Daughters Field Trip - PLEASE HELP!!!

Well...my worst nightmare is finally happening.  My daughter is going on a field trip to the zoo on Friday and I am going as a chaperone.  The issue is I have to ride the bus (school bus..no bathroom).  So, I already plan on skipping breakfast.  I should be good for the trip there.  The questionable part is the afternoon ride back. 

We will be packing a lunch.  By lunch I will be starving.  Does anyone have any suggestions on what I could possibly pack that would easy on the colon? 

I have never used immodium.  Has anyone else tried it for times they won't be near a bathroom.  I am still having terrible urgency.  If you have used it how long before being away from a bathroom do you take it and how much do you take. 

Of course my anxiety isn't helping matters here but there is no way I am letting her go to the zoo without me going. 

I hate this disease!!!

 

What about peanut butter and jelly on toast? I am always careful to buy natural jelly without corn syrup, same for the bread. That seemed to always be easy on my gut but in a bad flare, ANYTHING would make me run for the can. I hope you have a good day with no bathroom drama. Are you in a bad flare?

Imodium is fine usually for occasional use. I'd take one before leaving home and another with lunch. Carry at least one more with you incase you need it during the afternoon.

Hi i have done the school trips more than once with my youngest i take max of immodium before i go and take some spare with me also my own supply of toilet paper as for food i just pack anormal looking lunch to avoid the what that in you lunch questions children notice so far so good  how old is your daughter my son just says my mum will come good luck hope all goes well

I volunteered to chaperone. This is a private school so telling them they have to charter a bus with a bathroom is out of the question.

The zoo is an hour away. Hopefully if I just take a bland lunch things will go ok.

Thanks for all the information and ideas!

You might want to try eating on the bus to the event or when you arrive at the zoo. Eating stimulates peristalisis so there's a good chance you will have to go shortly after you eat.

Sue

Skipping breakfast with light toast in the afternoon has helped me get through outings such as this and then, IF you can find one, a huge cup of decaf sugar free vanilla soy latte fills me up nicely til dinner, although, it's up to you if you can handle all the soy (surprisingly soy doesn't make me gassy and the sugar free syrup at Starbucks doesn't seem to have aspertame so that doesn't kill me either and finally the lack of caffeine speaks for itself).

I also take immodium but only on days like Thanksgiving ;p... if you're not used to it be sure to read the specs on dosage - immodium has been a last minute life saver for me BUT I've found I can only tolerate it if I split the pill in half (easy to do since the pills are powdery), otherwise it has a tendency to make me painfully constipated for days after taking a full dose.

Also, have you ever been prescribed dycyclomine or hyosciamine? Ask your doc about them and see if you can tolerate them, they have crap!y side effects (dry mouth, fatigue, absentmindedness) but again, maybe not so bad for you and I've also been "saved" by either one whilst out and about at events and such.

Good luck and have fun!

I'll weigh in.

I wouldn't take immodium before the day, it might make you feel blocked up and even more anxious, wondering when will the dam burst. Take one in the morning, then another about 30 minutes before you head home, after you have done your best pre-ride bathroom visit.

I would eat nothing in the morning, then eat something light like a pbj as soon as you arrive so it has time to do its thing to you before you're back on the bus.

I agree it's not realistic or even fair to expect them to use a pricier bus so you can volunteer.

Personally, I would just let someone else do it! Why put yourself through it? If you have an accudent or need to ask the bus to stop, your child will be embarassed.

Immodium and maybe an anxiety med if you have something should get you through it. Good luck, I wouldnt want to be in your situation.

Last year, when I didn't have easy access to restrooms on some days I would:

Eat an early evening meal the night before, and no food later on.
Get up earlier than usual to make sure I'm fine before leaving.
Take 1 imodium two hours before leaving the house.
Not eat for the day till I got back home, but instead have drinks that would give me enough energy -- carrot juice, or an energy drink.

This isn't a long-term solution, but worked for me on these one-off situations, especially when I had to sit for exams at business school. Good luck with it!

When I am flaring and going to be away from restrooms for an extended time I take 2 Immodium in the morning and one at lunch. I agree about eating a light lunch or small snacks as soon as you arrive. Also, I have found that when I think and stress too much about urgency it seems to always happens - so - try not to stress too much and just enjoy the time with your daughter.  Oh, I also like the idea of taking your own car instead of riding the bus if that is at all possible!  Might take some of the stress away...plus you won't have to be on a loud bus!  :)

I asked the teacher this afternoon if it was possible to drive myself (she knows about the UC) and she said of course. So, peace of mind here. I am driving myself behind the bus. What a peace of mind. :)

I just bought crackers tonight to pack. The teacher also said that my daughter can ride home with me so there is no pressure to try and keep up with the bus. I will have the freedom to stop whenever on the way home.

I wouldn't have even thought to ask had it not been suggested here. Thanks for saving the day...literally.