Hiatal Hernia and GERD

I have been diagnosed with GERD(moderate) I am not certain, but suspect, that there is also a Hiatal hernia.
the symptoms are:
PAIN - like a "knott", pushing and gnawing under my zyphoid process and up into my stomach, which is quite uncomfortable.
There is also the sensation of a hair ball in the back of my throat that makes swallowing difficult. I feel like there is something pushing up on my epiglotis and that I have to keep swallowing hard to keep it "down".
The odd thing is I don't experience a lot of "burning" nor do I have that acidic sour taste in my mouth or throat.
Is it possible to have a Hiatal hernia without the "acid"  symptoms?
I have already had a Barium swallow test-like drinking mint flavoured cement.
Do you suggest futher testing?
Should I be  refered to a GI specialist?

[darthvader]

Hi,

I had a gastroscopy around 4 weeks ago and was diagnosed with a slight Hiatal hernia. I experience severe buring if I do not take PPI's (Proton Pump Inhibitors).

Anyway, in relation to the hiatal hernia, I had experienced extreme pains in the left side of my chest (a bit like a heart attack!!!) pains in the left side of my back (just under the shoulder blade - apparently quite common with this type of hernia) and if I eat a lot get reflux of food (not burning, just reflux of the food itself).