Just finished a very hard interval workout on the cross bike. I felt blah during most of the 50 minute ride. Lungs felt obstructed, legs heavy, etc. During the last interval lap, I had to cough up what felt like a lung nugget (totally normal during a workout like this). It was red and bloody. I coughed up a bit more blood. Did some spitting, which looked normal. Finished the lap and rode home. I coughed up a little bit more blood. After coughing, my lungs felt much clearer. Now, sitting and typing, I feel fine and my lungs feel more open.
I’ve never had this happen before. Not sure if I should be worried. Not sure if I should head to the ER, urgent care or what.
Does anyone have any input? I’m a little concerned, but not freaked out.
I’d get it looked at and I’m not a run to the doctor person, I’d probably go to urgent care and then follow up with my PCP. Coughing up blood from your lungs always needs to be worked-up. It could be anything from innocuous to you might die tonight (not to scare you)
Just finished a very hard interval workout on the cross bike. I felt blah during most of the 50 minute ride. Lungs felt obstructed, legs heavy, etc. During the last interval lap, I had to cough up what felt like a lung nugget (totally normal during a workout like this). It was red and bloody. I coughed up a bit more blood. Did some spitting, which looked normal. Finished the lap and rode home. I coughed up a little bit more blood. After coughing, my lungs felt much clearer. Now, sitting and typing, I feel fine and my lungs feel more open.
I’ve never had this happen before. Not sure if I should be worried. Not sure if I should head to the ER, urgent care or what.
Does anyone have any input? I’m a little concerned, but not freaked out.
Thanks.
I’d go get it checked out. As npage says, could just be irritation from dry air and a tough workout, or could be signs of something bigger. Time for the pro’s, not “Stayed at a Holiday Inn” time.
I’ve done a lot of bike racing and a lot of years of hard intervals and have never coughed blood. That doesn’t sound good. Probably just an infection, but who knows.
This is one of those time to not HTFU. It is probably nothing, but I would schedule a visit with the Doctor straight way. The ER or Urgent Care is appropriate if the condition is happening right now and won’t stop, but it sounds like it has stopped.
what you’ve described are the exact symptoms of a pulmonary embolism which can go away on it’s own but is very lethal if ignored and you continue pushing yourself. Typically with a PE there is a pink like froth that is coughed up in combination of what feels like chest cold congestion. It is more common in cold water swims I believe which causes blood to pool in your torso to keep your organs warm. It could also be a blood clot from your leg that goes upstream.
Agree that PE would be the thing that is most worrisome. . .it could kill you before anything else. Typically a PE that results in blood being expectorated would have damage to the lungs (or what is known as a pulmonary infarction). It shouldn’t clear up so quickly if this was the case. Another thing that goes against a PE is the fact that you felt better and clearer afterwards. Most people who develop a PE have sudden shortness of breath that doesn’t typically go away. Granted you went from heavy exertion to rest so that may explain the improvement in symptoms.
another possibility is that you may have some exercise induced pulmonary hypertension. Haven’t seen many (maybe not even 1) cases but typically peeps have pink frothy sputum. Off the cuff without any more info, PE is not necessarily on the top of my list but is always the most worrisome.
A few questions: 1. Did the symptoms begin suddenly? Meaning did it feel as instantaneously as though someone turned on a light switch.
2. Have you had some bronchitis or URI recently?
3. Are you predisposed to blood clots or are there any family members with a history of blood clots (not strokes)?
4. Any leg swelling recently?
5. Recent surgery, inactivity, or long travel?
6. How much blood did you cough up? Was it streaked on top of a goober or were they actually blood clots?
Hope this helps. If you get back soon, I might be able to help more.
Kar-Ming
First rule of the internet when seeking advice on medical issues: if you feel the need to ask an internet forum then you need to get it seen to by a professional.
Alternately if you’re dumb enough to think that this isn’t worth looking into then there’s probably no hope for you anyway. Make sure you have good life insurance for your family’s sake.
Which would maybe be ok for anything not potentially life threatening. Coughing up blood? FFS go to a proper doctor in person. At least you can sue them if you are mis-diagnosed so your family will have money to live on when you are gone. I know medical expenses can be horrendous in the US (thank goodness for universal health care in Australia) but funerals are pretty bloody expensive too. Just like bike parts, saving a few bucks can cost a lot more in the long run.
Generally agree with the other posters, would seek medical attention. Agree with your level of concern (not freaked out, concerned). I think those diagnosing you with pulmonary embolism are barking up the wrong tree, but probably some testing is in order.
Scott
Thanks everyone. I spent some quality time at Urgent Care yesterday. I got a full work up (chest xrays, blood work, exam, etc) and all came back normal. The doctor seemed most concerned about TB, pulmonary embolism and tumors in the lungs. All of which, thankfully, were negative. I’m going to follow up with a pulmonologist for a more thorough examination.
The doctor was unable to provide a definitive cause. He speculated the blood was likely nasal in origin and did not come from my lungs.
Thanks for the concern. It was probably dumb to post and not immediately head to the doctor, but I’m a typically stubborn male and loath to go to the doctor. I much prefer to HTFU. Lesson learned.
That’s good to hear. Never coughed up blood, but sometimes could taste it after a really hard effort, but at one point, a little blood when blowing nose after an interval if it was really dry, which I infer from your response is not abnormal.
I’d go get it checked out. As npage says, could just be irritation from dry air and a tough workout, or could be signs of something bigger. Time for the pro’s, not “Stayed at a Holiday Inn” time.
John
Symptoms of hemoptysis would continue if anything more than localized bleeding in upper airway due to mucus nugget. No further symptoms before or after this episode? Nothing to treat, Gomer.