GERD and difficulty with medication

Hi, I was diagnosed with GERD just over a year ago after suffering a bout of food poisoning. I had an endoscopy last spring that has shown Grade A Oesophagitis and GERD and since then I've been prescribed PPIs but can't cope with them due to stomach ache, diarrhoea etc. H2 blockers have the same effect. I have also developed IBS as well, so I struggle to cope with how to control both conditions. I've asked for further assessment by the specialist but told the appointment could be a long time in coming due to pressure on NHS.
The stomach ache, diarrhoea/constipation became so debilitating that I stopped taking the PPIs. Within a few days I felt much better and am now trying to stay on top of it just by taking Gaviscon Advance, however I'm worried about how this will affect my oesophagus.
My doctor isn't much help and is kind of brushing it off and just telling me to take the tablets/raise my bed etc, which I've been doing for months.
I'm interested to know how others are coping as I can't face taking the PPIs again. I have to work full time as I'm a single parent with a mortgage etc, and ended up taking sick days to cope when I was on the medication.
Is anyone else managing to control GERD/oesophagitis without medication?

Thank you so much for your response. I’m doing as much as I can with my diet - I’ve cut out lactose and what and all the bad things. My only treat now is the odd digestive after a meal. I want to control it with food only and just take Gaviscon or similar, but I am worried about whether that is enough to protect my oesophagus. I’ve also asked for a referral to discuss the possibility of having a procedure, but not sure how easy it is to have that on the NHS and my doctor just keeps giving me new drugs that make me feel ill :-(.

Thank you for your advice, it’s much appreciated. I’m concerned about healing my oesophagus but I just can’t stomach the drugs so I feel as though I’m between a rock and a hard place. I wish there was another alternative so I can keep working but taking PPIs keeps me running to the toilet and having awful stomach ache and nausea. I just don’t know where to turn with it. Thank you for the link I’ll check it out.

I’ve tried Omeprazole, Famotidine, Lanzoprazole, esomeprazole and now I’m on pantoprazole, which I’ve done my best to stick with but after weeks of upset stomach I stopped taking them for a while and noticed how my stomach was more settled as a result. Im on a low dairy, gluten free diet as well to try to help my stomach. I don’t know which to try to treat - the GERD/oesophagitis, or the IBS :-(

Thanks Sharon, I’ve decided to persevere with the Pantaprozole for now and for the past week I’ve had no discomfort with my oesophagus. My stomach however is all over the place. Lots of trapped wind and stomach ache but seems less of a problem if I watch my intake of bread and dairy. I’m in the UK so don’t have insurance btw. I think I’ll ask my doctor if I can be referred to a dietician to see if that will help.