If the pain is gone you at least have some results. And I wouldn't feel bad about giving in and taking a tums. Even Dr. Clark says that we might need pain killers and such while we are waiting for our bodies to heal. I consider them a bandaid. I used to eat about 20 of the extra strength ones when I had gall bladder attacks years ago. And I mean all at one time. I had no clue what was causing the problem back then I just knew it hurt like heck.