Hi,  I am a 67 year old woman.  IBS C.  Had IBS D a in my forties.  
I have no quality of life left.  I cannot travel.  Getting to appointments is an event.  I have cramping, gas, incomplete evacuation as well.  I no longer sleep.  I am often up by 2 to try to poop.  If successful or not that starts hours of constant urinating. So I really no longer sleep.  My life revolves around pooping and not.   It occupies good part of the day and night.  I have tried to get help from my GP.  Only will listen to taking SSRI to fix incorrect messages from my brain to my gut - that is what they tell me.  I am alone. One 35 year old daughter about an hour away.  Have lost all activities and all that gave joy to my life. No one should live like I do.  Really don’t know what to do. No one should live the way I am living.  Any suggestions please.  

Ember,

I'm so sorry to read that you have no quality of life left. You're way too young for that.

There are several medications available in Canada, besides using SSRI's.. One is called Constella, another is Resolor and the newest one is Ibsrela. They all work differently from each other. Resolor is indicated for chronic idiopathic constipation and Constella and Iberia are for IBS-C. Could you ask your doctor about them?

Thanks so  much for your reply.  I had heard of Constella.

I will look them up.  I am going to be talking to my doctor soon again.

Although I have IBS-C, if I take even 30 ml of milk of magnesia I have severe diarrhea within a few hours.  So I have a very touch stomach.  That was my concern when thinking about Constella.  I will look at the others!  

I wondered about that because diarrhea can be a side effect of all those medications. It is certainly worth discussing with your doctor.

You do have options!

I’m an 62-year old woman and feel like I am in the same boat. I just wanted to assure you that you are not alone. My life revolves around going to the bathroom. I’m up and down at night too. If I find any answers, I’ll post again. Hang in there…

On 12/6/2024 at 10:25 AM, Ember said:

Hi,  I am a 67 year old woman.  IBS C.  Had IBS D a in my forties.  
I have no quality of life left.  I cannot travel.  Getting to appointments is an event.  I have cramping, gas, incomplete evacuation as well.  I no longer sleep.  I am often up by 2 to try to poop.  If successful or not that starts hours of constant urinating. So I really no longer sleep.  My life revolves around pooping and not.   It occupies good part of the day and night.  I have tried to get help from my GP.  Only will listen to taking SSRI to fix incorrect messages from my brain to my gut - that is what they tell me.  I am alone. One 35 year old daughter about an hour away.  Have lost all activities and all that gave joy to my life. No one should live like I do.  Really don’t know what to do. No one should live the way I am living.  Any suggestions please.  

 

On 12/6/2024 at 9:00 AM, Jeffrey Roberts said:

Ember,

I'm so sorry to read that you have no quality of life left. You're way too young for that.

There are several medications available in Canada, besides using SSRI's.. One is called Constella, another is Resolor and the newest one is Ibsrela. They all work differently from each other. Resolor is indicated for chronic idiopathic constipation and Constella and Iberia are for IBS-C. Could you ask your doctor about them?

My doctor also wants me to go on Ssri's for this because she thinks my issue is my brain. I have held off on that idea due years, but curious if that had been successful for anyone?

On 3/21/2025 at 10:01 AM, Doris w said:

My doctor also wants me to go on Ssri's for this because she thinks my issue is my brain. I have held off on that idea due years, but curious if that had been successful for anyone?

There is something called the gut-brain axis so while it may seem like SSRI's are for the brain, in IBS, they are actually used to try and manage the communication between the gut and the brain. I wish your doctor would have explained that.

SSRI's and other low dose antidepressants have been used for 25 years with patients and IBS. The dosage is so low it's not treating anything in your head. The medications have properties which as a side effect increase stool motility or decrease it.

1 minute ago, Jeffrey Roberts said:

There is something called the gut-brain axis so while it may seem like SSRI's are for the brain they are actually used to try and manage the communication between the gut and the brain. I wish your doctor would have explained that.

SSRI's and other low dose antidepressants have been used for 25 years with patients and IBS. The dosage is so low it's not treating anything in your head. The medications have properties which as a side effect increase stool motility or decrease it.

