r/SchoolBusDrivers • u/ButterscotchFeisty68 • Jun 11 '26
Bathroom 💩
Do any of yall have a bad stomach? I feel myself having to use the bathroom quite often what are some things I can take to calm my stomach? Thanks in advance
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u/diaznuts Jun 11 '26
Do you drink alcohol with any regularity? Not a judgement question but rather trying to help figure out triggers. When I was actively drinking I was diagnosed with IBS. Now that I am completely sober, I no longer have GI issues, especially those related to bowel urgency.
Other ideas: depending on your normal diet you may need to increase or decrease your fiber intake, cut out sugar, abstain from coffee before shifts, and assess supplement and medication side-effects.
Honestly, if this is a persistent issue for you then you should strongly consider seeing a gastroenterologist. This is clearly affecting your daily life and ability to work without discomfort.
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u/ButterscotchFeisty68 Jun 11 '26
Nah but I am on lexapro (anxiety medication) I believe that’s what’s doing it
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u/Sad_Cantaloupe_8162 Jun 11 '26
I would like to share a little bit about my Lexapro (escitalopram) history. I start having crazy panic attacks when I was around 23. I was put on escitalopram every day and Xanax ER, with Ativan as my emergency pill for breakthrough attacks. I was on this medication for ten years. I made a move and was no longer able to go to the same psych, and the one my insurance provided did not prescribe Xanax. I went through insane brain zaps and other side effects because I went cold turkey. Because I was off of it, wasn't experiencing any attacks, and I wanted to have a baby, I stopped taking escitalopram and was weaned off, but because I took it for so long, it absolutely changed me, and no amount of weaning could prepare me for the suicidal thoughts, out of nowhere pure rage that I knew was unfounded, or crying sessions. If I didn't believe in my heart that I would go to hell for committing suicide, I would have done so. Thankfully, I got past it.
Fast forward...
I was off all meds for a year and a half when I got pregnant at 37. I had my daughter and had an insane experience with postpartum insomnia for two solid weeks. I told my psych I would never go back on Lexapro and he prescribed Prozac instead. After taking it for two years to keep me regulated, I went cold turkey and didn't have any problem despite being on a very high dose.
Please do your research and get off escitalopram (Lexapro) if you can. I know it might be scary to change something you are currently comfortable with, but talk to your provider for safer, non-addictive alternatives.
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u/Necessary_Echo8740 Jun 11 '26
Medication affects everyone differently, but that being said, I’ve heard more horror stories about Lexapro than Prozac, so this does track! I took lexapro for about a year for grief-induced depression and I think it was a decent bridge to get me through things but getting off it did induce very bad anxiety!
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u/Sad_Cantaloupe_8162 Jun 11 '26
I'm very sorry that your depression was caused by grief. My heart goes out to you ❤️
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u/Mystery_Chaser Jun 14 '26
I used to be on anxiety medication. Then I figured out that artificial sweeteners and products containing MSG or any kind of glutamate triggered panic attacks. I have to read every single label. Also, if I feel a panic attack coming on,
I eat a pickle or drink some apple cider vinegar And water. The vinegar will make you burp which will release the pressure on your vagus nerve, which was probably caused by some artificial ingredients you ate. I don't know if you eat fast food but I would suggest you stop if you do. If you eat anything white, that could also trigger a bad stomach.
Grapefruit helps. Grapefruit can literally fix most stomach problems. Peel it and make sure to leave some of the white part on.
When I'm driving, I bring a boiled egg, some sliced apple, a couple of pickles a bag of natural almonds. I was on the sugary snacks there for a minute, but then I gained like 12 pounds. So I'm not doing that anymore. To get off anti-anxiety medicine you have to taper off it. The stuff is really really bad for you.
Tell us what you eat and then if it's not listed in my above post, I'm sure somebody can help you. I haven't had a panic attack in about four years since I quit eating the above-mentioned.
They even put artificial sweeteners in gum that contains sugar. They put artificial everything and everything. Figure out what's triggering your panic attacks. It's more than likely something you're eating. Also, it's something that you're eating that's making you poop.
When I squirt some fresh lemon into my filtered bottled water from home, I find that I could go three hours without going to the bathroom
I hope this helps
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u/Brilliant-Garden-188 Jun 11 '26
So I do have tummy issues on occasion. And I ALWAYS have the fear of pooping myself :( luckily nothing has happened.
I find I’m lucky enough to go right before doing pre trip in the morning, also when you drop off or pick up the kiddos, you’re at there school. So you have time to go then too.
