Slept for 18 hours yesterday because I couldn’t wake up - GP or A&E?

[Headproblems]

Just looking for some advice because I know the NHS is massively overstretched at the moment and I don’t want to waste resources if this is just a GP thing.

Basically for the past few months I have been experiencing lots of headaches and some dizziness and oversleeping. It hasn’t been consistent so I’ve never really got it checked out because it’s never been enough to cause huge issues.

However this week, every day I have been struggling to wake up and until at least 10am I have been in and out of sleep feeling completely without control, no matter how hard I’ve been trying to stay awake I fall straight back to sleep within minutes and have to force myself to stay awake.

In the middle of this week I walked upstairs and my ears went fuzzy and my head started spinning, it was really scary because for about 3 minutes my ears went in waves and I could barely hear, like I was under water.

I’ve tried earlier nights but nothing has been helping. I have my own business and it’s affecting my work, being unable to concentrate and missing meetings.

Yesterday I slept for 18 hours throughout the day, it was impossible to wake up I was so drowsy, at one point I thought I was awake and I was talking to my partner about ingredients (?) but I was still asleep and apparently all he could hear was muffles, and it got to a point where my head started waving and it felt like I was falling every time I shut my eyes, this lasted for about 10 minutes.

I awoke at 8pm and went back to sleep at 1am, and this morning couldn’t wake up until 11am and had to literally force myself into a cold shower to wake up.

I managed to get up and ready, have come downstairs and I am so dizzy I feel like I’m going to pass out (I haven’t), and my head feels like there is pressure around my temples.

I’ve not taken any new medication and the medication I do take I have been taking the same for about 8 years now, no changes that I can think of in diet, I do feel dehydrated from all the sleep though.

I’m unsure whether to call 111 because I’m feeling shaky and dizzy but not sure if it would be better to wait it out until Monday for an emergency GP appointment.

But not being able to wake up is scaring me and frustrating me, I don’t want to be sleeping the days away, I physically just cannot wake up no matter how hard I try.

Please if anyone can give me some advice or has experienced this before I would really appreciate it

Do you live alone? Check for carbon monoxide leak?

I think you should call 111 and get some advice about whether you need urgent care or not. Best of luck with this.

No I live with my partner. We have checked and everything seems to be fine. X

Is it a migraine? I wouldn't be doing anything about it today (other than whatever you can at home). The sleeping wouldn't bother me but is unusual for you so if tomorrow is the same, GP on Monday.

I would phone 111 and see what they say.

No no migraines, I’ve never experienced/suffered with one. X

Didn't want to read and run. I'd go to A&E in your position. It could be something as minor as being anaemic (dizziness and exhaustion are symptoms), but this needs checking out. Hope you are okay xxx

Have you managed to eat and drink?

Yes drinking but haven’t got an appetite x

Ring 111 and they can advise.

Personally I wound go to the GP on Monday if you don’t feel really unwell. You probably need some blood tests to try to get to the bottom of it. How old are you ?

111

Although this is how my low B12 manifested itself so I'd be inclined to go wherever you can get a blood test asap

I’d phone 111 and see what they advise. If you’ve not eaten that could be causing some of the shakes and dizziness but it’s impossible to tell really.

I had similar symptoms to this before. I had vertigo and an anti-histamine can help ease the symptoms.

Low iron can also cause similar too.

I'd suggest 111, and maybe phone GP Monday morning and ask for a blood test for iron

When you say 'a few months'... is pregnancy a possibility at all?

This sounds like a GP thing to me.

Are you eating?

Are you signed off?

No I have recently tested as I thought it could be but it was negative and I haven’t experienced any other pregnancy-like symptoms.

I’ll call 111 and see what they say. I think a blood test is a good idea but I’m not breathless/chest pain or anything so maybe not urgent x

The spinning, waves thing could be vertigo. Not sure if it would make you so sleepy.

In any case, you need to see a doctor.

As you have a partner GP on Monday. The episode on the stairs could be a mini stroke/stroke in the neck. Have you noticed increased saliva? It could also be a range of things including low vitamins/minerals. I'd try to eat eggs, chicken and Bananas. Eat for nutrition over the weekend and take a multi vitamin/mineral.

Not eating? For how long? That is going to add to lack of energy and tiredness and dizziness!!

Good shout on checking for possible CO!

I think if it's as severe as you describe, and that you're symptomatic now (although that maybe doesn't fit with being on here....) then A&E. Otherwise GP.

Common causes can be infection, anaemia (do you have an diet lacking in Iron, particularly heavy periods), could you be pregnant? Are you diabetic? Other causes as well but those are relatively common causes.

What does your partner think you should do?

I had all those symptoms with my anemia especially the oversleeping . It’s bloody awful, please go and get your bloods checked

i called 111 and they’ve booked me a slot at A&E so im heading down there now x