Hi,
Constipation in spite of proper diet adjustments, stool softeners can have a reason which needs to be seen and treated.
I would advise you the following in such a situation:
Since you have had colonoscopies in past you know the preparation that is given for bowel cleansing before colonsocopy.
You may please take this as per the instruction on the packet provided so that you may get all the fecoliths cleaned out.
Get an X-ray of abdomen to see for the fecoliths.
Continue the stool softeners.
Go back to your normal diet as you were taking before.
Ask for Contrast studies for small and large intestine to see whether there is any obstruction in the small or large bowel.
Avoid very high fibbers as these can cause constipation is taken in more quantity if they do not hold fluids.
CT scan of abdomen.
Tests of stool and blood.
If all the investigations are normal then this can be IBS-C that is
irritable bowel syndrome of constipation type and is then related to the
stress and
anxiety. Control of such factors with or without medications can be the mainstay in this treatment.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. T Chandrakant,
General Surgeon