Senna and Cramps: What Users Say

• Bun...
• October 2, 2020

Senna for Constipation "DO NOT TAKE Senokot!! I took two pills last night at around 11pm. This morning, I woke up and had a decent bowel movement but around 11am, I was struck with EXTREME abdominal cramps. They were/are so bad that I couldn’t breathe or talk. I could barely even scream (I have a very good pain tolerance when it comes to things like this). Please, for the love of god, use some Miralax, Dulcolax, magnesium citrate, anything but this. I will never take Senokot ever again. The only redeeming factor was I was able to go to the bathroom, but I’d 100% rather be constipated. It’s currently 3 p.m., and the extreme pain is still on and off."

• Nam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 27, 2019

Senna for Constipation "I am so shocked by the bad reviews of Senokot. I am not constipated often but it is the best thing I have ever tried when I am. My doctor recommended Dulcolax when I had a problem once and never again. The pain I had was like having another baby. I use Senokot because it is so gentle with no side effects or cramping. Just a gentle, normal bowel movement the next day. I even brought it to my mom in the nursing home after she had a hysterectomy and was in awful pain, mostly from constipation. Nothing they did for her helped, just caused more cramping. Several hours after the Senokot, she was able to have a normal bowel movement and no more pain or constipation. This was a godsend for her."

• Ber...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 19, 2021

Senna for Constipation "I had a terrible experience with this drug. The worst stomach cramps I’ve ever had. Chills and nausea too. 15 hours later I feel wiped out and doubled over in pain still. My legs and calves cramped also all night and are still cramping. I would never take this again and I urge caution before taking this."

• Ber...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 19, 2021

Senna for Constipation "I had a terrible experience with this drug. The worst stomach cramps I’ve ever had. Chills and nausea too. 15 hours later I feel wiped out and doubled over in pain still. My legs and calves cramped also all night and are still cramping. I would never take this again and I urge caution before taking this."

• Anonymous
• April 25, 2020

Senna for Constipation "I have IBS and sometimes take usually only half a tablet before going to sleep. I have mixed results generally, but last night I had a similar experience to some others I’ve seen on here, in that I woke up a couple of hours after taking the tablet, feeling unwell with cramps. Then I got the cold sweats and dizziness, and I crawled to the bathroom and retched and vomited. No bowel movement, just cramps. I went back to bed and still felt pretty sick and was shivering. I even dozed off fitfully a few times, but when I woke up properly, the nausea and cramps had passed, and I had a very voluminous bowel movement an hour after getting up. The medicine generally works for me, but you have to be prepared for very unpleasant side effects in getting there."

• Mis...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 27, 2020

Senna for Constipation "I have chronic constipation due to daily medications. I use the Senokot-S. I take the higher dosage once a week and follow up the next day with 2 in the morning and 2 at night. It gently works for me, no cramps, no pain, just relief. I may have additional BM for three days after the dosing, but that is what I want. Check with your doctor about what is best for you."

• Ran...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 28, 2020

Senna for Constipation "I was having constipation problems for a week, and my doctor told me to get Senokot-S. I took 2 before bedtime around 11 pm, and then at 8 am, when I woke up, I had diarrhea. He told me it would be normal, but for the next 3 hours, I kept going back to the bathroom with diarrhea. I write this with severe cramping, nausea, and dizziness still. I’ve never taken a laxative in my life, so maybe my stomach can’t handle them. I feel so nauseous and weak, I’m never taking this again. I will say that it worked as the whole week I couldn’t go to the bathroom, and I felt full, but today it felt clear, although I’m not sure how worth it it was with these side effects."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 11, 2021

Senna for Constipation "I took this once a while ago, and it was great, no pain and relief. Because I had a good experience, the next time I was constipated, I was relieved to know I could take one... VERY different experience second time around. The extreme pain and cramping started about 16 hours after taking. I've had 4 children, and the cramps felt like labor pains. I had nausea and weakness. Almost 24 hours later, my stomach is bloated, I'm exhausted, and while I've gone to the bathroom, I have not had a good bowel movement yet. I will never take it again."

