[Otclassof1973] WHOOP IT UP REDUX and Apologies

Wed Oct 5 21:15:57 EDT 2005

First, apologies for the belated reply to this email from Marvin about his whooping cough.  Unfortunately I have been having horrendous issues with my email for the last 2 months (at least).  I believe I am now up and running with a new email address which should be subscribed.  

Anyway, I thought it worth mentioning that I had (I am quite sure) whooping cough about 5 or 6 years ago which was never diagnosed.  I had all of the classic symptoms (although fortunately I never threw up or broke any ribs; I thought I was going to suffocate several times).  I had an x-ray, etc. but no diagnosis.  Months later, after it had run its course I spoke to someone whose friend had the identical symptoms and had been diagnosed.  It seems that no one was looking for whooping cough in patients our ages (yuck) because it was considered gospel that the immunizations we all received in infancy conferred lifetime immunity; that's why it has been so hard to "diagnose" for many; as Marvin put it, it was not on the menu.  This has now been pretty universally debunked now.  I recently heard a report on NPR that many doctors are now recommending booster shots for adults, but there is as yet no consensus on who should get them and at what ages.  One consolation for those of us who have had new cases: we now probably have immunity for at least another several years.  For the rest of you, watch out for symptoms and ask your docs if you are a candidate for booster immunization.  
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Marvin A. Segall<mailto:neufsaid at juno.com> 
  To: otclassof1973 at eris.njit.edu<mailto:otclassof1973 at eris.njit.edu> 
  Sent: Friday, September 16, 2005 3:57 AM
  Subject: [Otclassof1973] WHOOP IT UP

  Infectious Disease Control (IDC) called on Tuesday.  Nothing to be overly concerned about, they were just following up on my having been recently diagnosed with Whooping Cough.  Apparently it's on the rise in the Bay Area and so dangerous that doctors are required to report cases immediately as it can kill infants and the elderly.  His was just a routine follow up call.  

  When asked to describe my symptoms, I told him I had been coughing and whooping so hard that I'd pulled three intercostal muscles in my ribcage before being diagnosed with Whooping Coughing.   I'd also been coughing and whooping so hard it made me throw up and pass out. three times a day. for a few weeks.  Of course, I didn't't know then that what I was doing was called whooping; to me it was an involuntary spasm at the end of a coughing jag that sounded like Elmer Fudd trying to laugh while inhaling.  Who even knew Whooping Cough was one of my menu options?

  According to Mr. IDC, and these were his words, my symptoms were "classic textbook examples of Whooping Cough."  What luck, here I was presenting textbook Whooping Cough symptoms in a Bay Area hospital alerted to a Whooping Cough outbreak.  Certainly I'd be diagnosed before someone could say Jack Robinson.  

  Say Jack Robinson with me, but say it very slowly, because my case took five separate doctors, 14 interminable weeks to diagnose.  Any wonder that I call my HMO, "the least health care money can buy!"

  Week one, the first doctor told me I had Bronchitis, prescribed a five-day course of Zithromax and told me I'd feel better in a week.

  Week two, the second doctor prescribed cough syrup and told me I'd feel better in a week.

  Week three I rushed to the Emergency Room after coughing so hard I threw up and passed out.  In the Emergency Room my third doctor drew enough blood samples for three small vials, rehydrated me and told me I'd feel better in a week.

  Week four I pulled an intercostal muscle in my ribcage from coughing.  I was still throwing up and passing out and when I called my second doctor she said she was busy and could her colleague get some experience and help out with my case?  Doctor number four prescribed more cough syrup, non-aspirin Acetaminophen and told me I'd feel better in a week.

  Week six I pulled a second intercostal muscle in my ribcage from coughing, but I was throwing up a little less, wasn't passing out anymore and even managed to make it through a full day at work without throwing up if I barely ate anything.

  By week 12 I had pulled a third intercostal muscle from coughing and if I only ate very small amounts I could almost control the throwing up.  Going back to doctor number two I was prescribed some more cough syrup and told I'd feel better in a week; but since I was now insisting on having some tests run, she scheduled me for a Spectrometry Test that measures lung capacity - because after all, a test, is a test, is a test.  My results came back normal; but I was left to assume it was normal on a Spectrometry Test to throw up during one's first attempt to expel all the air from one's lungs.

  Week 13 and test number two was a CAT Scan that confirmed I had indeed bruised my ribcage in three separate places.  Such is the miracle of modern science!  Doctor number two's assistant called to give me that information and to inform me the doctor had said there would be no more tests.  I asked for a referral to see an allergist and the assistant called back to say doctor number two didn't have to refer me to the Allergy Dept., that I could make my own appointment.  The assistant seemed surprised when I asked for the Allergy Dept.'s phone number, but was kind enough to look it up for me.

  Week 14 found me sitting in doctor number five's office in the Allergy Dept.  Within two minutes of describing my symptoms he told me I had Whooping Cough and sent me to have blood drawn, again, for a lab test.  A few days later he called to tell me my results had come back positive for Whooping Cough and prescribed another course of Zithromax.  If you recall, doctor number one had also prescribed a course of Zithromax for what she diagnosed as a case of Bronchitis; but while Bronchitis requires a five-day course of Zithromax, Whooping Cough requires a 10-day course.

  Week 15 and what do you know?  That's me on the phone with that fellow from IDC following up on their notification of my Whooping Cough diagnosis.  Listen, he's telling me that part about my symptoms being "classic textbook examples of Whooping Cough."  What a relief!  

  I'm not throwing up anymore; but I do have a lingering cough that gives a little whoop now and again and makes me retch occasionally.  I'm sure that if I had the energy to ask someone at my HMO, they'd assure me I'd feel better in a week. 

  Marvin

  #9#9#9#9#9#9#9#9#9#9#9#9#9#9#9#9#9#9#9#9#9#9#9#9#9
  Primum non nocere
  First do no harm
  Galen (Attributed) 
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