Senokot?

[Ecki]

Hi All, looking for advice, saw GP yesterday about worsening constipation. He said to use Senokot, buy from a pharmacy. I read the patient information leaflet which says do not take if you have a heart condition. Rang the surgery for advice, they said they'd ask the GP and ring back but didn't Has anyone taken senokot and been OK with it? Tia.

[rebecca70]

I was given senna in the hospital with a fib. Did not cause a problem or affect inr.

[Jalia]

Best person to ask really is the pharmacist. I've taken it in the past with no bad effects. However Lactulose seems to be the laxative most used in hospital settings.

[CDreamer]

I would suggest OK as an emergency one off but not something to rely on. Maybe look at a more permanent Lifestyle solution? Most common causes are dehydration, lack of exercise, diet low in fibre and imbalance of gut microbiome.

Seems a shame that you didn’t receive any advice or guidance.

[Ppiman]

Oh what a problem this can be. I have had it for years thanks to IBS and diverticular issues. I must have tried every laxative known to science. If you can take Senokot, and I imagine it will be fine, you might find it a bit cramping. It's worth a try since it's the most popular over-the-counter laxative.

What I have been using for a few years now is a combination of prune juice and prunes for breakfast. This combination, or just the juice alone, works gently and naturally, and never cramps or fails. Only the more concentrated juices seem to work, and these are all about £2.75 a carton. All supermarkets sell them. You can try "Sunsweet" brand but there's also "Benefit" and now, from Sainsbury's, "James White" which seems to be organic and the most effective one yet - the nicest taste, too. You'll need a full glass, maybe 250-300ml.

Any supermarket dried and softened prunes work, too, Sunsweet or Whitworth's Chilean Prunes. Don't get tinned prunes, though, which don't seem to work. However, if you want a treat, buy naturally sun-dried plums or prunes, which are one of nature's delights. These need stewing gently in a 50/50 mix of water and prune juice but the result is a proper fruit rather than the stodgy supermarket version. We get either of the following, but the supplies have been on and off thanks to Brexit:

amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07...

amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07...

I have six prunes each morning and my glass of prune juice. Success - and a pleasant breakfast.

Steve

[Roto]

A bowl of plain old bran flakes a day ( Aldi/Lidl) 99p a box or there abouts.. no side effects been tried and tested on humans and livestock for ages

[Barlick43]

Have taken it all my life, been pacemaker/permanent AF since 2012 no worries

[Auriculaire]

My husband has always had a tendancy towards constipation. He eats prunes but also crystallised ginger. If he remembers them daily no problems!

[AussieHeart]

I suffer with severe constipation on and off and have tried Senokot/Fibrogel/Benefibre/Movicol and Psyllium husk. But long term use triggered/ aggravated gut churn. Made me really, really dehydrated and unwell including heart palps. Prune juice proved a better solution, along with water, walking and seeing a dietician to improve diet.

[Ecki]

Thanks for all the advice. I should probably have given more info in my original post. I'm not new to constipation, had it for many years. I take 2 Fybogel sachets daily, plus breakfast of bran flakes and prunes or porridge and prunes. I also eat vast amounts of fruit and veg, daily dog walk of 4+ miles, take magnesium supplements and keep well hydrated. Things have worsened over the last 3 months and GP has advised Senokot, but also referred me for blood tests and a colonoscopy. I always check patient info leaflets before taking anything new. I've heard from GP this morning confirming that Senokot is OK for me to take.

[dizzielizzie1]

Hi there, I have had problems with constipation for over 40 years, due to IBS, diverticulitis and 'gynae' issues. It's hell at times. I have a high fibre diet , and have reintroduced porridge with prunes into my diet. I also take 10 ml of Lactulose and two sachets of Fybogel daily. I have checked with my GP and although it's not an ideal solution she has said that I can take lactulose long term, but my kidneys will need checking once a year, which happens anyway because of other meds which I take. She also said that Movicol is a good laxative to take. One thing which I take for IBS/digestive problems and is BRILLIANT is Thomson's Slippery Elm powder. It calms my gut down wonderfully--I am never without it on holiday!! I make it up with hot chocolate as it's not nice to take, but it works for me. It's like drinking a thin custard.

( People--please check that it is OK for you to take it, as there may be contraindications for some people.) Good luck with the Senokot. Liz