Okay, so I have been on this site several times with my story. I have had adult onset asthma since around age 19 to early 20's. Was rarely severe, with a few exceptions. I was a light, intermittent smoker in my 20's (very rarely a pack a day, usually half or less and periods totally without). For the most part, with the exceptions of a few one offs, quite at 30 (now 51). I only knew I had asthma due to the fact that my mom did and I associated my occasional symptoms with hers. I was not diagnosed with asthma as a child and did not have as child as far as I know (was never told I did anyway). Anyhow, while I was a light smoker, as well as for the many years after I quit, I was very active and athletic (weightlifting, running, biking, etc.). My primary did put me on Advair for a period of time in my early 30's, but took myself off of it after several years cause I didn't feel I needed it. Anyway, was fine for many years again without anything, except for occasionally needing my albuterol rescue inhaler. This pretty much symptom free period went on until I was 46. Started getting just a suffocating feeling, I don't know how to describe it. Anyway, went to primary and then pulmonologist for the first time in my life. Had my first PFT at the time and results were not good. He told me my lung function at the time was that of someone who smoked for thirty years (ofcourse I was not breathing right at the time). Anyway, he put me on Symbicort, Spiriva and suggested might be GERD. Okay, got scoped at the time (2014) and yep, gastritis, esophagitis, GERD, you name it. So, in addition to inhalers, I started taking acid reducing meds (both ppi and H2 blocker). And even though I wasn't following GERD protocol (was drinking beer everyday and chewing tobacco), I got better. I reduced my acid reducers and got down to only using Symbicort and only once a day. Functioned great like this (back to normal activity level, etc.) until 2017. Flash forward to near the end of 2017 and breathing problems again. So, after I wound up in the hospital for the first time due to breathing issues and then subsequently 2 more times, I quit my job working around chemicals (dry cleaning), thinking that was now the answer. My pulmonologist at the time suggested I have my IgE level tested, so I did. It was 7 times the normal level. Well, now he suggested I should try Xolair due to this. Well now I wasn't working, so I contacted Xolair directly, told them of my situation and submitted my test results. I was graciously offered a case # and Xolair at not cost for 1 year. Well, my former pulmonologist's office never followed through with the Xolair case # I provided them after many repeated attempts on my part, so I never received the Xolair. I just forgot about it and went on with my life, getting another job, again thinking the chemicals might have now been the problem. Seemed like it was for a while early on in 2018 as I worked at another job and was able to resume normal activities (biking, strength training, etc.). Then towards the middle and end of that year, bam, in the hospital a total of like 8 times. During periods inbetween though, I was able to engage in my normal activities (biking, strength training). A new pulmonologist I went to (due to the lack of follow up from the following one) gave me a PFT and diagnosed me with COPD. He was not concerned at all about my blood allergy test (allergic to everything), or my highly elevated IgE levels. My numerous radiological lung test (x-rays, ct scans) were all completely normal, except one time (while in hospital), I had mild diffuse bronchial wall thickening and mildly hyperinflated lungs. Later x-rays and ct scans did not find either. Now mind you that my smoking history was so insignificant that it never even entered my mind as causing an issue. And while these tests can be implication of COPD, they can also be poorly controlled asthma. Anyhow, at most recent hospitalization earlier this year, pulmonologist that saw me looked at all my records and listened to me and told me he does not think it is COPD at all. Again, periods where I felt fine, I was doing regular activities (biking, strength training). This doc told me that it seems my problem is very poorly controlled persistent allergic asthma (told him my smoking history, etc.). He suggested I follow up with allergy/asthma doctor. I did have allergy testing and subsequent immunotherapy for several years when I was late teens, 20. So I did several months ago. I am highly allergic to everything: cats (have lived with one for 4 years), dogs, all pollen, dust, mites, mold, fungus.....literally everything they tested for. So, in addition to this, this doc looked at my IgE test and put me on Xolair right away (I mean same day I was in his office). I was also given a PFT (again while not feeling at my best). Flash forward to around three months later (this past week) I have follow up. Since receiving this treatment, I have not been to hospital, no prednisone, have resumed normal activities. I had another PFT. According to doctor, while my lungs are still not quite where they should be, I went from having the lungs of someone in their 70's, to currently someone in their 60's. He said lung function should be closer to my actual age (51) at next 3 month follow-up with continuing treatment. I can bike at a more than moderate pace for 5 or 6 miles and then go right into strength training and only deox slightly (95 to 96) when doing the strength training immediately following the biking. I do not deox at all while biking. This new doc also told me not COPD, but poorly controlled asthma. He, like last pulmonologist in hospital, told me that asthma can appear like COPD on PFT, when not properly controlled. I was never told this before, but did research on it, and they are right. The fev1/fvc ratio that is always used to diagnose COPD can also be below average when asthma is not properly controlled. Anyway, I think I am finally heading in the right direction. He also mentioned the GERD is a major factor and I need to get better about that (meds, no beer, chew). Sorry for the long post, but this back and forth has my anxiety off the charts...and possibly brings me to my ultimate question. Why can I exercise like I do, but sometimes feel like I am suffocating when just laying on the couch trying to watch TV to relax, or go to sleep at night. Could this just be anxiety? I did quit chewing recently, and like smoking cessation can cause anxiety. I don't know, but I start another new job week after next and would like to be able to do so without this nagging, maybe suffocating anxiety, if that's what this is. Once again, I'm very sorry for very winded (haha) story, but any input would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.