sofidexFor patientsAre you a clinician? Clinical site

Warning-sign checks

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors: 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

    Seek emergency help for:

    • Confusion, a seizure, fainting, or unconsciousness linked with low blood sugar
    • Vomiting blood or passing black, tar-like stools
    • Severe weakness or fainting with ongoing watery diarrhea
    • Sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, or one-sided leg swelling

    If you already have an emergency plan for hormone-related symptoms, follow that plan while help is arranged.

    And for anyone, someone who:

    • has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    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 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

    Contact your care team promptly if you have a diagnosed pancreatic NET and develop worsening diarrhea, new jaundice, increasing pain, repeated low blood sugar episodes, or difficulty eating and drinking.

    And for anyone, someone who:

    • has a new severe headache unlike any they have had before
  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Arrange a routine medical appointment if you have persistent upper abdominal pain, unexplained weight loss, repeated ulcers, ongoing diarrhea, or episodes of sweating and shaking that improve after eating.

    These symptoms often have other causes, but they deserve assessment.

The article also says

Do not drive yourself if you are confused, faint, or think your blood sugar is severely low.

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