This makes sense, thank you Jeffrey 

I am 60 years old and I too am consumed with when I will have a BM. I can go for days without. I have taken amitza linzess and insrela. The insrela was the worst. I would go so much it was water and i would be incontentite and just start going on myself. Was wearing a depends. I stopped taking it. I’m currently being treated with xifaxin for sibo. It had helped in the past. I’m so bloated with belly pain. I have a conective tissue disorder like lups and since i was diagnosed with that last year the struggle is just terrible with BMs. I drink prune juice and eat prunes everyday and still no real BM. I feel lost with no hope this will ever get right. Does anyone have any suggestions?? Thank you

Same here, not much life if I’m not within feet of a bathroom. I also have other health issues that make life difficult. I’m leaning on God as much as possible. My husband is great at understanding, but it’s still very difficult. has anyone tried Amitiza? I just started on it and would like some feedback, thanks.

On 9/26/2025 at 6:06 PM, MJM said:

Has anyone tried Amitiza? I just started on it and would like some feedback, thanks.

If you use the search button for "Amitiza" you will hopefully find some feedback about it.

I do understand that nausea is a complaint of many people who take it and some eventually have to stop using it because of the nausea.

I took amatiza all it did was give me mushy stools that I couldn’t pass I feel so alone and frustrated. Just to have a normal bm would be amazing. I have fibromyalgia and ibsc and the two don’t play nice with each other. Does anyone else have this problem??

I am also having soft stools that I can’t pass. At this point I am having mixed IBS and I am not taking anything but plan to start Cipralex low dose once I wean off another med. I relate to your feeling alone. I do too. This problem is not one you can just discuss with anyone. I feel that I have been let down by my doctor. I have never been referred to a gastroenterologist. Never. I am told no Gastroenterologist would see me for this problem. So I have not been referred. I am seeing a dietician. I have limited my diet far too much since pretty much all food bothers me. My doctor warns me not to use small amt of laxative (my stomach is so sensitive!) because it will cause diarrhea. Then when I have diarrhea I am told not to use Imodium so I can leave my house because it will constipate. And …?

What is most upsetting is the suggestion that I go and spend 3 months in a mental health facility. Listen, mindfulness, CBT etc. can be helpful but the problem really is my gut, I am sure the brain/gut connection is real, but I have had a lot of therapy and still spend my mornings on the toilet and the rest of my day trying to manage this problem so I can function at all. When I was having IBS in my 40’s while I was a working single mother and my hair was brown and not white no one was telling me I needed to spend three months in a mental hospital for my IBS!!

Yes I feel very alone too!

22 hours ago, Ember said:

I am also having soft stools that I can’t pass. At this point I am having mixed IBS and I am not taking anything but plan to start Cipralex low dose once I wean off another med. I relate to your feeling alone. I do too. This problem is not one you can just discuss with anyone. I feel that I have been let down by my doctor. I have never been referred to a gastroenterologist. Never. I am told no Gastroenterologist would see me for this problem. So I have not been referred. I am seeing a dietician. I have limited my diet far too much since pretty much all food bothers me. My doctor warns me not to use small amt of laxative (my stomach is so sensitive!) because it will cause diarrhea. Then when I have diarrhea I am told not to use Imodium so I can leave my house because it will constipate. And …?

What is most upsetting is the suggestion that I go and spend 3 months in a mental health facility. Listen, mindfulness, CBT etc. can be helpful but the problem really is my gut, I am sure the brain/gut connection is real, but I have had a lot of therapy and still spend my mornings on the toilet and the rest of my day trying to manage this problem so I can function at all. When I was having IBS in my 40’s while I was a working single mother and my hair was brown and not white no one was telling me I needed to spend three months in a mental hospital for my IBS!!

Yes I feel very alone too!

That sounds utterly depressing that your family doctor will not refer you to a gastroenterologist.

The guidelines for treating IBS are different for each country. Unfortunately in Canada and the UK, IBS is often seen as a mental illness more than a digestive illness. The US guidelines approach IBS very differently - though some doctors do not follow them and are just like Canada and the UK.

I strongly suggest you go see another family doctor and let them decide if you should be referred to a gastroenterologist. You shouldn't be made to feel so alone.

Thanks so much.

Unfortunately family doctors here are in short supply and I cannot get another GP. I asked my GP point blank if this means I will simply struggle and be in pain until I die and I was told, coldly, “yes”. So if I am to feel awful and be chained to the toilet every day for the rest of my life it does not give me much to hope for.

That’s shocking that a doctor would say that.

I moved GPs recently in Toronto. It took some effort, but I am now quite pleased that I made the move.

