Could this be heat exhaustion

[FTBregret]

My flat thermostat is currently 31.8°c (I close all curtains and windows when hotter outside but open windows when it’s cooler outside eg early morning).

I woke up this morning feeling a bit disoriented but nothing extreme. I also had mild diarrhoea but wasn’t too worried as I have history of IBS. However 15 mins I started to feel weaker and a bit dizzy. This progressed until I felt really weak/dizzy that I had to sit down, but suddenly it still wasn’t enough and I don’t know if it was just my anxiety making me panic but I felt so dizzy like I was going to faint/pass out. My face was covered in sweat too.

I couldn’t find my phone and didn’t have any energy so left my flat as at least would be bit cooler but collapsed on my flat landing for a bit instead. I could hear buzzing in ear. Stayed steady on the ground for about 2 mins or so (not entirely sure of time tbh) which made me feel better. I then got up and was able to walk okay but tmi had to go back to flat as had mild diarrhoea again.

I took a cold shower and felt much better, however as it’s still really hot in my flat I’ve gone downstairs to the basement floor to sit on stairs as it’s cool and shady.

I don’t feel dizzy however I still feel weak now but not sure if that’s just anxiety related. I’m sipping water but haven’t got round to eating anything because I hadn’t got round to grocery shopping, and paranoid if I leave in the peak sunshine I’ll pass out again but would be worse in public.

does anyone know how long heat exhaustion lasts?

Sounds like you need blood sugar and water - heat plus low blood sugar easily causes fainting and dizziness. Eat something and keep hydrating!

@FTBregret yeah it will be the heat - I live in a flat that's a sauna.

Can one of your neighbours help you? I would ask them to get you some rehydration sachets as well as some food.

I don't know how long it lasts, but I hope you feel better soon.

You may need sugar/salt. Do you have no food in the house at all?

Thanks all, you may be right - feel grateful there’s a corner shop on my road so have got some crackers, salted crisps and rehydration sachets for now. Trying to keep to a bland diet just incase it is a stomach bug

Putting my shopping away in the hot flat used most of my energy so I’m back sitting on basement stairs 😂 flat security may think I’m crazy but oh well

@FTBregret glad you got some stuff

No one will think you're crazy. I used to joke about putting a chair in the underground car park in my old block. In 2018 I came quite close to actually doing it.

I take one of those sachets every day in hot weather as a preventative. People don't understand what it's like to live in these flats unless they've actually done it.

Yes that certainly sounds heat related, you'll have to think outside the box trying to keep cool, have tepid showers, if and when you can.
But most definitely drink, drink, drink!
Rehydrating sachets or any drinks you can find that say they have potassium magnesium electrolytes.
Try to drink every hour a glass of a water-based drink, avoid alcohol, tea and coffee as they are dehydrating.
Avoid heavy meals.
Hopefully you have a fan, I keep mine on the worktop in the kitchen and it feels great to have it on while I'm working on meal prep.
Couldn't survive the night without my ceiling fan but that's not an option for most people.
Keep cool OP!