• Hoo...
• August 27, 2019

Senna for Constipation "I took this medication for my first ever episode of prolonged constipation in my life, around 4 days. I am not a regular user of any drug like this, or in fact any medication. It was the only medication of this sort in our cabinet, so I thought, why not? I took one tablet at around 21:45, and by 09:45 the next day, I was able to open my bowels successfully. I did experience some mild cramping and gas at first, but it seems to have done its job. I would suggest, purely on the basis of my own experience, that you start with a low dosage and work upwards! In addition, drink plenty of water and eat lots of fiber! Don’t let the medication do all the work, give it some help by being hydrated and eating plenty of fiber."

• tba...
• April 11, 2021

Senna for Constipation "I’m going to be as honest as possible here. Yesterday, I was extremely constipated, and I couldn’t go to the washroom for the past few days. My brother has IBS and recommended Senokot to me, he loves it. I took it at bedtime as recommended, took 2, and this morning I am suffering from extreme abdominal cramping. I’m nauseous, and I have chills. I didn’t even get it all out! I literally feel like I have the flu after taking this. I cannot even get through my day. It worked for my brother, he likes it, but I will never take this again. I’ll stick to Durolax or Metamucil for now."

• Bir...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 15, 2020

Senna for Constipation "I was constipated for 4 going on 5 days. I have never taken a laxative before and figured going herbal was the best way. I took two extra strength Senokot pills before bed, woke up around 6 am with intense cramps. I had terrible cramps for hours until I finally made a BM around 11 am. I realized taking two extra strength might have been too much - I just wanted it to get the job done. It did, but I still had stomach discomfort at 4:30 pm. Somewhat annoyed at the side effects, but it worked."

• Bir...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 15, 2020

Senna for Constipation "I was constipated for 4 going on 5 days. I have never taken a laxative before and figured going herbal was the best way. I took two extra strength Senokot pills before bed, woke up around 6 am with intense cramps. I had terrible cramps for hours until I finally made a BM around 11 am. I realized taking two extra strength might have been too much - I just wanted it to get the job done. It did, but I still had stomach discomfort at 4:30 pm. Somewhat annoyed at the side effects, but it worked."

• Hol...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 19, 2019

For Constipation "Took one senna tablet before going to bed. Then had the worst stomach and bowel cramps I have ever experienced. The abdominal pain was absolutely unbearable to the point where I thought I’d have to call an ambulance out of fear something was seriously wrong. Sweating, severe nausea, headache, shaking. I did have a bowel movement eventually, but the pain simply wasn’t worth it. Took about 18-20 hours to have an effect. Two days later and I still don’t have any sort of appetite and have a stomach ache. Would 100% not use ever again or recommend to anyone else."

• MsH...
• September 26, 2017

Senna for Constipation "After spending 2 hrs reading the reviews for Senokot, I was deathly afraid to take them. I finally caved, and I took 2 at 12:30 am. I felt nothing except a few minor rumbles the next afternoon. Finally, about 6:30 pm, I started getting cramps. Yes, they hurt a little. But when you spend half your life constipated, a little pain is nothing if a good BM follows, and it did. By 7 pm, I was in the bathroom. It took a few minutes, but it worked well, and I felt about 5 lbs lighter. I went once again about 15 minutes later. Loose stool. And that was it! So, while for some this medication obviously causes them great pain or just doesn't work at all, I was all for it. Chronic constipation is awful, so it was worth it to me. Don't let the reviews scare you."

• Kit...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 28, 2020

Senna for Constipation "If you take Senokot, make sure you DON'T have any plans the next day. About 12-24 hours after every time I take this, I get major cramps, which really sucks. I only use these if I haven't had a bowel motion for about a week because the cramps are just that bad. I'm currently hiding in the basement because there are guests over, and it just kicked in after 19 hours. :( It DOES relieve constipation, though."

• Moo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 24, 2018

Senna for Constipation "I've suffered from constipation for as long as I can remember. Only having a BM maybe once or twice a week, if I'm lucky. A family member suggested Senokot. I take two every night before bed and have a (very runny) BM when I wake up. I don't usually get cramping or any other side effects, but when I have to go... I HAVE to go ;) I did read where some suggest that taking this long-term can make one's bowels sluggish and may stain the GI tract. Well, they were pretty darn sluggish before Senokot, and I don't care what color my colon is. So, I'm going to continue to use them."

