Difficulty in breathing, ENT infection - Online Doctor Chats

User :   I had smoked since I was 17 and quit 3 years ago. During the last 7 years of smoking I felt warning signs...itchy right rib, more difficult to get air up. I have not had Bronchitis in 7 years and have no cough or mucus at any time. I go to the gym 2-3 days a week and do not gasp for air. My inability to get air up is not daily or even weekly, but if something triggers it, I will have trouble getting air up for a few weeks. I also have RA. I had a sinus infection, ears nose and throat and was in a room where one person was smoking for a few hours. I have had trouble getting air up for a few weeks now and just got antiobotics for my sinus infection. I have had chest x-rays (last year), ct scans (4 years ago) and one pulmonary breathing test (7 years ago) in the past and they were all negative. I had a chest x-ray at the walk-in and he said my lungs were inflated, but only very slight. Here are my questions: 1. Do I have asthma?
2. If I do have COPD, what is my prognosis at 48 years old? Can I live to mid 70's with no increased symptoms since I no longer smoke.
3. Can it be repaired because of my age?
4. What clinical and natural products can help me?
I am going to have a breathing test soon. What happens if it comes out negative. What does all this mean then?
Thanks,

Jill
Doctor :   Hi,
Doctor :   please give me sometime to read your post

Doctor :   Can i ask you some more details so that i can help you well ?
User :   yes
Doctor :   Is the breathlessness more in cold climate ?

User :   no, I
Doctor :   ok,
Doctor :   any triggering factor you noticed ?
User :   smoke or stress. Not exercise
Doctor :   ok, does the sinus infection recurrent and does it coincide with the breathlessness

User :   yes, but I do get the breathlessness when I have a Rheaumatoid flare up too
Doctor :   ok, are you on any medication for RA
User :   celebrex, plaquenil and I went off my methotrexate two months ago because I was concerned about lung problems