Um, ew...

[slipjig3]

I ask with the knowledge that it falls firmly in the TMI camp: What does it mean if you have a deep chest-cough for two weeks, occasionally coughing up phlegmy stuff without bothering to look at it, and then you finally decide to take a glance, so you get some of this aforementioned gunk into a Kleenex, and it's...um...a cocoa-ish, just-ate-an-Oreo-and-brushed-my-teeth-right-after dark brown?

Sorry. Do carry on.

Comments

[paganmommy.livejournal.com]

Call your doctor. It sounds like dried blood, which could mean a number of things, but in my layperson's opinion, you maybe injurying your tissue from hacking so hard. You need something to ease the cough at the very least, and also find out why you have it.

[slipjig.livejournal.com]

Seems the most logical explanation. The last time I checked, it's been coming up clear, so hopefully it's nothing worse. Will go tomorrow, as I have the day off.

[felisdemens.livejournal.com]

It means GO TO THE DOCTOR NOW NOW NOW GO GO GO. Do not collect $200. Brown phlegm = blood. Brown is better than bright red fresh blood, but not much better.

[slipjig.livejournal.com]

One other consideration: I did have a major nasty unstoppable nosebleed when this cold was first taking hold & in my sinuses (that I did have checked out; basically I dislodged something while blowing my nose). Could very well be that what Isaw was residual post-nasal drip from that. We'll see.

[triest.livejournal.com]

Do you smoke?

[slipjig.livejournal.com]

You wouldn't know it to hear me this week, but no.

[yendi]

Just to second/third what others have said, go to the doctor. Now. It could be no big deal, it could be a big deal. But if you don't go, you might find out that it's a big deal the hard way.

[slipjig.livejournal.com]

Roger that. Going.

[mousme.livejournal.com]

At best you've hacked yourself into a pulmonary infection.

Go see your doctor RIGHT NOW! You need medical attention.

[slipjig.livejournal.com]

Was hoping you wouldn't say the "I" word. *knots brow*

Re:

[mousme.livejournal.com]

Nah. Infections are not the worst thing, because then you get antibiotics and they get better. :)

[sionainn.livejournal.com]

Infection phlegm is green... always green. Think like infection pus is green (helpful image, eh? ;-)

Brown phlegm is (as mentioned above) dried blood mixed in. Coughing up blood of any kind is worrisome, but I agree with previous assessment that it's probably because you've damaged tissues from coughing so hard.

If your cough sounds like a "seal bark" then it's a good sign that it's bronchitis or the ilk. Ugh.

(just my two cents *clink clink*)

[slipjig.livejournal.com]

Lemme check... *hacks unpleasantly* Yup, definitely seal bark; I think you hit it right on the nose. Oy.

Thank you most muchly for that info, by the by (green pus image and all :) ); bronchitis isn't pleasant, but it's dealable. Good to know.