Granulomatosis with polyangiitis: 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
Is any of this happening now?
Call 911
Seek emergency medical help for:
Severe or rapidly worsening difficulty breathing
Coughing up more than small streaks of blood
Chest pain, fainting, confusion, or blue lips
Sudden loss of vision or severe eye pain
Very little urine with swelling or breathlessness
Sudden one-sided weakness, facial drooping, or trouble speaking
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
Contact your usual healthcare team promptly if you have possible signs of a relapse, such as returning sinus symptoms, nosebleeds, unexplained fever, joint pain, a new rash, worsening cough, blood in the urine, swelling, or new numbness or weakness.
Also seek prompt advice for possible treatment complications, including a persistent fever, painful urination, unusual bruising, or exposure to a significant infection.
Because immune-suppressing treatment can make infections harder to recognize, symptoms should not be ignored.
These symptoms can have causes other than GPA, but they need urgent assessment.
Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Granulomatosis with polyangiitis. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.