Kristin, an incredibly resilient lady in her late 40s, recently spoke with us to share her journey in resolving her acid reflux and achieving a healthier, happier life. After suffering from acid reflux for just over a year, Kristin came to us hoping for a solution. She recalls that her symptoms started in 2021 with occasional discomfort; some reflux and indigestion after dinner and sometimes a sour stomach in the morning. But those symptoms escalated pretty quickly and she was soon getting severe acid reflux at night with throat burning and chest tightness on a daily basis.
As is common in many people who suffer from acid reflux, Kristins’ symptoms worsened when she lay down at night, to the point of actually waking her up and interfering with her sleep.
“I would spend the whole night pacing, just waiting for it to subside.”
The Social Toll
Kristin’s struggle with acid reflux had a significant impact on her daily life. It went beyond physical discomfort, affecting her sleep and her ability to enjoy meals with friends and family. Enjoying socializing over dinner became a distant memory as the uncertainty of how her digestive issues would react to different foods left her feeling anxious about attending at all.
“I never knew how horrible acid reflux could be! My lack of sleep was a huge issue. I was always nervous about eating certain foods, wondering if my next meal would cause a flare up. I couldn’t enjoy going out to dinner or eating at family gatherings.”
If you personally suffer from these symptoms this is likely something you can really relate to. The effects of this condition, or any other chronic condition, on an individual’s quality of life really cannot be underestimated.
Sleepless Nights
Sleep deprivation became a major concern for Kristin and of course made her feel even worse. The fear of triggering painful acid reflux episodes kept her on edge during nighttime hours. The discomfort she felt once she lay down led to many sleepless nights. The science behind this is all to do with gravity; when you lie down it becomes much easier for acid to reflux back up into the esophagus. If this is something you also experience, try elevating your bed or adding a wedge pillow and it may help to alleviate your discomfort.
Exploring Solutions
When looking for a solution, Kristin first tried antacids and switched between medications like omeprazole, famotidine, and Nexium. This is a common first port of call for people who start to experience reflux symptoms. However, she knew that relying solely on these medications might not provide a lasting solution and began to seek out alternatives which is how she came across us at Terra Health. And we’re glad she did!
Coming Off PPIs and Starting the Heartburn Relief Kit
Kristin acknowledges that coming off Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) was tough initially, as her symptoms worsened before they began to improve. But she stuck with it knowing the importance of trusting the process and not falling back into using antacids and PPIs. Once she started the Heartburn Relief Kit, Kristin saw great results with the Acid Relief right away and told us “it was a huge help with stopping flare ups”. Overall, it took about 4-5 months of using both the Acid Relief and Reflux Inhibitor every day for her to experience the most improvement.
Now, 7 months later, Kristin is pretty much symptom free thanks to her commitment to the program. “It has been almost 7 months since I have had any acid reflux episodes,” Kristin says with relief. She has even been able to reintroduce some foods that once automatically flared up her reflux.
“I can now enjoy coffee each morning with no issues as well as the occasional glass of wine. A lot of the foods that caused great pain I am now able to enjoy in moderation.”
Kristin’s Advice for Those Starting the Heartburn Relief Kit
Kristin emphasizes the importance of trusting the process and not giving up when starting the program and making the necessary adjustments until you get on the right dose to meet your individual needs. “If things feel like they are not working, make adjustments with the dose until you find what does work.” In addition, Kristin has been taking our apple cider vinegar gummies for a few months and loves them. They have been a great addition in helping with her digestive health.
She’d also like to share some helpful tips for others starting the program:
- Don’t go to bed with a full stomach.
- Make the last meal of the day 3 hours before bedtime.
- Keep your head elevated while sleeping.
- Take an alginate gel after dinner or right before bed to keep acid down.
Reflecting on Her Experience
“I thought acid reflux was something that I was going to have to deal with for the rest of my life. Terra Health has changed that. I love that there is a natural solution for healing and putting acid reflux behind me.”
Kristin’s story is a testament to the power of resilience, determination, and finding natural solutions to chronic health issues. Her journey from sleepless nights and discomfort to a life free from acid reflux serves as an inspiration to anyone facing similar challenges. Remember, healing takes time, patience, and the willingness to embrace change along the way.