All the stuff I have read seems to show that Nexium is the best. I have used Prilosec, Zantac, Prevacid, Aciphex and Protonix at various times in the past. I used them to help avoid problems when I take NSAIDs. My wife has had GERD for several years and now takes Nexium with good results.
She had stopped responding to Prilosec and Prevacid so Nexium was the next choice.
Zantac and Prilosec are OTC now. You should be able to try those and see how you do. All except Zantac are PPI - proton pump inhibitors.