Asthma or...?

Hello, after having my heart and lungs checked extensively (echo, several ekg, ct scan, 2 chest xrays, blood work, spirometry). All normal. I finally had an endoscopy that showed bad acid reflux (gastritis and esophagitis).

I went back to the pulmonologist yesterday because I've been having shortness of breath (24/7 constantly need to take deep breaths and it feels hard sometimes to breathe in and out) and had another spirometer test.

The first test, my results were low in some areas. They said maybe I had COPD (I'm a 23 yr. old smoker), then I used an inhaler and my results went to acceptable areas and they said it couldnt be COPD. They said it was asthma and gave me a maintenance inhaler.

But this feeling has persisted for almost a year 24/7. This isn't an "asthma attack". It's constant which is why i thought maybe the acid reflux was damaging my lungs to the point of COPD.

I drink alcohol daily and smoke cigarettes regularly. Obviously this isn't a good idea if I'm concerned about acid reflux and breathing. I've always been very depressed and self-destructive in some ways.

My question is whether or not asthma could actually be present. Can it really last so long?

I'm losing my mind and will be quitting smoking and cutting back on drinking within a few weeks once I sign a new lease and start a new job.

Thanks for the response.

I keep getting light-headed and my sternum and stomach always feel bad.

No idea how to fix this..

Yeah, totally sounds like reflux (probably LPR).

Just as a starting point, you will really need to cut the smoking and drinking. I'd also get an allergy test as food allergies can cause reflux. Next steps will be to try a pretty severe diet and try to rebalance your gut bacteria.