I was tested for COPD/Asthma later and did not know what the difference was. I am a smoker and was only have the odd cough session that an antibiotic cleared up. Without any further testing in 4 yrs. my GP who is new and seen me once says I have COPD and has prescribed an inhaler. Now here's the kicker. Until Christmas I was doing fine after another antibiotic. Within one month I can no longer walk the length of my van without being really short winded, actually scarey, when coughing constantly now, sometime I think I am going to pass out and a good nights sleep is impossible without waking from coughing. I am in a very rural area with no professional (pulmonologist) any closer then about 6 hours away. Being completely new to this, is this normal to be so short of breath so suddenly and constant coughing to the point where you can throwup on a daily basis? I have to research where I can get better help but any info from here would be so much appreciated. Personally I think it is more then COPD however recent xrays less then a month ago said lungs were all clear.