To go back to the GP for this?

[worktired]

Saw GP last week, I'd had a cough for 2+ weeks, struggling to clear it, at night I'd wake up coughing, then gasping for breath (it was terrifying, I felt like I couldn't breathe for 2-5 seconds).

Diagnosed with a chest infection, given antibiotics that I've now finished.

Cough is slightly improved, but I'm now gasping for breath nearly every time I cough (instead of 3-4 times a night only). It's a horrible feeling. My OH says I should definitely go back to the GP as he's watched me struggle for breath over the weekend.

Should I give it longer to clear? I'm aware that our GP practice may be short staffed this week because of the strikes.

Go back, you might need different antibiotics, they dont all work against every bacteria and you might have a type of infection that includes bacteria from a different group that needs a different antibiotic

In this situation I was given antibiotics and also an inhaler to ease the breathing. I think you should ring the doc about this. Not something to be ignored. Stress how difficult your breathing is if you want to get past the dragon on the phone! - if you just say you have a cough you will not get seen.

Could it be whooping cough? I had this a number of years ago and every coughing fit I felt like I couldn't breathe in for several seconds. Awful. Antibiotics only help early on if so, and the cough lasts ages, unfortunately. I'd definitely go back to the GP though.

Yes go back 10%

Thanks all. Hopefully not whooping cough, I had it as a child and it was awful.

Will trying to get in at the GP asap.

Sounds pretty crap for you OP, definitely go back.

Also very depressing that struggling to breath is something we now question ourselves about seeking medical assistance for...

I'm posting this for perspective rather than to scaremonger.

I don't know how old you are, medical history, etc. But I have a family friend whose wife (in her 40s) started complaining of shortness of breath. Ordinarily healthy with no significant medical issues. After several visits to the GP she was told it was anxiety/panic attacks and prescribed some kind of antidepressant. One evening she'd had a "panic attack" and her family had managed to calm her down. She said she was going up to bed as she didn't feel well and halfway up the stairs, collapsed and went straight into cardiac arrest. The post mortem showed she had a pulmonary embolism.

I'm not suggesting you have a PE, but if you were prescribed antibiotics on nothing more than a listen to your chest and some questioning, and it's barely improved, I would go back.

I had to post this because if her experience one day saves someone else, her death won't have been in vain.

Thanks @user40816 - tbh it has crossed my mind as I have a family history of PE and a blood clotting disorder.

I've been trying to focus on other causes (dehydration etc) so I don't catastrophise! Perhaps they'll send me for an X-ray or something to be on the safe side?

It's not about catastrophising, but it is about being persistent.

Healthcare professionals are taught to "manage patient expectation", so if you have concerns and know what you want (a PE ruling out), then tell them directly and you can at the very least have a discussion, if not get a D-dimer.

All the best and I hope you get a (positive) answer.

Go back to GP.

Gp says it sounds like whooping cough, even though I had it as a child. Given me some antibiotics so will see if they work - fingers crossed!

Ugh, sorry to hear this. Unfortunately immunity to whooping cough isn't life long. I caught it about 3 years after having a booster vaccination, and it's pretty rubbish. Hopefully the antibiotics will help!