Coughing up blood

Chest and lungs
1

Hi all. Have been diagnosed with COPD stage 2 since Jan. 2016. Am a 57 year old non-smoker. Every ten months or so, for the last three years, I have experienced sudden incidents of coughing up blood. My doctor did a Bronchoscopy but was not able to discover the cause. Is there anyone else experiencing this scary symptom? Thanks in advance.

2

Hi sorry to hear this.  It is common with lung disease to occasionally cough up a little blood.  This is because the small veins in your neck are quite fragile and break easity.  If it is only a little and bright red this is almost certainly the cause.

If it is darker blood this can be more serious coz this comes from deeper in the lungs. 

Have you had an x-ray or a CT scan?   This should show if there is any problem. 

 

3

I do have that from time to time if I have an infection and am coughing a lot. It is frightening but you've done the right thing by seeing your doctor. As hypercat advises see if you can get an X-ray or scan. 

4

Personally I have only had this with a serious lung infection which lead to pneumonia.  I have been living with COPD in excess of 12 years now.  I have experienced coughing up blood on only 2 occasions.

I would suggest whenever this happens you should have your lungs checked and sputum sample tested.  Speak with your doctor each time, the GP surgery should be able to supply you with a sterile container to have at home and replace it each time you use it to provide a sample.

Be sure to ask for your results and perhaps ask for a copy of these results too.  Anything growing in the sputum sample will show and the correct anti biotic can be prescribed.

From my own experience I would be concerned if this was happening to me every ten months.

Perhaps speak with the British Lung foundation helpline for further advice or contact the lung foundation / association in your own country for their views.

 

5

Thanks you so much for your advice. I will follow up as you've suggested.

Carol

6

Thanks so much for your response. I do have an exray scheduled in the next month and hopefully will learn more about what's causing this. Cheers,

Carol

7

Hi Hypercat. Thanks so much for your response. The blood is dark red and gets coughed up in clots(gross, I know!). I do have an X-ray scheduled soon so hopefully will learn more. Cheers,

Carol

8

Thinking of you Carol and hope the test results came back ok.