Another Stomach Acid Post (but I really can't figure this out)

I suspect I have low stomach acid from chronic high levels of stress. I also think that's played a role in my SIBO/IMO diagnosis.

I've been working with a naturopath for about a year. Aside from the SIBO/IMO (and SIFO) questions I've asked him, I've also dealt with...

- Post nasal drip for 1 year (started around the same time SIFO started, which is also when I started eating meals much higher in protein/fat).

- In the past 6-8 weeks, indigestion (burping up food for hours), sore throat, cracked tongue that burns when eating foods like blueberries or kiwi, trouble taking a deep breath.

About 2 years ago I was also diagnosed with a hiatal hernia during an endoscopy.

My naturopath first told me the post nasal was histamine intolerance (which I do have). However, DAO enzymes and diet adjustments have made zero difference over a year of time. He then suggested it was heavy metal build up in my nasal passages. Supplement for that did nothing.

When the additional symptoms of indigestion, sore throat, etc started happening, I again asked him whether it could be a stomach acid issue. He told me no, and that it's probably candida overgrowth in my stomach.

I cannot find anything talking about candida overgrowth in the stomach causing these issues. The only thing I can find is resources pointing to low stomach acid causing these issues. My symptoms also get worse with higher stress (way more indigestion/burping), which also makes me think stomach acid is at the root.

SO...

I've been taking Betaine HCL + Pepsin for about ~1.5 weeks. Started with 1 pill at each meal then increased to 2 pills. My indigestion is better and I feel like my bowel movements are more complete (I suffer from chronic loose stools that are incomplete).

However, for the past 5 days or so, I've woken up in the morning with cramping in my very lower abdomen. Oddly, it seems to go away once I eat breakfast and doesn't happen again until the next morning.

My plan is to stop taking the HCL and see if it goes away, then start taking again and see if it comes back. The reason I'm posting, however, is because I don't know whether this is actually a bad symptom of Betaine HCL+Pepsin, and I don't want to discontinue the use if I'm actually benefitting from taking it.

Does anyone know? I'm not experiencing warmth/burning. Just lower abdomen cramp in the mornings, which is a new symptom for me.