Heartburn from tear in esophagus?

Hi,
I am new hear...
I am 44 years young. about 20 years ago I started getting really bad heartburn, you know, a very bad burning sensation right above the chest in your throat. So, I went to the doctor, they ordered an upper GI and when it came back they said I had a tear in my esophagus and I needed to start taking Prilosec to help or let it heal. Well, fast forward 20 plus years, I still get heartburn. I have tried not eating spicy foods and watching what I eat. I get it no matter what, unless I am on the pill.

I know there are studies out there suggesting all sorts of bad things about these drugs. I personally have not experienced any thing, but now I am starting to wonder if I should get off this drug. So, I did, and I tried doing natural homeopathic things to get rid of the heartburn when it happened. Nothing really worked. So, I am back on the pill. Only now I am taking half (10mg) a pill or even a 1/4 of the pill and I don't get heartburn.

I don't have health insurance right now, long story short... Didn't pay my premium and now I have to wait for open enrollment, I am self employed.

Does anyone else have a non-food related heartburn? I am not obese at all...5'9" 170lbs male.

Thanks,
Gordon