I have asthma.

The hurting to breathe might be more from bronchitis. Asthma gives me a tightness in my chest but I wouldnt call it pain. But if I have some sort of chest cold or bronchitis with it I will hurt.

Asthma only limits my life if I am having a flare. I have had it all my life so I guess I am used to it. I have had a bad enough flare that I am hooked up to a ventilator in the hospital before, but most of the time it isn't so severe.

According to me doctor asthma is misdiagnosed a lot, but I wouldn't worry about the diagnosis much. I would worry about finding some meds that give you relief. A lot of bronchial diseases are treated very similary.

Have you told your doctor that you are still having a lot of problems? You may need some oral steriods for a short period to get things in check or antibiodics if you have an infection.

You may also want to consider a specialist if it is possible. That is one of the best things I ever did for myself. The pulmonologist helped a lot more than my primary care.