Coughing up blood with broniectasis

[Tufty3535]

Hi, I was diagnosed with bronchiectasis and pseudomonas back in August last year. I was doing ok but as soon as winter came my cough has got worse and I’m tired and been on antibiotics every 6 weeks. I was put back on them again on Monday without seeing Dr as no appointments, today I’ve been coughing up blood, is this normal with an infection? Any advise would be really appreciated.

[Darceydoo]

No appointments I’d insist you are seen by a DR!!!

[Tufty3535]

Believe me I’ve tried.

[Patsy164]

Hi Tufty have you had streaks of blood? Depends how much you are bringing up. My nurse says if it is a lot then go to the doctors or hospital. Maybe ring 111 if they think it’s urgent they will advise. Hope you get on ok and let us know how you get on. 😊

[Tufty3535]

Hi Patsy, it seems to of stopped for now, I’ve had a lot of mucus today so I was bringing blood up in that, it wasn’t streaked it was all blood. I’m hoping that’s it for now.

[Hidden]

It is a common thing with bronchiectasis. Some cough up more than others and it is a sign of an infection which is not being treated properly. It is horrible and frightening I know but usually self limiting. It sounds as though you have an exacerbation which is not being dealt with by the antibiotics which you have been having. Has your GP sent a sample off to be tested for the bacteria and a suggestion for the right antibiotic. I would take a sample into the surgery and insist that it is sent off. Also try to see the GP whilst you are standing eyeball to eyeball with the receptionist. You tell them that this is serious and needs treating now, not when the computer says. If still no go, call your consultant’s secretary and tell them what is happening despite having had so many antibiotics. Get them to contact the con to ask what should be done. Good luck.

[corriena]

Yes it is common with bronk. However it should not be lots. You need to see somone as soon as you can (dont panic its not life thretaning). You need to lern some clearance techniques. do you use carbosistean ? That helps but you still need to ask to be shown how to clear out all the gunk from the bottom of your lungs to help stop the infections.

[Tufty3535]

Hi littlepom and corriena, Makes me feel at lot more at ease with you both saying it’s common with bronchiectasis. The dr has given me doxycycline this time, only started it mon and have two weeks worth so fingers crossed it will sort it. I do my breathing techniques twice a day, I think the bronc in my lower zone left lung is harder to move the sputum. If I get any more blood I’ll be straight down drs. Thanks again.

[Hidden]

Are you by any chance taking warfarin or one of the anticoagulants?

[Tufty3535 in reply to Hidden]

No I’m not on warfarin, only inhalers and doxycycline. Haven’t coughed any blood up today so hopefully that was it. Thanks for all you help x

[Hidden in reply to Tufty3535]

Good. I had to stop taking anti coagulants for my AF because they caused me to cough up quite a bit of blood when I don’t usually do that. Sounds as though the exacerbation is ettling down now.

[Tufty3535 in reply to Hidden]

Hi littlepom

Just wondered how often your dr puts you on antibiotics, this is all so new to me and I haven’t been given much info still. I’m waiting for a follow up appointment at the hospital but they are running behind. Every time I ring my dr surgery to say my cough has got worse and sputum green they put me on antibiotics, I seem to be on them every 6 weeks. They help with the cough etc but within two weeks of coming off it all starts again.

[Hidden in reply to Tufty3535]

Firstly let’s clear something up. Many people think that pseudomonas can be cleared from the body. Unfortunately once it is there it lurks. Even though antibiotic treatment may reduce the numbers so much that they do not show up on a lab plate. Having had thousands of these tests done I do not trust them at all. It is how you feel and the condition of the mucus that is important. It is possible to live with it and the aim is to keep the numbers very low. This is why many of us nebulise abs as a prophylactic. The only oral ab which really tackles it is ciproxen. This is why you need to be cared for by a bronch specialist , not a general respiratory consultant or the GP. They simply do not have the expertise but are often reluctant to admit it.

I have been at this game so long that my GP just goes with what the consultant tells her and with what I request. They are cooperative and I suspect, grateful, because I know more than they do about it.

You should have a rescue pack of 14 days of the most suitable antibiotic to keep at home. The consultant should inform the GP of this and it should be on repeat.

If I feel an exacerbation coming on I take my cipro. Since I got a pneumonia and empyema in 2015 which my GP failed to spot, I have back up arrangements for IV if the cipro are not making a difference after 7 days but luckily ( fingers crossed) I have not had to use that.

Bronch is a complex condition which requires medical expertise and patient management. You need to educate yourself about it - which you are doing- and be very proactive in your own interests and vociferous in sourcing the right treatment.

You will get there. I just hope that the consultant you are seeing is a bronch specialist. Actually, you started this thread about coughing up blood. Now it seems to have changed to pseudomonas. Were you treated for pseudomonas or have other people just assumed that you have this bug? I am now very confused.

[Tufty3535 in reply to Hidden]

Hi littlepom

When I had my ct scan and Bronchoscopy the results showed up bronchiectasis and pseudomonas. I’ve had three mucus tests since and the last one showed no sign of pseudomonas but I’m not so sure as still feeling the same and have a lot of green mucus. I’m waiting for a follow up hospital appointment with the heart and chest specialist. X

[Hidden in reply to Tufty3535]

Hm yes. As I said pseudo often does not show up onthe plate when we know it is there. I presume that they looked for other bugs? Hopefilly theconsultant will come up with a plan

[lKeith]

Tufty3535

Hi, psudomonas usually takes along time to clear the system, I was in hospital with it this time last year & I've still got some effects.

If your antibiotics are making you bring up blood tell your GP but read the leaflet beforehand. I have severe emphysema and have to take a blood thinner which means that almost all the time I bring up blood with the mucus, I don't think you have to worry but to put you mind at rest after you've read the leaflet, talk it thro' with your GP.

IKeith

[Tufty3535 in reply to lKeith]

Hi Ikeith

I’m waiting for my third mucus test to come back to see if the pseudomonas has cleared up, fingers crossed although I’ve heard it’s a very stubborn bug. The blood has stopped today so I’m hoping that’s it now and it won’t happen again. Thanks for you reply it’s always nice to hear from others who have been in same situation.

[Patches2]

You may be interested in what my consultant said about coughing up blood. He said if it is an eggcup full to immediately go to the Emergency Room at the hospital. Hope this helps.

[Tufty3535 in reply to Patches2]

Hi Patches

Thanks for the info, luckily it’s stopped now.