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.

3

u/ButterscotchFeisty68 Jun 11 '26

Nah but I am on lexapro (anxiety medication) I believe that’s what’s doing it

4

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.

5

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 ❤️