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Warning-sign checks

Prostate biopsy: 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 care if you cannot pass urine, have heavy bleeding or clots, faint, become confused, have severe weakness or develop difficulty breathing.

    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

    Contact your healthcare team promptly if you develop:

    • Fever, chills or a worsening sense of illness
    • Increasing pain, redness, warmth or swelling
    • Burning when urinating or cloudy, foul-smelling urine
    • Bleeding that is increasing rather than settling
    • Trouble passing urine
  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    These are not routine recovery symptoms.

The article also says

For mild soreness, a small amount of bleeding or questions about activity, contact the team during normal hours unless the symptoms are worsening.

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