Coughing up blood

[Iremi1974]

Hi,  I am 41 year old female with a 25 year history of smoking. (I smoke about 8-10 a day).Yesterday I did a huge cough and spat the resulting phlegm in the sink.  It had blood in it. Not a large amount about 5p/dime size. The actual phlegm was clearish with a green/grey tinge. The blood was bright red. Needles to say, after reading everything online I am now scared witless! I am going to speak to my GP tomorrow.  It has not happened since.  Has this happened to anyone else and it be nothing scarey?

[skydnsr]

Glad to be here, Iremi1974.  Good luck with your new life as a nonsmoker.  If you do happen to fall off the horse, get back on it.  I have heard that the patch, the gum, Zyban, essential oils, and social support all very helpful.  Some states have toll-free phone counseling (quit lines).  You've made a good start already.

[Iremi1974]

Hi, so I spoke to the Dr and he says doing this once is not a worry in my circumstances and that my airways are very dry. If it happens more than once then we start investigating, but he is not concerned. Phew, what a relief! So, I have kept up with the no smoking, and vow to you that I will never smoke again...ever.  Thank you for being the voice at the end of the line for me. I REALLY appreciate it.  Thank you skydnsr!

[skydnsr]

I'll be thinking about you.

[Iremi1974]

Thank you for your reply and I am terribly sorry to hear about your brother. It is very hard losing a sibling. I have given up smoking as of the moment I saw the blood and I will continue to do so. Please don't apologise for saying what needs to be said. I am grateful for it.  I am hoping that you are right and that I ruptured a blood vessel. Fingers crossed. Once again, thank you for your kind words and for taking the time. I really appreciate it:-)

[skydnsr]

It can be nothing scary, and hopefully that's all it is.  You may have coughed so hard that you ruptured a small blood vessel.  You do need to see a doctor about this, though, and you do need to stop smoking.  (No big news flash there, I'm sure.  I apologize, but it has to be said.)  Let's hope and pray this is not what you're afraid of, but let it be a wake-up call.  Please take it seriously.  My brother died of lung cancer at age 50.  Good luck.

[Iremi1974]

I forgot to mention, that I don't have a cold at the mo, in fact, my nose passages are extremely dry for the past 3 weeks.  Anybody out there?.. Hello?.. Earth calling dr......;-)