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Couging up blood

julie

New member
For the first time, Mark is coughing up blood. He's previously had sputum that has a few streaks here and there, not a lot by any means. And the streaking has been infrequent....

The last few days, Mark has been coughing up sputum that is ONLY blood. Clearly there is mucus in there, but it's all bloody.

I'm curious, what causes this? And should we be calling his doctor. He's feeling somewhat better, but I personally don't think he's back to his "normal self", and am just wondering if we need to be alarmed by this, get him seen ASAP... go to the ER...?? We do have a CF clinic visit on 3-19

Please advise experts..... <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
 

julie

New member
For the first time, Mark is coughing up blood. He's previously had sputum that has a few streaks here and there, not a lot by any means. And the streaking has been infrequent....

The last few days, Mark has been coughing up sputum that is ONLY blood. Clearly there is mucus in there, but it's all bloody.

I'm curious, what causes this? And should we be calling his doctor. He's feeling somewhat better, but I personally don't think he's back to his "normal self", and am just wondering if we need to be alarmed by this, get him seen ASAP... go to the ER...?? We do have a CF clinic visit on 3-19

Please advise experts..... <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
 

julie

New member
For the first time, Mark is coughing up blood. He's previously had sputum that has a few streaks here and there, not a lot by any means. And the streaking has been infrequent....

The last few days, Mark has been coughing up sputum that is ONLY blood. Clearly there is mucus in there, but it's all bloody.

I'm curious, what causes this? And should we be calling his doctor. He's feeling somewhat better, but I personally don't think he's back to his "normal self", and am just wondering if we need to be alarmed by this, get him seen ASAP... go to the ER...?? We do have a CF clinic visit on 3-19

Please advise experts..... <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
 

Tess

New member
I've coughed up blood for a few days straight too for a bit a few different ttimes the docs told me it's just broken blood vessels from coughing. Each time it has happened i have notified my clinic though.
 

Tess

New member
I've coughed up blood for a few days straight too for a bit a few different ttimes the docs told me it's just broken blood vessels from coughing. Each time it has happened i have notified my clinic though.
 

Tess

New member
I've coughed up blood for a few days straight too for a bit a few different ttimes the docs told me it's just broken blood vessels from coughing. Each time it has happened i have notified my clinic though.
 

CowTown

New member
Hi Julie,

I am sure lots of people will respond to this one. I don't really have any experience with it but while paying attention to what others have said, I think there are things to do to keep the bleeding at bay, like drinking ice cold liquids and not to be too physically active. I also think I remember people saying that if it happens to "stay calm", and if it persists to call the doc. That's just some thoughts from my memory of others here on the site.

Good luck. Hope Mark gets "back to normal" very soon.
 

CowTown

New member
Hi Julie,

I am sure lots of people will respond to this one. I don't really have any experience with it but while paying attention to what others have said, I think there are things to do to keep the bleeding at bay, like drinking ice cold liquids and not to be too physically active. I also think I remember people saying that if it happens to "stay calm", and if it persists to call the doc. That's just some thoughts from my memory of others here on the site.

Good luck. Hope Mark gets "back to normal" very soon.
 

CowTown

New member
Hi Julie,

I am sure lots of people will respond to this one. I don't really have any experience with it but while paying attention to what others have said, I think there are things to do to keep the bleeding at bay, like drinking ice cold liquids and not to be too physically active. I also think I remember people saying that if it happens to "stay calm", and if it persists to call the doc. That's just some thoughts from my memory of others here on the site.

Good luck. Hope Mark gets "back to normal" very soon.
 

blindhearted

New member
I have coughed up blood before but not for days just a few hours. But I have also been told that it is caused by a broken blood vessel from coughing. If this is the first time he has coughed up just blood like this and with the way he has had chest pain recently and a change in how his chest x-ray looks, I would call the doctor just to be on the safe side. Plus I have always been told to report it. Better to let them know now, that way they can document it. You may forget to meantion it on 3-19. I do not think an ER visit is called for unless his doctor says otherwise.
 

blindhearted

New member
I have coughed up blood before but not for days just a few hours. But I have also been told that it is caused by a broken blood vessel from coughing. If this is the first time he has coughed up just blood like this and with the way he has had chest pain recently and a change in how his chest x-ray looks, I would call the doctor just to be on the safe side. Plus I have always been told to report it. Better to let them know now, that way they can document it. You may forget to meantion it on 3-19. I do not think an ER visit is called for unless his doctor says otherwise.
 

