Coughing up Blood.

[JennifersHope]

Strange thing happened to me last night... I was almost asleep and I started to cough... so I got a tissue and when I looked it was mostly all blood.

I have coughed before and had blood tinged stuff, but never straight blood.

THis morning, it is mostly just tinged, but without being gross, I Have that taste in my mouth... sort of like when you have an infection kind of taste. Stuffy nose and to much mucus kind of feeling.

I am not on the TObi right now.. and I skipped the pulmozyme for a few days.. so I am not sure what it is.
My last PFTS were the highest they ever were in my life so I can't imagine what is causing it.

Any ideas?

Jennifer

 

[Scarlett81]

I had a streak or two a few days ago, and it was right after I started hypertonic saline. I think I coughed so hard a blood vessel must have popped or something. It only happened 2 times, and it was a little streaking. But it hasn't happened since.
I've heard that happening with a few cfers. Maybe you should get it checked out.
Also, maybe ask Jazzysmom, I thought I read a few posts from her about coughing up blood (hemoptysis). Just a thought.

 

[coltsfan715]

I don't know where you live, but I am in FL and when I go to TN during the winter months the air is dry and it is colder and that sometimes makes me cough up blood, the change in temperature/weather.So maybe if it has been cold or dry where you live the past few days it may be effecting you. Not sure but just an idea.

Lindsey

 

[Faust]

Back in the day if I skipped pulmozyme I could get bleeds. Maybe that was it.


But it is more than likely due to inflamation, and your bodies response to the inflamation.

 

[Diane]

laying down flat all by itself would be the culprit for me....................

 

[Diane]

OOPs i totally forgot to mention something.... is the time around your period? I noticed that about a week or so right before my period i start having problems with hemoptysis. When i had both massive hemoptysis's that required embolizations they both happened within a week or so of my period. My doctor put me on oral birth control to help with the problem of hemoptysis and it has helped, BUT i still do have small episodes same darned time every month. aggravating............

 

[jfarel]

MAke sure your getting enough vitamin K. Bleeding can happen and
does happen to most all cf patients. It is not always an indication
of infection, but it can be for some people. I had a few bad bleeds
in January. Since I have been making sure to take my adeks and
eating well.

 

[NoExcuses]

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[NoExcuses]

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[thelizardqueen]

I never cough up streaks of blood - its always straight blood, and I get my bleeders for no apparent reason - no infection, no coughing, etc. I just start coughing up blood. Its annoying, because I never know where its coming from.

 

[Scarlett81]

So can any of you explain why cfers cough up blood? Streaking or just blood? Why would it be a precursor to infection?
I've never had this, except like I said, after my 1st few doses of hypertonic saline. and the doctor wasn't surprised about it.
But what is this other type of bleeding from?

 

[Emily65Roses]

Bleeding from the lungs has been explained to me as:
Our immune systems get confused because they are ALWAYS fighting infection. So they get to the point where they stop just eating away at bacteria, and also eat away at lung tissue. And that causes bleeding. Other than that, some drugs tend to do it. I know Pulmozyme and Colistin are known to cause bleeding.

 

[thelizardqueen]

My doctor explained to me that my one major bleed was from a vien that looked like it was corroded. He said it was caused by repeat infections in one area, and the vien just got so weak from bacteria, that it basically corroded.

 

[JazzysMom]

For me I have a section where the blood vessels are very weak. I have had hemoptysis for every reason that exists. My doctor use to ALWAYS tell me it was from infection, but I know my triggers. When I was at the end of one of my hospital admits I had an episode & called her bluff about it always being an infection. She did say she was wrong & told me to keep a a close eye on the trigger points so I can avoid them. ANY strenuous activities right before my period will do it in addition to extreme physical exertion like lifting furniture, too much caffine, too little sleep, STRESS (geeze Jenn could that be it for you) plus the possible infection. The only time I ever worried about it was when I had it while I was pregnant. I would have dealt with it on my own if I wasnt pregnant. I popped some extra Vitamin K, drink some ice water & if its really an active bleed I prop myself up & put ice packs on my chest. It has always stopped for me. It could be anything Jenn.....good chance from not doing pulmozyme or you are just wore out!

 

[JennifersHope]

Thanks guys for your replies... I think I might be trying to clear an infection.. or I may be getting one... I have the joint pain I usually get right before an infection and I also have all the extra mucus.... Slight increase and cough etc...

Coughing up blood is really quite alarming. I kind of forgot about it for the day.... but now that I am getting ready for bed.. I am getting paranoid.

Have a great night guys.

 

[Scarlett81]

Here's a question:
I told you about the little streaks I had the other day. Well, they're happening again today. Just teeny little streaks in the mucus. From what many of you say, this is common, and I know I shouldn't freak out. But, I've never had them ever in my whole life. So do you think I should check it out-call the doctor?
I don't think its pulmozyme b/c I've been on and off it for like ten years. It's probably related to the hypertonic saline, b/c I've been on that for 2 weeks.
The thing is, I don't want her to pull me off the hypertonic saline. If it's not dangerous, I don't care about a little streaking. I'd rather live with the benefits of HPS.

Help!

 

[JazzysMom]

Christian....if you are seeing a benefit from the hypertonic & so far you only have streaking, I doubt Dr. Walker would pull you off of the saline. The saline can be irritating & your body might need to get use to it. I did have a bit of streaking the first week. It went away as my coughing decreased. If you are in doubt....call her! Better to ease your mind!

 

[Landy]

Jennifer
I have heard that some cleaning solutions (tile cleaner, bleach, etc) can cause hemoptysis. Have you done any 'spring cleaning' lately?

 

[Diane]

Theres also the theory that the blood vessels in cf lungs become twisted and bent. For whatever reason this happens to the blood vessels it makes them vulnerable to breaks in the most twisted curved areas ( thats where oral birth control comes into play....The estrogen in the pill helps to keep the blood vessels pliable so they are less likely to break). When i had my first embolization, i remember the intervention radiologist told me i had a very large gaping broken area in the blood vessel that he had repaired. That is scary~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

 

[thelizardqueen]

When I had my embolization the radiologist informed me that my blood vessel looked like acid had eated away at it. That's kind of scary.