Copd

[Chalky2]

I have copd and a cough which I have had for 3 years, I cough up mucus and today the mucus has a blood in it. Not a lot but can see it, should I be worried and see my G P

[Hidden]

Could be you hurt a small blood vessel and it had bleed. It happened to me. Keep an eye on the amount of blood you are bringing up and how many times you are doing it. Then go to Gp's as it might be something serious

[Spacecat1 in reply to Hidden]

Sometimes if you have been coughing a lot it irritates the back of throat but if it becomes continual bleeding I would pop to the surgery to be o the safe side

[sassy59]

I would phone the GP and explain what’s been happening. At least they can then take things from there. Xxxx

[Kristicats]

My GP referred me to a respiratory physician when this happened to me ( been wanting to see one for 3 years)and he sent me for a ct scan.

[Chalky2 in reply to Kristicats]

Thanks chriskho how did you get rid of the blood you were coughing up did the ct scan show anything

[Kristicats in reply to Chalky2]

In my case ....the blood disappeared after a course of antibiotics but I was diagnosed with mild bronchiectasis through the CT scan. Never had much of a cough though except during an infection .

However, it could simply be a small vessel that has been disturbed during your coughing or any other amount of reasons that clear up naturally. Always best to check anything out that shows blood though.

[Chalky2 in reply to Kristicats]

Thank you for your help perhaps I should start taking my rescue pack as I can’t get to the doctors until Monday they are closed at the weekend and it’s very difficult to get an appointment anyway

[Kristicats in reply to Chalky2]

If you think you have an infection.

[gingermusic]

Same happened to me I had had a cough for a good 9 months and bringing up a lot of phlegm twice with a fleck of blood in it. My GP ordered a CT scan which showed I had bronchiectasis and I am having my right lung flushed out in a couple of weeks and then being shown special exercises to stop the phlegm from building up again. See your GP

[Chalky2 in reply to gingermusic]

Thank you I saw the copd nurse for a yearly check up two weeks ago every thing she said was ok I have had this cough for 3 years and was told it’s all because of copd and nothing will cure it so I try to get on with it I was diagnosed with copd about 6 years ago I am a bit limited to excercise I am 80 yrs old but do try I am now wondering if I have got copd or bronchiectasis like you not sure what to do now

[gingermusic in reply to Chalky2]

It is not normal to have a cough for so long so they should be looking into why you have had it this long. There are also special exercises we can be taught that help to get the phlegm up more easily. I have an appointment with my local physio dept next week for that, so that after I have had my lung washed out of all this phlegm I can then do the exercises daily to stop it building back up again. Well that I believe is the theory.

I really think you should see your actual GP and ask for a referral for a scan as if you do have Bronchiectasis that is the only way for it to show up.

[Chalky2 in reply to gingermusic]

Yes I will thank you I will let you know how I get on I did read that some people with copd can have a cough all the time and others don’t and as long as you don’t cough at night it’s all part of copd so I am totally confused I don’t get chest infections and my breathing is reasonable but I will see the GP

[gingermusic in reply to Chalky2]

I have had COPD for the past 29 years due to Emphysema then developed the cough some 9-10 months ago when the doctor decided on the CT scan as I said if your cough is due to Bronchiectasis it can only be proved with the scan. I never had a problem with coughing in all those years before, unless I had a flare up of course.

[Chalky2 in reply to gingermusic]

I will get to see the GP as soon as I can thank you for your help I will let you know how it goes xxx

[gingermusic]

Yes please do I will be interested in how you get on and I wish you well