Right now I'm on the last stage of whooping cough. I will tell you that it wasn't a pleasant experience. I never got enough sleep and I do recall vomiting after coughing fits, but luckily I was on antibiotics at the time. It wasn't as bad as some cases. Knowing that mine was a mild case, I felt completely awful about people who have severe cases. After I read more about it I knew it spread very easily and I eventually spread it to my family. But I'm also very blessed because my family hardly got it after taking precautions.

I had the symptoms starting first with the coughing especially when lying down, or after speaking, followed by sneezing, runny nose. First doctor said allergies, second doctor did skin tests, treated me for allergies also. Then he suggested it was gastric reflux, this was confirmed by my internist who increased the medication for gastric reflux and gave me cough medicine so I could get some rest at night. I continued to suffer with gagging, choking, coughing etc. Tired, and worn out, along with bruised ribs that made coughing very painful. It wasn't until a co worker read an article published by the CDC and I happen to start an antibiotic for sinus problems that the puzzle came together. The doctor agreed it was very possible, whooping cough, I didn't need any test because within 48 hrs. I was symptom free. This after almost 8 months with no answers, why didn't one of these doctors put two and two together, even consider the possibility of whooping cough. We have to be a very educated patients nowadays.

I am a 51 year old woman who caught Pertussis from my 11-year-old daughter in October. I'm in month 4 now, and although the cough is lessening, I still cough violently, have pain behind the breastbone and completely lack stamina. The bronchial spasms were terrifying with my daughter, whom it took 4 doctor visits and a 911 call to diagnose. The only thing that helped was sitting up to sleep (for months!) and steroid breathing treatments with a nebulizer. These lessen the bronchial spasms. I have found that the best way to treat pertussis is to avoid it altogether. This can be done through vaccinations.

My 9-year-old son has been diagnosed with pertussis. It is very scary to watch him gasp for breath. He took the antibiotics as prescribed by his physician and still has had symptoms now for two months. What bothers me is that he was vaccinated for whooping cough, so I understand why he got it.

My daughters have had whooping cough for about three weeks. We have been giving them a combination of homeopathic prescribed by our naturopath, which seem to be working very well. There has been no vomiting and the phlegm is not getting stuck but is moving up nicely. I have been giving them licorice tea which lines the digestive tract including the throat. Garlic is a great anti-microbial so I have been putting it into a lot of our meals. Also, of course, we have cut out all dairy as it is mucous-forming. The families that we know whose children have had whooping cough all tell of the strong immune system their children now possess - they do not get colds anymore. I have noticed a significant physical and mental growth in my children during this period of illness. Plenty of warmth and rest is required during this long period - the cough increases significantly with physical activity. We have spent a lot of family time doing puzzles, charades, monopoly, etc. The convalescence period is important as our friends have had their whooping cough come back on when they thought they had gotten over it. Our naturopath has been very helpful in providing us with many positive ways in which to assist our children. Whooping cough has been around for a long time so there are many remedies available to help get through it. The doctors are unfortunately not equipped to provide these. Look for real help that supports the body.

My pertussis began like a normal cold, runny nose, slight cough and slight fever but the cough persisted for more than 4 weeks and now has vomiting with it. It is worse at night. Malaise, fatigue and dizziness, no appetite has developed as well.

My wife, who is 47, is now in the 9th week of pertussis (whooping cough), which was diagnosed with a blood test. She has been mostly bedridden for the duration, because any activity triggers intense coughing that lasts as long as 45 minutes and usually causes her to faint. The coughing is dry; there has never been any mucous at all. It is very painful. Clarithromycin and tessalon pearls did not help. Tussinex may help, but only slightly. This is a debilitating, painful, very persistent disease. Do not take any chances -- get your kids vaccinated, and everyone should get the recommended booster shots.