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
Is any of this happening now?
Call 911
Seek emergency medical help for:
Severe or rapidly worsening difficulty breathing
Blue, grey, or unusually pale lips or skin
Collapse, fainting, severe chest pain, or a sustained racing heartbeat
Choking with ongoing breathing difficulty
Sudden weakness with dark urine after anaesthesia or a major illness
Severe illness or repeated vomiting in someone taking long-term steroids, especially if an emergency steroid plan cannot be followed
Bring the person's DMD and steroid emergency information to urgent appointments whenever possible.
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
Is any of this happening?
Be seen today
Arrange routine or prompt follow-up for noticeable changes in walking, falls, pain, sleep, swallowing, weight, mood, or daily activities.
Report new palpitations, increasing tiredness, morning headaches, a weaker cough, or more frequent chest infections.
Contact the specialist team promptly after a fall or injury, especially if there is pain, swelling, or refusal to use a limb.
Fractures can occur after relatively minor injuries.
Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Duchenne muscular dystrophy. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.