Constipation after not eating or drinking much due to bereavement what can I do?

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I really don't need this on top of everything. I have so much travelling to do in next few days around stuff to do with my mum's death and I now feel so unwell and heavy in my abdomen with this. Think it's to do with a few days dehydration and not eating much at all.

I'm drinking loads of water but need a quick fix before long hours of driving. I've never had an issue like this before but remember reading fibre isn't good sometimes but cant remember why? So not to buy Fybogel which is the only thing I know in this category as my mate from uni used to get it?

What is senna from those ads, would that be better? I just need to get rid of this one fixable problem I have zero capacity for this right now am massively overwhelmed.

Talk to a pharmacist but the over the counter stuff is fairly gentle really so may take a few days to work, laxido sachets you can buy - you could take a high dose, see if you can get some suppository laxatives if you want a quick fix. I’m sorry for your bereavement, physical impact of these things is so hard on top of the emotional side.

I was going to suggest a laxative, they usually work well, although I am not sure I would want to do it just before a long drive.

For a quick fix you want to take something to soften - like laxido, and something to stimulate - senna/ bisacordyl. If you can feel you have very solid stool in your rectum you may need a suppository.
Definitely talk to your pharmacist

I get this and sip water throughout the day and try and eat pears or apples.

I don't feel there's anything near the exit, as it were. It feels like this issue is higher up, like in my lower abdomen, that's where it is very uncomfortable and bloated and heavy?

Not used to this and honestly just thought having my normal morning with lots of water and a strong coffee would sort it out but it hasn't.

I've drunk some kefir, will that help? Also read a spoon of olive oil can help?

Try some prune juice (you can get it in the supermarket)? Hope you feel better soon OP.

I mean it's not a normal morning for me remotely of course, but just in terms of water and coffee I've had my usual drinks I have in the morning. And my abdomen feels more unhappy now if anything.

One dulcolax tablet worked overnight for me when I had a similar problem after a couple of days travelling.

It may simply be grief. A lot of people report aches and pains. I had all sorts of odd stuff after my first DH died.

But it does seem sensible to try and treat it as constipation. Would you be able to manage fruit smoothies?

I am sorry for your loss, I hope you find something that works and makes you feel a bit more comfortable.

Lactulose in orange juice will help but it's not an instant fix.

Having read the thread about the sometimes explosive effects of laxatives, I'd be careful about taking anything if you are going to be out of easy reach of a toilet. Having said that, syrup of figs is quite gentle and works for us, and we've never had an explosive effect with it. Takes a day or so though. Talk to your pharmacist, in your case a suppository might be better, and you can perhaps be "cleared out" before your journey.

When will you need to do your hours of driving? If it's not for a day or so, try eating a bowl of steamed veg with your evening meal. Plus if you can, get out for a couple of good walks with a minimum of 30. Doesn't need to be a countryside hike, around your local area will do. Walking helps to stimulate the bowels and get everything moving through.

for you and your mum . I lost mine last year, and know exactly what you're saying re the disruption to your system.

Don't be adding anything to.you diet speak to pharmacist who can advise
mumsnet can be pretty dreadful with advice for constipation( I have a child with chronic constipation.)

Sorry, should have said a minimum of 30 minutes.

Prune juice (warmed if you can), lots of water and a packet of Liquorice Allsorts will sort you out fairly quickly.

Drink some olive oil, massage your colon and apples are full of fibre x

Sorry for your loss.

Drink a lot of water whilst standing up (it sort of dumps a lot of water in your bowel)

Fybogel morning and with dinner. Senna overnight

Op.please just speak to a pharmacist,you will get all kinds of weird and wonderful advice on here about constipation most of which is useless

Microlax, it's a suppository and works straight away. If there's anything there it will get rid of it without pain. You can buy it in the pharmacy.

Drink a couple of pints of water fairly quickly. Try to drink a pint an hour for the next few hours. You want your wee to go from yellow to pale.

Stand up and start tensing the muscles required to push the poo out (don't actually poo yourself, obviously).

Get yourself a double espresso and eat a chocolate bar. The sugar and caffeine should get things moving.

I find that it's important to get/keep things moving. If you can squeeze out a tiny poo, it will help everything to dislodge and move along a little bit. Maybe do another little poo a couple of hours later. Once things start moving again, you'll probably manage to clear things out properly on poo number 4 or 5.

I don't want to speak to a pharmacist. That takes a mental energy I simply don't have right now and I don't want to stand in Boots with other customers overhearing me talk about constipation, I'm sorry if that makes me sound immature but I literally cannot deal with any more stress and the thought of that makes me feel stressed.

Asking MNetters as it is anonymous and can do so from the comfort of my sofa with no nearby sniggering teenagers.

I find a coffee and fig rolls help x

Lactulose, coffee, spicy curry, fresh juice will all help things move along.