GERD Solutions? Could it be candida?

I'll try to nutshell this.  I have recently been diagnosed with GERD (possibly).  This is mostly a self diagnosis from lots of reading that my doctor agreed with.  But my form is very mild so far.  I'm only 25 but I've felt this way for a couple years now.  Basically when I wake up my stomach is very sensitive which incurs dry heaving or sometimes actually throwing up.  Although throwing up is very rare.  Basically lots of gas in my stomach which make me feel like burping a lot.  Through the day this subsides.  By night time or late night (10, 11, 12, etc) its practically gone.  But the cycle repeats of course no matter what.  Below I will kind of bullet point symptoms and solutions and what I'm doing currently to manage the condition.  

Symptoms

Bloating (quite often and usually extreme in the mornings)
Nausea (kind of in the morning but not really nauseous as much as just discomfort from bloating)
Burping (all the time really)
Heartburn (very rare, this seems not to be related to much in the sense that it doesn't coincide with the other symptoms)
Gas (not really, just normal occurrence from gassy or greasy foods)

That about covers it.  Now what I've done to counter these symptoms so far. I've only been treating it a couple months.

Solutions

Prilosec - Doc prescribed the standard 30mg prescription version once daily.  Def has helped but not really a solution either.
Diet - Eating more naturally and less fast food tends to help although doesn't really eliminate issues in any way. But this is good to do regardless so why not.
Alcohol - Cut back since this tends to be one of the biggest triggers for me.  Caffeine as well but alcohol is the worst.  Although I won't feel any occurring symptoms until the next morning regardless of the trigger.  I never feel worse after eating a more or drinking or anything.
Probiotics - I took one yesterday (one specifically recommended for GERD by users).  And thats it.  I immediately felt quite bloated. Which I read is a side effect.  Should I continue taking them and I may be less affected in time and see more positive effects or what?  Last thing I want to feel is more bloated so if they will make me feel that every time I'm out.  Not to mention they focus on the intestinal area not so much stomach.  But I've read from several people that they can help.  
SLEEP - I put this in all CAPS because I find this is my number one factor in how bad or good by GERD is.  If I get 7-8 hours of sleep or more my symptoms are practically none existent in conjunction with the prilosec.  Even before the prilosec this made a huge difference.  Anything less than 7 hours makes the GERD more present.  The less sleep the more severe the symptoms.  I find this extremely odd and no one can explain it.  Sadly while this is an easy and free fix being busy I find it hard to always get this amount of sleep.  But I try and when I do its great.  

SUGGESTED SOLUTIONS

Apple Cider Vinegar - this was recommended upon feelings of bloating.  Haven't tried it yet.  Any success?
Sleeping Position - haven't tried this nor will I due to not being able to sleep that way.  Plus I have feeling it would have little or no effect on my symptoms considering the above sleep paragraph.
Probiotics - see above.  Not sure if this is the route for me.  
Yogurt - related to probiotics treatment.  

Some of these come from the idea of that I could possibly have candida.  From everything talked about above what do you think the possibility of me having Candida is and should I take the acid that is recommended for absolving candida despite the toxicity expulsions?  

I realize this is very long.  But if people can touch on different things and answer some of my questions I'd appreciate it, thanks.  

[Londres70]

Can't really say all this is related to a candida infection, therefore, I wouldn't recommend taking the "acid" medication.

Have you had any scopes done?  i.e. Upper Endoscopy?

Gallbladder problem ruled out?  i.e. HIDA scan and/or CT/US of the gallbladder?

The apple cider and probiotics you can try, however, I don't put to much stock into these being great solutions for GERD symptoms.