I don’t know at what point I’d be admitted to hospital with this cough or even how that would help

[Mustardfan]

I think I have Whooping cough. I’ve had several GP consultations in the last 2 1/2 weeks, including one earlier this week. I always feel a bit of a time waster. The coughing seems to have worsened in the last two days, and my sleep has too. If I go and see the GP again tomorrow I’ll feel a complete time waster. I’ll sit there, probably not coughing, and will be sent home again. My lungs are so uncomfortable I’ve had perhaps 1 hour of sleep so far tonight, despite taking two co-codamol (up until today the codeine in this has helped suppress my cough and helped me sleep, but not tonight). I’m probably not at the point where I’d be admitted to hospital. But I don’t know what they’d do in hospital anyway? The GP gave me a subutimol inhaler which I’ve gone back to using tonight, but it hasn’t eased the cough or discomfort. I’ve had a course of antibiotics. I don’t have any fever. I don’t know how I’m ever going to get better. Please help.

It’s not unexplained. They know what’s causing it.

@Iwishiwasasilentnight op has had a course of antibiotics and been prescribed an inhaler , cough is not getting better and doctor hasnt told her what is causing it.

No other symptoms like a fever that would indicate an infection, I would want X-ray or scan.

@Iwishiwasasilentnight sorry that came across as bossy ! I didnt mean that at all, I just think an unexplained cough that hasnt responded to antibiotics or accompanied by other specific symptoms def needs further investigation.

@nottaotter only the OP can answer questions re what the GPs have assessed for or what OPs observations are like.
I often see a nurse that GPs hand out antibiotics for a cough without any sign of bacterial infection (no creps/crackles heard on their lungs) and it's viral.
Lingering viral coughs can last for weeks and can be awful and antibiotics don't work for this.
OP has been back and forward to GP multiple times for 2 weeks so im assuming some discussions have been had.

If you're bringing up sputum OP it may be wise to send in a sputum sample.

If your short of breath (unable to complete a full sentence) produce blood stained sputum or have heaviness or chest pain in the centre of your chest you need to go straight to A&E.
but surely your GP has told you this.

Only you know how you feel OP. You haven't said what's happened at previous consultations and advice you've been given.

Thanks again for your messages. A GP listened to my chest on the 4th Jan and heard a crackle, that’s when I was given antibiotics. I’ve frequently been asked ‘are you breathless’ and my reply is: only when I cough, and I find it hard to speak. I didn’t know that the definition of breathless is not being able to complete a sentence. I asked the GP on Monday why I was having trouble speaking and he said I had probably damaged my vocal cords with all the coughing. I can’t completely remember, but I’m pretty sure he didn’t listen to my chest on Monday, which is odd if he didn’t. I’ve got a bit of chest pain - this new chest pain started yesterday, it’s left of centre. I know that’s an indicator to see the GP, but I made the decision this morning to wait and see. I think the chest pain is probably muscular, but how would I know. The vomiting isn’t new, I first did it about 10 days ago, but it had stopped. I know vomiting is common in whooping cough. I thought I was getting better. I’m dreading tonight. The nights are really difficult. At least my husband will be at home tomorrow and could take me to an appointment.

So the GP hasn't diagnosed whooping cough - are they treating you for a chest infection?

Hello,
There is a massive outbreak of whooping cough at the moment and it’s not being taken seriously in this country - YET. Whooping cough is not just a cough it’s a serious bacterial infection. You need to go back to your GP and demand a pertussis antibody blood test. You will show up as having had a recent infection if you have had it. Also, record your cough on your phone and take that to them. I tested positive this week, I was tested two weeks ago and I’m now in my fourth week. The first week is mild, the second week it becomes hacking - worse at night and morning. Then 8% of people whoop (of course I was one of the 8%), then it gets so bad you vomit, then in the fourth week the diarrhoea starts and you’re still coughing and vomiting so suddenly it takes you by surprise. It’s a gazillion time worse than covid in my experience but then I’m not vaccinated for whooping cough. If you’ve had the antibiotics, then I think steroids are an option? I didn’t take these. A humidifier on all night in your bedroom is a godsend. Plenty of rest, and good food / supplements. See this very good article. https://naturedoc.com/battling-the-100-day-cough-natural-remedies-for-whooping-cough-relief/

Every other civilised western country gives 10 year boosters but here in England we only care if people die. So as it’s mainly babies that die, since 2012, they vaccinate pregnant women but no other adults. Miss your childhood vaccines because your mum was scared like mine and you’re screwed. The rest of us can feel like we’re dying, miss weeks off work but they don’t give two hoots. I’m not gonna lie, it’s a slow recovery but I hope you start improving soon. Xx

https://twitter.com/mumtweeting/status/1744679297430716578?s=46&t=uvMpBgs0Yq5-5eti7RAfvQ

Oh and has the clear spittle started yet? Mountains and mountains of mucusy spittle. It really is vile.

