adult whooping cough

[SF1000]

I just wondered if there’s anyone else going through this at the moment?

I have had this for over a month and am still waking up with the choking, stridor and inability to breathe- sometimes for several minutes at a time. Also can happen at any time during the day. This is the most scary thing I have ever experienced. Eating can set it off and I daren’t go out or drive because episodes can occur with no warning so my life is on hold.

I had a chest infection on top which antibiotics have helped. I’m using steam inhalations and a room humidifier but have been told not to use cough syrups. There does not appear to be anything medics can do to help.

I’ll attach a video I found which is exactly what I experience to illustrate the issue.

Really just looking for any support/suggestions…

youtube.com/watch?v=31tnXPl...(Not working as expected?) m.youtube.com/watch?v=31tnX...(Not working as expected?)

[PW_R]

I had this in 2017. Absolutely horrid. Mine was the reverse where it started as viral / bacterial thing & then caught whooping cough. They historically used to call it the 100 day cough & in my case it did take 3/4 months for me to feel normal again. At that point I didn’t have any other underlying condition mind you. I’ve actually been wondering recently if I should update my vaccination for it. I’ve been hearing more and more about it being in the community recently.

[SF1000 in reply to PW_R]

Thanks for replying. It would be interesting to know if you could get a vaccine in the UK. I don’t believe it’s part of the routine programme. I certainly would never want it again.

[Alberta56]

That sounds and looks absolutely horrific. I can only send good wishes and hope that you start to mend soon.

[SF1000 in reply to Alberta56]

Thanks both - it is absolutely awful!

[knitter]

I had whooping cough as a child and still remember the cough and noise

But being asthmatic I have suffered from breathlessness, cough and that awful stridor sound .

If I was you I would ring 111 for advice as it’s the weekend

[SF1000 in reply to knitter]

Thanks knitter. I have spoken to 111 and been sent to the hospital for assessment and they all say there is nothing that can be done and it’s a matter of time till it settles. That should be reassuring but it doesn’t help when you’re in the middle of an episode..

[Patk1]

Hope u soon feel better.i find tspn clear honeygd for coating the throat xxxx

[SF1000 in reply to Patk1]

Thanks

[Izb1]

This looks awful and hope that you start to feel better soon. I found this on the Internet and hope it helps x

:-Turmeric: Turmeric too has antibacterial and antiviral properties that can help in treating whooping cough. It even has a therapeutic effect on coughs and is better if taken at night before sleep. To make this, mix a tablespoon of raw honey and ½ teaspoon of fresh turmeric powder

[SF1000 in reply to Izb1]

Might be worth a try thanks

[Biker88]

there is a lot of it about at the moment, my son and his family are all just getting over it

[Izb1 in reply to Biker88]

I was reading there are over 3000 cases reported but didn't say what areas. I do hope your family are recovering well it sounds dreadful x

[watergazer]

Bless you. I believe it lasts 100 days. Some of our grandchildren have had it and thankfully they are coming to the end. It’s very scary. X

[SF1000 in reply to watergazer]

It certainly is scary. It’s good to hear of people coming through it ok.

[Handel]

I'm afraid this is just called the 100 day cough (mine lasted 93 days and my husband's 112 days!!). I got this last year (I think from hospital when I had a tumour removed from my lung).

Our pharmacist said there was nothing to help but I think a vaccine is available but I was told it was only useful in the first week of the cough.

I hope things get better for you sooner rather than later. Thinking of you. Jan xxxx

[SF1000 in reply to Handel]

Thanks

[JanetJAM]

hi I had this the beginning of December it did last just over 100 days as was told saw the doctor but he said just got to wait for it to go it’s very scary when you can’t get your breath i sometimes still cough now and again hope your better soon xx

[SF1000 in reply to JanetJAM]

Thanks Janet.

[Cloudy1]

I had whooping cough when I was 6 years old. I have suffered chest infections all my life. In my sixties I was diagnosed with bronchiectasis. You really do need to get this checked out sooner rather than later.

[Kneesandtoes]

I recently had a bad cough, nothing like what you are describing. I found laying down with a hot water bottle on my chest once or twice a day helped. Previously I have found a hot gel pack on my forehead helps with sinus problems. I got the idea when I felt better after having blow dried my hair.

[Littlemams1]

I currently have whooping cough and pneumonia.... I have never been so miserable or scared in my life!! I'm a 54 otherwise healthy woman. Night-times and very early morning are terrifying... like I've read from other people,you actually feel like your about to die through lack of oxygen. My windpipe just feels as if it closed. I've been taking antibiotics for a week now,with a midweek trip to A&E because I was so unwell. Had a bag of IV antibiotics, and bag of IV fluids, came home with antibiotics for another week. I can probably deal with the pneumonia, but the sudden,violent cough/vomiting,following by the feeling I'm suffocating is unbearable. I was also told there's no help for that. Just have to ride it out... so glad to read other people have experienced it because I was starting to think I was going mad.

[SF1000 in reply to Littlemams1]

I’m so sorry. I know exactly how you feel - it’s horrible. Just hang on in there though - it does get better. I am now 14 weeks from the first symptoms and have been much much better for the last 2. I saw a consultant who gave me a steroid inhaler as he said there was a lot of post infective airway inflammation contributing to the ongoing symptoms and that made a big difference. It will ease and you will start to feel more normal. Take care x