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AIBU?

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Original poster

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

852 replies

Headproblems · 13/05/2023 15:50

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

OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
NCTDN · 14/05/2023 21:37

I hope they get you sorted.

hotfairballoon · 14/05/2023 21:38

Really sad to read this. Read the first few posts on the thread and I really disagreed with a lot of people. Your symptoms sound urgent to me & A&E feels like the best place. I personally would think it's an emergency if one of my children or my partner couldn't stay awake and slept for 18 hours. It may have started a while ago but this has gone past chronic and into emergency now in my opinion.
Please do not listen to your mum & family calling you lazy. I did the same and delayed seeking treatment for what ended up being a lifelong medical condition for which I take medication every day. Please keep us updated. Hand hold from me x 💐

2023readyornotherewecome · 14/05/2023 21:38

@Headproblems thinking of you - it's horrid when you start to question yourself but you know how bad you feel so just advocate for yourself & hope you get some answers or a pathway for more tests.

blahblahblah1654 · 14/05/2023 21:39

Glad you're going to A&E. Please keep us updated. Your mum sounds mean, please ignore her.

kateluvscats · 14/05/2023 21:42

Good luck and I hope you get it sorted, please report back with a diagnosis. Ignore those who think you're putting it on, I've followed this thread closely and I'm a health care professional with over 30 years experience and I wouldn't have discharged you from A/E the first time. You need thoroughly investigating. Good luck.

STLLAP08 · 14/05/2023 21:42

Thinking of you trust your senses. God what's wrong with you mum awful

Wishiwasmycat · 14/05/2023 21:43

OP sending a hand hold and hope that you get some answers very soon. X

DaveDave · 14/05/2023 21:45

Sounds like you are doing the right things, I hope you get some answers x

Tornado70 · 14/05/2023 21:46

Sending best wishes to you. Hoping you get the answers you need, and more importantly I do hope you recover and feel better soon.

BonjourCrisette · 14/05/2023 21:47

Sending a hug, OP. You are doing the right thing. Sorry your mum is being so unhelpful and unkind. 111 would absolutely not have told you to go to hospital unless there was an indication that might be necessary. I hope they get you sorted and you get the help you obviously need.

BeverlyHa · 14/05/2023 21:48

You need serious checks, etc. It is not normal by any means. Might be brain tumour, might be anything.....not to scare you, but start the process

CapitanSandy · 14/05/2023 21:48

Listen to your body you’re doing the right thing.

mamakoukla · 14/05/2023 21:48

I hope they can help you with a quick diagnosis and rapidly put you on the path to recovery. It sounds relentless and, given your rapid and dramatic decline, good to hear you’re being taken back in. Sending love and get well!

Namechange8263628 · 14/05/2023 21:50

Get well soon OP

YukoandHiro · 14/05/2023 21:50

Glad you're heading back in OP. You definitely need to be seen again.

Hillsmakeyoustrong · 14/05/2023 21:52

Ignore your mum and any other dissenting voices. Listen to your gut, your instincts, which are there to protect you. My mum said I was a lazy teenager when in fact I had glandular fever which was only identified on the second lot of bloods. Nothing like many of your symptoms but the falling asleep (on my knees once!) got me labelled as lazy. The good thing that came from that horrible time is i learned to rely on my gut and and develop a confidence to act for myself.

uncomfortablydumb53 · 14/05/2023 21:53

I'm sorry you've had to go back, but I do hope you will be investigated thoroughly now
I'm also sorry your Mum is so unsupportive
I'll be thinking of you

AppropriateAdult · 14/05/2023 21:56

GP here, OP, and I can't believe they discharged you with a heart rate of 140 and raised white cells. Really glad you're heading back in, hope you get sorted soon.

Velvian · 14/05/2023 21:57

Hope you get sorted OP💐

HermioneIsMyHomegirl · 14/05/2023 21:58

Ignore your mother, this is so clearly not laziness! Hope you get some answers this time.

VestaTilley · 14/05/2023 22:00

Good luck at hospital, OP. I really hope you’re ok.

It sounds very serious; I do hope the hospital can get to the bottom of it. Rest as much as you can. I hope you get more family support and good treatment.

OKwhatsNext · 14/05/2023 22:00

Goodluck op you have done the right thing

SpicyMoth · 14/05/2023 22:00

Ignore your mum, she sounds like a right arsehole to be honest - at least in this context!
I hope you get some news as soon as you can, please do try and push for an MRI if not had one done yet, and advocate for yourself as much as you feel able!
Maybe get hubby to help advocate for you if he knows what you've been going through enough to be able to?

MeinKraft · 14/05/2023 22:02

I'm so sorry you're feeling worse today OP I hope you get some help this time

Sendpegs · 14/05/2023 22:03

I despair at this forum sometimes. Who sees a thread from somebody ill enough to require medical attention and think that's a good thread to jump onto to have a pop at the OP. Idiots.