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Does anyone out there take Senna. I was told to take 3 tablets,
twice a day, when I was discharged from the hospital last May,
to help bowel problems. I checked with the doctor, later, and
was told that there's no problem in continuing to take them (even
though the package warns not to use for more than 2 weeks w/out a doctors
orders).
However, I recently learned that Senna depletes POTASSIUM! I asked
the Kaiser Dietician about it, and she contacted the drug company to find out
'how much it affected potassium', so I'd know how much I should take in
supplements. (Potassium can be DANGEROUS to take too much of, but also
dangerous to not have enough of!) The drug company responded that they
couldn't say how much. I presume they couldn't be held responsible due to
their warning on the package. The doctor who said to take more would then
be responsible, I suppose. But in the meantime, I'm more than just a
little concerned about what effect this could have on those of us who have been
taking it for almost a year! (even though I've cut it back by now, to 3
tablets, once a day) Calcium, magnesium, potassium, all need to
be in some kind of balance, too!
I intend to refer the dieticians findings back to my doctor, but thought I
should pass this along to all of you, first.
Sally
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