first episode of hemoptysis

[rubyroselee]

Hi all,
So, I had my first episode of hemoptysis yesterday and it freaked me out! I always knew that it would happen some day, but it was still scary. I was at work, sitting there, and I started coughing a horrible junky cough (a cough that I had never felt before). I was thinking it was quite odd to have such a junky cough all of a sudden when I've been feeling really good lately. So Ikeep coughing, and felt a gurgling in my chest. When I looked at my hand there was some blood. I tried to stay calm, but it was hard. I got a drink of cold water (which I heard some people say helps) and tried to pack up my stuff quickly so I could leave work. By the time it was done, I think it was only a couple teaspoons.
So anyhow, I called my MD's office and the nurse called me back. No CPT or inhaled meds for 24 hrs and my MD wants to see me today with a chest x-ray. Sounds like I'll be put on antibiotics too.
The strange part is that I'm feeling good and I don't even think an infection is brewing. So I'm not sure why this bleed came out of nowhere. But I guess that's just what happens sometimes.
I do have a question for you all though. When is a bleed bad enough to have to go to the ER? I knew my bleed wasn't that bad, but I thought if it happened again, I should know when it's a 'bad' bleed versus a 'normal' bleed. Thanks.

 

[rubyroselee]

Hi all,
So, I had my first episode of hemoptysis yesterday and it freaked me out! I always knew that it would happen some day, but it was still scary. I was at work, sitting there, and I started coughing a horrible junky cough (a cough that I had never felt before). I was thinking it was quite odd to have such a junky cough all of a sudden when I've been feeling really good lately. So Ikeep coughing, and felt a gurgling in my chest. When I looked at my hand there was some blood. I tried to stay calm, but it was hard. I got a drink of cold water (which I heard some people say helps) and tried to pack up my stuff quickly so I could leave work. By the time it was done, I think it was only a couple teaspoons.
So anyhow, I called my MD's office and the nurse called me back. No CPT or inhaled meds for 24 hrs and my MD wants to see me today with a chest x-ray. Sounds like I'll be put on antibiotics too.
The strange part is that I'm feeling good and I don't even think an infection is brewing. So I'm not sure why this bleed came out of nowhere. But I guess that's just what happens sometimes.
I do have a question for you all though. When is a bleed bad enough to have to go to the ER? I knew my bleed wasn't that bad, but I thought if it happened again, I should know when it's a 'bad' bleed versus a 'normal' bleed. Thanks.

 

[TonyaH]

Hi Leah,
Sorry about your recent experience. Hemoptysis is scary the first few times.
Generally, for people who cough up blood from time to time, an ER trip is warranted when you cough up a half cup of blood or more. The amount you described would put Andrew on hold of all nebs and cpt for 48 hours and the doctor would want to see him in the office at the earliest chance.
It sounds like your doctor is handling things the same way Andrew's doctor does.
I'll be thinking about you!

 

[TonyaH]

Hi Leah,
Sorry about your recent experience. Hemoptysis is scary the first few times.
Generally, for people who cough up blood from time to time, an ER trip is warranted when you cough up a half cup of blood or more. The amount you described would put Andrew on hold of all nebs and cpt for 48 hours and the doctor would want to see him in the office at the earliest chance.
It sounds like your doctor is handling things the same way Andrew's doctor does.
I'll be thinking about you!

 

[gunelle]

Strange that it happend to you, becasue it sounds like what just happend to me around new year. I have had the odd stint of blood in my sputum before, about two times. On New Year's Eve when I coughed up something junky, instead of being yellow/green it was red, it happend 3-4 times, some of it was clear blood. I wrote my doctor, who told me to not take my inhaled meds and not do my fysio if it continued and start oral antibiotics if I had mucus. It did however stop and the next day I did my treatments in the evening but didn't start oral antibiotics. Fast forward a week without any blood, on Sunday it happend again. 2-3 blood coughs and I stopped the treatments and fysio and started oral antibiotics. In the same time I have developed a slight cold, and have started producing some ugly gunk, really green and feel SOB. No blood except two streaks in my mucus yesterday. I try not to worry, as people tell me it's not to worry about. But I do wonder why it happens... will it happen again. Do I need to go to see the doctor etc.

what are your experiences on this matter?

Thanks

G.

 

[gunelle]

Strange that it happend to you, becasue it sounds like what just happend to me around new year. I have had the odd stint of blood in my sputum before, about two times. On New Year's Eve when I coughed up something junky, instead of being yellow/green it was red, it happend 3-4 times, some of it was clear blood. I wrote my doctor, who told me to not take my inhaled meds and not do my fysio if it continued and start oral antibiotics if I had mucus. It did however stop and the next day I did my treatments in the evening but didn't start oral antibiotics. Fast forward a week without any blood, on Sunday it happend again. 2-3 blood coughs and I stopped the treatments and fysio and started oral antibiotics. In the same time I have developed a slight cold, and have started producing some ugly gunk, really green and feel SOB. No blood except two streaks in my mucus yesterday. I try not to worry, as people tell me it's not to worry about. But I do wonder why it happens... will it happen again. Do I need to go to see the doctor etc.

what are your experiences on this matter?

