Hi all - I’m 28 years old, smoked (quite heavily at times) since 19/20. Quit a couple of months ago. Otherwise have always been healthy, fit and active.
Have been extremely anxious/scared because, for the last 2-3 months, about once/twice a week, give or take, I wake up and spit out pink. I have no cough ever really. I only ever spit out pink in the morning. The spit is never red, never streaky, just pink tinged spit. I seem to spit like this about 5 or 6 times, then try clearing my throat again and it’s back to normal clear/white-ish spit.
This only occurs in the morning and during the day I often clear my throat anxiously and spit out but it’s ALWAYS clear and normal..
I also have been getting shortness of breath after exercise (especially) and I often have chest discomfort - but feel like the chest discomfort is more related to anxiety than anything else. I had a pulmonary exam to check for asthma and GP said results show I don’t have asthma.
It’s bizarre. I have had a chest x-ray and it came back completely normal. I am a mouth breather. I have a history of really bad hay fever and sinus issues.
Thank you to whoever reads this!
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JustinPeckett
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Thanks for replying nah I seriously don’t it’s from my gums - it only occurs after clearing throat a few times. I mean I hope it is from my gums, just skeptical about that - I grind my teeth a lot during the night actually.
If you haven't been fitted for a mouth guard by your dentist for your teeth grinding (bruxism) you should get one soonest, otherwise you can damage your teeth. Best of luck with everything.
They really are expensive Justin, but it is your health so nothing is worth more (my son has the same problem and if he doesn't wear his mouth guard he ends up paying a lot more in money and pain in his teeth).
Do you suffer from acid reflux at all? I have similar issues but I am asthmatic and I have been told that it can aggrevate the upper respiratory tract.
Yeah I should’ve said that in my post! I have had incredibly bad reflux for the past 10 years - every single day... that’s my best guess - that is is just irritation and some damage to my respiratory tract caused by reflux.. thank you for the reply!
That is baffling....But I think both the suggestions of possibly to do with gums, and possibly something to do with your gut....Well both are possible. I have copd, coughed up big blob of blood, doctors thought all sorts, ranging from lung to liver cancer!! It was neither it was an ulcer, still not sure where!! Not able to get investigated due to lungs being so bad. Changed my diet and all is right. I am sorry but I am unable to solve this riddle for you!
It sounds like you have investigated as far as you can at this stage. Other test would be an MRI, which is better than a CT scan, but CT is a good screening tool too. However you aren't presenting with enough to warrant such tests!
And from what you have said your doctor sounds not too concerned. You could go and get a second opinion. But the other option is to meditate!, yes meditate, start to really relax, try not too focus on it. The mind is so powerful you could make yourself sick. So maybe best to let it go now. It is so great you stopped smoking, keeping up with your fitness regime is fantastic. Keep it that way.
Apologies can't be more helpful. Good luck and let us know how you go.
You could try washing out your sinuses regularly with saline solution and gargling with a mouthwash like Corsodyl daily, and see if that helps. It wouldn't cost much and it might help clear up any left over problems with your sinuses.
Hi. Not everything shows up on an xray whereas a CT scan shows more.
Ergendl has a good idea with tackling the sinuses. Quite a few of us have sinus issues alongside lung problems- they are part of the airways after all. Post nasal drip goes on all night, often lodging in the throat to be cleared in the morning. Sterimar sterile saline nasal solution may help find it on the shelf at chemists and supermarkets. Really worth a try. If you're hard up you could make your own and snort it up one nostril at a time (have a look on youtube for demo) sounds vile personally so the Sterimar is much 'nicer'. Also, drink plenty of fluids, helps keep secretions less sticky & easier to clear.
Secondly, look up silent reflux. Do keep going to your GP though, we have to keep following up so they can move along in their set down processes, good they're taking you seriously with the asthma test & xray so far. P
PS well done you on the quitting of cigarettes, the very best thing for your future health 👍
Thanks for the reply, I have used saline solution before and found it was pretty effective - I’ll definitely give it a try again now.
As for acid reflux and silent reflux, I have had extremely bad reflux for the past 9/10 years - however I have taken medication for it for the last two weeks (dunno why it took me so long to take meds for it, scared of the long term risks associated with those drugs maybe?!) and I have still spat out pink saliva since having started taking those meds.
Damage to respiratory tract from years of every day reflux is my best guess though...
Hi there I am sure it is not hi g tone too concerned about but you need to have it checked... Ask fir a referral for a ENT consultation... You need a camera up your nose and down your throat. Could be sinuses... Anything but definitely worth the peace of mind. Best of luck xcy
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nah I seriously don’t it’s from my gums - it only occurs after clearing throat a few times. I mean I hope it is from my gums, just skeptical about that - I grind my teeth a lot during the night actually. 
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