It appears that what is happening is that you are very sensitive to irritants. Smoke is a very strong irritant, as are many others, such as perfumes, dust etc. Your airways are "twitchy" and react to these irritants making you cough along with being short of breath. This is probably followed by bronchospasm, which makes you feel like it
The allergist's tests (along with your other consultations with Drs.) should have determined whether or not you had asthma.
From your description, it sounds very much like allergies. In the presence of certain allergens (smoke, etc), you have breathing difficulties. In the absence of such allergens, everything is fine. This is a classic allergic reaction pattern.
the post nasal drip and chest congestion are 100% allergies. but im really concerned about the problems that i get when i am around smoke. the allergist said i dont have asthma but that my breathing improved 5% after the albuterol. he said i could take an inhaled steroid if wanted but it wasnt necessary. i am really concerned about the cough that i get when i am talking alot. im not sure if that is an allergy or smoke related. it happened last fall and is happening again this fall.
i feel like a smoke reaction has to be asthma or some form of it. its not normal to react like that.
well i hope its all allergies but i will probably go to another allergist just to be sure.
by the way, i am 26 yr old male. non smoker. very active. very hypocontriac