Can a pintched nerve in the neck cause breathing promblems?

Not likely : This is very unlikely. The nerves in the neck that are often affected by degenerative joint disease supply the arms. Some breathing muscles (like the diaphragm) are supplied by nerves in the neck but these are higher up and unlikely to be affected. A pinched nerve in the mid-lower back can cause sharp pain on deep breathing but is unlikely to cause trouble breathing. Please check with your docto.