IBGard for IBS with GERD?

Posted by jackiem95 @jackiem95, Jun 8, 2019

My GI has recommended an over the counter product called IBGard for my Irritable Bowel Syndrome. When he told me that it contained peppermint oil I expressed concern because I also have GERD and peppermint is a well known trigger for reflux. He assured me that this product is specially formulated to pass through the stomach without dissolving and into the gut. I read the reviews on Amazon and they were mostly positive—except for some people who said they had had terrible heartburn or reflux. No one mentioned that they had GERD but did not have problems taking IBGard. Has anyone here with GERD successfully used this product?

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Justin McClanahan, Moderator | @JustinMcClanahan | Jun 8, 2019

@jackiem95, I'd like to invite @pjss48, @gab002, @rachel_b, and @flip1949 to this discussion as they have all tried IBGard and discussed their results on Connect for some varying ailments in the past. @jackiem95, have you tried peppermint things in the past, is this a known trigger for you?

jackiem95 | @jackiem95 | Jun 8, 2019

In reply to @JustinMcClanahan "@jackiem95, I'd like to invite @pjss48, @gab002, @rachel_b, and @flip1949 to this discussion as they have..." + (show)

I have completely avoided peppermint since my GERD problems began about 10 years ago. So I can’t say whether it is a trigger for me or not. My symptoms are pretty well controlled now with current meds and diet restrictions. I would hate to change that with IBGard.

gab002 | @gab002 | Jun 8, 2019

I haven't had any problems with the IBGard triggering reflux but have had a little with another peppermint/ginger/fennel combo.
I've also been ok with FDGard which has peppermint/caraway.

rachel_b | @rachel_b | Jun 12, 2019

Hello 🙂 I don’t have GERD, but I have a missing section of both large and small intestine from surgery and have chronic SIBO from that. I manage it pretty well with a strict low FODMAP diet, but I do also use IBGard and similar products to help after meals. I find that it does help some, at least to take the edge off when I get flared up. A similar product that I like even better than IBGard is called Peppermint Plus - for some reason it seems to work a little better for me. The only thing I’d say about IBGard is to watch out for the knock off brands. I recently got something at Walgreen’s that was supposed to be the cheaper Walgreen’s brand version of IBGard, and I flared up after taking it and later realized that it had all sorts of weird stuff in it that IBGard doesn’t, like a proprietary digestive aid blend and other things. I do think peppermint helps me, but again I’m not sure how it affects those with GERD. I’d just recommend in general to go with products that have as few ingredients as possible - and to read the labels to find out everything that’s in it especially if you have ingredients you know trigger symptoms for you. Good luck 🙂

Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Jun 12, 2019

@rachel_b
Thanks for giving us an opinion on the IBGard. I tried the FDgard (as it was recommended by someone on Connect), however, I found that it has caraway oil and that was a problem for me. Papaya enzyme tablets work best for me. If a meal does not seem to "go down" well I chew a couple of tablets and it helps. Finding the right fix for digestive problems can be difficult. Thanks again for weighing in on something that has helped you!

rachel_b | @rachel_b | Jun 12, 2019

Of course @hopeful33250 ! This forum has been super helpful to me so I’m always happy to share things I’ve figured out too. That is interesting about the caraway oil! Reading ingredient labels can be a full time job, huh? I’m curious to research the papaya enzyme tablets more now. Thanks for sharing what works for you too 🙂