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Warning-sign checks

Rhabdomyolysis: 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

    Go to an emergency department or call emergency services if these symptoms occur with:

    • Very little or no urine
    • Fainting, confusion, or extreme drowsiness
    • Chest pain, severe breathlessness, or a racing or irregular heartbeat
    • Rapidly increasing swelling or severe pain in a limb
    • A major crush injury, electric shock, severe burn, or heat illness
    • Inability to keep fluids down or signs of severe illness
    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

    Seek urgent same-day assessment if you develop dark brown or tea-coloured urine, unusual muscle weakness, severe muscle pain, or marked swelling after strenuous activity, heat exposure, prolonged immobility, a seizure, an injury, or a new medicine.

    Do not wait for dark urine before seeking help.

    Rhabdomyolysis can be present without it.

    And for anyone, someone who:

    • has abdominal pain that is severe, constant, or getting worse
  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    For routine follow-up after treatment, attend planned blood tests and discuss any ongoing weakness, reduced urine output, repeated muscle symptoms, or difficulty returning to normal activity.

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