How long each day do you spend in the bathroom?

Hi e, when I have had an IBS episode it can take time clearing the bowels.  It would began with excess bloating, then cramping followed by constipation which can be painful, sweating ( feeling like your body is burning up) , cramping would continue until the diarrhea. Once the bowels were clear, some relief. Sometimes I would lie on the floor until the cramping would pass. It does not always happen in the exact order but pretty close to what I tried to describe. ...hope it was not to graphic.  There are a few other thing I left out.  If you would like those details, send me a private email.  Oh by the way my Doctor recommend a mild laxative if needed several times a week.  It helps especially if symptoms are more constipation than diarrhea.   I hope this helps a bit. 

...forgot to mention that I've never checked how long it takes but it can be time consuming. I also drink a dieters tea which really help to keep regularity.  Doctor also  recommended psyllium capsules.  The tea works the best for me.  

Just guessing but he may be badly constipatied; altho, 4 hours seems a very long time and not healthy for him; especially if he is straining.  What might help is more water (at least 6 glasses a day if he can handle that) and a stool softener.  Did he say he was constipated?  If not, ask him.  Has he had a colonoscopy within the last 10 years?   When considering IBS, anything is possible. 

Your husband needs to go the doctor to get a firm diagnosis.  Does he have change of bowel habit habit and any pain after eating? Has he tried a food diary?  Does his stomach pain move about and does he get temporary relief after a bowel movement?

Best part of ,3 hours approx and on when I have an attack and that is one or two days a week. I could not handle any more. I have had days when it was 6 hours. I have already done so much damage to myself over the last 5 or so years. I am not sure I can take much more. I am back at the hospital again mid week.

I can tell you what I do but since I started down this road my life has never been normal again and doubt it ever will be but that maybe just me. 

After giving up work for a year I now undertake flexible working. I will never earn what I did previously but at the same time they are fine when I say I will be in at 1 today. Without flexibility I could not work. 

He should not spend that long on the toilet. If he's sitting there straining all he's gonna do is give himself haemmarroids. Also lots of straining actually slows down the muscle contractions you need to pass the stool to begin with! It would be much better to do what he can, get up and walk around etc then only go back to 're toilet when he really has to go.

Taking a daily laxative sounds like it would really help him too.

You need a bathroom for him alone, this must be awful for him and worse for him!

You not him ignore been up since 5!