blood in phlegm(sputum) or rusty phlegm

[s10a]

Hi all, I am 28, never smoked and no alcoholic drink in my life. I have been having a rusty or blood associated phlegm (sputum) for about 8 months. I don't cough at all. Such phlegm easily comes out after I wake up from sleeping.  At other times, I have to summon (pull out phlegm) repeatedly and the blood assocoated or the rusty would show up in the fourth or fifth call. I have burning pain on my ribs to the right and left of what is called "infrasternal notch" (where gastritis pain is usually felt). The pain goes to the middle of my right and left ribs, and even to  the back side of my ribs. "complete" blood test turned normal. My Doc did X-ray 2 months ago and it was normal, he said. He sent me to a GI and the GI thinks the blood has nothing to do with GI. My Doc set me up with pulmonologist for Jan 5. Please any related  idea is highly appreciated. I have acid reflux problems. I don't have wizling (the sound from asthma), and no shortness of breath at all. My stool is now pale yelowish colored and I am doing some stool test. Help please!
God bless U
thank you.
sam

[jessica_lynn_stone]

Well, my question isn't actually on bloody spetum. I am 16 and for 2 years I have been having upper and lower stomach pain. it hurts when I'm hungry and I can't expell gas properly, but I burp a lot. None of my doctors can figure out what it is because I live in a small twon with a bunch of hicks. Anyway, it's really scary to me, because my mother died of stomach cancer. It hurts a lot under both rib cages and some in my lower belly. Someimes my abdomen is very tender and others it is not. My upper back hurts around my ribs and such, and my bowels are sometimes yellow, brown yellow, brown, orbright pale yellow. I am really worried, so if you would, get back with me. Thank you.


Jessica Stone

[National Jewish]

The first step should be to determine the source of this rusty phlegm.  This could come from anywhere in the respiratory tract, from the nose and sinuses to the lungs.  A careful examination by an ENT doctor would find if there is a problem in your nose and sinuses that is the source.

On Monday, January 5, 2004 the pulmonologist may repeat the x-ray.  This lung specialist may want to have a CT scan done and may even want to do a bronchoscopy.  This is a procedure where a tube called a bronchoscope is passed through your nose into your windpipe to look into your lungs.  It is possible that the rusty phlegm is linked to your acid reflux problem.  The reflux can burn the airways of your lungs, especially at night.

[coffeebeanbebe55]

A related discussion, Blood in speutum was started.

[cw123]

I have a friend who is afraid to go to the doctor's because of
his symptoms. Can you narrow down the possibilities of what maybe
wrong?  He bleeds from sinuses, and spits up mucous, sometimes
blood comes up.  Stool is tar-like.  He is always run down, and
has a lot of headaches.  Sometimes there is also bleeding with
bowel movements.  He is 30 and is a smoker. He has been drinking
more now with the stress of the job and has a very miserable
attitude about most things in his life now.  His job is a very
high stress job each day.  I think I have covered all of the
symptoms he gave me.  Help!!  I am so worried about him, and
he is afraid to find out what is really wrong with him.  Thank
You.

[Ellis7]

Symptom: Yellow Stool     13 possibilities, click for details

                  C

                   Celiac Disease ... pale stool
                   Cholangitis ... pale stool
                   Cholecystitis ... pale stool

                  G

                   Gallstones ... Clay-colored stools
                   Giardia ... pale stools

                  H

                   Hepatitis ... pale feces
                   Hepatitis A ... light colored stool
                   Hepatitis B ... light colored stool
                   Hepatitis C ... light colored stool

                  J

                   Jaundice ... pale feces

                  S

                   Sprue ... pale stool
                   Steatorrhea ... pale stool

                  V

                   Viral Hepatitis ... pale feces

[Ellis7]

Symptom: Vomiting blood,  16 possibilities

Nosebleed
Prior nosebleed - the blood from a nosebleed may have been swallowed.
Blood in sputum - blood from the lungs may have been coughed up and swallowed.
Lung bleeding
Peptic ulcer
Gastritis
Gastric erosion
Esophageal bleeding (type of Gastrointestinal bleeding)
Esophageal irritation - such as from persistent coughing or other irritations.
Esophagus vein hemorrhage
Cirrhosis of the liver
Chronic hepatitis (type of Hepatitis)
Stomach bleeding (type of Gastrointestinal bleeding)
Stomach cancer
Certain drugs

See also blood in sputum, vomiting, or other bleeding symptoms

[s10a]

Thanks Ellis7 for your comment. As the web-page says, it could be one of many possibilities. The GI specialist says the beeding has nothing to do with my GI system. As far as I read, coughing would proceed any lung problems, before coughing. I haven't come across anywhere where bleeding would accur in the lungs for as long as 8 months with out coughing. As I pointed earlier, the bleeding is not continous. I can have it at any time I want it though. I just have to pull out more and more phlegm and it would show up in the 4th to 6th run. I have seen ear, nose and throat specialist before 4 months too. All he assured me was that there is no any growth on my throat. He just used a mirror to see down my throat. Some times, my gum bleed during brushing.
thanks once again, sam.