Even if you test positive for GERD, taking proton pump inhibitors will not make GERD/reflux go away. Rather it turns the acid reflux into non-acid (alkaline) reflux. Gastro doctors, in my experience, have a low threshold for prescribing PPIs. Pulmonary says with bronchiectasis no PPIs unless there is a pathology (dysplasia, which I think they mean pre-cancerous lesion). Pulmonary points out there a multiple known side risks to PPIs (memory loss, osteoporosis, kidney problems, increased risk of infection...) enough to give one pause.