@susanfalcon52 this is what the site says about Protonix:
"Pantoprazole is usually given for up to 8 weeks at a time while your esophagus heals." Omeprazole is 14 days!

I don't know why doctors keep patients on these drugs for so long. Maybe a dietician could help (sounds like you might have one). I succeeded in getting off a PPI by slowly-very slowly- replacing with Zantac (at the time) and yes, enduring some rebound even with that.

I don't eat after 5, avoid certain foods, and take Pepcid every once in awhile. I am having a flare right now and have taken it for 5 days but for years I barely took it.

I sympathize with the intensity of your GERD. Cutting in half is what MD's often suggest but that is a pretty dramatic change and I did it more slowly. You could do 1/2 for two days a week then increase. A pharmacist or dietician might offer advice: I am only recounting my experience.