My 30 Day Challenge to Get Rid of My Acid Reflux

 Let me start off by saying that acid reflux SUCKS!! 

My first time experiencing Acid Reflux was on March 2, 2015 after coming home from what I thought was a relaxed getaway weekend. I was just getting ready to go to bed when I experienced some really bad chest pains. Not knowing what it was, I laid down flat on my bed and tried to rest it off. However, the pain only got worse and I ended up going to the E.R. the next morning.

After answering a lot of questions about what I had done, what I had eaten, and had drunk over the weekend, the doctors told me that I was experiencing Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease also known as GERD. Confused by how I could even get this “GERD”, I told the doctor,“ I eat pretty healthy and I work out on a regular basis.” The doctor then informed me that GERD was a very common disease and anyone can develop it without any warning. I was given some prescription medicine, similar to Prilosec, called Omeprazole, and was told to take it for two weeks.

Since then I have never experienced GERD again.

Until RECENTLY!!!

Summer of 2016 was the best and worst summer, all rolled into one. It was the best summer because I took more vacation from work, and left Boston a few times. It was the worst because my acid reflux decided to come along for the ride. Triggered by wine and chocolate, I was once again taking Omeprazole, but this time for two months and double the dosage.

That meant no yummy fruit blends, dairy, tomatoes, lemons, alcohol, and the worst of all – no COFFEE!

Talk about a messed up summer for me! I also couldn’t really work out (running, elliptical, etc.) because the acid moved up into my esophagus. Not being able to exercise contributed to me feeling even more not like myself!

After being treated for two months, I was okay for about a month and a half (September 2016-Mid October 2016), but then once again my acid reflux came back after I indulged in my guilty pleasure – pasta.

Already knowing the symptoms I went straight to CVS and grabbed me some Omeprazole, and for two weeks my symptoms seemed to be clearing up, but then, I indulged in a couple cups of coffee…..okay almost every other day…. and of course it returned – luckily not quite as painful this time!

I am now ready to finally take control of this continuous nightmare. So, I’ve decided to embark on a 30 Day Challenge. I did some research on healthy alternatives and decided to try them out:

Here is the list of food and drinks I will avoid:

1. No Coffee or Any type of Caffeine (that means not even decaf-coffee)

2. No Alcohol (so goodbye my lovely Red Wine)

3. No Citrus Fruits (sorry strawberries)

4.No Acidic Vegetables (sorry onions and tomatoes)

5. No salt (I’m not even going to go there with Sea Salt)

6. No Chocolate

7. NO STRESS!!!

Here is a list of healthy alternatives:

1. Ginger and Chamomile Herbal Tea (non- caffeine) 

2. Colon Cleanse (Teami Blends has a really good one)

3. Apple Cider Vinegar (1 tsp w/ 8 once glass)

4. Chew sugar free gum for 30min after a meal

5. Yoga/Meditation (Deep Breathing techniques)

6. Lots of WATER (6-8 Glasses a Day)

Okay, so I already started yesterday, beginning with the colon cleanse and the ginger and chamomile tea. Hopefully, I will feel some relief of my symptoms in the next 3 days and be fully healed in the next two weeks. After that, it will be making sure my LES is tight and my acid reflux is gone for good.

Below is a photos of what GERD is:  

 

Please look out for my follow up post on my 30 day Challenge to get rid of my acid reflux. Wish me Luck!