Chest and arm pain?

Hello.

For 18 months now I've been getting chest pain (sometimes a burning, sometimes a crushing & sometimes a stabbing pain) mainly in the centre of my chest, perhaps slightly to the left side. This pain is accompanied by burning and tightness in my left arm, and also some pain in my upper back as well. I do sometimes get palpitations as well. My symptoms tend to come on more when I'm exercising but they can occur at rest as well.

I've now had 8 ECG's, an echocardiogram, a stress test & a heart CT scan, all of which have come back normal, my doctors have tried to convince me that it's nothing to do with my heart, I understand why but unfortunately due to the symptoms and a family history of heart disease, it's still in my head.

My doctor has referred me to see a gastroenterologist to investigate the possibility of GERD or spasms in my esophogus. Could a gastro problem really be causing the range of symptoms I'm experiencing?

By the way I'm a 22 year old male

The gastro will put you on a trial of PPI's to see if the pain goes away (I'd be surprised if your regular doctor didn't ask you to, in the first place). Will also probably do an endoscopy so he can look and see if you have any damage to your esophagus.