Okay, first my diet does suck. I drink too much caffeine and I know a lot of the food I eat makes my heartburn worse (but only when other variables are in play, like stress ... I don't get heartburn unless I'm stressed).

Lately I've noticed burning in conjunction with the heartburn in my esophagus. No biggie, I went to see the pharmacist, he thought it might be acid reflux and recommended some pills. It went away.

Now my heartburn is back, the acid reflux is back and a new type of pain that only seems to happen when I eat something -- people keep telling me I may be developping an ulcer.

I know I'm stressed out (I'm a student with lousy eating habits, it's pretty much inevitable in my case) and I know I internalize the stress and that causes physiological symptoms.

I just want to know if anyone knows how I can be sure if its an ulcer developping or not, what kind of drugs I could be taking to neutralize some of the acid (Tums and the common basic acid reducers aren't working well anymore -- and I seem to puke up a lot more of the Tums than actually being able to keep them down).

Help?? Resources or information very much appreciated. I already did a Google search for some of the highly generalized stuff.

ps. I will go to the doctor if it doesn't go away soon but I think everything but the pain (in/around my stomach, sort of radiating when I eat - the possible ulcer) will go away once exams are over and I'm back from spending time with my family (MAJOR stressor for me right now).