Whooping cough.. lung mystery?

[sick_girl]

22 year old female, non smoker. persistent cough for 2 mos. At first coughs would come in fits just at night with no other symptoms. coughs were dry and caused chest pains and breathing difficulties. Eventually would produce slight phlegm, but was always be unable to cough it up. After going to the emergency after a coughing fit, I was told my lungs were fine, however, I could have whooping cough with an asthmatic component. Given a puffer, prescribed an antibiotic, and told me that if the coughing persisted after 3 days of taking the antiobiotic, to see my family doctor.  antibiotic didn’t help; puffer helped with coughing, wheezing and whistling sound in lungs. chest xray is clear, and will be visiting a respirologist next week. Family doctor advised a pertussis vaccine and blood tests done at the respirologist’s..  Since meeting with my doctor about 3 weeks ago, I was able to spit up phlegm and sometimes release mucus from my nose. In both cases, mucus showed up as brownish yellow pieces.. one day I even coughed up a hard, pebble-sized piece of mucus that was fleshy in colour.  

2 days ago, experienced throat pain when swallowed.. next day - classic flu symptoms: sweats, weakness, body aches, throbbing headache and excessive mucus secretion from sinuses, sinus pain and congestion. For one day I expelled drippy mucus out of my nose every 5 minutes, that was brownish yellow mucus like in the past but also peach-coloured. Today, this mucus is gone, I am now just congested. Last night, first time, I did not have a coughing fit and did not have to use puffer. However, when I breathed deeply in bed and plugged my ears, my lungs made a soft high pitched whistling sound. This was continuous until this morning.  

I am scared that this is permanent. What concerns me most is this asthmatic component to my coughing. I haven’t been able to smell or taste my food fully for 2 mos, even though my nose wasn’t always congested.

[National Jewish Health]

It is very unlikely that this problem would become permanent.  Given that the original cough was just at night, it could have been postnasal drip or gastroesophageal reflux.

Pertussis also called whooping cough is a common illness in adults and symptoms may last for 3 to 4 weeks.  Mostly cough but may be some wheezing and the cough may last for months.  Don't worry about the high whistling sound;  it is just a sign that bronchitis with excess mucus is a part of the picture.

Many people have recently had an illness comparable to yours.  There is uncertainty about the diagnosis but almost all have experienced spontaneous recovery.

You should definitely see the pulmonary specialist, on the off chance that this does not resolve soon.

[alaskaforgetmenot]

I have similar symptoms and the docs can't figure out the cause. One thing that has helped me tremendously is to smear Vicks vapo rub on the soles of my feet and cover them with cotton socks before I go to bed. I don't wake up coughing any more and I'm not as stuffy as I used to be. I figure it can't hurt, and if it makes me feel better......Oh yeah, you wake up with sweet smelling feet too!

[georgie439]

Hi I have same symptoms... Do you know if there is a test for this??  Also is it treated with antibiotics??  My Dr. prescribed Zithromax, which is supposedly a very potent antibiotic!!

Please answer when you can
        
                                                Sincerely,
                                                 Densie  (georgie)

[Hockey0000325]

I also have the same symptoms and I was also prescribed Zithromax it helped but did not clear this up.  I am going back again Monday to see my doctor again!   This is very aggravating as mine is not only at night but a dry hacking cough that i can feel phlegm come up into my throat and is usually a white or very very light yellow.  Also have in the morning a sore throat and packed nose that produces green mucus after a warm shower.  Any ideas?