Sudden change in personality. Any experience?

[Notsurewhatsgoingon]

Hi all,
Bit of background: I'm 32, married, two children, working part time, no job or money worries, nice home etc, no previous mental health or medical issues.

So about 3 weeks ago I woke up with a bad headache, took pain relief but it lasted about 3 days. Each day I woke up feeling worse, not so much the headache but just in general. I can't explain how I felt really well, but just off. Once the headache had gone I felt like I'd been hit by a bus. Just worn out and exhausted. I spent the next few days close to tears but for no apparent reason. Everything became too much to cope with. Even driving to the supermarket had me in tears because it felt exhausting, stressful and overwhelming. Things that I do every day seemed impossible in my mind. I felt fuzzy, confused and a bit scared but I couldn't put my finger on why. Nothing has happened to trigger this and that makes me feel selfish as I know many people are suffering right now.

Since then I have spoken to my gp who has advised me to take a bit of time off work and to have some blood tests. I'm still waiting for the results.

3 weeks on I feel like a different person. I'm normally a yes person and egar to please. I go out of my way to help friends and family and often volunteer in the community. I never show my emotions and am described as smiley and happy by friends. I can count on one had the amount of times I have shouted at my children in their entire life. Im just chilled.

But now I'm angry with the whole world. I'm angry at my family and friends and my children for no reason. I am still able to not show this to the children as I have not completly lost it but even normal day to day actions leave me feeling seething and then sad and emotional.
My friend had an issue and I'd have normally gone out of my way to solve it and see her but I was abrupt and rude and I don't know why.Even simply writing a message like this has me feeling angry and overwhelmed. I am rude to my husband and don't want to bother with chit chat in public as I usually would.

I have been having thoughts of running away from my family and caught myself thinking of driving too fast and causing an accident this morning but obviously I didn't, so I can be rational when needed.

There are occasions where I feel awful for having these thoughts and for snapping at the kids but they last a split second and I'm back to feeling upset, angry, emotional, overwhelmed etc....

I don't want to spend time with anyone, even my own husband and children. I'm usually very social and have enjoyed social distance meet ups but now I couldn't care less.
I'm scared how bad this will get as I'm starting to have very worrying thoughts. At the moment I'm able to stop myself and keep telling myself to sort my shit out but I can feel myself slipping further into this distress each day.

This is not me. I don't feel depressed. Something tells me this is medical but maybe I'm wrong.
Has anyone come across anything like this?

I know the feeling with GPs. They seem useless a lot of the time. A call to 111 or visit to A&E might get it taken more seriously, and get tests and results sooner.

Stroke is possible. Get back to the GP and get a referral to neurology.

Honestly you need to keep pushing. Don't let them fob you off.

My aunt's situation is different (she's a lot older than you and has some other health problems) but I I do wonder if she'd be better now if she'd been treated sooner.

Has your appetite decreased, lost weight and often thirsty? Sounds a bit like untreated diabetes to me. Not a medic but we have diabetics galore in the family. Headache and personality change go hand-in-hand with high blood sugar. If you do have these symptoms too I would go to A&E, untreated diabetes will worsen and can be critical. If no other symptoms then you could drop a urine sample off to the GP surgery - it takes a few seconds to see if there are key tones in urine. Report back.

Definitely ring your GP tomorrow and push for a referral or scans. If they refuse then say "I'd like you to write in my medical notes that you have refused to refer me." They magically become more helpful when you say that.

If they refuse anyway, then go to A&E. Your brain is very precious, pull out all the stops and don't take no for an answer.

Good luck

Sounds like It could be a minor stroke or encephalitis,

YY to seeing your GP again and asking for an urgent neurology referral. Like a pp, I would consider going to A&E if your GP fobs you off. I would also strongly suggest you have a Covid test, as non-specific neuro-type symptoms are emerging as a frequent presentation.

I felt like this once after giving blood. It lasted a few days and I put it down to low iron. I haven’t donated since because it was so horrible.

Agree with NudgeUnit’s advice. The Guardian had a report on neuro-type symptoms in a small % of covid sufferers: www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jul/08/warning-of-serious-brain-disorders-in-people-with-mild-covid-symptoms

For your own peace of mind and wellbeing you need to go back to the gp or a&e. In all likelyhood it won’t be any of the possibilities raised on this thread but some may need need to be ruled out via tests and you need support to clarify what’s going on. Wishing you well and a speedy recovery.

How are you getting on, OP?

I am still feeling much the same. Just trying to get through each day on auto pilot. I really need a proper break from life but that's never going to happen with 2 kids. Felt suicidal a few times over the last few days, I did tell my dh but he was at work and not much he can do anyway so I just pushed on as I had both kids with me. I have cried alot in front of them and I feel really ashamed about that. I know I'm not being a good mum right now but I don't have alternative childcare.

