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coughing for 3 years after contracting whooping cough(pertusis)

I posted on a few other sections but wanted to see if anyone in this forum can help.  
I had whooping cough 3 years ago and since then have never stopped coughing.  I have a deep dry hacking cough but more times than not its a productive cough with a lot of thick white secretions.  At times the mucous makes me feel like I am drowning-I just cant seem to get the mucous to totally go away.  My Pulmonologist diagnosised me first with post infectious cough and then cough varient asthma.  My asthma is not at all controlled despite numerous nebulizers, steroids treatments which make me profusely sweat, unable to sleep and essentially a crazy person-(so I refuse to take that daily), inhalers and now allergy shots weekly.  Is it possible that the pertusis left me with scars or other permanent lung damage?  My voice is constantly horse/raspy.  I have seen GI specilaists and had an endosocopy which showed mild reflux disease and take nexium, ENT doctors did complete sinus workup and I have no sinus problems.  I can feel the asthma attacks coming on most of the time and can lessen the symtpoms somewhat with nebulizer, rescue inhaler and cough medicine.  But there are times when I started violently coughing for no apparent reason.  Air travel worsens my symptoms which is difficult since I have to travel frequently for my job.  I have had pulmonary function tests that indicate asthma, CT Scans essentially are normal except for a 4cm lesion that has not changed.  

Does anyone know of adults who were infected with whooping cough that resulted in chronic/ hard to control asthma or other related respiratory problems and sudden onset of significant allergies?  I try like heck to make the best of it, I continue to work, I carry a portable nebulizer with me every where I go (which at times freaks out the TSA security guards in airports because they dont know what it is)  I frequently just start coughing uncontrolably which is very distressful and frightening because I then wonder...am I going to be able to control this attack this time?...which of course then makes matters and breathing  worse not to mention it is embarrasing to have this happen in public places.  
This coughing is really affecting my quality of life!!  I am so frustrated, discouraged and at a loss as to what I can do or try to make this go away or at least be under control?  Does anyone know if there is a hospital or group of doctors that specialize in chronic coughs?  I live in the Northeast section of the USA but at this point will travel anywhere to see any specialist that may have an answer.  I've read some posts discussing brittle asthma.  Do my symptoms sound similar?
HELP please!  
3 Responses
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563773 tn?1374246539
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hello,

A diagnosis of asthma usually is based on the patient's symptoms, medical history, a physical examination, and laboratory tests that measure pulmonary (lung) function.The various diagnostic tests of asthma include spirometry( a test that measures the amount of air entering and leaving the lungs) , peak expiratory flow (PEF) rate monitoring , bronchial provocation  and other tests like x-rays and allergy testing to exclude other lung pathologies.

Treatment depends on the severity of asthma as mild,moderate and severe.You can learn more about asthma from the following link: http://www.pulmonologychannel.com/asthma/index.shtml

Sarcoidosis is commonly diagnosed from x-rays.Sometimes biopsy of the granulomas and its histopathological examination is used in confirming diagnosis.

Hope I have provided you with sufficient information.In case you need any more then pls post us.

Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you so much for responding!
I have a history of smoking but quit 21 years ago.  Never had any respiratory related disorders including allergies until post Pertusis.  However I did have numerous incidents of bronchitis over the years.  I do take HTN meds (cardizem and Benicar HCT) My last pulmonologist visit (Sept 5th) he wanted to try discontinuing the Benicar even know it’s not an ACE inhibitor.  That was 48 hrs ago.  I am hoping he stumbled onto a needle in the haystack and the coughing will subside or at least be more controlled.  
How does one get further evaluated for asthma?  Are there specialists outside the New England area you are aware of?  I did find some research online years ago.  There is a group in Boston that posted an interesting article on various reasons for cough.  I called the group 2 years ago and was told they weren’t accepting new patients.  Had several PFT's and do most definitely respond to xoponex nebulizer for short periods (it relieves the brochospasms) I am very very open to getting another opinion.  Sarcoidosis has not been evaluated.  Wouldn’t that have shown on chest x-ray?  
I am just so happy to even get another opinion even if it’s via email.  Any recommendations would be GREATLY appreciated
Regards
Trudi2258
Helpful - 0
563773 tn?1374246539
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hello,

How are you?

Chronic cough can be caused by cigarette smoking,asthma,GERD,allergic rhinitis and sinusitis causing PND,lung infections like bronchitis and pneumonia, tumors, sarcoidosis or other lung disease and medicines like ACE inhibitors used as antihypertensives.

Can you identify any of these?

It is a wrong belief that whooping cough can cause asthma or allergy susceptibility. Whooping cough does not cause asthma.  It just so happens that people with asthma seem more susceptible to it.

Going by your symptoms,I feel that the diagnosis of cough variant asthma which your pulmonologist has made is a satisfactory one.Pls get yourself evaluated on the lines of asthma.

Hope it helps.Take care and pls do keep me posted on how you are doing.




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