, 2 times with decent consistency. All hell broke loose, stomach pain and cramps, 10 hours in now. Help me please, how long does."

• Cra...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 23, 2017

For Constipation "I was diagnosed with a kidney stone. Pain meds caused constipation. Took Senna-S, two tablets early AM first day... drank lots of water... nothing. Took a second pill at bedtime, next morning... nothing. Took two more pills the next morning for a total of 5, and I am so cramped up I cannot lay down. No relief for 7 days. I hoped this would work, but the cramping, combined with the kidney stone is unbearable. Going to the pharmacy for something more aggressive to end the misery. If you can afford to wait for Senna-S to work, good for you. If you have a kidney stone and are on pain meds, don't waste what little comfort you can get."