Hoarseness can be due to any number of causes. Reflux, cough, vocal cord/laryngeal lesions (polyps, nodules, edema, tumors), vocal cord paralysis, post nasal drip/secretions, vocal cord irritation or infections. An exam of your vocal cords by an ent would be helpful to better assess your problem. Good luck.
I can relate, I too have this going on and it's horrible. I have a doctor's appointment on Thursday to a pulmonary specialist and hopefully they can let me know what's going on. I have been to ENT doctor's and they don't know at all. I too have been told it's COPD and people tell me to start breathing exercises, I suppose it would help.
Dakota