I’ve had GERD for decades. I even had Barrett’s esophagus (small area) years ago. After that diagnosis, I did a lot of research and stopped eating and drinking the known problem foods/drinks. Chocolate, mint, tomatoes, spices, chewing gum, coffee, caffeine anything, citric acid, etc…and also did not eat or drink anything g three hours before bed. Also, got an adjustable bed to raise my head. In 2003, I had Nissen Fundoplication surgery, to tighten the area where my stomach connects to my esophagus. That’s a whole other topic!! Several years after that, I had to start taking Prilosec once a day. I didn’t want to take a PPI , but I was having some break through GERD. My pulmonologist s have told me that often people with GERD will have MAC. In fact, the GERD can sometimes cause the MAC. I can see how that might happen.