Thanks

G.

 

[beleache]

Hey Leah,
I am sorry about the hemoptysis, it can be very scary <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif" border="0"> I have had small bouts of hemoptysis for several years now.. The difference for me is that I am on blood thinner shots (the shots are so I can stop/start them from day to day) When having an active bleed my drs. stop nebs/vest/blood thinners. Sometimes they add Vitamin K ..
My last bleed, which was over a year ago, Ty God ! I knew I had to go to the ER. It wouldn't stop. My dr. had me closely monitored & thank God it did stop !
I hope you dont experience it again for a long time.. {{{leah}}} <3 joni

 

[beleache]

Hey Leah,
I am sorry about the hemoptysis, it can be very scary <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif" border="0"> I have had small bouts of hemoptysis for several years now.. The difference for me is that I am on blood thinner shots (the shots are so I can stop/start them from day to day) When having an active bleed my drs. stop nebs/vest/blood thinners. Sometimes they add Vitamin K ..
My last bleed, which was over a year ago, Ty God ! I knew I had to go to the ER. It wouldn't stop. My dr. had me closely monitored & thank God it did stop !
I hope you dont experience it again for a long time.. {{{leah}}} <3 joni

 

[beleache]

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>gunelle</b></i> Strange that it happend to you, becasue it sounds like what just happend to me around new year. I have had the odd stint of blood in my sputum before, about two times. On New Year's Eve when I coughed up something junky, instead of being yellow/green it was red, it happend 3-4 times, some of it was clear blood. I wrote my doctor, who told me to not take my inhaled meds and not do my fysio if it continued and start oral antibiotics if I had mucus. It did however stop and the next day I did my treatments in the evening but didn't start oral antibiotics. Fast forward a week without any blood, on Sunday it happend again. 2-3 blood coughs and I stopped the treatments and fysio and started oral antibiotics. In the same time I have developed a slight cold, and have started producing some ugly gunk, really green and feel SOB. No blood except two streaks in my mucus yesterday. I try not to worry, as people tell me it's not to worry about. But I do wonder why it happens... will it happen again. Do I need to go to see the doctor etc. what are your experiences on this matter? Thanks G.</end quote>

Gunheld, You should always inform your doctors when you are having a bleed .. Take care <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> joni

 

[beleache]

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>gunelle</b></i> Strange that it happend to you, becasue it sounds like what just happend to me around new year. I have had the odd stint of blood in my sputum before, about two times. On New Year's Eve when I coughed up something junky, instead of being yellow/green it was red, it happend 3-4 times, some of it was clear blood. I wrote my doctor, who told me to not take my inhaled meds and not do my fysio if it continued and start oral antibiotics if I had mucus. It did however stop and the next day I did my treatments in the evening but didn't start oral antibiotics. Fast forward a week without any blood, on Sunday it happend again. 2-3 blood coughs and I stopped the treatments and fysio and started oral antibiotics. In the same time I have developed a slight cold, and have started producing some ugly gunk, really green and feel SOB. No blood except two streaks in my mucus yesterday. I try not to worry, as people tell me it's not to worry about. But I do wonder why it happens... will it happen again. Do I need to go to see the doctor etc. what are your experiences on this matter? Thanks G.</end quote>

Gunheld, You should always inform your doctors when you are having a bleed .. Take care <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> joni

 

[jmiller]

Ugh Leah. Hemoptysis is no fun. If I remember correctly, you have a great FEV1 and are in good health. If you search for hemoptysis postings you will find a handful of other women (myself included) who have good lung function and will have bleeds without any infection. I started having them occasionally in college and then with much more regularity in my early 20s. I believe there is a strong connection with hormones. More recently, I've had a bleed every time I have a period (and no bleeds during my two pregnancies - I really just need to be a surrogate). There are other CF women with the same symptoms - so perhaps that had something to do with yours?!

I have only gone to the ER once for a bleed and it was a more massive event - instead of a small amount it was more on the order of a ½-full cup. I ended up having an embolization. The small bleeds are unnverving as well, but usually don't require an ER trip.

 

[jmiller]

Ugh Leah. Hemoptysis is no fun. If I remember correctly, you have a great FEV1 and are in good health. If you search for hemoptysis postings you will find a handful of other women (myself included) who have good lung function and will have bleeds without any infection. I started having them occasionally in college and then with much more regularity in my early 20s. I believe there is a strong connection with hormones. More recently, I've had a bleed every time I have a period (and no bleeds during my two pregnancies - I really just need to be a surrogate). There are other CF women with the same symptoms - so perhaps that had something to do with yours?!

I have only gone to the ER once for a bleed and it was a more massive event - instead of a small amount it was more on the order of a ½-full cup. I ended up having an embolization. The small bleeds are unnverving as well, but usually don't require an ER trip.

 

[mamerth]

I am having a lung bleed right now. Had a slightly increased cough and woke up this morning tasting blood and then started coughing it up. Yuck!!

