Looking for diagnosis/guidance

I'm 35 years old and probably of average fitness.  I stopped smoking 8 years ago and started having the occasional cigar/cigarette when socialising in June of this year.  About 3 months ago I developed a nasty cough and when it never moved assumed it was a chest infection and went to the docs.  He listened, said there are a couple of rattles but nothing to worry about, advised that it was a virus that was doing the rounds and that thus there was nothing he could give.
A couple of weeks later I noticed that I was coughing up blood in the morning. I rang the doctor who advised that it was probably just from the irritation of coughing and "not to worry".
The cough did indeed begin to ease (for 2 or 3 weeks) but has now come back with a vengeance,  I'm coughing regularly and deeply from the chest rather than the throat, without a lot of sputum..the blood in the mornings has returned and I've noticed there are fine traces in the sputum during the day.In the past week I've also developed an ache in the lower back left side of my ribcage which initially felt more like a bruise (ie localised to the outer of the rib) although I can't recall knocking myself.  The ache is now spreading round to the front (but still low down in the rib cage). Am not one to go bothering doctors as a time waster but am starting to get worried ... a) that there's something wrong in there ... b) that the doctor isn't taking it seriously enough.
Could you advise please ... are these symptoms that I should worry about? ... any idea what they signify? ... what should I be asking of the doc? Many thanks, R

[National Jewish]

You are right to be concerned about this, especially the blood in your sputum. This combination of sustained cough and bloody sputum should be taken seriously. You should arrange to see a pulmonary specialist for a complete evaluation of your chest and lungs. The cause may be benign but that should no longer be the assumption.

[starion]

Dear R.,
I would definitely share your concern about a cough which lasted three months, particularly when it appears to be getting  deeper and with blood-tinged mucous.  I would definitely talk to a doctor again.  If you are unable to get your doctor to work with you on this, perhaps you need to consider finding a doctor who w-i-l-l work with you!  
By the way, it sounds like you are on your way back to becoming a smoker by allowing yourself to smoke "socially."  Please consider if that's what you really want.
Wishing you the best.
Aloha,
Starion--thriving in HI

[robertturner]

Thanks Starion
Will give the doc a visit this week.

Best regards
robert