I am a 29 year old male that has been suffering with acid reflux for the last few years. Back in 1998 I would become very ill after having coffee and a few smokes. Realizing that coffee was my biggest problem I gave it up and cut down on my smoking. Around the same time I kept feeling as if periodically my heart would skip beats and soon felt like I was having slight panic attacks because it.

To make a long story short I'll jump to 2003 where my symtoms have seem to esculate beyond control. After making several trips to the doctor, he seems to have diagnosed me with acid reflux. He is also thinking I have a heintal hernia but until I see the Gastro (this friday), it's not certain. He has prescribed me with Pantoloc (Protonix) and at first it worked wonders but lately my symptons have come back and I feel new ones as well.

Now here's what I need help with: I started working at a desk job 3 years ago. In my first year I gained 20 lbs but none since. However during that first year as I gained weight my pants would grow tighter and tighter. My wife and I had just bought a house and money was tight so I made the most of what I had. (I wear dress pants and couldn't afford to replace my clothes). Since then my stomach issue (reflux, tight chest have become worse). Now here whats got me worried. for the past 2 months my overall comfortness is better (because of the Protonix) but I'm getting a pain on lower left torso. I don't think it's my stomach cause it feels like it's just below it (basically on my pant line). The thing that bothers me the most is that it only happens after sitting for a long period (like at work). Actually ALL my symptoms are more intense after a hard day at work. Does anyone have this problem?? I come into work feeling good and I leave it blouted beyond control, a throbing pain below my stomach and with a chest that feels as if someone stuck their fist under my ribcage. My main concern is the pain below my stomach. Thats the one I dont understand. Anyways any help would be great......