Sudden stubborn constipation

[LakeFlyPie]

Had a weekend break abroad end of April and haven't had a normal poo since 🥲. Often get a bit of constipation when away from home but usually sorted with a few dried apricots. It didn't improve with fybogel, senna, hydration etc so went to GP and got some movicol. Have done 2x disimpaction regimes and weeks of maintenance dosing but things haven't returned to 'normal' (which is usually pretty normal! - daily satisfactory bowel movement!). Have been stepped up to sodium picosulphate which I thought would produce dramatic results but nothing notable. I have been passing wind and varying amounts of varying consistencies of poo (depending on intake) but nothing approaching normal. Ordinarily it would be worrying but I had a similar episode out of the blue 5 years ago where I ended up having a colonoscopy which was normal. It seemed that the bowel prep for the procedure reset my system and it went completely back to normal immediately afterwards.
I'm perimenopausal, on HRT, vegetarian (high fibre diet - pretty well balanced diet), bit overweight, plenty of cardio and resistance exercise and daily walking.

Any ideas / advice please?

If another few days of sodium picosulphate liquid doesn't improve things I think I'm going to ask GP for the bowel prep again (although it was pretty awful 🤮))
Got a holiday booked in 4 weeks and really want things back to normal by then

I swear by linseed in ground form - you can get in from Tesco or Holland and Barrett. Only thing that works for me. Try a good tablespoon a day with breakfast and plenty of water throughout the day.

Thanks for your reply. Have tried that with muesli (and chia seeds) and made sure I had loads of water

Did the GP offer/do any tests OP? With you saying it's since you've been abroad, I wonder if you've picked something up? H Pylori or something?

You may have tried this but it's a good routine anyway (for me). Have had polyps removed and have diverticulosis, so have to keep as "regular" as possible.

I pack all the fibre in at breakfast and it works like clockwork, even when away (I bring my supplies!).

Make a puree of orange, kiwi and pear. Add to a small pot of greek yogurt to have after lunch.

Breakfast.

Wheat bran 2 tablespoons
Milled linseeds 1 tbsp
Milled chia seeds 1 tbsp
Porridge oats 3 tbsp or less if you prefer.
One tbspoon of powdered protein. Mix dry ingredients together.

Make on water 3.5 mins micro 800w. stir, and OMG. I don't use sugar or sweeteners but I suppose you could add maple syrup or honey. (the protein powder is flavoured and that's enough for me). If too thick I loosen it with boiled water. Sounds grim and like gruel but to me it tastes great and is very filling too.

A strong very hot coffee is good too.

Yes - I saw a specialist physio and that was her advice too - cultivate a habit, so high fibre breakfast, coffee as a stimulant, and a sit on the loo.

I am having a glass of water every time I have a cup of tea and that is helping atm. I think the change from cold to warmer weather can have an effect on my fluid balance.

Thanks for your replies and bowel wisdom! Think I might have turned a corner with the help of AllBran and berries for breakfast, the usual high fibre diet, 4 docusate sodium pills a day and at least 3 litres of fluid. Managed a fairly normal 'movement' yesterday and another today, am hopeful this signals a return to normal service. Can't believe I'm so happy to poo 💩 😆

Aloe Vera Capsules before bed are very good too.

HRT is giving me constipation which I haven't had since I was pregnant almost 30 years ago

I'm off to make some breakfast pots with these suggestions to see if they will help shift it! It's such a nightmare!