To ask for the best product for relief from wind?

[harrassedmumto3]

Sorry, I know this isn't an AIBU. But this is my go-to board on Mumsnet; it's busy and generally really helpful.

My 16 year old has some school based anxiety. This is largely due to being in class and being afraid that she's going to rip out a fart! She sometimes feels bloated and is quite windy in general. Her diet is good overall and she's in very good health.

I have spoken to her about her anxiety, and she feels it would lessen considerably if she were to (physically) feel more comfortable. Her lessons are often rather quiet (small class sizes, and a studious bunch) which is just giving her the fear even more!

She has tried peppermint oil capsules and drinking water. This doesn't seem to help particularly.

There is definitely an element of overthinking going on, but I'd really like to help her with this. She's in an important year academically, and worrying about this is taking the focus away from her work. She's quite an anxious girl in general, which won't be helping.

If anyone could recommend something she could take, I'd be very grateful
Thanks

Windeze or ... what's it called... another tablet to ease bloating. She can carry them in her bag and chew one when she's concerned perhaps?

Deflatine 😊

Rennies!

Thank you. I'm wondering if charcoal tablets would be a good natural option. I really know nothing about this!

Anything with simeticone in it will help a bit.

Although if it’s anxiety-driven I’m not sure the medication will help much, she needs to tackle it emotionally/mentally really.

Oh, totally. But much of her class-based anxiety does seem to centre around farting in class!

Charcoal tablets really help. Get the best quality you can afford (they generally aren’t expensive anyway!) as the cheap ones are bulked up with loads of rubbish. Try HealthSpan or Natures Best brands.
Reducing sugar also helps me plus chewing food well and not chatting when eating!

Also… try a good probiotic (gut bacteria) - I’ve just started using Inulin powder but you can also get excellent tablet versions of probiotics too. As with all supplements get the best you can afford, ideally UK made.

There is a link between anxiety and gut issues so you easily become trapped in a cycle. If she feels anxious generally this causes gut issues which makes her anxiety worse and on it goes! She needs to try and break the cycle either medically or psychologically by seeing a doctor.

Is she actually windy, or is it a fear she has but doesn't happen?

I find Rennies to be quite helpful when bloated from extra wind. It just calms everything down.

If she takes something like PP have suggested you may find it has a placebo effect on her as well as the actual medical effect, taking something to help, may make her feel more in control and help with the anxiety which could help with the symptoms.

This could be an indication of IBS. (Very common and can start at that age).
Could you email her form tutor and request a ‘time out’ card? This would allow her to leave the room for a few mins if she felt she needed to. Knowing that she has the ability to leave the room for a few minutes would probably eliminate her anxiety (which is probably the catalyst of the issue). She probably wouldn’t need to use the time our card, but knowing that she could (if she wanted to) might help her.

(To avoid drip feeding-I’m an experienced secondary school teacher who also has ibs)

You have mentioned healthy diet but maybe worth looking what she is eating. I was surprised to learn that onions and garlic are major contributors to bloating and wind.

Pure Essential peppermint oil ( it will say it's not meant to be consumed that's just to fiver their backs as not regulated as a medicine) 2-3 drops in hot water . A million times more affective than the capsules that do nothing.

Isn't it better to let it out though?

I do realise this isn't always practical

😃