SO the story goes on...after an in office test the thought was stage 1 COPD. The Doc wanted me to also go to the hospital to have a more complete eval. So I call them and they noticed me coughing on the phone and asked if I was sick. I told them I thought so but my primary did not address any emergent illness, he was more focused on the COPD eval. and thinking my symptoms lie therein. They told me to get it checked out because they cant do this test on a sick person. One week later, after selling my pipes and baccy, not a great deal to be sure but 4 pipes and about 2 pounds, I was at another Doc at a different practice and he tells me I have an acute respiratory infection, prescribes steroids and antibiotics for an ear infection which he said would cover pneumonia, though he didn't think I had that. So I have drugs which are helping, a true eval. to go to and may not have COPD after all. Stay tuned...(Am I slightly upset? yes).