GERD/Acid reflux treatment options (Zantac/Ranitidine caused side effects)

[brucesp]

In order to treat Acid Reflux/GERD I have been taking Ranitidine/Zantac per doctors advice. I started developing various side effects several months ago. To verify the side effects were caused by the ranitidine I would stop for a few weeks and use TUMS instead. I repeated this cycle several times. The symptoms would go away each time I was off the ranitidine for a week or so.  I also noticed when taking TUMS that I only need to take less than one tablet for it to be effective (say about 500 mg /day. Occasionally 750mg). One question I have is would it be better to only take Tums instead - even if I need to use ~500mg each day?  Is that low Tums dosage ok to take each day?  Or perhaps something like Pepcidinstead? Or alternate between TUMS and Pepcid or something else (e.g., Milk-of-Magnesia) to prevent side effects caused by taking the same acid reducer every day?  FYI - I would rather not take proton pump inhibitors due to their adverse effects.   Thank you!