wow, i can't believe there are other people out there that feel the exact way I do. I have had the WC now since 2009. For some reason my cough always started at the end of August, but throughout the year, when I laugh or have a glass of wine, a mysterious cough would arrive, not to mention the feeling of always trying to clear the flem out of my throat. I've been to specialists, been through scanners,x-rays, tried every inhaler on the market. In 2010 when it came back for a second time, I tried Chinese medicine (acupuncture). My symptoms calmed a bit but here I am again in 2013 and coughing like a mad man. Has anybody tried the DPT vaccine ? It's so frustrating, my wife thinks it's all in my head, like a compulsive coughing disorder. I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy. Help !!
I got pertussis 8 years ago. I was 43 at the time. It was misdiagnosed in the ER as adult croup. I was coughing so hard I would vomit and even black out. I finally saw a pulmonologist and Pertussis was confirmed by blood tests. I still cannot laugh without having a coughing fit and sounding like a 10 pack a day smoker. I use rescue inhalers at the rate of 1 a week, daily nebulizer treatments, Singulair, Symbicort, and have become Prednisone dependent as well. The long-term use of Prednisone has caused steroid induced diabetes and cataracts, which can't be removed as long as I am still on steroids. My adrenals have stopped working on their own because of the long term use of steroids, and I go into adrenal failure when my docs try tapering me off.
I was active, thin and healthy before contracting pertussis. I took no medication, now I take 12 medications a day and have to inject myself with insulin as well. This is an insidious disease and awareness of the need for adult vaccination should be more prevalent. I have to get off the Prednisone now though because I am becoming insulin resistant.
I have a great pulmonologist and endocrinologist, both of whom are trying everything they can think of to help me. I even went to Hopkins. They told me the problem is that Pertussis was pretty much wiped out at one point, so there are very few practicing doctors in this country who have actually even seen a case of it, let alone treated it before.
My prayers are with all of you who are still going through this difficult recovery.
I am the same. I am 43 and was previously healthy. I contracted WC in Jan 13 and have not been well since. Always coughing and cant breathe. Feel raspy all the time and itchy throat still. It has now been 6 months and I cant even walk up stairs without feeling completely out of breath. I am sure it does permanent damage.
I believe that Pertussis causes scarring to the lungs which leads to asthma I had Pertussis a year ago and have had asthma ever since. I have noticed that my symptoms subside while I am drinking my morning coffee. Unfortunately Decaf does not provide the same relief. I am going to look into drosera at the local herb shop. Thanks Lady Wiz!
I was diagnosed with whooping cough 6 years ago. It was the worse thing I have ever been through with the exception of shingles. Every since I have bronchitis several times a year. I have 2 inhalers and Singular on hand at all times. Last month, November 2012 after having the Tdap immunization in October, I went in to the dr having coughing fits that almost made me throw up. He said I probably had it again. This past week, Dec. 27, I went back to the dr since my cough was getting worse instead of better. I now have a sinus infection and bronchitis added on top of whooping cough. I am worn out! Thank goodness I had 2 weeks off work so I can hopefully get over this. I have also wondered if whooping cough has damaged my lungs making me more likely to get bronchitis and whooping cough again???
I was 7 when I caught whooping cough for the first time and I suffered greatly from it. Because of it I now suffer from really serious coughs whenever I get ill or have a cold. If anyone else gets a cold or cough it's very light and doesn't effect them much but with me I end up losing my voice, coughing up blood, being sick, unable to breath I have also broken 3 ribs since I was 7 just from coughing. My stomache muscles and lower back muscles do not grow properly anymore as I have ripped them so many times and to much. As you can see I have suffered a lot from having whooping cough and no matter how many times the doctors say that it's likely whooping cough will not affect you in the future it does! I have no remedies myself but would be entirely greatful for any ideas, I have tried every drug and method over the counter and nothing works good luck to the rest of you for finding a cure!