I have GERD complicated by an esophageal stricture, hiaital hernia and asthma. I've been on PPIs since 2005 with virtually complete relief. For these to work, you have to take them daily. I started with prevacid, but insurance hassles and cost convinced me to switch to prilosec otc, which seems to be just as effective and much less expensive to maintain.

Some people heal up in a few weeks of regular use. Others, with complicating conditions, need to take them indefinitely. YMMV.