Pericardial Resection/Window - HFpEF, Pericardial Effusion

Hi,

The coughing continues but has a new development - I somehow got pertussis or whooping cough about six weeks ago. Whooping cough is by far the worst cough I have ever had and makes it impossible to comment on the other persistent cough. After taking antibiotics, I was no longer contagious but the cough itself can go on for months. It wakes me up at night with paroxysmal coughing attacks that get so intense I can't catch my breath and almost faint. Then, my arms and legs feel like an electrical shock went through them and this is followed by continual coughing for up to ten minutes. After all of that, I'm okay again until the next attack which can happen at any time during the day. I have to sleep in a chair as laying down triggers the coughing. If you haven't had the Tdap vaccine booster - get it.

My State Department of Health (MN) has me listed as a statistic for pertussis and has contacted me asking questions about where I have been, if I have relatives that have had whooping cough recently, etc., in an effort to avoid an endemic. I don't know anyone that has it including relatives, grandchildren or friends.

I think my immune system has been compromised in some way from heart failure and/or treatments for prostate cancer. My oncologist says it isn't from the cancer itself or from cancer treatments themselves but the fatigue and resulting lack of exercise after radiation and hormonal treatments may be something to consider. Most likely, I was infected by pertussis somehow by just bad luck.

When this awful cough finally leaves me, there will be a celebration like the 4th of July - fireworks, parades and parties! Then, I'm sure the "other" cough will return and I'll comment on it here.

I have swelling in one leg now that is being watched by my cardiologist as it most likely is from the HFpEF. We'll see where that goes, too. If it ain't one thing, it's two more!