Proton pump inhibitors and friends have their own side effects. Protonix, for example, made me shaky for some reason.

There aren't any proper medications that I'm aware of. Proton pump inhibitors have documented long term downsides.

Those downsides are better than Barrett's esophagus and esophageal cancer.

Very fair point.

Taking a PPI (I think it was generic protonix) truly cured very severe heartburn I'd developed from eating a funny diet. After a few months, I got my doctor to prescribe me a half-size pill, then tapered off and I've been permanently free of heartburn. Maybe footnotes to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proton-pump_inhibitor#Indicati... explain why. But I remember reading that the PPI permanently shut down a bunch of acid production in your stomach, so after a while, you may be in a good state.

I took omeprazole and similar derivatives for extended periods and while they annihilate symptoms, after a couple weeks of not taking them, symptoms always come back. Also it gives me itches in the long run which is part of the list of side effects. I probably have work to do around diet and need to consult a doctor, definitely (they are prescription medicine where I live and it's not always easy to get an appointment).