Hi Fina --
Welcome to the forum! You will find a lot of folks like you here. Since you already describe yourself as being diagnosed with reflux, what you describe are symptoms of LPR...a complication of GERD. I also have LPR, and, like you, have the faux-asthmatic symptoms you noted. Also affecting me are chronic hoarseness/laryngitis and dysphagia, although I keep these somewhat under control by sleeping somewhat upright, not eating several hours before bed, and taking Gaviscon before laying down. I am intolerant of PPIs.
I totally empathize with your comment about how this disease has ruined your life! I was a professional singer before losing my voice, and even now, haven't been able to significantly manage the condition to return my life to normal. I would give nearly anything to have my life back, and my voice. I had the TIF surgery in August, and while the procedure was successful in bringing my reflux into a "normal" range, since I have LPR -- and therefore a weak pharyngeal sphincter in addition to the LES -- that amount of reflux is still an issue in causing symptoms/damage.
The Bravo pH study will give you and your doctor a lot of information, and he will be able to assess the degree of your reflux on the DeMeester scale. This will give him an indication of the severity (which you are already aware!), and make recommendations.
Take some time and read through the threads here. You will find a lot of information, and experiences from folks like you. Sometimes it's helpful just to know there are others out there, as this is sometimes a solitary disease, and doctors aren't always very helpful or knowledgable.
Best wishes.
-Bruce