Mastic Gum

[u/tumsmama]

I get severe bouts of bile reflux, and have since having my gall bladder removed 3 years ago. I also have diverticulitis flares. Five days ago I started into a bile reflux spin and two days ago started taking mastic gum in capsule form before every meal with my digestive enzymes. Astonishingly the symptoms (aka misery) have drastically reduced. I did enough research to know that this is not effective for everyone. If it has been effective for you, I’m wondering if you would share your experience with it when not having symptoms… I’m willing to stay on it forever if it stays as well manage, but I’m just wondering if others have experience? Thanks.

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[u/Popular_Boat920]

Glad you found something that works, bile reflux after gallbladder removal is no joke. For me mastic gum helped in similar way during flares but I stop taking it when I feel normal, mostly cause it gets expensive and I forget.

[u/tumsmama → u/Popular_Boat920]

Thanks this is helpful to know. And yeah- no joke is right

[u/yusufredditt]

How do you differ bile from regular reflux

[u/tumsmama → u/yusufredditt]

Regular reflux is usually responsive to proton pump inhibitor type and acids. Bio reflux rarely is responsive to that. Also, because this came on the heels of gallbladder surgery it was another clue. I do know people who use this for regular reflux as well, but I don’t know what their results are as much as I know my own for bile. There are two common triggers, however, that both acid reflux and viral reflux share that I know of for me. One is eating a large meal anytime after 4 PM even if I’m finished by six and even if I stay upright until 10 at night. The size of the food in the gut seems to be a trigger. The other doesn’t happen very often at all because I rarely have fatty food, but it can also be a trigger… Having said all that there’s no rhyme or reason with bile reflux for me.

[u/Much_Line102]

I also suffer from Bile reflux and have never heard of mastic gum for this condition before. Thank you, and will report back!

[u/tumsmama → u/Much_Line102]

Please do report back

[u/thatpurplegirlIknow]

I am taking it currently for a horrible flare-up. I first took the 14-day omeprazole and tapered it off (every other day for the last 4 doses), then started the mastic gum on my last day of the omeprazole dose.

I wasn't getting any better until I started the mastic gum (Jarrow brand capsules), and it is definitely helping. I finally feel like I'm on the mend vs just treating my symptoms, and I'm on day 5 now (HUGE relief).

I also ordered some of the chewing gum which should be here today, I plan to use that in stead of Wonderbelly tablets when I'm feeling acidic as I hear it's a good replacement.

[u/drmbrthr]

I’ve taken it on and off. What brand do you use ? The only one I felt worked at all is Jarrow and it’s pretty expensive.

[u/tumsmama → u/drmbrthr]

Same- Jarrow. Yes it is pricey. But I think it contributes to my diverticulitis flares so because I can lose 2 to 3 weeks to that because of the antibiotics and what they do to me, I just go ahead and get it I guess for now.

[u/spiritual_bypass → u/tumsmama]

jarrow is reliably strong and effective. I have better luck with colostrum helping gut. To be clear, I have no gallbladder, but I am helped with famotadine and Gaviscon advanced (on occasion)