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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
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6
eyeblob · 14/05/2023 22:43

When was severely anaemic I felt like I was dying it crept up not feeling great, tired breathless and nagging headache. Suddenly seemed to get a lot worse head pounding, could hardly walk I was so breathless, extreme exhaustion, waiting up tired.
Perhaps it's this? It was really serious I was told I could have had heart failure as my haemoglobin was so dangerously low.
Whatever it is I hope you feel better soon!

Darkroot · 14/05/2023 22:47

Gosh, sounds very scary for you! You’re doing the right thing, ignore all the negative arseholes, you know your body better than anyone!

Hope you get to the bottom of it 💐

Ohhoho · 14/05/2023 22:47

Good luck, glad you’re being seen in hospital.
I can only assume your mum doesn’t want to believe you are ill. But that’s not helpful at the moment you need 100% support.
We’re all gunning, some may say praying… (same thing) for you.
Let’s hope it’s something they can sort out and you can get back to normal as soon as poss, at least in hospital all tests will be done till they know what is causing your incredible tiredness. I hope you will keep faith with us and let us know how you get on. It’s good to share things we all learn from each other.
And sleep is very healing and is a natural response to protect you so all your energy is directed to that. They will get to the bottom of it soon I hope.🤗

Goodyetalso · 14/05/2023 22:48

OP, have you had glandular fever? I remember when I had it I just slept and slept and slept and could not wake up for more than a few seconds at a time. Just a thought. Either way, you are in the right place for them to find out what is wrong.

dizzydizzydizzy · 14/05/2023 22:52

Has anyone mentioned ME/CFS?

Hope you feel better soon.

ilovewispas · 14/05/2023 22:58

Just wanted to wish you well OP.

Hopefully, they'll keep you in and get to the bottom of it.

Thehawki · 14/05/2023 23:11

dizzydizzydizzy · 14/05/2023 22:52

Has anyone mentioned ME/CFS?

Hope you feel better soon.

I have a diagnosis of CFS/ME and whilst it can be deeply debilitating, whatever OP has sounds more acute to me. It’s a diagnosis of exclusion anyway so if it is CFS then she still needs to be seen and checked out to make sure it’s not something more sinister or treatable. ❤️

I hope they can get to the bottom of what is going on soon OP, you’ve done the right thing going in xx

Originalmumster · 14/05/2023 23:11

Not sure if it’s been mentioned but could it be long covid ?

Gillbil · 14/05/2023 23:25

Sending love and I hope you the answers and the right support soon xx

sophiehw · 14/05/2023 23:25

Good luck and get well soon!

AtrociousCircumstance · 14/05/2023 23:26

Your mum is being utterly horrible OP. You’re doing the right thing. Good luck at A&E - there are lots of women reading your thread sending nurturing positive vibes your way.

porridgeisbae · 14/05/2023 23:27

Sorry to hear you're feeling so rough. I hope they do something to help you ASAP @Headproblems . Please keep us updated x

dizzydizzydizzy · 14/05/2023 23:32

@Thehawki I probably should have been a bit more expansive. I also have ME/CFS and what the OP Is going through sounds similar to how I was in the early stages. I now struggle to sleep at all. It's such a strange and varied illness.

Objectrelations · 14/05/2023 23:40

Sound like the symptoms I had when I had really bad hypothyroid.

Couldn't stay awake. I was losing words in the middle of sentences and not remembering how I got somewhere 😩

Monstermunch67 · 14/05/2023 23:47

I had similar symptoms many years ago, and was diagnosed with labrynthitis. It's an inner ear infection which causes dizzyness, exhaustion, nausea and blinding headaches. If it's not treated it can track across the brain and affect the optic nerve, which it did with me as I put off seeking help due to the blinding headache. I literally hid in bed for days on end.

Mirabai · 14/05/2023 23:51

dizzydizzydizzy · 14/05/2023 23:32

@Thehawki I probably should have been a bit more expansive. I also have ME/CFS and what the OP Is going through sounds similar to how I was in the early stages. I now struggle to sleep at all. It's such a strange and varied illness.

Yes it sounds very similar to what I had at the start. Although A&E found she had a current infection as per her white blood cell count.

Anaemia is something they would have tested her for last night.

Mirabai · 14/05/2023 23:52

Thehawki · 14/05/2023 23:11

I have a diagnosis of CFS/ME and whilst it can be deeply debilitating, whatever OP has sounds more acute to me. It’s a diagnosis of exclusion anyway so if it is CFS then she still needs to be seen and checked out to make sure it’s not something more sinister or treatable. ❤️

I hope they can get to the bottom of what is going on soon OP, you’ve done the right thing going in xx

Show quote history

As per my previous post, A&E indicated she has a current infection and ME/CFS is more post-viral.

SaponificationQueen · 15/05/2023 00:17

Your Mum sounds like a real tool. Who wouldn’t watch their grandchild while their daughter is being rushed to A&E?

I hope they figure it out very soon and you are on your way to recovery.

elm26 · 15/05/2023 00:25

Just wanted to wish you well OP. Ignore your Mum. Sending hugs ♥️

HAPPILYMARRIEDSINCE2012 · 15/05/2023 01:09

I hope you are ok and it's nothing too serious 🤞🙏

rebeccachoc · 15/05/2023 01:12

I'm so glad you went back to A&E you definitely sound really poorly. I'm pretty angry at your mum for her horrible attitude. I had to go for something similar so I know how you feel and am wishing you the very best of luck.

Kalimum · 15/05/2023 02:01

hi OP you’re doing the right thing. This must be very scary, sorry you’ve had bad response from family and some funny replies. Get well soon. You are not burdening anyone by seeking appropriate care.

Dita73 · 15/05/2023 02:07

i really hope you’re soon feeling better x

Mojo777 · 15/05/2023 02:25

Jeez, your mother sounds like a real peach! 🙄 I hope the hospital manage to get to the bottom of this for you love. You're in the right place. 🙂

jojo1717 · 15/05/2023 02:52

Long Covid? Certain types if dizziness have been added to typical symptoms. Good you are getting medical help. Give yourself the space it needs for your body to recover. xxx