I am a D.O. physician (hospice specialty) in the San Francisco area. My 39 year old son recently returned from Tokyo, Japan where he was on a business trip, He is married with no children. He is currently in Sag Harbor, New York staying with friends until he returns to his home in Los Angeles. He has been complaining of severe symptoms of GERD for the last 3 days, and since that time he reports that any time he eats, he has severe stabbing pain in the middle abdomen. He said that he is living on bread and water and admits to constipation. When asked, he said he is taking laxatives. He self medicated with over the counter Zantac 150 mg daily as well as OTC prilosec simultaneously. He has also taken Pepto Bismol which I warned him against taking, because he thought it would help the burning in his throat . I advised him to go to a doctor, but he wants to wait until he returns to LA on Wednesday to see a gastroenterologist. He is concerned that he will not be able to get to a gastroenterologist on a holiday weekend. He earns his living as a writer / producer for HBO. I am very concerned and can t seem to stress how important it is for him to seek immediate medical attention. Please advise me on the best course of action. Thank you. Gary L. Miller, D.O.