Senna and Cramps: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Ros...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 31, 2018

For Constipation "I took this three days ago and am still having cramping and diarrhea. I took 1/4 of the recommended dose, but somehow I'm still suffering major side effects. Try every other option to relieve constipation before you take this one."

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

Senna 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!"

• Ema...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 17, 2021

For Constipation "Took this because I found it in the pantry and didn’t really know what it was. I followed all of the instructions though. About four hours after drinking a tea with this herb, my stomach became uneasy. It’s 2 AM, and I haven’t slept all night. HORRIBLE abdominal cramps, sweating, and nausea. NO BOWEL MOVEMENT even though it really feels like I have to. Horrible product, and I will never try again."

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

Senna 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."

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

Senna 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."

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

Senna 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."

• Nie...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 2, 2017

Senna for Constipation "I use this for 2 days before I was able to poop. The 3rd day, my stomach was cramping so bad, and when I didn't go to the bathroom, I had to use an enema to get relief because the poop was too large to come out on its own. But later that day, I had no problems pooping twice. The 4th day, my stomach cramped so bad I did poop once, but the pain wasn't worth it, especially since before these meds, I pooped more. But with these meds, the pain is not worth taking it anymore. The 5th day, my stomach cramped all day. This pain is terrible, when I drink or eat anything, it causes pain to my stomach. I will not take this pill anymore. I need to feel better, not cramping all day. I never had a problem with constipation before, but my doctor recommended this because of the meds that I am taking."

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

Senna 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."

• 123...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 30, 2018

For Constipation "I have been constipated for about two weeks, so I decided senna was the way to go. I took 4 pills at 5 pm, at 1 am, I woke up with cramping. The cramps were so bad, I ended up throwing up. I tried to go down the stairs to get some nausea pills and water. On my way down, a cramp was so bad I passed out. I fell and ended up breaking my nose and needing 10 stitches. Needless to say, I had a bowel movement, but I am throwing it out the second I’m out of the hospital."

• Poo...
• October 18, 2019

For Constipation "Did not have a bowel movement for 4 days after a day of having diarrhea. So I steeped a senna tea bag for 10 minutes and drank half a cup at noon on day 4. By midnight, I had mild cramps, the next morning at 6 a.m., I pooped a soft bowel movement. I had three more bowel movements throughout the day, no cramping, soft movements. I didn't drink the full cup or steep it long as I have IBS and was concerned about cramping. Senna tea worked for me, it was gentle and effective."

• The...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 14, 2019

For Constipation "Taking senna made my constipation much worse. Some people who take this medicine, no matter how much water they drink, end up with severe cramping of the lower GI tract, so it's difficult to initiate urination, pass wind, or push stool. If you take this medication for the first time and you notice a cramping feeling in your lateral obliques and the symptoms listed above, then throw the remainder away and never take it again. I took a total of six pills over the course of 1 1/2 days (2 pills every twelve hours for 36 hours - as directed on the package) before I realized it was the medication making things worse and then had four days of stomach and gas pain before the senna cleared out of my system. The cramping in my lower GI tract appeared to make other laxatives less effective, so I ended up having to use Magnesium Citrate to finally break things loose."

• Sen...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 25, 2018

For Constipation "I tried a senna tea after being backed up for 4 days. I had tried the tea in the past and steeped as recommended with no real results, so at 10 pm I steeped 2 bags at the recommended time (15 mins). At around 5 am I experienced loud stomach bubbling, gas, and some abdominal pain. Around 10 am I passed one solid BM and felt much better! It is now 1:30 pm, and I am in and out of the bathroom every 45 minutes or so with diarrhea. I am still also experiencing stomach gurgling, cramps, and gas. Definitely did the trick and then some. If you want a good clear out, this is the way to go! But make sure you are near a washroom. Oh, and the urge to diarrhea is very intense every time."

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

Senna 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

Senna 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."

• Tru...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 14, 2021

For Constipation "I have IBS and nerve damage from an accident. Nothing is 'normal' for me in the poo department, sometimes diarrhea, sometimes constipation. I've tried Miralax for constipation, but it seems to kick IBS into high gear. So, I took one senna last night and another this morning. Yes, it worked quite well and did the job in two trips to the potty. My caution would be to try the minimum dose or even shave that down if you are a small person. I had cramping throughout the day, not severe but enough to notice and be uncomfortable. Take this medication with water and try to have an 'at home' day the first time you try it. It does the job but was much stronger than I expected."