I called my CF nurse and she said she would likely send out Rx for antibiotic and vitamin K.

 

[mamerth]

I am having a lung bleed right now. Had a slightly increased cough and woke up this morning tasting blood and then started coughing it up. Yuck!!

I called my CF nurse and she said she would likely send out Rx for antibiotic and vitamin K.

 

[rubyroselee]

Thanks for all your replies everyone. I saw my MD today and I'm on some vitamin K and Levaquin. The problem is that I think I might be allergic to Levaquin, so I have to take my first dose under the nurse's care at my PCP's office tomorrow morning. I also have an epi-pen and some Zofran for taking it tomorrow as well. I'm hoping all goes well with it and I can tolerate it. And I'm hoping that I don't have another episode of that again because it's not fun! Especially that it happened at work and I had to scoot out without anyone noticing.

I sort of had to explain things to my boss today, who previously had no idea about my CF. She seemed very concerned and she has been very understanding of me being out of work today and part of tomorrow. So that's good - whew!

But I definitely feel better knowing that hemoptysis can happen and is a bit normal for CFers. It's still frightening though. I'm happy I can resume CPT/nebs tonight <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[rubyroselee]

Thanks for all your replies everyone. I saw my MD today and I'm on some vitamin K and Levaquin. The problem is that I think I might be allergic to Levaquin, so I have to take my first dose under the nurse's care at my PCP's office tomorrow morning. I also have an epi-pen and some Zofran for taking it tomorrow as well. I'm hoping all goes well with it and I can tolerate it. And I'm hoping that I don't have another episode of that again because it's not fun! Especially that it happened at work and I had to scoot out without anyone noticing.

I sort of had to explain things to my boss today, who previously had no idea about my CF. She seemed very concerned and she has been very understanding of me being out of work today and part of tomorrow. So that's good - whew!

But I definitely feel better knowing that hemoptysis can happen and is a bit normal for CFers. It's still frightening though. I'm happy I can resume CPT/nebs tonight <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[Keepercjr]

Leah - sorry you got your first scare. Get this - my first episode was on a cruise ship in the middle of nowhere (well, off the coast of new zealand). Talk about freaky! I was feeling good too. Once it stopped all was well again. I have had a few over the years since then and they tend to occur when I'm feeling fine. My MD says they occur because infection wears away the tissue by the vessel but I don't understand why they happen when we are not feeling sick. My latest episode was this summer and I was prescribed levaquin too but I don't feel it made one bit of difference - I didn't feel any better or worse after taking it.

 

[Keepercjr]

Leah - sorry you got your first scare. Get this - my first episode was on a cruise ship in the middle of nowhere (well, off the coast of new zealand). Talk about freaky! I was feeling good too. Once it stopped all was well again. I have had a few over the years since then and they tend to occur when I'm feeling fine. My MD says they occur because infection wears away the tissue by the vessel but I don't understand why they happen when we are not feeling sick. My latest episode was this summer and I was prescribed levaquin too but I don't feel it made one bit of difference - I didn't feel any better or worse after taking it.

 

[beleache]

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>rubyroselee</b></i> Thanks for all your replies everyone. I saw my MD today and I'm on some vitamin K and Levaquin. The problem is that I think I might be allergic to Levaquin, so I have to take my first dose under the nurse's care at my PCP's office tomorrow morning. I also have an epi-pen and some Zofran for taking it tomorrow as well. I'm hoping all goes well with it and I can tolerate it. And I'm hoping that I don't have another episode of that again because it's not fun! Especially that it happened at work and I had to scoot out without anyone noticing. I sort of had to explain things to my boss today, who previously had no idea about my CF. She seemed very concerned and she has been very understanding of me being out of work today and part of tomorrow. So that's good - whew! But I definitely feel better knowing that hemoptysis can happen and is a bit normal for CFers. It's still frightening though. I'm happy I can resume CPT/nebs tonight <img src=""></end quote>

Hey Leah, Glad you have a plan & that your boss is understanding !! Feel better <3 joni

 

[beleache]

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>rubyroselee</b></i> Thanks for all your replies everyone. I saw my MD today and I'm on some vitamin K and Levaquin. The problem is that I think I might be allergic to Levaquin, so I have to take my first dose under the nurse's care at my PCP's office tomorrow morning. I also have an epi-pen and some Zofran for taking it tomorrow as well. I'm hoping all goes well with it and I can tolerate it. And I'm hoping that I don't have another episode of that again because it's not fun! Especially that it happened at work and I had to scoot out without anyone noticing. I sort of had to explain things to my boss today, who previously had no idea about my CF. She seemed very concerned and she has been very understanding of me being out of work today and part of tomorrow. So that's good - whew! But I definitely feel better knowing that hemoptysis can happen and is a bit normal for CFers. It's still frightening though. I'm happy I can resume CPT/nebs tonight <img src=""></end quote>

Hey Leah, Glad you have a plan & that your boss is understanding !! Feel better <3 joni