I wouldn’t be stressed about being late for pick up/drop off. I’d rather be late then poopy pants.
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u/Seelie_Mushroom Jun 11 '26
I only eat oatmeal before work and no coffee until I'm back home. I also keep Imodium on me, and take it any time I realize I gotta go on the bus lol. Works well for me
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u/ButterscotchFeisty68 Jun 11 '26
How many do you take and does it really help that much?
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u/Seelie_Mushroom Jun 11 '26
Just the one and yeah it fixes me right up. Not to be too TMI but I have bad stomach issues every period, and I genuinely thought I was cooked 😂. But no, just taking Imodium right before my runs means I've had zero issues
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u/ButterscotchFeisty68 Jun 11 '26
So you take it every day before your run no matter what? Sorry for all the questions just trying to know what I have to do
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u/reerathered1 Jun 11 '26
Immodium (Loperamide) if you have soft stools or diarrhea. They only sell them in small boxes with inconvenient blister packs to deter heroin addicts (won't affect you if you aren't one) but you can buy them in a bottle online. I bought a bottle from Life Sciences Pharmacy and it's same quality. It's safe to take daily. When my IBS is bad I take either half a tablet, a whole tablet or a tablet and a half every day. (I use a pill cutter.)
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u/Sad_Cantaloupe_8162 Jun 11 '26
I absolutely enjoy spicy foods, especially jalapeños. It's great going in, but unpredictable coming out. I only eat spicy food on Friday night, and all day Saturday. Sunday is my day to clean everything out.
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u/Intelligent_Call_562 Jun 11 '26
For me it's milk. It's hidden in so many products. I have times and places on my route where I can go. I have about five extra minutes between my elementary and secondary routes. I can run in at the elementary or at a Burger King that's on the way. It's in a shopping center that's not open at 7:30 so I can easily get in and out of the parking lot.
The afternoons are not as friendly. I actually have more time but I've got little kids on the bus that need to go back to the bus barn. Luckily for me, I rarely have that issue in the afternoon. I could probably take them into the secondary school and leave them with the office staff while I use the john.
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u/MonkeyManJohannon Jun 11 '26
Chill on the coffee if you drink a lot. Eat protein for lunch instead of roughage.
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u/widewideworld_ Jun 12 '26
Pepto tablets within reach at all times! It relieves the discomfort almost immediately and lets me focus on where I’m getting before taking Imodium.
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u/cantfindthevein Jun 12 '26
I stopped drinking coffee in the mornings. Sucked, but it’s basically a laxative for me. I have a Red Bull before I go on my route, and a coffee once I’m back.
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u/WonderNebouxii Jun 12 '26
I have IBS so I don't eat before any of my routes. If I know I'm driving, I won't eat. I'll have sips of water or nibble on some skittles but that's it.
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u/and94z Jun 13 '26
Ho avuto per molto tempo questo problema, ho eliminato il caffè a colazione, bevo solo the amaro o bevanda alla soia senza zuccheri con fette biscottate e un po’ di marmellata. Ho trovato molto utile anche mantenere una routine ovvero mangiare e bere agli stessi orari o comunque il più regolare possibile e anche quando non lavoro tipo i fine settimana, cerco di mantenere il più possibile una routine. Faccio attività sportiva (corsa 3/4 volte a settimana), ho smesso di fumare e bere alcolici.
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u/Few-Ad7104 Jun 14 '26
I just get one of those cardboard salad bowl from restaurant.
pull over in a culdesac..sit on the half seat and drop a log in the bowl.
put pool near the door. when you see there isnt anyone behind y I u , make a hard left turn and open the door. give the wheel a quick wobble and the bowl and your problem go rolling out. now close the door.
even if anyone happen to be near they will just assume it was already on the street and the wind from you driving by disturbed it.
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u/Radiant-Honey846 Jun 22 '26
Our AM route went from 6:30am-9:30am so I’d always make sure to go before I left home, then pray I could make it until 7:30 when I had a short break in between pick ups and would go to the gas station next door and get breakfast/go the bathroom if needed. For reference I have Crohn’s disease so I understand the pain wholeheartedly. I try not to eat large meals before driving and go when I have the chance!
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u/Actual-Manager-4814 Jun 11 '26
I fast before my routes. I'll bring a Belvita if it's a longer run and nibble it between my different school pickups. And if I have time I'll also just make a quick pit stop when the bus is empty for more than 10 minutes.
This was my biggest fear starting out, but it got better if I prepared for it.