• WJa...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 19, 2018

For Constipation "Two of these at bedtime with a full glass of water, and wow, clean-out time. No cramps at all and only had cramps once or twice in the many times I have used senna. Excellent remedy. Suggest for first time, try one regular strength and see how it works for you."

• cus...
• May 6, 2018

For Constipation "It is not always a quick fix and sometimes I have to take it a few days for it to work. I've had to take these due to other medication causing bad constipation. I have always followed what the packet says and took 2 before bed. It hasn't woken me up with cramps or anything like that. Sometimes the next day I felt a little drained, but this is the usual feeling you get from constipation and the feeling building up to needing to pass stool anyway, so I just took it that it was getting me nearer to needing to go. I'm shocked at some people's comments saying they have taken several tablets and it made them feel ill or have bad cramps, it's no surprise to feel like that if you take more than it tells you to take. Also, it is quite normal to have a very liquid stool, as this is caused by a hard stool blocking the way, and the liquid stool forces its way past, and you will then need to go again soon after as the rest then finds it easier. It is all predictable though, and you can get to a bathroom in time."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 23, 2017

For Constipation "I took an extra-strength generic senna laxative after a week of incomplete bowel movement. It was overnight, so I took it at 7 pm. At around 9:30, stomach gurgling started, followed by intense cramps and gas, and at around 11 pm, I had one large solid movement which relieved the cramps so I could sleep. Woke up at 9 am to even more intense cramps and gas and had another solid movement which turned to diarrhea halfway through. Then no more cramps, gas, or poop, but I didn't feel satisfied, so I had a cup of coffee to get me moving, and about 5 minutes after finishing it, I was rushing to the toilet and had some more diarrhea. Just be prepared for this medication to take a while if you do use it."

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

Senna 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."

• Heg...
• July 23, 2018

For Constipation "Do not take this. I'd been constipated for days, but the cramps it causes are unbelievable. I've been to the loo 6 times now in the space of an hour, and every time I think I'm done, the cramp is back and I have to go again. It's brutal, absolutely brutal."

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

Senna 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."

• Up...
• June 26, 2018

Senna for Constipation "Took two max strength at midnight and went to sleep shortly after. Four hours later, I woke up with the most severe cramps imaginable! I felt like an alien was ripping my bowels and colon up! I've never experienced cramps so bad in my life anywhere in my body. I was moaning in pain, lying down with my knees bent up in between trips to the toilet to see if I could shift anything to relieve the cramps, but nothing came except the pain. I took the recommended dosage and followed the instructions. Six hours later, I went to the toilet (a few times in a row). Was it worth the pain? Not in my experience, I used the max strength Senokot, two tablets."

• Ter...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 29, 2021

For Constipation "Took the senna before I went to bed. Two days later, my stomach started cramping so hard I was up all night with cramps, crying it hurts so bad, and finally, the next morning, after being up all night, I finally had a bowel movement. I will absolutely never use the drug again!!"

• Ood...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 12, 2022

Senna for Constipation "I have chronic IBS-C, and I typically go about 3 days without a BM, and I find that normal. Well, this past week, I could not get any relief. I tried Miralax, flaxseed, Metamucil, Fleet glycerin suppositories, and liquid suppositories to no avail. I have taken Dulcolax in the past, and it has always woken me up at the 6-hour mark in screaming pain. It feels like I drank lava. I can feel myself about to faint because of the pain. So, I decided I needed to try a senna lax, and OH MY GOD. I was in a panic last night thinking about my terrible experience and waiting for the cramps to set in. While I did cramp, it’s been way less brutal, and I actually had a normal BM this morning. I will definitely be taking this again if I ever need some extra assistance. Please don’t use this product long-term as your body can become dependent. Now, if this product made you feel absolutely terrible, I suggest trying the Dulcolax. My grandma swore by it and didn't like Ex-Lax. Everyone’s body reacts differently!"

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 25, 2022

For Constipation "Barely pooped, and spent half the day with agonizing abdominal cramps and persistent vomiting. I took this once before with no problem, but today was awful. Looks like a fair amount of others can't tolerate it either."