I found an excellent cheap alternative to Colpermin oil capsules, which are, arguably, ridiculously expensive, and that is, Trebor Mints extra Strong. They are much more instantaneous in providing relief with trapped wind, I find. Has anybody tried them?
Michael
I haven’t tried them , but I will !
You should be able to get Colpermin on prescription if you’re in the UK , I do
They appear instantaneous in effect, so likely absorbed via the buccal membrane! Yes they are on prescription in the UK, but they are supposed to be taken a while after or before food. Trebor mints seem to act, independent as to whether you have just eaten. Regards
I see what you mean it is certainly useful to know, thank you
Thanks for the tip. I always want to increase the Colpermin dose, but won't need to with Trebor extra strong mints.
I was told by a dietician that I shouldn't have mints as they can cause cramps. Heyho
Yes Trevor Extra Strong Mints are life-savers! Have been using them for over 20 years to relieve wind etc. Probably not so good on the teeth but I take them with me wherever I go.
What a great tip! Would save an interaction with 'health service' for prescription and dispensing and NHS some £. If there's an issue with sugar content then rinsing/swishing out mouth, after the desired effect has been achieved, is an option. (I personally find that they 'blow my head off' so anyone who can cope with them has my full admiration!)
That sounds like a good idea! I don't know what additives those have nowadays though which might not suit some people (such as sweetener substitutes for sugar)
But it sounds like what my mother used to give me for colicky pains caused by trapped wind when I was a child: Boiled hot water with a bit of sugar in it, and two drops of food grade peppermint oil, to be sipped slowly. Same kind of thing really except mine was liquid to drink. It tasted very strong -similar to extra strong mints.
And much cheaper than Colpermin! Why not, I would say !
It's great if something like peppermint sweets is working for some people, but it will by by a different mechanism than Colpermin.
Colpermin capsules have an enteric coating, which prevents them being digested in the stomach, so the contents are not released until reaching the small bowel. Whilst this may result in delayed relief, the point of this is that the peppermint oil actually acts best locally where it is needed, rather than systemically through buccal or gastric absorption - the peppermint oil works locally by reducing spasms and causing relaxation of the colon wall.
Personally, peppermints don't work for me - I once even had a different version of mint capsules prescribed when Colpermin was unavailable and I found they didn't work, they just gave me minty burps 
I later found that these were not enteric-coated.
I guess it may depend on what is causing symptoms in individual people?
You’re indeed correct, there. Studies have shown that taking it routinely on a daily basis for at least a month, rather than ad libitum, does reduce overall adverse IBS symptoms. I do have an intolerance to salicylates which I developed after my-post viral IBS-C, so my symptoms worsen with regular use of peppermint, which, as you probably know, is very high in salicylates. I am currently taking Gelsectan, which has been shown to be effective in repairing the damaged visceral lining of the gut in patients with IBS-D, but in my case, although constipation predominant, it would appear that damage to my sigmoid colon occurred during the virus, and that my symptoms might be attenuated by this product. As they say in Latin, dis placeat! May it please the gods!
I sometimes add a couple of glacier mints to hot water and let them dissolve, if I cannot obtain peppermint cordial, and sip this. It sometimes helps with trapped gas. It is worth a try, if you find hot drinks help.
My story from 6th June 2022
Ibs and cealiac 
Symptom Query!
How far would you go to make your IBS disappear?
Candida?
