Like millions of Americans every year, I was infected with Respiratory Syncytial (SIN-SISH'-AL) Virus early this month. I'm 80, and senior citizens are often put at serious risk by that highly infectious disease. It begins as a "cold" and in most patients stays that way, but it can move to the lungs and become a medical emergency characterized by intensive coughing that leaves the patient gasping and strangling, with blue lips (cyanosis), throat irritation, and terrible chest pain (damage to the tissue between the ribs, the intercostals). I was hospitalized two days after first symptoms appeared. Under heavy medication, I made it through the initial risk period - about six days in the hospital: in the US, 177,000 seniors per year are hospitalized with RSV, and 8% of them die there. That EIGHT PERCENT in-hospital mortality rate makes RSV a potentially deadly situation.
After six days in the hospital, I was discharged and referred to Coastal Pulmonary Associates for outpatient treatment and home care (estimated at 2-3 weeks). As instructed, after a few "difficult" days I was driven to Coastal Pulmonary and seen by Dr. Hooper, who listened to my chest and sent me out for an xray. My impression of him was neither positive nor negative. As instructed, I returned to Coastal Pulmonary after another week of home care and was seen by a Physician Assistant who did not listen to my lungs - the rumbling and bubbling noises could apparently be heard across the room. He acknowledged my discomfort, prescribed another drug, and sent me home.
That brings me to yesterday (Friday). After a mostly-sleepless night, the day began with acute misery, including a series of intense strangling cough events with acute chest pain. I called Coastal Pulmonary for help, as I did NOT wish to go into the weekend carrying such a load and was concerned that even 2+ weeks into recovery I still felt so sick. I eventually got through at about 1pm, and was asked to leave a message for Dr. Hooper. I carefully explained the circumstances. I wanted him to tell me whether I should change dosage of existing meds, or get something else to help suppress coughing and relieve pain. With no response by about 3:30, I called again and a concerned clerk again took an URGENT message to Dr. Hooper. That clerk called me back an hour later, apologetic, explaining that Dr. Hooper "did not know what to do." He was unwilling to speak with me, and transmitted neither questions nor recommendations through his clerk.
In the absence of medical advice, I increased the dosage and reduced the intervals of three of the prescribed drugs. The result was encouraging, and I was able to get more than two hours' sleep last night. I plan to continue with the modified med schedule today.
A second reason for this post is to propagate an ALERT. If you're senior and have a "cold" but with deep lung discomfort and a strangling cough - CALL THE DOCTOR (but not Dr. Wayne Hooper at Coastal Pulmonary Associates, in Encinitas). read more
