@susanfalcon52 just fyi it is tough to just stop Protonix and similar meds. The body adjusts to them by making more acid, so when you stop, you are worse than when you started. I read this, and it was my experience. I don't know if it is a universal experience.

What I read, and what I did, was to switch to a shorter term histamine H-receptor antagonist like Pepcid or Zantac. Take daily (or even twice daily) and then gradually taper off. I had to taper very gradually.

I now use Tums and very rarely a Pepcid as needed.

I don't eat after 5 or 6pm and if I have to swallow anything -water, pills- before bed I stay upright for awhile. Of course avoid anything spicy.

For an esophagus issue I also occasionally (a few times/year) swallow a steroid by squirting an inhaler in my mouth and swishing it with a very small amount of water.

I have an autoimmune disorder that causes GERD and many other issues but this strategy should work for others too.

@susanfalcon52, I sent you a message

Susan,
I hope you don't mind if I jump in on this conversation. I recently developed "medication-induced GERD" from taking oral alendronate. The best approach I've found for treating it is following an anti-inflammatory diet. For three weeks, I stopped eating processed foods, red meat, drinking wine, etc. I increased anti-inflammatory foods like fatty fish and blueberries, and, in that time, I hardly felt any discomfort at all from the GERD. I continue on an "anti-inflammatory light" diet, and I've started eating oatmeal, which absorbs acid in the stomach, and fruits like bananas and cantaloupe, which are alkaline. I find it is especially useful to eat 1/2 of a banana an hour or so before going to bed. I am averse to taking any of the medications recommended for GERD, so I'm happy to have found a system of eating that makes a real difference for me. I have to admit that it was easier to give up my red wine than my coffee (!) I still have 1 - 1 1/2 cups of coffee every morning followed by fennel tea (which is good for the digestive system).

I hope this is useful for you.