It turns out that I have had silent GERD since January 2012. It first started New Years Eve when I awoke at 3 am with acid reflux. 
I took a few Tums and it subsided by the next day. Following this episode, I began having an irritating cough, mucus in my throat and throat clearing. I thought those symptoms were related to allergies or sinus post-nasal drip and didn't think anything of it. I am a gourmet cook and baker, eat everything and never had any GI issues. I also enjoyed having a half glass of white wine a few evenings a week. Lo and behold, about three weeks ago I awoke one morning with a horrible burning in my throat. I Googled around to investigate what it could be due to and I had an epiphany that all this time I was suffering from GERD! I became obsessed researching treatments on many websites and blogs, cut out all the well-known trigger foods (a teary farewell to chocolate and wine), read all about acid and alkaline foods and got a foam wedge for under my matress. I tried the crazy diets eating apples, ginger and pineapple and drinking cammomile tea, which did nothing but exacerbate it and gave up after 1 week trying to cure myself. There are so many similar stories on-line. What an epidemic. I hate taking medication, but had no choice at this point. I was really suffering and have a high tolerance for pain. After a week of Hell the burning in my throat would not subside and I started taking Pepcid AC (H2 blocker). I then broke down and saw my internist who confirmed GERD and suggested the extra strength Pepcid AC. After 4 days of that and a very restricted diet (water all day, plain chicken & turkey, rice, yams, avocado, Rice Checks, rice crackers, potato, broccoli, carrots, watermelon, banana and no wheat, no dairy, no soy), I started to feel bit better. But, then it got worse again for no apparent reason and I switched to Prilosec (proton pump inhibitor). My internist recommended that I see a GI specialist, who reconfirmed GERD, instructed me continue the Prilosec indefinitely and have an endoscopy. The Prilosec seemed to help a bit but then I had another flare-up after 9 days. I am now taking Nexium, which several of my friends also take. Every other person I speak to either has GERD or knows someone with GERD. Its mind-blowin how rampant GERD is. I really hope that Nexium is the wonder drug and does the trick. I am very frustrated, am hungry all the time and miss sweets (I didn't mention earlier that I have an intense sweet tooth). I am being very disciplined and am still following a very restricted diet. If I start feeling better, I will expand my diet and re-introduce wheat products (bread, pasta), which is aligned with the Koufman Diet (read the Dropping Acid Cookbook). Nexium Day 2 and counting...Is there relief in sight?