Table 6

Patients' verbatim quotes regarding their progress 3 months after the intervention

Knowledge and control	Symptoms	Diet	Medications
The course helped me to understand the condition more	If I have symptoms, it is usually my fault for drinking champagne, which is too acidic	I am spacing eating times, not going too long between meals, and carrying snacks with me	I did try going without daily tablet but I can't at the moment, hope it will happen one day

The course helped me to understand more what causes my symptoms and how to deal with them	There certainly is a slight improvement	Eating three meals a day, and eating the right food, has been a big help	I have almost given up Mepradec® [omeprazole], but take peptal liquid most nights

The course has made every aspect of understanding and managing reflux disease easier	Since the course my symptoms have got better – less acid, less pain and less bloated	Taking care what I eat and drink (decaffeinated tea and coffee now)	I occasionally have to take an indigestion tablet

I feel well – I think the course has shown me a lot	My symptoms are well under control	I'm avoiding spicy food and hot drinks, and trying not to overeat	I now take no medication and experience no symptoms

I now understand the difference between suppressing acid production and neutralising the acid	I've found it much easier to cope with my symptoms since completing the course	Regular meals at normal times, decaffeinated tea and coffee and Actimel® every morning and now have no symptoms	I still haven't cut down my pill as I've not yet visited the doctor, but I will mention it when I see her

The course made me more aware of my ‘bad’ eating habits.	My symptoms have been very much reduced with almost no problems at all	I have learnt what foods trigger my reflux and try to avoid them

Looking at problems positively and using self-talk to find ways round them		I eat earlier and drink little in the evening, which helps when going to bed