Hospital would put you on a nebuliser to open your airways and soothe any inflammation and it would really help!

Have you got a humidifier or vapouriser? Often they are used to put essential oils in, you fill they with water and they give out a cool mist. Have one of this going next to your head it will really help.

If you haven't got a oximeter then get one off Amazon and keep an eye on your blood oxygen levels

Also, in my experience chest pain in the muscles due to cough/wheeziness only hurts when you are actually moving your chest by breathing. If you hold your breath and it still hurts then dial 999

Thanks so much. I do believe that I have whooping cough. I’m still making the Whooping sound at times when I cough. I think I have lots of mucous on my lungs, but I’m mostly unable to shift it, I occasionally cough up stuff and it’s yellow again. I’m continuing to feel worse, more exhausted, and my lungs feel more ‘out of control’ when I cough. I phoned 111 today and was given a telephone consultation with a doctor who prescribed clarithromycin. That’s interesting that other countries immunise every 10 years, I’ve been thinking that we should in this country. Thanks for sharing the links. I’ve got a defuser and am using that. I think that when I’ve seen my GP I’ve failed to convey how ill I am. It makes me cross when I think about the GP suggesting on Monday that my difficulty speaking was because I’d damaged my voice box coughing, rather than him understanding that I’m too breathless to speak. If I don’t pick up in the next couple of days I think I’ll do an online consult rather than make an appointment, as I can hardly speak. I’m hoping the antibiotics will help.

In the middle of Lidl they’re selling mini nebulisers? Can’t hurt if someone can go for you. My brother and I had whooping cough in about 1979 ish. He was really bad as had missed the vaccination because he had a cold they day he was meant to have it. Mine was mild in comparison but rubbish from what I remember. Diagnosed by a doctor, can’t remember any meds, just a long time off school!

I had whooping cough as a child, I still remember it over 40 years in. Was def worse at night and I slept in w my parents as it was so scary! Was in the school holidays but I think I was ill for a good two weeks.
I also had an awful cough again about 10 years ago. I found it hard to complete sentences/was retching and in the end (after 6 weeks of misery!) my GP gave me antibiotics - she said my chest was so congested she couldn’t tell if it was a chest infection but I took them and they worked! I’m not a lover of taking antibiotics but I was desperate. Good luck!

Sounds awful, OP.

I have had whooping cough since the end of November. It’s much better than it was, but I’m still bloody coughing. I never felt unwell with it, but the coughing has been something else. I barely cough in the day now, but I’m still coughing at night. It’s the gift that keeps on giving.

Have you tried any home remedies..like honey, lemon and ginger drinks etc

I think I have it too. There's a recent whooping cough thread. Saw the Dr and have penicillin for an associated chest infection. She mentioned 100 day cough, which is just another name for Whooping cough. I have the distinctive whoop. I am struggling to sleep and having to sit bolt upright. I can get about 30-40 mins but then wake up.coughing. It's worse than anything I've had before. The antibiotics for whooping cough are mainly to stop spread, so only any use in the first 3 weeks. It's apparently questionable whether they help symptoms and they are strong with nasty side effects so likely to make you feel a lot worse. My sympathy to everyone else suffering. I'm bracing myself for another 3-4 weeks of this based on the timelines.

Where are you based? In the UK? I'd definitely take them up if you are offered a vaccine. It's the worst and there are no treatments, just have to wait it out for 10) days.

Thanks for this suggestion. What do you put in a home nebuliser? Just steam? Two and 1/2 weeks ago on a visit to the out of hours GP at A and E I was put on a nebuliser for 5 minutes, not sure what medication was in it, as it helped the doctor gave me a subutimol inhaler. It helps a bit, but not as much as the nebuliser did.

It’s nice to hear from someone else who has it. I really really hate having to sleep bolt upright, I often start with lying - it feels a relief to lie for a bit, then the coughing is bad and it feels the lesser of two evils to sit up.

thanks for the suggestions, yes I’m having a honey, lemon and ginger warm drink.

are you having any trouble speaking? I don’t seem to have the breath to say more than a few words.

@Mustardfan no, I'm not but did feel more breathless before I had the antibiotics for the chest infection. If you're breathless I would definitely seek medical advice, even if just to calm 111.

I think I have lots of mucous on my lungs, but I’m mostly unable to shift it

The trouble is that by taking codeine, you're preventing your body from expelling the crap sitting in there. The idea of expectorants is that they make the mucous thinner so you can cough it out more easily.

You can buy a special saline solution online for nebulisers, some just use boiled water. In a medical setting they often have steroids in