Is this concerning (fainting?)

[TotoroElla]

If anyone medical could give me their opinion. I'm going to phone the GP in the morning but mind racing tonight.

I have whooping cough and the cough is intense. About 3/4 of the time I'm either coming close to or actually passing out. Today has scared me a bit. I had a situation earlier when I was on the sofa and started coughing. I came to feeling my arms and legs jerking and confused as to where I was/what was going on. Only briefly. My DD told me my arms and legs jerked about 5 times before I woke up so not long. When I came to I felt so sick and headachey. Then about half hour ago I went to go upstairs I had to stop on the stairs and sit down as I had a coughing fit. I started jerking and I couldn't move but I was conscious. By the time I got upstairs to the toilet my heart was racing.

I keep swinging between - this is just a side effect of whooping cough - nothing to worry about and what if there is something wrong with my heart which is being exacerbated? When I saw the GP and was diagnosed I was tachycardic. I had to have an ECG but the conclusion was it was just high as I was unwell.

If you have experience or are medical please let me know what you think. I know noone can diagnose me and I'll phone my GP in the morning. But a bit of advice or solidarity would be much appreciated!

IABU - no
IANBU - yes

BUMP

Call 111? No one here can help you really. Hope you’re okay

You need to phone 111 tonight lovely. Having to stop on the stairs and feeling passing out due to coughing means you need seeing tonight. They can check your oxygen levels and how you are.

Definitely dial 111

You could be suffering low oxygen levels during the cough

Seems like it’s a recognised symptom due to the intensity however if it’s becoming more regular I would call 111.

Thanks, all

Don’t wait until it’s more regular, you need to phone now. @Whatevershallidowithmylife you can’t tell someone over the internet that passing out is a recognised symptom of something when they need to be reviewed by a medical professional. Only then can they be told it’s ok.

But seriously OP, phone.

But reading your post again that this has happened twice, I would actually consider going to A&E if you are losing consciousness due to low oxygen or a heart arrhythmia from the coughing. Don’t drive yourself, get someone to take you if 111 takes a while.

Phone 111 immediately. It might be okay, but it really doesn't sound like the sort of thing you should leave until morning.

It's happened more than that. My GP was aware it had happened when I was diagnosed. She said it was due to the build up of pressure when I cough.

Seriously, none of us can tell you it’s ok, even a respiratory or A&E doctor on here. Things have worsened/changed so you need to speak to someone again as the previous assessment has changed.

Honestly, it’s ok to phone and speak to someone. And then if they are happy speak to your Gp tomorrow, but I very much doubt they wouldn’t want someone seeing you tonight.

Get to a&e. There's no point waiting until tomorrow that might be too late for all anyone knows

I would seek medical advice tonight.

If you've previously been reviewed for similar fainting episodes and you feel like it's resolved & similar to previous I'd speak with GP tomorrow.

If you're still symptomatic, or this was completely different to previous or you have significant medical hx then A&E.

Ultimately it's up to you. One thing to bear in mind is that they may need to exclude a seizure condition (A&E/GP) so might need to consider not being able to drive until medically cleared - Dr will advise.

Thank you for the advice.