Is my problem really asthma?

I am a 29 year old female, 5foot3, 110 pounds.  No history of smoking.  No health problems except for slight anemia and a history of asthma.  I walk 6 miles a day (lately I cannot as I get too tired).  My asthma has always been intermittent, albeit worsening significantly in the last few years given working with rats and mice.  In addition, cold exacerbate my difficulty breathing. Despite mild asthma, my asthma attacks are serious and the last one required me to be hospitalized (ICU) for 3 days.  I think that there is another problem besides asthma.  I would like an opinion on the following:

I recently did a PFT test.  I do not have a prior test to compare it to.  I became extremely fatigued with repeated coughing and was unable to complete the diffusion capacity maneuvers.  However, I would like your opinion for the other results and what they might indicate.  

Spirometry: FVC 3.94 (108% of predicted).  FEV1 3.41 L (110% of predicted).  FEV1/FVC 87%.  FEF25/75 4.19 L/sec (122% of predicted).  Post bronchodilator there was a significant worsening of symptoms, but this was conducted after the failed diffusion capacity maneuvers and by then my cough was non-stop and my O2 dropped to 86.

Lung volumes: total lung capacity 5.53 L (113% of predicted).  Residual volume 1.57 L (120% of predicted).

Airways resistance: RAW 1.04 cmH2O/L/sec (56% of predicted).  This reduced to 45% (19% improvement) after the bronchodilator.

The doctor that wrote the report mentions that flow volume loops show significant inspiratory abnormalities which may suggest extrathoracic abnormalities.  --> I do not fully understand what this means, but is not this the opposite of asthma?  Should I see a pulmonologist instead?

My family doctor recommends me to see a asthma/allergy specialist.  She has also prescribed Advair25/50 and Cingulair (this instead of QVar and albuterol combined (2 puffs each time, twice a day)).  --> is this a good course of treatment?  

Thank you.

- N

[National Jewish Health]

Your pre-bronchodilator pulmonary function tests (PFTs) are within normal limits.  The post-bronchodilator results are pretty much not interpretable.  If the inspiratory flow loop is “flat” and indicative of airway obstruction that would be suggestive of airway obstruction outside of the chest, such as is seen with vocal cord dysfunction (VCD) or with paralysis of one of your vocal cords.  It is entirely possible that this, rather than actual worsening of your asthma, is the cause of your increased respiratory distress over the last few years.

If the flow-volume loop is truly abnormal, as suggested, you should have further evaluation of your neck and vocal cords and further consideration of the diagnosis of VCD.

Also, allergens from rats and mice can be potent and significantly worsen one’s asthma and the control of it.  In some instances an individual with that problem may have to seek work in another, clean air, relatively allergen free environment.