Senna and Upset Stomach: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Bur...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 13, 2017

Senna for Constipation "Took 2 tabs in AM and 2 in PM for a bowel motion in the AM, horrible stomach cramps, not worth it. Just use Milk of Magnesia, no cramps, and with the right dose, bowel movement in 2-3 hours and no cramps. Just drink hot liquids for a couple of hours!"

• Jan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 7, 2021

Senna for Constipation "On top of fiber supplements and Miralax, I take stimulant laxatives once in a while for severe constipation. I have IBS, so I’m careful to only take one Senokot. I’ve been dealing with fecal impaction for a while, and there have been times the Senokot didn’t do much besides give me stomach cramps. I may not have taken enough. The strange thing is, about 3 o'clock yesterday I took a single 25 mg pill (half the recommended dose of Sennosides), and by nighttime I had a successful bowel movement, but to my dismay, the movements didn’t stop. Now I’m having watery diarrhea with incontinence. The stomach cramps are gone, but over 32 hours later I’m still dealing with soiling. I’m not sure why. I imagine it will stop soon, but I’ll be reluctant to ever try it again with my IBS. One good thing I can say is that it definitely worked. As far as comparing the cramping pain to childbirth, it is a similar feeling, but nowhere near as painful for me."

• Cha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 20, 2022

Senna for Constipation "I am a 26-year-old man who can handle a dodgy stomach. One Senokot and I suffered extreme stomach pain and watery poop like someone putting their finger over a hose. It was the worst! I took it at 11:15 pm, woke up at 4:30 am like a burst fire hydrant, then 7:30 am came the second wave. I had to work that day and turned up late. I was practically useless due to the diarrhea every hour. The stomach cramps were on and off constantly throughout it all and were terrible. The only reason for the second star is because it did work. It was just one of the most awful experiences of my life. Avoid at almost all costs unless it is your ONLY option!"

• Mar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 23, 2018

Senna for Constipation "Don’t use this stuff. It’s been 36 hours since I took these, and I am having the worst stomach cramps of my life. I had to go to the ER yesterday because of how bad it is. Also, it barely even makes you go, like, out of all of the times I went, like 5 times something came out. Just don't take this stuff."

• 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!"

• 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."

• Fae...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 22, 2018

Senna for Constipation "I took two pills of the Senna Lax about 5 hours ago, at like 3:30 a.m. Before that, I'd been on and off constipated and gone to the hospital twice for severe nausea and stomach cramps. These pills worked within an hour for me, even though it says it takes 8-12 hours to kick in. The stomach cramping hasn't bothered me yet because I've had stomach cramps for almost a week now. So, sadly, I'm already used to it. I've had 3 bowel movements within the last 4 hours. I was kind of scared to take it too because of the side effects and my history with horrible IBS. But so far, so good."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 25, 2022

For Constipation "I grew up in the Caribbean, taking Senna as a child just before the start of the school term. I never really had the stomach cramps associated with taking Senna... until I became an adult. What I forgot was the other ingredient needed to counter the cramps. I had to ask my mom: dried orange peel. The enzymes found in the orange peel soothe the cramps almost 100%. That's what many people who live in a country where Senna isn't grown don't know. 'The violent peristalsis' is what we would call it growing up. I still take Senna every 4 months. Once in a while, I forget the orange peel or I ran out of it and pay for it hours later. But as long as you remember the peel, you'd be practically pain-free."

• Mar...
• October 23, 2018

For Constipation "So I took three 25 mg off-brand Ex-Lax on Saturday night. 8 am Sunday, I started running to the bathroom. Stomach cramps started to grow, and the pain was so unbearable. After the 5 trips to the bathroom, I didn't really have any bowel movements, or if I did go, there was blood in my stool. I tried drinking lemon water to calm it, but I threw up the water. I couldn't eat or drink anything. I eventually went to the ER, and they helped. I came back home, and the cramps continued, but not as bad as before. It's now Monday, and I'm still going to the bathroom, but a lot less. If you buy this or any laxative, TAKE THE RECOMMENDED DOSAGE! If it doesn't work, then it doesn't work. However, if you do what I did, go to the hospital rather than tough it out. If you can't go, take Tylenol. It's the only pain reliever that won't irritate your stomach. Also, drink a lot of fluids and try to eat some bread, a banana, or rice. Even though you don't feel hungry, just try. GOOD LUCK, Y'ALL!"

• 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."

• Fic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 11, 2023

For Constipation "Every time I have tried to take senna to relieve symptoms of constipation, it has caused me incredibly severe stomach cramps. I took one extra-strength tablet at 9:30 pm and spent the entire night in agony, waking up every hour to go to the toilet with diarrhea. Initially, I managed a BM quite quickly after taking it --- but then the hell started. It's 9:30 am the following day, and I would have rather had the constipation pain. This is horrible."

• Joy...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 14, 2021

For Constipation "I would never recommend senna! I took 2 tablets one morning and literally had nausea all day long. Also, about 6 bowel movements. And stomach cramps. Would have had more movements, but I took diarrhea meds! This product should not be sold!"

• 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."

• Ric...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 11, 2022

For Constipation "Well, I like to think I have a cast-iron stomach and am rarely affected by things that I eat or medicines I take. Due to a different issue, I was prescribed some strong codeine-based tablets, along with a box of Senna. For two days now, I have suffered with pretty grim nausea and stomach cramping, especially after eating. Well, it's almost 11 pm, and it is once again making a reappearance. The penny has just dropped following reading some of these comments, and you guessed it, I've been taking Senna for two days. The pain is pretty bad, but the nausea is revolting...maybe just a coincidence? Not a chance. Accompanying my stomach pain and nausea has been a snappy bad temper too, no coincidence at all. I know this medicine is useful to many, but for me, it is obviously a big no-no. Just use your common sense ultimately, if it makes you ill, stop using it and try something else."

• Ang...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 12, 2020

Senna for Constipation "Took 1 tablet at 10 pm last night before bed, that was a mistake for me. It’s now 4:55 am. I’ve been up since 3:20 am with the most horrendous diarrhea and stomach cramps. Will not be using again."

• Mer...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 2, 2020

For Constipation "I took it on Halloween this year at work, an hour before my shift ended. It kicked in today, and I had bad stomach cramps and nausea."

• Anonymous
• January 17, 2011

For Constipation "Was up to 4 Ex-Lax a day. Started drinking 2 cups of senna leaf tea and have not taken any Ex-Lax, 6 days so far. A bit of stomach cramps that I didn't get with the Ex-Lax, but less expensive."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 10, 2016

For Constipation "Feels like my stomach has been scraped out!"

• Mrs...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 6, 2020

For Constipation "All the senna has done is given me a stomach ache. I now have to go back to the chemist and buy a different type of pill because this brand does not work."