Speaker: Erika K.
How did you feel about your GI symptoms before starting care with Oshi, and how do you feel about them now?
Erika K.: So before I started with Oshi, um, I was constantly scared about my GI symptoms. I didn't know if I was having a heart issue or what foods were triggering me, what was happening to me. Then I found OShi through my husband's employer, and being with Oshi has given me all the support I needed. Um, I've learned how to, after meeting with the behavioralist, I've learned how to manage my stress, how to properly digest, and, um, be able to mentally handle, you know, having GI issues, what that means, how to recognize it, how to know, OK, I'm having a GI symptom right now. I can just breathe, I'll be fine, and to not freak out over all these situations cause breaking out just makes everything worse. Um, I've been seeing Jan, who's my regular nurse practitioner, And she's amazing. She really helps me feel calm about my situation. Um, also, they have, um, oh, she has dietitians, and they really help you make a plan to figure out what is setting you off, which I learned one of the things that actually helps me is chewing gum. However, chewing gum gives you gas cause you're chewing and you're swallowing. And so it's also something that Is a hindrance, so I've learned to balance that use, but all these resources and having the contact. You know, at my fingertips from the comfort of my home is just incredible. Everybody who I've met with has been phenomenal, and I have dramatically improved over the last 2 years that I've been with Oshi, maybe just 1 year. Um. And I have my symptoms under control. So, uh, Oshi Health has been. Just so supportive, so helpful, and I highly recommend.
What tips or strategies have you learned while working with Oshi that are helping you live a better life today?
Erika K.: So tips and strategies I have learned, I have learned the, a breathing technique to help my body go into the state of rest and digest, which is crucial, um, cause a lot of times your body gets stuck in fight or flight mode, especially when you have anxiety. And so breathing and Allowing your body to go into a restful state so you can properly digest is really helpful. I've also learned that if I chew gum all day long, I will end up with a lot of gas. Um, chewing gum is a helpful tool to reduce heartburn, um, cause it makes saliva go down your esophagus. And it's very, it's very helpful with some GERD symptoms, but it shouldn't be done for too long cause then you can develop a lot of gas. Um, What else? Uh, I've learned not to panic when I feel a GERD symptom that feels new or different or strong, and to remind myself to stay calm, to know that it's GERD, to not freak out about it being in my heart, cause, you know, it's in the same vicinity. And um it causes a lot of anxiety. So, I have learned to quiet the loud voices. That are like you're dying, you're dying every time I have a GERD problem and to recognize this is GERD, breathe, rest, and digest.
How would you describe your Oshi experience to a friend who’s struggling with similar symptoms?
Erika K.: How would I describe Oshi um to a friend struggling with similar symptoms? When I went to Oshi. I got the help I needed. Willing to look at, look at all my charts, all my, you know, test results, things, really paint a picture of what's going on. Describe it to me in detail, help me come to a treatment plan and understand. What is happening to me? Um, they have dietitians to help me build on that plan, um. You know, besides just medication, here's a dietitian to help me understand what I should and should not eat, um, and then a behavioralist to help me mentally understand. You know how to. Cope with what's happening to me and really kind of get me to a state of where I can be a bit more independent and I don't have to rely on doctors all the time. Now, they're all just here as a support system for me if I need it. And, um, yeah, I would tell a friend that, you know, this triple threat would really help. Um, recalibrate your life to make it something that's manageable.
