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Timing for Enteric coated Peppermint Caps? (So they don't open early?)

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Irritable Bowel Syndrome
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Posted 12/19/2005 11:31 PM (GMT 0)
I tried out some enteric-coated peppermint caps, and they seemed very helpful when they worked correctly. Unfortunately, about half of the time, they would open in my stomach and I'd be burping peppermint flavored burps for the rest of the day.

How do I time these caps correctly with eating/SFS intake so that they don't open up early?
Posted 12/20/2005 2:16 PM (GMT 0)
Peppermint burps? I bet you had fresh breath all day long!
Posted 12/20/2005 5:12 PM (GMT 0)
Hi sirion,
Do you have acid reflux? The peppermint burps could make it worse so I know how that feels. Sounds nice but not with severe heartburn. I had this same problem with fish oil capsules (YUCK!) that they opened too early and they were enteric coated. They were a cheap brand so I'm guessing that is why. I switched brand and I don't have that problem anymore. It could be that you just need to try a different kind. Make sure you drink a full glass of water while taking them also.
Posted 12/20/2005 8:45 PM (GMT 0)
I may or may not have acid reflux. Going to work with my GI guy and try and figure that out. (I've heard that there are tests that can be done, but they're expensive. Is that the case?)

My bottle of pills suggests taking it 30 mins before eating. Does 'eating' include a glass of soluble fiber supplement?
Posted 12/20/2005 9:25 PM (GMT 0)
Hi sirion,
Usually doctors can tell if you have acid reflux by your symptoms. The # of times a week you have heartburn is pretty relevant. To be sure, however, they might want to scope you; to see what kind of damage (if any) has been caused to your esophagus by the reflux. Usually folks are prescibed Prevacid or Nexium to control the acid and help repair the damage.
Depending on what kind of insurance you have, and where you live, the scope could be anywhere from a couple hundred bucks to a couple thousand.

I'm not sure about fiber supplement being considered food. Maybe dbab (or anyone) will be along to help you with that question.
Posted 12/20/2005 10:32 PM (GMT 0)
I've gotten a number of scopes from my ENT doctor (I'm an opera singer), and I may have a mild case. Unfortunately, the scopes can only tell that there's inflammation, and not clearly what the cause is.

I've heard of another test that would be done by GI docs, where they attach a PH sensor with a wireless transmitter to the bottom of your esophagus, and you keep a little data recorder by you for a couple of days, and the data is used to determine whether you really have reflux, but I don't know if this is a normal test done somewhat frequently, or if this is something you might only see at the Mayo clinic.
Posted 12/20/2005 10:37 PM (GMT 0)
Hmmm... I've never heard of that test. I've heard of the camera pill used to follow digestion (good for the small bowel). You think it is the same thing? How would they attach anything to the bottom of your esophagus? Sounds painful... I hope you don't have to do it.
Posted 12/21/2005 12:24 PM (GMT 0)
i took them too, i burped peppermint like crazy!!!!
then my GI told me not to take them because peppermint gives you diarrhea---but he is also a moron jerkface...
i have been put on Nexium, i am waiting to start taking the peppermint again since i am on an antibiotic for bacterial overgrowth---
i have no wisdom to offer--simply that i too had the same physical reaction.
--bunny
Posted 12/22/2005 9:29 PM (GMT 0)
Sirion,

What kind of peppermint caps are they?? I used to use Enzymatic Therapy peppermint caps and didn't have that problem. But, then I tried Heather's peppermint caps and they ALWAYS open in my stomach. The enteric coating isn't strong enough to get past my stomach. I have a hiatal hernia and GERD and really have problems with peppermint, too. I haven't taken the ET peppermint caps in about 2 years and my GERD wasn't bad then. So, I don't know if I could stomach them, now or not. My GERD is really bad. I'm on Nexium.

Good Luck!
Michelle
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