Increasing difficulty with bowel movements - advice please?

[54isanopendoor]

So, this is embarrassing but needs must ...

I have had a number of minor surgeries over the last 15 years (I have mobility problems) which always led to awful constipation afterwards. I now wonder if I've damaged my bowel due to this? I'm 55 now & last year I had a standard (fitt?) test come back showing blood in the stool so I was referred for a colonoscopy. Despite following the prep instructions carefully on the day I got a row for my bowel not being completely clear but they said they'd 'do their best & it would probably be good enough'. It was painful, but I was told it was 'good enough' & I went home. My GP said: 'probably haemorrhoids' & no treatment suggested.

The reason I'm posting today is that when I open my bowels now I am aware that there is not a clear passage the way there used to be even last year so it is increasingly difficult to excrete what I need to (sorry if TMI - I am not a poo troll I promise, I find posting this quite embarassing but my GP is hopeless so..)
I'm not in pain but I do require quite a bit of strong coffee to be able to 'go' (once a day usually) I am also uncomfortably aware of my bowels all the time now, whether they need emptying or not.

Is there anything I can do to improve this or do I need to go back to GP & if so what do I ask for (GP very obstructive as a rule & local hosp pretty poor usually)

You need to go back to your GP. There may be benign explanations for your symptoms but they could be indicative of something more serious.
I would insist on further tests.

It sounds a bit like a possible partial prolapse, OP. This thread might be useful. Pelvic physio assessment may be useful. As well as going back to GP.

Is this a rectocele please?? Sad and scared www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_health/4587950-is-this-a-rectocele-please-sad-and-scared

@ChazsBrilliantAttitude Thank you. my GP is awful (head of practice, rural, moving practice very difficult). my last 2 referrals (for suspected breast cancer & for a longstanding mobility issue which has suddenly worsened) were both 'lost' for over a month & almost no communication. I can complain to the practice manager but it is her & the other GP is worse frankly, so I need to be prepared.

@SparklingLime Thank you. I'll have a thorough read of that thread.
I do have a tilted uterus ( backwards'?) from memory & was told I had fibroids some time ago although don't know if bad (my Mothers were bad though). I'm not on HRT at present but perhaps I should start (GP unhelpful about this too)

Have you seen GussieGrips work, OP?

Here's another thread with lots of info, @54isanopendoor:

Rectocele and perineal descent and not coping http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_health/4659466-rectocele-and-perineal-descent-and-not-copingg_

I have similar symptoms which are the result of a prolapse and also a pocket just inside my rectum which prevents me evacuating my bowel effectively, stool fills the pocket and causes discomfort and pressure. It would often cause me difficulty to pass urine too.
Since diagnosis i have begun using a rectal irrigation system which I use daily to help me evacuate my bowel . Although I hated using it to begin with it has transformed my life , I no longer have that pressure or discomfort and has given me back some quality of life.
Please go back to your Gp and get them to refer you for further investigation and to see a functional bowel team .

Thank you for the above messages. I'm going to need to do something as it is getting worse fairly rapidly. I had Covid recently & could barely eat for about 4 days. I realised after what a relief I'd felt not being aware of my painful bowel all the time. I am bleeding (bright red) with each BM too now. I have called GP for an appointment but it is a 4WW here. I dont' think I can wait that long but it's not exactly A&E material, is it. Ooof.

If they said hemorrhoids did you try the otc cream? I'm assuming you have done all the usual increase fluids and fibre to help?

Also tell the receptionist your bleeding and it can't wait four weeks they must have some emergency appointments

@Theunamedcat I have never been 'told haemorrhoids'. I just saw it on a list of conditions ('dx' after a colonoscopy 18m ago) on paperwork for another referral.
I have upped water yes. My dietician (NHS) said increase water but not roughage (I had a roux en y 5 years ago) & it needs urgent looking at by a functional bowel team (Ive a large internal 'bulge' that is preventing my bowel emptying)
I'll call the GP's back but I think they'll say its bleeding from the haemorrhoids?

UPDATE:

I finally got my GP appt.
Explained as above & said that Dietician (at annual review post roux-en-y gastric surgery which alters the 'plumbing' of your intestines) said to ask GP to refer to functional bowel team as I should not be experiencing these issues.

GP said very odd if Dietician said that as she would know that no FB team available in area (I got the impression she didn't even believe me!) .
No need for any scans as I had a Colonoscopy (post positive fit test) 2 years ago & all fine' - she then checked the records & said: 'oh, yes, they could only obtain a partial view, you're just constiptated'.
I've been prescribed lactulose & a week of Scheriproct suppositories.

She is the head of a rural practice & I can't get registered elsewhere.
I feel really down about it.

Can you afford to see a pelvic physio privately, @54isanopendoor?

https://thepogp.co.uk/patients/pelvichealthhadvice/bowelhealth.aspx

thepogp.co.uk/patients/physiotherapists/

new.pelvicphysiotherapy.com/list-of-therapists/