• Bba...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 27, 2020

For Constipation "If you are constipated from pain meds, this medication will work well. Just ensure you take it with a stool softener, or else you will cramp (if you have been unable to go to the bathroom for a very long time). I'm on pain meds, and put simply, pain meds block certain signals in your digestive system and therefore inhibit your intestines from pushing stool through regularly. Senna makes your intestines start moving again. If you’re constipated from being dehydrated, do not take this. It will give you cramps. Take something like magnesium citrate or another stool softener like docusate sodium. Know what is causing your constipation and treat it accordingly."

• riz...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 9, 2012

For Constipation "This worked perfectly fine the first time; I went so much! The only complaint is cramps and bloating, and just be aware that when it hits you. You gotta go. So don't be in class or a meeting, but I guess that's a given when taking laxatives. Overall, good product that gets the job done."

• Rya...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 4, 2019

Senna for Constipation "I have had 2 back surgeries and take pain meds that have constipated me over the years. I have been so constipated I've had partial blockages. I've tried everything from laxatives to enemas, citromag, and milk of magnesia, and everything in between. I can honestly say Senokot has by far worked the best for me. Yes, I have cramped and felt nauseous, but only when I have been extremely impacted and haven't had movement for 2 weeks or more. But right as you release, all the nauseous feeling and cramping is gone, and it doesn't come back, and that's only been for 10 mins until my stomach brewed enough for a movement. But now I've learned if I haven't released in a week to just take 2, and I don't have cramping or feel nauseous...it's a much more pleasant experience."

• Tru...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 19, 2021

Senna for Constipation "Senokot is a disgusting medication. I don't even understand how it's even legal to sell this. Not only does it not get rid of constipation, it gives you more problems on top of it. Basically: gas, nausea, extreme dizziness (sometimes I feel disconnected from reality), extreme farting, diarrhea (yes, I have constipated diarrhea now, even I don't know how it works, basically, a bit of poo comes out like water around the solid bit of poo that stays inside and creates cramps, making the constipation even more unbearable). Never take this, I beg you."

• Fee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 10, 2018

Senna for Constipation "This worked really well for me. I was completely constipated for two weeks, and had tried Milk of Magnesia and Dulcolax with no effect at all. My Dr. recommended Senokot, and I took 1 of the Extra Strength at bedtime. It took 12 hours for me, but then everything got moving with ease again. I didn’t have cramps, pain, or diarrhea. I would definitely use this again."

• Nee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 14, 2019

Senna for Constipation "The effects of this laxative are very unpredictable. Sometimes I can take 2 tabs and not go for 24 hours, or it works fine the next day. Currently, not having a great experience. I took 1 tab last night. Woke up this morning to awful cramps, bloating, and nausea. On the plus side, I've been to the loo 3 times in an hour and feel a lot less bunged up. Because of its unpredictability, I think I will try a high-fiber diet or lactulose. It does work, but when the side effects are bad, they're extremely unpleasant."

• Nee...
• October 11, 2017

Senna for Constipation "Ok, I'm gonna give you advice. If you have never taken this medicine before, make sure you have the next day off. Don't try to take this med before bed, thinking you'll have one go at the toilet and you're ready to go. Second, I would try changing your diet, an enema, or even Miralax before considering this med. I was having stomach pain and had an X-ray of my stomach, and my doctor showed me how stopped up I was. It's amazing how much the body can hold. Anyway, I say all this because it does clean you out, but yes, your cramps are close to something like food poisoning cramps because it's forcing your body to do something it can't effectively do on its own. I hope this helps."

• IBS...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 2, 2022

For Constipation "This drug is pretty straightforward if you want/need to have a bowel movement. If you are constipated due to medical conditions, diet, stress, lack of physical movement, or lack of exercise, follow the directions and take the tablet(s). Note that this is not a magic pill, people. You still need to drink lots of water (average adult 128 fluid ounces per day), plus you must have the proper amount of fiber in your system not only to pass your old food, but to also clean out the new food. If you are gassy, bloated, cramping, your body is trying to tell you something! You need fiber, roughage, and fluids in every meal in addition to movement (walk, run, stretch) to get everything moving forward. The pill does not supply nutrients, you do! The price is much more expensive than it should be for 50 pills, but that’s where we need to fight to lower costs. Anyway, I’ve taken it for 10 years and it works every single time. Have a good diet, great hydration, and movement!"

• 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."