Readers Respond: What Turned Out to Be the Reason You Were Coughing up Blood?

Coughing up blood can be a very frightening experience, and it often takes several tests to determine the cause. Even though most of the time it is caused by irritation or infections in the airways, it can also be due to something more serious.

Readers often find it helpful to hear about the experiences of others who have "been there" and gone through a similar scary time, so if you feel comfortable, please share your story.

What was the reason you were coughing up blood? How was it diagnosed? Did finding the cause help your doctor prescribe a treatment plan, or at least relieve some of your worry?

coughing up blood

I started coughing up large amounts of blood 2-20-2013,scariest thing to happen to me. It was about every 5 hours for 6 days, and about two tablespoons each episode. I then started taking essiac tea, as of today, 3-20-2013 , I have not coughed up blood Editor's note: I am thankful that your symptoms resolved. But even if you do not cough up blood again it is still very important that you make an appointment and talk to your doctor about what happened. Some causes are very minor, but some could be very serious.

—Guest Kathleen Bird

Coughing up blood

I read the article and when I cough up blood it has mucase... Ive experienced being dizzy, shaking, and coughing fits..... My heart rate went from 150 (before i started coughing up blood) to 191 (after i began coughing up blood). I began coughing up blood Febuary 16th, 2013 i coughed it up 2 times with in the 5 minutes of coughing. On Febuary 21, 2013 during my History class I started coughing and I coughed up a small amount of blood but it's the most I've seen come from me. Editor's note: Even though you are young and the reasons for coughing up blood are not as likely to be serious, it is still VERY important that you see a doctor and talk about your symptoms.

—Guest Guest Allison

Coughed up blood

I had couhed up blood (very small amount like few tiny tainy dots of blood) 17 days ago and it continued for 3 days. after 17 days it is happening again and its a very small amount of blood.. There is a pain in my upper chest bone, below the coller bone . My mother told me that it is caused by gas.. I have been smoking for 2 years but it has been 3 mounths i quite smoking. whats the problem with me pls dont tell me that i have lung cancer.. Editor's note: There are many causes of coughing up blood, only one of which is lung cancer. Even you suspect it is a minor cause it's always important to see your doctor.

—tanzinrahman

Idiopathic

45-year-old woman, non-smoker. Coughed up about a cup of blood over 8 hour period. Absolutely no other symptoms. Chest X-ray, ct scan, bronchoscopy, bloodwork showed no apparent cause. On antibiotic, prednisone, BP med because pred is bringing it up. Followup CT scan in 7 weeks, if not clear, biopsy.

—Guest Guest Hilary

nsclc

Lung cancer...stg 4 adenocarcinoma. Non-smoker w/asthma.

—Guest JP

Thank You

Thank you so much, a great article. Put me at ease even though I need to go see my doctor and get treated for this chest cold/bronchitis.

—Guest Jeff