ACIPHex & Protonix for GERD: Patient Experience & Medication Changes

Question
I have been diagnosed with GERD. My ER trip that told me this prescribed aciphex (40mg once a day as needed). I noticed a very significant change in my sleep. I actually slept with out the numerous wakings that I had experieince for as long as I could remember. One week later I followed up with my general Dr. and he changed my medication to protonix (it was 1 pill in a pop pack though I do not remember the mg) as I had mentioned that I was still having symptoms. Since changing to the protonix my sleeping had gone back to waking up several time a night and the heartburn has stayed about the same. Both medications help but only help. The aciphex seems to be the answer to my sleeping problems. FYI I never knew (even after being diagnosed with gerd) that GERD affected my sleep.  Nice bonus huh?

My question - Is is harmful to take aciphex long term? Is there another med that I could mention to my dr that I could get better heartburn treatment from and still have the sleeping bonus?

Thanks
Shelly

Answer
aciphex and protonix are basically equivalent... they work equally well.  If you were waking up from heartburn, then the meds helped you sleep.  They have no effect on sleep other than preventing heartburn though.  Aciphex and all the others are safe for long term usage.