I was told by the GP that the waiting list to see a gastroenterologist was over 2 years so there was no point putting me on the waiting list!

Have had a few health issues over the last few years and I put the state of my mental health down to the NHS.

GPs are a waste of time. They really don't care that you are a person trying to live a life. It's as quick as they can shuffle you out the door and you get made to feel like a time waster. I have no faith in the NHS in the UK at all

55 minutes ago, thehairbear said:

I was told by the GP that the waiting list to see a gastroenterologist was over 2 years so there was no point putting me on the waiting list!

Have had a few health issues over the last few years and I put the state of my mental health down to the NHS.

GPs are a waste of time. They really don't care that you are a person trying to live a life. It's as quick as they can shuffle you out the door and you get made to feel like a time waster. I have no faith in the NHS in the UK at all

That is shocking. Canada has a long wait list; however, 2 years is depressing. I'm sorry for everyone in the UK.

I find with GPs that if you try to engage them with your own research and ask if they will support you with some testing or a treatment they often comply.

I agree to doing your own research before you go in for an appointment. This way you can be knowledged on what they are telling you and can challenge what they are saying by having your own information and questions ready. Don't just go along with what they are saying. At the end of the day they are GENERAL practioners, they have some information about a range of illnesses but don't fully know in-depth about everything.

Sometimes I find I know a bit more than they do and they've got to search it up on their computer 🤦‍♀️

Ya. Sometimes I feel I should have been a medical researcher.

I’m so sorry for you to have to wait so long. We have wonderful healthcare here in Florida but it’s still a toss up with everyone. We are all different and our bodies react differently. So the choices are endless and the answers are a gamble. Do your best research and pray to God you get an answer. This is a tough one as no one can understand how life changing constipation can be. Sometimes I still can’t get my head around it

On 12/6/2024 at 4:25 PM, Ember said:

Hi,  I am a 67 year old woman.  IBS C.  Had IBS D a in my forties.  
I have no quality of life left.  I cannot travel.  Getting to appointments is an event.  I have cramping, gas, incomplete evacuation as well.  I no longer sleep.  I am often up by 2 to try to poop.  If successful or not that starts hours of constant urinating. So I really no longer sleep.  My life revolves around pooping and not.   It occupies good part of the day and night.  I have tried to get help from my GP.  Only will listen to taking SSRI to fix incorrect messages from my brain to my gut - that is what they tell me.  I am alone. One 35 year old daughter about an hour away.  Have lost all activities and all that gave joy to my life. No one should live like I do.  Really don’t know what to do. No one should live the way I am living.  Any suggestions please.  

I went to see a pelvic health physio because I have a prolapsed bladder, wasn't getting anywhere with the GP so had to source someone privately. I didn't realise they dealt with pooping issues as well, although not IBS obviously. She did toilet retraining with me to get me into more of a routine and to try and get a good stool consistency. I still have incomplete evacuation but it's a lot better than it was.

I just thought it was worth mentioning as you're saying you are up urinating at night as well as trying to move your bowels.

It's probably a long shot and won't help. But if you are desperate as I am, you'd give anything a go.

Although understandably you probably don't want the stress and upset of leaving the house to go to an appointment and be examined. As the anxiety of going out makes you want to run to the toilet and the cramping worse if you're anything like me

You sure sound like me! Coincidentally I am seeing a pelvic health physio in about an hour. I also found her on my own. And like you, at this point, I would give anything a go. I am really struggling right now and things keep getting worse and worse so this matter will be the first thing we talk about today. The physio is right here in our small town so I am lucky there. You are right. Trying to go almost anywhere makes matters worse! I am glad to hear you have had some success!

I’m at my wit’s end right now!

Good luck with your appt. I hope it works out its so frustrating when its always a dead end. Let me know how it goes? Do you take and meds for your ibs c?

7 hours ago, thehairbear said:

I agree to doing your own research before you go in for an appointment. This way you can be knowledged on what they are telling you and can challenge what they are saying by having your own information and questions ready. Don't just go along with what they are saying. At the end of the day they are GENERAL practioners, they have some information about a range of illnesses but don't fully know in-depth about everything.

Sometimes I find I know a bit more than they do and they've got to search it up on their computer 🤦‍♀️

There was a recent research study that indicated that patients who are knowledgeable have better outcomes. That's okay if GPs have to search it out when you tell them something. At least they are open to a new perspective.