Non-smoker COPD

I never had breathing problem, except for the occasional cold. I never had any life threatening reaction to an meds. That is until I took a Motrin in 1996 for a headache. At the time I didn't have anything else. In about 15-20 minutes later I was having a little wheeze. I thought I was getting a cold. Then another 15 minutes more went by and I was starting to gasp some. I called a friend to call an ambulance. Another long 15 minutes went by and my throat was closing up. I have never been so scared in my life. By the time the ambulance was in site I tried to walk outside. I leaned against the railing. The EMT came over to me and I stopped breathing. They put me inside and tried to revive me. On the way to the hospital (which is only 10 minutes away) I stopped breathing 2 more times. When I woke up in the ER I saw they had to intubate me. The doctor told me if I waited 10 more minutes I wouldn't be here. The next 10 years I had asthma attacks every month or two. I also had bronchitis up to 5 times a year. I was in and out of the ER so many times for severe asthma attacks or bronchitis. About 2007 my asthma was a bit more controlled. I was still getting attacks, but only 5-7 times a year. In 1997 I started using prednisone. I haven't been off of it since. I have been on numerous inhalers. Now I get 1 to 4 attacks a year. I still get bronchitis and sinus infections every year. I have had polyps grown twice so far in my sinuses. I have thinning bones and deteriorating joints from the prednisone. I had a total left hip replacement. The right has arthritis. Both knees have arthritis. I have had GERD, high blood pressure. Heat and humidity in the summer bother me. Cold air, under 20F, bothers me. It is life-changing. It is hard to get family and friends to understand how the weather affects me. I lost my job of 26 years from the time spent out for my hip in 2013. In 2015 I filed for SS disability with the help of a lawyer. I went to the disability doctor and had the breathing test. I had one of my few best breathing days. I was denied. I am waiting to get an appointment to see a judge.