weird breathing

hi,
i have this strange breathing thing since my youth. once in a while i have to take a deep breath. riding my bike, hiking in the mountains. once a do , i can go back to what ever i am doing iam now 53 and i have this thing since around 1972. it was never a problem. but, since last november it is very frequent and more bother. i dont seem to get a good breath and it last for a long time. i try to meditate to stay calm, but it is difficult.
certains days i am ok but other not,it get worse when i am on my back in bed. i have not been sleeping well for long time.
i did see a specialist of the lungs and had all the exams at the hospital. i was told that i have mild emphysema and 15% of my lungs are damaged. i stop smoking 12 years ago, but i was a printer for few years and breathing lead fumes and dust from 1965 to 1974. i was given paxil for anxiete, no help. the specialist told me i also have reflux and give me nexium, which i still take and help me alot with my sensitive stomach. no more tumbs! i also take pulmicort 2x a day, but i dont feel much difference. i was taking advair but i would wake up wired, feeling my lungs were to big for my chest. strange!!!
it also get worse after i eat. and i dont eat that much. i am 6feet and 168lb and in good shape.
i will see the specialist next week, but unless i am nuts i dont see what he can do. thank you in advance for any advice.
sincerely swissdude.

[National Jewish]

Emphysema is a chronic lung disease linked with cigarette smoking.  Your exposure to lead fumes and dust as a printer could have contributed to your emphysema.  With emphysema there is relatively irreversible obstruction of airflow and actual destruction of the airsacs in the lung.  Normally the airsacs of the lung look like a bunch of grapes.  Emphysema causes destruction of the walls between the airsacs.  Since this is a disease that can worsen over time, it is important that you avoid exposure to things that could further damage your lungs.  It is good that you quit smoking 12 years ago and have not worked as a printer since 1974.

Pulmonary rehabilitation is a program to maintain or bring back your quality of life through aerobic exercise done on a regular basis.  When done routinely, this conditions the entire body so that the muscles are working as efficiently as possible.  This allows the breathing muscles to use the least amount of energy to move air in and out of the lungs.  Over time this helps to lessen shortness of breath.  Some programs will also include education about your lung condition and nutrition.  Please read our Pulmonary Rehabilitation MedFact at http://www.nationaljewish.org/medfacts/pulmonary.html for more information.  Share this information with your doctor to see if this would be helpful and where in your area there are programs.

A common complaint with emphysema is shortness of breath or difficulty getting a good deep breath.  This can certainly be worse when you are on your back.  When you are not breathing well this can effect the quality of your sleep.  There can be days when you are OK, but others when you are not.  With 15% of your lungs being damaged your emphysema would be considered mild.  Ordinarily mild emphysema does not result in breathing symptoms; especially of the type you are experiencing.  The need to take a deep breath and the relief the deep breath has given you since you were young may be a sign of anxiety and not a sign of emphysema.

It can be difficult to stay calm when you don