Will it be PPIs forever

I went off my PPI in March while taking a digestion supplement of enzymes and probiotics and thought I was doing well. Then I started having discomfort when swallowing which became painful, it burned when I would swallow something as innocuous as a banana. So went back to my GI doc who did another EGD.......which showed grade A esophagitis, 2 small gastric erosions and 2 superficial duodenal ulcers. Worst EGD I have ever had, perhaps all the stress I have been under lately helped make it such. My GI dock took biopsies as they always do when they have their little scope down there, ordered a H.pylori blood test and a gastrin level. I will get the results of all of those on Monday. BUT, I am sadly coming to believe that I will have to be on a PPI the rest of my life. Are there similar stories here of folks having to stay on a PPI or am I an anomaly?

Pokey aka Paul

I had been on a PPI for 10-11 years before I went off in March. I did notice a difference when I went back on, my esophagitis got much better pretty quickly, though the carafate may have something to do with that. I assume if it helps heal ulcers it would help esophagitis. That said, it sounds like normalcy after GERD is quite illusive if at all..either one is on PPI s and gaviscon forever or they are getting fundoplication and possibly still on meds after surgery as it is not always the "silver bullet" . I am glad your surgery was helpful for you. I don't think I am at the point yet where I am ready to do surgery.

Paul