Pain/discomfort above left nipple, Possibly GERD related?

I am a 24 year old male and am fairly active(sports-wise.)I am experiencing pain/discomfort on the left side of chest, about 3 inches above the left the nipple, about a few of inches towards the center about an inch and half across from the esophagus) is where i can pinpoint the exact location. On most days i feel fine, but some days the discomfort comes, and i usually feel nauseated for a few minutes, mostly hours, and it makes it difficult to sleep, eat,and to talk and exercise. When i try to talk and/or exercise it leaves me with shortness of breath, but it is not too bad. When i do sleep, i usually sleep on my right side, but sometimes I shift to my left, and when laying on that side i can feel the discomfort in the area and it seems to worsen to the to the point where i feel extremely nauseous and I feel like I am about to vomit; most  times i end up burping, which temporarily relieves it, when i eventually pass out i wake up sometimes i and get dry heaves, and on a few rare occasions, i have vomited(although its mostly clear liquid).This also happens when I am sitting down sometimes, and as i mentioned, burping seem to alleviate it for a few moments but then it comes back and i feel like i want to vomit. I had seen a doctor about this problem and was diagnosed with Chondritis,but i think it may be something else(i would've went in for a follow up but i have just recently moved, so at the moment i am looking for a new doctor.) Right now I am just seeing if there is anyone out there that may possibly know what might be happening with me.  I am not sure if these symptoms can be brought on by stress, or it may be possible that i have GERD(i burp alot, and occasionally a little bit of food/acid come up)? Just trying to get some advice/feedback while i look for a doctor. Thanks for any help that you guys can give me.  

[Ratnakar Kini, MD]

Hi,
Your symptoms are very typical of GERD.
Take PPI like Prilosec for relief.