How old are you? when you Were diagnosed, did you have an endoscopy (EGD)? Nexium is in a class of drugs called Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPI). You may have to continue taking it as long as you have symptoms. Sometimes in some patients, the symptoms of GERD (heartburn typically) return when they stop PPIs, in that case you need to stay on it. Getting the most relieve from GERD is a combination of medication and a life style change involving wt loss, avoiding caffeinated products, chocolate, peppermint, spicy foods, tomatoes, citrus juice eg orange juice. So try that, and you may be able to come off your PPI as long as you re symptom free. It s important to be aware of some potential side effects of long term PPIs: infection, kindey injury, osteoporosis, pneumonia - if you aspirate, (recent European studies carried out in pt s over 75y/o suggest increase dementia but this is inconclusive) If your last EGD was normal or didn t have any finding really concerning e.g. Barrett s, Significant esophagitis or ulcers then you may not need a repeat.