How much do you smoke per day and how long have you smoked? We aren't in a position to give medical advice, but did your doctors not mention smoking being a factor?

To answer your question about ideas, I recommend trying to quit smoking or at least cutting back and see how you feel. I gave up a two-pack a day habit six weeks ago and I'm breathing much easier! There is a smoking cessation sub forum in Addictions for support. The state I live in gave me a free starter pack of patches and they offer a lot of support. Smokefree dot org

I am using the Nicotine patches to titrates down to completely get off nicotine.

Pain pills will only blunt the pain. It won't make your respiratory system better and a lot of pain pills are addictive....I would tread carefully there.

Also, having your chest X-rayed may help, too.

Perhaps some others will have suggestions, too. Please don't take this as medical advice, as I'm not qualified to give medical advice. I hope you feel better soon!