@joelars- Good morning. It's very important to treat your COPD and emphysema because if you don't then it most likely lead to more complications and worse symptoms. I have a good feeling of what you want, not to have any of this at all, to appear robust and free to do just about anything. I want that too, but in reality, it's just not realistic. You are doing supremely well with exercising the way that you are. But you have a serious lung disease, as do I. But if I do not take my inhalers than my lungs feel much worse and breathing gets harder and over time it will only get worse. You probably would have an easier time exercising if you took inhalers. I also think that your doctor is not doing you justice if he is not pushing you to treat your symptoms. I don't think that you have mentioned why you have so much lung damage. Would you mind telling me?
https://www.healthline.com/health/copd