Bronchiectasis

[16208dce]

I sometimes have blood in my sputum. Often it stops after a day or 2. Does anybody else experience this? What do you do when it happens?

[Lee2k182]

Blood in sputum is common in many inflammatory diseases, especially bronchiectasis, it happens when areas near blood vessels are irritated and they burst easily. As long as it's not severe (we're talking 100ml+ ) it's not really significant and should settle on it's own. Infection is the most common cause so it's understandable why it's common in bronchiectasis, unless you believe it's an infection and all other sinister stuff has been ruled out it shouldn't be anything to worry about.

I was under investigation for many lung diseases for 5 years with no diagnosis to this day. I was discharged as 'normal' even though I have bloody sputum occasionally- after 3 CT scans, 1 bronchoscopy, 5 x-rays, 4 spirometrys, methacholine challenge test, cardiopulmonary fitness test, echocardiogram, 3 different steroids inhalers, I was told there's no significant cause (idiopathic).

[Patk1]

Yes.sometomes coughing,bit of inflammation,infection,irritation cause v sm capillary to leak.its common with bronchiectasis.as long as its sm a/m & no new symptoms,don't worry

[Alberta56]

I agree with previous posters. It looks alarming, but is normal.

[Biker88]

my guidelines are, pink tinged sputum occasionally mention it to your doctor, coughing fresh blood less than an egg cup full contact a doctor, in UK I would call 111, more than an egg cup full call for an ambulance. I have a supply of Tranexamic acid tablets to take if I get a bleed.

[Manuker]

I was diagnosed with bronchiectasis last Dec. I have pinkish or brownish phlegm whenever i wake up after 1-2 hours' sleep at night.

I was really alarmed at first as the doctor had once told me that i needed to go to A&E if i saw blood in my phlegm. After the first two months, I realised what the doctor meant was a good quantity of blood (he was not specific) and when i showed him the pictures of the sputum he said that's quite normal with some bronchiectasis patient. So, we need to keep an eye on the qtty.

Last Friday, the doctor told me that mycobacterium avium was found in my sputum i from the bronchoscopy procedure in Sep. Now I have to leave a few more sputum specimens with the hospital again to see whether it was still there. I just don't know what this is as i have pseudomonas aeruginosa already. Would anyone out here has info on this mycobacterium avium and the treatment required?

Help really appreciated.

Manuker

[16208dce in reply to Manuker]

I've had M Avium, many years ago. Treatment was a cocktail of antibiotics daily, for at least a year. Not very nice! I've also had pseudomonas a, and had to have IV antibiotics for about 2-3 weeks! It is so important to be careful, wear a mask in enclosed and crowded places. Also must try to keep our immune system as healthy as possible. Hope you get the treatment you need.

[Manuker in reply to 16208dce]

Many thanks for the information. I wear mask whenever i go to public places or on public transport.

[janedivney in reply to Manuker]

Hi Manuker. Mycobacterium avian is the most common form of non-tuberculous mycobacterium (NTM for short). Here’s a link to an article on the ALUK website which explains it, and the treatment asthmaandlung.org.uk/condit...

At the bottom of the article is another link to a support group specifically for people with NTM.

As you’ll see, just because an NTM grows in your sputum doesn’t mean you need treatment. It’s grown in mine a few times over the years, but unless they get 3 consecutive samples they won’t consider it necessary to treat, especially if you’re not getting symptoms. I’ve never needed treatment, thank goodness

[Manuker in reply to janedivney]

Hi Janedivney, may I know for the 3 consecutive samples you mentioned, are they taken over a period of time? How far apart are these samples taken?

[janedivney in reply to Manuker]

From memory, they had to be the first samples of the morning, taken either on consecutive days or just a few days apart, whatever you can manage. Also, I was told it would have to show up on a CT and also be giving me symptoms, eg night sweats is a classic one, and of course no improvement in how you feel. The best way of avoiding an NTM is keeping your lungs as clear of secretions as possible, so efficient chest physiotherapy is essential. Like you I also have p.aeruginosa. Keeping these bacteria at bay is very time-consuming

[Manuker in reply to janedivney]

Thank you so much, Janedivney. Yes, getting the phlegm out is so time-consuming and physically demanding. I have yet to see a physio in January. Hopefully, I could get some device to help with the mucus thinning. Wish you a Merry Christmas and a happy 2025.

[PurpleEllie]

Along with my bronchiectasis I have gastric reflux, these conditions often go hand in hand. As my reflux always happens at night while I’m asleep I breathe some of the stomach acid in to my lungs which causes me to cough up blood for about a week or so. The acid also really burns my throat, which again can cause me to have blood streaking in my mucus. As other have said, it’s not really anything to worry too much about as long as it is small amounts and doesn’t last too long. If you do have reflux it’s definitely worth getting some treatment for it. Take care and stay well.