I agree with the interpretation of your PFT’s that stated, “mild airway obstruction”. Chronic obstructive lung disease of this degree, be it asthma or COPD (suggested by the borderline diffusing capacity (DLCO) seldom would account for shortness of breath, especially at rest and this suggests to me that something else may be causing your shortness of breath. The production of “orange or pink-tinged phlegm is definitely abnormal but your lungs may not be the source of this phlegm. It could be coming from your nose or sinuses and, if so, excessive phlegm production from either of these two sites could also account for your having “constantly ..to clear my throat”. For starters, you should probably have a good examination of your nose and throat by an ENT specialist, along with a CT scan of your sinuses. You should also ask your doctors to send your phlegm to the laboratory for culture, for routine bacteria and TB and also for examination for malignant cells. The latter is just a precaution, like a PAP smear would be, for your story does not really suggest any type of cancer.
As for the inhalers, if they don’t work for you or make your breathing worse, the problem could be the medication or it could be that you are not using optimum inhalant technique; you might want to check with your doctor or his/her nurse about this.
The normal CT Scans (presumably of your lungs) is a good sign. Your abdominal pain is probably unrelated to all of the above and you should definitely have this carefully and completely evaluated, either by your family doctor or by a gastroenterology (GI) specialist.
Good luck
I have recently had similar symptom and was tested and diagnosed with Alpha 1 deficiency. This is a genetic lung condition and all folks with breathing disorders should be tested. You CANNOT be diagnosed with this by anything other than a genetic blood test, not by history or on exam. The test is simple and can be ordered from the Alpha 1 network and taken to your Dr. It is a simple finger stick blood test.
Get tested.
Alecia Sharp