Went back to the gp who said its just anxiety. Although I don't feel anxious.

Bloods all came back normal.

Thanks for asking.

@Notsurewhatsgoingon

I am still feeling much the same. Just trying to get through each day on auto pilot. I really need a proper break from life but that's never going to happen with 2 kids. Felt suicidal a few times over the last few days, I did tell my dh but he was at work and not much he can do anyway so I just pushed on as I had both kids with me. I have cried alot in front of them and I feel really ashamed about that. I know I'm not being a good mum right now but I don't have alternative childcare.

Went back to the gp who said its just anxiety. Although I don't feel anxious.

Bloods all came back normal.

Thanks for asking.

Sounds like your husband needs to take time off work and care for the children while you rest! If you have no other options for childcare the. Need need to have at least a short period of time or before you’re pushed over the edge.

What did he reply to your message? Fair enough he was at work but if someone I loved messages me saying they were suicidal I’d arrange to leave work and be with them, especially if they were caring for children alone.

Did you tell the GO about your suicidal feelings. Doesn’t sound like their respond was good enough.

The extreme headache and tiredness could be Covid and there's been examples now of neurological changes as a result of this, particularly in younger people who don't show the classic symptoms.

You need a brain scan. Can you book one privately? Make an appointment through push doctor to get a referral letter?

I wonder if you're in crisis and you would consider seeing a therapist? I think there are levels of crisis and you sound like someone who is functioning alongside falling apart. No judgement but that's how I read your post. Could you ask your GP or go privately?

I don't think my dh realises how bad things are because as a pp said I'm able to function each day. I'm hanging on to be honest.

I have cried out for help but have to face facts that I'm on my own.

Its hard for people to understand because I'm normally the strongest one, the person everyone turns to for advice, I have a job which requires me to support others etc etc

I always have to plaster a smile on because I don't know what else to do.

I turned over in bed last night and had loud ringing in my ears all of a sudden that went on for hours. I'm exhausted. But again I have no choice but to get up and get on, the kids are being very demanding these days with everything thats going on, as expected its difficult to get even 5 minutes peace.

I also think you should go to a+e, for a brain scan.
I can't go into what happened to me, I don't wish to be alarmist at all, but brain things can be missed or passed off as other things.

If you don't want to do that, get a friend and go back to the GP and say outright you felt terrible, you don't feel right and you are worried.

I ended up with a sympathetic dr ringing the hospital and was told by him to go in.

It could be migrainous, but that's no bloody joke either.
I hope you can find the time and resolve to try and get seen.

Xx

Please don't let the GP fob you off with anxiety. I know everything is hard for you right now but please push for a brain scan. Do you have a very bolshy friend who you could take to the GP with you? Someone who will advocate for you and not back down? Send them the link to this thread so you don't have to explain so much and they know how serious you are. If you are usually The Strong One then people start to think you're invincible, but you're not; nobody is.

If the GP refuses to refer you then ask them to note their refusal in your file. Go to a walk in centre, present yourself at A&E; you know yourself and you know that this is not normal for you.

Really hope you get some help soon.

Dont be fobbed off by your GP. Please seek help again.

I have nothing to add, just sympathy and a handhold OP.
I hope you get to the bottom of it

Agree your GP is fobbing you off. It sounds like it could be a TIA or seizure of some kind. I have a friend with epilepsy and it comes in many shapes and sizes, so a seizure isn’t always obvious - she just sort of zones out for a while, but is then exhausted for days afterwards, as the effect on the muscles of seizing is much like a massive workout!

Go back and take your DH with you - I find they’re much less likely to dismiss your concerns if you have someone else a man there to witness it. Say you want a referral to neurology as you’re not satisfied with the GP’s answer that it’s “just anxiety”. If he refuses then say that you’d like it written in your notes that you’ve presented with neurological symptoms and your GP has refused to refer you. Then complain to the practice manager. This is not ok.

Is there another doctor at the practice? Ask for an urgent second opinion.

I also think your DP is being an arsehole here by the way. Phone him up and ask him to take some urgent leave from work. He might realise how serious it is. You shouldn't need to harm yourself to feel heard.

Don't be fobbed off. It sounds extremely worrying. Can you make notes of everything you want to say and take it to the gp as a prompt? I find in appointments my mind goes blank and I become very apologetic which is not helpful!

When I read this I also thought you could have had a stroke.

I am another who has personality changes/mood swings due to migraines, but they only last a few hours or day at the most.

As others have suggested I'd be going to Casualty and demanding a scan.