Hiatal? GERD? Ulcer? Please help!

[talentedkennedy]

Good afternoon! I'll try to make this brief!

For several months, I've had intense, sharp pain right beneath my sternum (doctor said upper stomach). The pain gets extremely intense and unbearable if I push on the spot...it's very tender. The pain radiates to my chest which often triggers bad anxiety attacks (have GAD), which tricks me into thinking my body is in danger of some cardiac issue, sending me into a panic spiral.  Often at times, I will feel the air just push out of me as if I had my wind knocked out....this happens with no specific pattern at any given time. About 4-5 times a day and is VERY SCARY. I get the sharp back pains as well, with occasional numbness/tingling. Rib pains, chest pains, arm pains...the works.

The 'stomach' pain seems to get worse upon physically exerting myself (lifting, running etc) and when I first wake up, although it is present and rather unbearable throughout the day. Drinking may also intensify the pain, but I rarely do it anymore. My Dr assumed it was GERD and put me on 3 different meds so far, none of which have worked (prilosec otc, stronger prilosec and nexium). Tums and alkalines don't help at all either, and painkillers offer little relief.
Next, an EGD (camera down the throat) procedure was scheduled, but my insurance crapped out on me when I went to have it done....apparently there's an outpatient $ cap on my coverage they failed to tell me about. So now i'm pretty much just riding it out....

I try to keep my diet as healthy and stomach friendly as possible. I have recently started taking cayenne and glutamine tablets along with an ACV and baking soda tonic in the mornings and at night as I have read in numerous places this has helped people out. I'm just kind of at a dead end since I want to get in better shape but everytime I do any kind of rigorous activities, my body reacts in unbearable pain and full blown panic/anxiety attack.

Anyone have any ideas what this could be? I'm leaning more towards ulcer or a hiatal hernia, although I've had several chest xrays that showed no such thing. All EKG's, labwork and stress echo on my heart came back normal.

Any help, insight or remedies are appreciated!

EDIT: my symptoms DO NOT include: nausea, constipation, diarrhea, stool problems, vomiting, burping up acid, etc. Although I am a pretty gassy person, but I always figured guys just fart a lot!

[debm]

I get that sharp pain in chest and in my back of chest.I have had it for 12 14 hours at a time.I do have hiatal herni and had a healed ulcer when they did endoscopy.I drink water sometimes as hot as I can take and drink little sips.I am very gassy too.I think that causes the pain also.It sends me right into panic and it becomes a vicious circle.I hope this might help you.Take care