GERD: What helps long term?

I didn’t read all the comments, but maybe you have a hiatal hernia? The timing of your gallbladder removal and reflux getting worse could be coincidental.
No amount of medication is going to help if your stomach is popping through your diaphragm.

@littleonefmohio Bear in mind that each person is different and reacts differently to medications and diseases. I have taken prilosec, nexium, or other proton inhibitors since the early 1990s. I have short-term memory loss, but it is from other medical problems. The proton inhibitors seem to mess with the bones more on me. You can take too much calcium so have it checked ever once in a while. Have your vitamin d checked too. As travelgirl said the best way to help with GERD symptoms is diet. Each of us has different foods that trigger GERDS. It is just not the spicy foods. With me milk does, but cheese does not bother me. Sugar and very sweet foods triggered mine and greasy food are a no-no for me too.. especially since I had my gallbladder out. Cut out sodas and maybe juice, tea, and coffee.

Have you been to a gastroenterologist? Have you had swallow test, endoscopy and other test to check for a hiatal hernia and other causes of GERDs? My problem has been a paraesophageal (sliding hernia). It would bring my stomach into my chest and I would have pressure in my chest. I also have achalasia and Barrett's esophagus that can cause chest pain. For many people surgery can fix reflux. There is Nissen fundoplication wrap and Linx procedure.. there may be more depending on the cause of your GERDs. There may also be other medications to try depending on the cause of your GERDs.

Do you need all your teeth pulled? Are you allergic to pain medications.. the narcotics/opiates? They can be taken short-term after surgery or having your teeth pulled if you can tolerate them. Than can use a mild anesthesia while they pull your teeth. Take care if yiur teeth. Dental problems can cause heart problems.

I have problems with swallowing pills or they back up into my esophagus and when they hit my stomach it is like a double dose.. so far. Only wound up in ER once with it happening. I can tell now when it is not going into my stomach. After a little bit of shoulder surgery a few years back I had a IV pain pump for two days. It was enough and then I went to tylenol.. they have liquid at most drug stores and even Walmart.

Well let me throw a curveball. Have GERD and been nauseous almost all of the last 5 years. Went on vacation, ate and drank like no tomorrow...................no nausea!!!!! Back home and boom...................nausea after a week. Yes, I can go back on vacation ha ha, but seriously, any ideas why have nausea again? Thanks!

My heart goes out to everyone suffering with Acid Reflux, GERD, Stomach upset, gall bladder surgeries, I too have been on this long journey. 20 years ago had my gall bladder removed, 3 ERCP's, Perforation of the duodenum. Emergency gall bladder surgery, chronic pancreatitis. Sphincter of ODDI disfunction. (For those who are not familiar, SOD is obstruction of the Biliary Sphincter connecting the sphincter and cystic duct in the biliary system, e.g. not a medical person) Did not have any of these issues before a botched ERCP. (Be careful if a physician wants to do this procedure, highly dangerous, many risks. Never informed before procedure was performed. Now I am in the worst shape ever. 10 weeks ago excruciating pain in the upper right quadrant under right ribs, traveling around to mid back near lungs and kidneys. Worsening after eating a meal. Pain all night. Could not get an appt with a gastroenterologist for 6 weeks. Told to go to the ER. Well 2 weeks ago I went to the ER. Thank GOD I received wonderful care by the ER physician and the ER nurse. They were on top of everything. CAT SCAN, and Abdominal Ultrasound, alot of Blood work. The ER doctor contacted a Wonderful Gastroenterologist for me and I was given an appointment for 5 days later. Left the ER with good medications to take the pain level down and good diet instructions. Met with my new gastroenterologist, ordered a Fibroscan of my Liver (scheduled for next week) scheduled an endoscopy for the beginning of February. After much discussion about PPI's and H2 acid reducers, I am one of those patients (68 yrs old) who has been developing allergies to medications, can no longer take these medications. I was prescribed Carafate (Sucralfate 1 GM tablet dissolved in a glass of water, 30 to 45 min. before breakfast and dinner) and Bentyl (Dicyclomine 20 mg) for pain.
Changed diet drastically, following diet described in "The Acid Watcher Diet by Dr. Jonathan Aviv. MD) The only other thing is I have a Hiatal Hernia which could also be part of the digestive problems. I will keep you all posted. The saga continues. My advice, do your due diligence prior to any and all doctor appointments, bring all diagnostic records, CD-Roms, blood test results and anything else you feel could assist the physician. When you save them time repeating tests it makes the world of a difference. Read, read, read, educate yourself. Some physicians don't like a smarty pants patient, they feel threatened. I just changed by primary care physician after 15 years, he never liked me questioning anything;
So enough info. Good Luck to all of you. Hope you find the information helpful.
Take care,
Colleenp

I have an update for everyone,
I found a Wonderful Gastroenterologist, I am on Carafate (Sucralfate) 1 tablet dissolved in water an hour before meals, Gababentin 1 tab 2x's a day and Bentyl to relieve cramping.
Had Endoscopy and Colonoscopy. Biopsies taken, NO CANCER.
I have a 1 cm Hiatal Hernia, no surgery required.
I also had a Fibro Scan:
Big Shock: I have Stage 3 Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease NAFLD.
Not good: Very Strict Diet: no alcohol ever again, (I really didn't drink much anyway)
No fats, Must lose weight. But I am not obese. Must Exercise, I do already.
I also have Sphincter of Oddi Disfunction. SOD.
Now I have been doing alot of reading: I received 4 Moderna Covid Shots:
The National Institutes of Health have articles regarding significant findings in the most recent studies conducted that MRNA shots can cause liver injury.
Also when you have NAFLD you can not take statins or PPI's.
A year ago my old PCP convinced me to have another COVID vaccine. It was my 4th Moderna Covid Shot. He also put me on statins. So this past year I have become quite ill.
I pray my new physicians will help me. So now the new gastroenterologist will have to get to the bottom of why I have so much pain, and digestive issues.
Please everyone educate yourselves. If you are not happy with your doctors, find new ones.
Keep searching, If your doctor gets annoyed for asking questions, go to someone else.
Take care everyone,
I will keep you all posted.
Colleen P