Coughing up mucus, blood tinged?

RogerRN43
RogerRN43 Member Posts: 185
edited December 2011 in Head and Neck Cancer #1
About 2 weeks post rads, last few days, noticed some blood when I hack up mucus, not every time and not sure where it's coming from.
Did anyone else get this?

Comments

  • sweetblood22
    sweetblood22 Member Posts: 3,228
    I did. Not sure if it's
    I did. Not sure if it's normal or not.
  • soccerfreaks
    soccerfreaks Member Posts: 2,788 Member
    ditto
    I did as well but had a lot of things going on. The one thing I would say is to keep an eye on it and if it continues do not hesitate to report it to Onco Man. In fact, I would do this anyway, next time you see him or her. A favorite metastasizing place for squamous cell carcinoma appears to be the lungs.

    Take care,

    Joe
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    I did...
    I think a lot of us have had similar post rads and surgeries, not uncommon at all, especially only two weeks out.

    But, if you are at all indoubt, see your MD's, even if only for some reassurance.

    My ENT is my lead, I still see him regularly, though now only every six months or so.

    But, I visited him frequently and unscheduled the first year...he was always there and let me know that he'd rather me be proactive, than him being reactive...

    Best,
    John
  • jtl
    jtl Member Posts: 456
    Roger
    Never coughed up anything so that is a new one for me.
  • hawk711
    hawk711 Member Posts: 566
    jtl said:

    Roger
    Never coughed up anything so that is a new one for me.

    Hi Roger
    I coughed up all kinds of crap, blood included. It was comint from my nasal passages. The rads can cause major damage as you know and small vessels are weak and can leak blood. If the amount is small, I wouldn't worry, but if it looks like more blood than mucus,then be very concerned.....
    You are right to ask questions as you heal....there will be other issues for you too i hate to say.....keep tracking up that hill, you'll reach to top soon and then you'll be going downhill.....All that easier to get to the new normal....'
    Merry Christmas
    Steve
  • robinleigh
    robinleigh Member Posts: 297
    Tinge
    Andy coughed up some mucus that was blood tinged and it turned out to be nothing. Just small capillaries from trying to get up all that thick mucus. As always, let your doc or np know just to be safe.

    Guess you are about out of that " still cooking" phase from radiation and can begin to heal through a new phase!

    My best,
    Robin
  • NeoTheron91
    NeoTheron91 Member Posts: 75
    Same to me
    Hi Rodger,

    I am in my post rad for 11 days, blood coming out from my nose when I try to release some mucus from blocking nose as well as coughing sometime. I've mentioned it to my doc and explained it will be like that for a while after and during rad due to damage tissues. He gave me nasal spray and Sinus care to relive. I am hoping that it will heal as soon as possible.

    Cheers,
    Neo
  • ac
    ac Member Posts: 88 Member
    Got that too
    I had that too and mentioned it to the oncologist. They didn't seem worried since it was specks of blood in the mucus and it was still pretty soon after rads. But if the amount of blood was significant, it would have been a cause for concern.
  • RogerRN43
    RogerRN43 Member Posts: 185
    Thanks for your comments, seems to have resolved on it's own, haven't seen blood in my coughed up mucus for days now.
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    RogerRN43 said:

    Thanks for your comments, seems to have resolved on it's own, haven't seen blood in my coughed up mucus for days now.

    MD Follow-Up
    Being in the field yourself, I hope you either did or plan to have a follow-up soon....can't be too pro-active.

    JG
  • RogerRN43
    RogerRN43 Member Posts: 185
    Skiffin16 said:

    MD Follow-Up
    Being in the field yourself, I hope you either did or plan to have a follow-up soon....can't be too pro-active.

    JG

    Yes
    I have an appt with my chemo onc Jan 4, and rad onc Jan 13.

    However, from reading what people get in the U.S., I don't have confidence in the Canadian health care system. It is universal and basic.
    For instance, there was no option for induction chemo and they don't do PET scans pre or for follow-up.

    I received the gold standard 35 IMRT, 3 Cisplatin week 1,4,7.
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    RogerRN43 said:

    Yes
    I have an appt with my chemo onc Jan 4, and rad onc Jan 13.

    However, from reading what people get in the U.S., I don't have confidence in the Canadian health care system. It is universal and basic.
    For instance, there was no option for induction chemo and they don't do PET scans pre or for follow-up.

    I received the gold standard 35 IMRT, 3 Cisplatin week 1,4,7.

    ENT Scope
    Not sure if you have an ENT involved, mine has always been the lead.

    I was scoped by him every 6 - 8 weeks my first year, every 3 - 4 months my second and on six months going into my third year now.

    He first identified it and I have confidense he would be the first to notice any changes.

    JG
  • jtl
    jtl Member Posts: 456
    Skiffin16 said:

    ENT Scope
    Not sure if you have an ENT involved, mine has always been the lead.

    I was scoped by him every 6 - 8 weeks my first year, every 3 - 4 months my second and on six months going into my third year now.

    He first identified it and I have confidense he would be the first to notice any changes.

    JG

    Scope
    Getting scoped on Wednesday. My Ent is also my go to guy also, did my original diagnosis. Plus I like his attitude, Italian from S. Philly. Pretty much a "buck up" attitude but a very good doc from what I hear.