blindhearted

New member
I have coughed up blood before but not for days just a few hours. But I have also been told that it is caused by a broken blood vessel from coughing. If this is the first time he has coughed up just blood like this and with the way he has had chest pain recently and a change in how his chest x-ray looks, I would call the doctor just to be on the safe side. Plus I have always been told to report it. Better to let them know now, that way they can document it. You may forget to meantion it on 3-19. I do not think an ER visit is called for unless his doctor says otherwise.
 

kybert

New member
it can be caused by infection or like others have said, coughing. all my episodes have happened when i wasnt sick. tell him to take it easy for a while. no strenuous exercise, no lying down with head tilted down and no physio. physio will set it off over and over again if the lungs havent had time to heal. if it continues for a few more days ring the doc up.
 

kybert

New member
it can be caused by infection or like others have said, coughing. all my episodes have happened when i wasnt sick. tell him to take it easy for a while. no strenuous exercise, no lying down with head tilted down and no physio. physio will set it off over and over again if the lungs havent had time to heal. if it continues for a few more days ring the doc up.
 

kybert

New member
it can be caused by infection or like others have said, coughing. all my episodes have happened when i wasnt sick. tell him to take it easy for a while. no strenuous exercise, no lying down with head tilted down and no physio. physio will set it off over and over again if the lungs havent had time to heal. if it continues for a few more days ring the doc up.
 
L

luke

Guest
Hey Julie,

Pretty much there is a weak place in the inner lung lining somewhere. For those who rarely cough up blood it is a very good indication of an acute infection. Has Mark had a high res CT to gauge the severity of his bronchiectasis yet? It seems as mine corresponded with the worsening of my bronchiectasis. As you have read some times it gets so bad that you have to get an embolization(Diane is the expert) but mine has never gotten that bad. I would suggest getting him into the clinic for a work up to make sure his clotting factors are within limits and see what his pulmonary data shows. I am unsure of his therapy but if he uses HS hold off for a couple days, if he uses a vest turn it down and tell him not to lift heavy at the gym for a while. Increased pressure in the lung could cause his bleeding to come back. Feel free to PM me if you want to talk.

Luke
 
L

luke

Guest
Hey Julie,

Pretty much there is a weak place in the inner lung lining somewhere. For those who rarely cough up blood it is a very good indication of an acute infection. Has Mark had a high res CT to gauge the severity of his bronchiectasis yet? It seems as mine corresponded with the worsening of my bronchiectasis. As you have read some times it gets so bad that you have to get an embolization(Diane is the expert) but mine has never gotten that bad. I would suggest getting him into the clinic for a work up to make sure his clotting factors are within limits and see what his pulmonary data shows. I am unsure of his therapy but if he uses HS hold off for a couple days, if he uses a vest turn it down and tell him not to lift heavy at the gym for a while. Increased pressure in the lung could cause his bleeding to come back. Feel free to PM me if you want to talk.

Luke
 
L

luke

Guest
Hey Julie,

Pretty much there is a weak place in the inner lung lining somewhere. For those who rarely cough up blood it is a very good indication of an acute infection. Has Mark had a high res CT to gauge the severity of his bronchiectasis yet? It seems as mine corresponded with the worsening of my bronchiectasis. As you have read some times it gets so bad that you have to get an embolization(Diane is the expert) but mine has never gotten that bad. I would suggest getting him into the clinic for a work up to make sure his clotting factors are within limits and see what his pulmonary data shows. I am unsure of his therapy but if he uses HS hold off for a couple days, if he uses a vest turn it down and tell him not to lift heavy at the gym for a while. Increased pressure in the lung could cause his bleeding to come back. Feel free to PM me if you want to talk.

Luke
 

JazzysMom

New member
Given that this is his first real bleed and he has been having difficulties I would contact the clinic immediately.</B> For me its just part of the routine and anything can trigger it from an actual infection to too much caffeine. Stress & lack of sleep are the top triggers for me. He needs to be careful about going to the gym & lifting weights until he has a better idea of what is triggering this. Strenuous activities like lifting weights will only aggravate it at this point. Has he needed to have Vitamin K supplements before? He might need them now. Its not something he should overlook because it might mean a real problem for him versus just broken blood vessels. Keep us updated!
 

JazzysMom

New member
Given that this is his first real bleed and he has been having difficulties I would contact the clinic immediately.</B> For me its just part of the routine and anything can trigger it from an actual infection to too much caffeine. Stress & lack of sleep are the top triggers for me. He needs to be careful about going to the gym & lifting weights until he has a better idea of what is triggering this. Strenuous activities like lifting weights will only aggravate it at this point. Has he needed to have Vitamin K supplements before? He might need them now. Its not something he should overlook because it might mean a real problem for him versus just broken blood vessels. Keep us updated!
 
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