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Warning-sign checks

Fibrosing cholangitis: 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

    Call emergency services for collapse, severe confusion, difficulty staying awake, heavy bleeding, or breathing difficulty.

    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 medical care for:

    • Fever or shaking chills with jaundice or upper abdominal pain
    • Rapidly worsening jaundice with vomiting or severe weakness
    • New abdominal swelling, confusion, or unusual drowsiness
    • Vomiting blood or passing black, tar-like stools

    This can worsen quickly and may require hospital treatment, intravenous antibiotics, and urgent drainage of a blocked bile duct.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Arrange a prompt, non-emergency review for new or worsening jaundice, itching, abdominal discomfort, dark urine, pale stools, reduced appetite, or unexplained weight loss.

    These changes may require blood tests or imaging but do not always mean the disease has advanced.

    Ask for routine advice if fatigue is disrupting daily life, medicines are not controlling itching, or you are considering a new medicine or supplement.

The article also says

Fever with jaundice may signal acute cholangitis.

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