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Warning-sign checks

Stereotactic radiosurgery - cyberknife: 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:

    • A new seizure or a seizure lasting longer than instructed
    • Sudden weakness, facial drooping or difficulty speaking
    • Loss of consciousness or severe confusion
    • New severe breathing difficulty
    • Sudden loss of bladder or bowel control with leg weakness
    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 treatment team promptly for worsening headache, repeated vomiting, increasing confusion, new balance problems, fever, severe uncontrolled pain or redness and drainage from a fiducial insertion site.

    Contact the team sooner if these symptoms are persistent, worsening or difficult to manage.

    And for anyone, someone who:

    • has a wound that is hot, spreading red, or leaking pus
  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Mild tiredness, temporary soreness or a mild headache can usually be discussed during routine follow-up.

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