Jameskep, maybe time-released acid tablets would help, or at least prove your point to yourself? It would be interesting to see. Time-released HCL tablets are hard to find, I've only bought one brand in the past, but hope there are other brands out there.
The brand I got is called "Travacid", it's HCL and pepsin, and is time-released tablets. It didn't do anything noticeable for me, but then my imbalance may not be in that same spot that yours seems to be in...