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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
Kennykenkencat · 15/05/2023 11:06

Ionlydrinkondaysendinginy · 15/05/2023 10:42

But neither of these are complete strangers this is the point we've never met op, have no clue about any of her past medical issues, her lifestyle, what medication she takes ect.

Show quote history

Tbh the bowel cancer symptoms are classic symptoms that we are told to look out for. But when he went to the doctors he was told it was stress. The friend diagnosed him with type 1 diabetes before we had even got in his house. He saw Dh from the window and immediately recognised the signs

If someone writes they have indigestion, a crushing pain in their chest and a left arm that has pins and needles would you not immediately tell them they are the classic symptoms of a heart attack and to get to A&E or would you not say anything.

From my experience and the experience of people who I have met in hospitals (Dh spent months in hospital) If we left diagnosing up to the doctors most people I met would have been dead or leading horribly crap and painful lives.
It was from Dr Google, their own experiences, friends who saw them and a few who had posted their symptoms on line in a forum asking what was wrong with them. That they were able to by pass their gp and access treatment.

Ionlydrinkondaysendinginy · 15/05/2023 11:08

Kennykenkencat · 15/05/2023 11:06

Tbh the bowel cancer symptoms are classic symptoms that we are told to look out for. But when he went to the doctors he was told it was stress. The friend diagnosed him with type 1 diabetes before we had even got in his house. He saw Dh from the window and immediately recognised the signs

If someone writes they have indigestion, a crushing pain in their chest and a left arm that has pins and needles would you not immediately tell them they are the classic symptoms of a heart attack and to get to A&E or would you not say anything.

From my experience and the experience of people who I have met in hospitals (Dh spent months in hospital) If we left diagnosing up to the doctors most people I met would have been dead or leading horribly crap and painful lives.
It was from Dr Google, their own experiences, friends who saw them and a few who had posted their symptoms on line in a forum asking what was wrong with them. That they were able to by pass their gp and access treatment.

Show quote history

It's not helpful when people are commenting things like it could be a brain tumour

Clove42 · 15/05/2023 11:15

This sounds like low BP... Addisons disease also causes extreme symptoms like this.

LavenderfortheBees · 15/05/2023 11:31

All the best OP. Going in is definitely what is needed and your Mum can do one.

Stressedafff · 15/05/2023 11:50

Thinking of you OP x

ToHellBackAndBeyond · 15/05/2023 11:55

Wishing you all the best 💐 good luck.

elliesmummy19 · 15/05/2023 12:03

How did you get on at the hospital OP?

TeddybearBaby · 15/05/2023 12:06

Sending you my love. I really hope you’re being taken care of x

Emelene · 15/05/2023 12:24

Thinking of you OP and wishing you well. You’ve done the right thing getting seen again x

pollymere · 15/05/2023 13:12

I would suspect Type 1 diabetes or a thyroid issue. Your drinking and excessive tiredness ring those alarm bells to me. Your white blood cell count does also suggest a possible nasty infection of some sort. I hope you get answers soon x

hopeishere · 15/05/2023 13:27

Hope you're feeling better or at least getting seen.

Mirabai · 15/05/2023 13:28

pollymere · 15/05/2023 13:12

I would suspect Type 1 diabetes or a thyroid issue. Your drinking and excessive tiredness ring those alarm bells to me. Your white blood cell count does also suggest a possible nasty infection of some sort. I hope you get answers soon x

They would have tested her blood glucose and thyroid levels the first time she went.

snowydays10 · 15/05/2023 14:20

Sounds like anaemia, I have this too - I need a lot of sleep sometimes 12 hours a night and feel dizzy/faint a low. Start taking some iron tablets and see if that helps. Blood tests will identify your anemia

Icouldabeenalawyer · 15/05/2023 14:26

Hope you're doing OK OP. Sorry about your mum. We're supporting you on here 💐

Rosegold92 · 15/05/2023 15:52

Please let us know how you get on 💐

whoruntheworldgirls · 15/05/2023 16:02

How are you OP? I hope your being/have been treated and are starting to feel better 💐

Webbedlife · 15/05/2023 16:13

Good luck OP. Hope you get some answers and appropriate treatment soon.

Rottweilermummy · 15/05/2023 16:17

Definitely phone 111 they can advise , it sounds like it could be a balance thing with your ears you would be amazed how ears and balance problems affect people, maybe narcolepsy the sleep issue , but it's clearly affecting you and if you drive at anytime could cause an accident so you wouldn't be wasting nhs resources by ringing 111. I hope you get sorted and keep us updated as now intrigued

Rottweilermummy · 15/05/2023 16:19

Sorry only just seen update re getting booked in to go a&e

SpicyMoth · 15/05/2023 16:26

Still thinking of you OP, hope everything is getting looked at and to hear from you soon with hopefully good news! <3 <3

ShinySherry · 15/05/2023 16:31

Hope you manage to get to the bottom of this OP.
I'm fed up with this "but the NHS are overstretched so didn't want the bother them with my horrendous symptoms" thing that the government seems to constantly persuade us to do. If you're ill like this, you need help end of. I would rather have a day wasted in A and E than be dead. So please don't feel bad.
Good luck!

JediNinja · 15/05/2023 18:35

I hope you are getting all the tests and find a diagnosis soon 💐 good luck today

Bearpawk · 15/05/2023 18:35

Hope you've been seen and are awake or on the way to being better op.
Your mum sounds like a prize twat: don't listen to her ever again. X

Bookloverjay · 15/05/2023 20:16

I am sorry your mum isn't being supportive.

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