Have you considered trying some probiotics? They might be able to give you a hand with the gas issue.
Yes, I have IBS, gerd, bouts of gastritis etc. I've switched to 99.9% plant based diet (with exception of greek yogurt and occassional egg whites). It's so frustrating.
Bookworm, it's safe. But if you're having to resort to using it, it sounds like you're experiencing a lot of gas production and it's uncomfortable. Have you looked for the underlying cause? Are there other symptoms going on? Many times when someone produces a fair amount of uncomfortable gas it could be due to a food/foods that their system can't process well. Have you tried to exclude foods to see if that could be causing the problem?
It is very safe, it is even given to babies.
On the other hand, I personally don't like it, since it doesn't reduce bloating, but just makes a big gas bubble out of small gas bubbles, in hope for easier release.
My doc just told me to take this daily as well. It isn't absorbed into the blood stream, and everything I've read about it says that it's one of the safest things out there, just don't take more than it says to.