What type of self care should I be doing after coughing up blood

Posted by AnnK @annwk, Mar 18 10:10am

What self care should I do after coughing up blood (approx 1/4 c with clots and some mucous) I have bronchiectasis and MAC. I do airway cleansing with saline and an inhaler. I do not have a fever but a general feeling of malaise

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the MAC & Bronchiectasis Support Group.

Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Mar 18 12:12pm

@annwk That is a significant amount of blood - did you contact your pulmonologist for advice?
Normally, it would be a good idea to stop the saline for a few days as it can be an irritant.

AnnK | @annwk | Mar 18 1:05pm

Thank you, Sue, for your reply . I had a similar incident 3 months ago. My pulmonologist said anything under 1/4 c. Could be expected as long as there was also mucus and that it stopped. I just wasn’t sure about resuming the nebulizor and exercise. I will let her know about the second incident.

pmmar1 | @pmmar1 | Mar 19 10:01am

I've had major hemoptysis for 3 years now and am a patient at NJH in Denver. My ID doctor says that if you cough up more than a tablespoon of blood (clots, not including sputum), a trip to the ER would be wise. Mine are rarely over 1 tablespoon and I've learned that it isn't necessary to go to the hospital for a tablespoon or less unless you want to sit for 6 hours in the ER only to find out there is no problem after a CT scan.

If I were to go to the hospital (and even if I don't) I always take pictures of what I've coughed up to show the doctor. Most of the time the amount is less than what we think it is because we tend to include the sputum instead of, like in my case, very large actual red clots. If you were to collect just the clots in a cooking tablespoon, it most likely isn't over a tablespoon; otherwise, you would need to go to the ER.

My doctor has said to stop the Aerobika, which in my case causes hemoptysis. I have stopped the Aerobika for 2-3 days at a time and then started again -- only to have hemoptysis again. I am not on meds and haven't been for almost 3 years and continue to be "stable" so I have relied on the Aerobika. I can still produce sputum without. I walk at least a mile everyday, which is a form of airway clearance.

This is part of our diseases, mostly BE although I also have a rare lung fungal infection which can cause hemoptysis too so it's hard to say which is causing the hemoptysis. I hope this is helpful and I wish you the best!