Hemoptysis

[MumtoAz]

My 16yr Old son has Cystic Fibrosis. When he lays down to go to sleep, he feels a pop in his throat and then starts to cough up blood. This started quite mildly, he would cough up sputum mixed with blood, cough for several minutes then it would stop. He now coughs up to 40mls of blood within minutes (I understand this is not classed as being alot of blood but is very frightening) it makes him choke, he cannot draw breath, goes into a coughing fit and almost drowns on his blood. This is bright red blood normally containing no sputum and starts to calm down over a 20 minute period, and it now happens at least once or twice a week. 6 months ago he was fitted with a permanent port in his chest to make his regular I.V's easier, the hemoptysis started shortly after this (could the port be responsible?) He has had several investigations into his lungs and throat, but nothing obvious has been found and we are being told it could be infection related and he may just have to get used to it! I really would like some kind of answer as to why this is happening as it is very frightening and we dare not leave him alone in case he chokes to death. I would appreciate any advice possible or to hear from someone who has c.f or cares for someone with c.f. who is having a similar problem.
Thanks.

[Davy9]

The portacath should not be near where any sort of periodic bleeding like this might originate. If they have looked in his lungs for the source and found nothing suggest they explore his upper esophagus for ulcers or weak surface veins. Possibly he's developed a pocket within the airway that drains with his recumbent posturing somewhat like hemorrhagic bronchiectasis? This could show on Xray. Or it could just be a severely irritated airway that's slow to heal and get easily re-injured with hard coughing.