Female teacher symptoms and conditions

Wow, I can't believe how common my side effects are now that I've read these posts. Ironically, the drug "claims" to have very seldom side effects, but I feel like I've finally figured out what has been driving me crazy: Aciphex! I'm a 26 yr old female, teacher (medium stress, but now on summer vacation!), healthy - teach health and p.e., don't smoke, do drink and eat spicy foods occasionally. I'm not on any other meds.
I think I've been on aciphex for about 3-4 years now, and have taken it continuously. I was told to take it this way by my GI, even though I've read on the label recently that the med should improve your symptoms within two months. What are the long term effects I wonder? It's been around since the 70's, but that doesn't explain how it's affected me and others. Last night I took my first dose from a new refill around 5pm (usually take it in the am) and woke up with severe panic/anxiety around 12:30. I was thinking random thoughts that made me feel like I was gonna die! My heart rate increased, I felt itchy all over, my mouth was SUPER dry, and I had terrible insomnia (watched two movies, didn't sleep until 4 am). I also had a ringing in my ear/fuzzy sound like the drug was too strong. It was whack... This was the worst experience I've had from taking it and I KNOW it had to be the aciphex. The weird thing is, I've been taking it for all these years, but have only really suffered from anxiety about 5 times off hand (never pleasant). I used to think it was my birth control pill, but since I've been off it, I still experienced the anxiety/nervousness, so I'm attributing it to the aciphex.
I'm going to make changes to my diet and try acidopholus and other natural remedies to see how I feel. If I don't get these attacks anymore, I'll know why. I hope this is what it was so I know I'm not just losing it!! :) It's not worth my mental health, that's for sure.