sofidexFor patientsAre you a clinician? Clinical site
Ask Sofi
Listen
Patient SupportEmergencies & Reporting
Log inSign up

Warning-sign checks

Ectopic Cushing syndrome: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Call emergency services for severe breathing difficulty, chest pain, coughing up blood, fainting, a seizure, or sudden severe confusion.

    This is an emergency caused by dangerously low cortisol and requires immediate treatment.

    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    If you have diagnosed ectopic Cushing syndrome, contact your care team promptly for fever, infection symptoms, worsening swelling, new medication side effects, or the clear return of previous cortisol-related symptoms.

    Seek urgent medical assessment for:

    • New one-sided leg pain or swelling
    • Palpitations with marked weakness or muscle cramps
    • Persistent vomiting or inability to keep steroid medicine down
    • Rapidly worsening confusion, agitation, or unusual behavior
  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Arrange medical follow-up for gradual changes such as increasing weakness, unexplained bruising, worsening blood pressure or blood sugar, new stretch marks, menstrual changes, or persistent mood symptoms.

    These symptoms have many possible causes and need proper assessment.

The article also says

After cortisol-lowering treatment or adrenal surgery, severe weakness, vomiting, abdominal pain, fainting, or confusion may indicate an adrenal crisis.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Ectopic Cushing syndrome. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.