I had my endoscopy/colonoscopy on Nov 8th and the doc found it then. Before he knew it was a hiatal hernia, I was just diagnosed with having acid reflux.
He thinks I was born with it because I have had stomach problems off and on, my whole life.
It's when the stomach protrudes up through the esophagus. It sucks!! There are a lot of people that have hiatal hernia's and show no symptoms. But, then when the reflux gets bad like mine is now, it really flares up. I wasn't able to eat hardly anything for the past two months. You're right, I don't have typical acid reflux symptoms. I have horrible chest pain, constantly!!! No matter what I eat....but, no burning or regurgitation (until this week). I don't have the typical heartburn/reflux symptoms. I just feel sick!!! A good way to tell is not being able to burp right.....not like normal people do. My burps sound like a frog! I can't burp right because of my stomach being partially in my throat!!! LOL!! 
I have dropped alot of weight really quickly....but, right now I'm on Nexium and it's working out pretty good. I am able to eat a little bit more. If I wouldn't have responded to this med I would have had to have surgery to correct the hernia because I didn't respond to any of the other PPI's. It has been a horrible horrible past couple of months and I don't wish a hiatal hernia on anyone!!!! But, I'm getting better now. At least I am not bedridden anymore!!
So, I guess the only way you would know for sure if you had one is to get a endoscopy or a X-ray. Sometimes if they are bad enough they will show up on an Upper GI series. But, mine didn't show up on the upper GI. He didn't see it until he did the scope. It was no fun!!! 
Good Luck!
Michelle 
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IBS-D. Hiatal Hernia, GERD
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Re: How are you diagnosed with a Hiatal Hernia?
