Could GERD make it difficult to breathe?

[sodium]

More than 15 years ago, I was diagnosed (by a general doctor) with Acid Refulx & he prescribed the purple pill for me that one time.  Not an on-going prescription.  Went to him cuz felt something in back of throat and he did endoscopy to make sure it was not pollups and it was not.  

I always have thick sticky phlegm in the back of my throat.  When I am able to bring it up and out of my throat (I know, lovely...), it is thick and very sticky but it forms right back there again.  

I just saw a pulmonologist cuz having trouble breathing - feels like I cannot get enoug air into my lungs and so take deep breaths.  He (based upon pulmonary function tests) and my history, determined that I do NOT have COPD, Asthma, or a lung disease.  

What scares me is that the chest x-ray did show COPD - as was noted by the x-ray technician associated with this pulmonogist.  He still told me that it was not COPD.  I will be going back to him just to get a better understanding about this notation by the x-ray technician on the report.  Very scared now too.

Does anyone know if GERD can make it difficult to breathe at times??  If I knew that this were the cause, I would feel more certain about actually not having the scarry COPD thing on my x-ray.  They say, however, that COPD is not diagnosed via a chest x-ray unless it is very far advanced - but that the pulmonary tests are the indicator.

Sorry for the dissertation - and any spelling errors.  Again, does anyone know if GERD causes breathing difficulties.  Oh and what type of specialist should I see for GERD.  Maybe my breathing problem is caused by an allergy too - who knows?  

Please give me some advice if you have any.  THANK YOU!!

[magusfey]

As far as the mucus reoccurring in your throat goes, have you been tested for post nasal drip?

[FurballsMom]

Yes, it can cause breathing difficulties.