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

I only said it because you remind me of me. Not to minimise anything I genuinely hope you get to the bottom of what's going on sooner rather then later

Hi OP. I'm so sorry to hear what you're going through, I hope you can get to the bottom of it ASAP.
This is just a thought, but have you had any covid vaccinations?
There are lots of complications from them, I have witnessed firsthand vaccination injuries. It could be something to consider/rule out. Best wishes to you 💐

@Headproblems If you have a breast lump then definitely call again and mention it. That always needs to be reported. x

I once slept like you did all day and woke up unable to lift my head, the pain in my neck was incredible and my head felt as if it weighed a huge amount. Once I was able to wake up properly, I was dizzy and desperately needing to urinate, but was unable to, had blood and mucous like stuff on the toilet paper instead and I violently vomited across the room twice. I gave it a few more hours, but the pressure got worse and worse. I felt r*tarded. Seriously. I couldn't think at all, speak properly or process info well, I was so slow. My vision had dimmed too, like everything became dark and grey. I could urinate again though.

My mum took my to a&e, where I undertook what I think is just a basic neuro assessment. Not sure if bloods were taken. I actually can't remember much about this bit. I remember the groin swab because I was embarrassed and didn't know that happened.

Bizarrely, the lady said I seemed fine but she wanted to keep me in overnight for observation anyway. I must have fallen asleep straight away. No more testing but I groggily remember a nurse examining me in middle of the night, because he was propping me up and slapping my back or something. I fell asleep again and was discharged next morning. I got the impression the nurses (?) (not sure if the other bloke was a nurse) thought I was depressed. One was sympathetic but the one who examined me was most definitely not. He was pretty angry, got the impression he thought I was attention-seeking.

I was not, but whatever my issue was, it randomly resolved. I felt weak and continued to oversleep, vomited once more but the pressure and pain continued to lessen and lessen and cognition was perfect about two days later. I was left with a general frontal headache which persisted for months.

Eventually, I was referred to another hospital where I was given a lumbar puncture (no issues) and an eye test which revealed slight pressure. I was given amitriptyline for the headaches. God knows what happened, but no one believes me on how bad it was. I honestly thought I was dying it felt so fucking awful. It's unlike anything I've ever experienced. And it was so sudden. I couldn't process anything at the time, so felt 'calm', but I was shaken up by it once it was over.

Goodness I’m sure OP has had an absolute gutful of people saying and she’s exaggerating, mentally unwell, a hypochondriac, lazy etc etc.
OP please continue to press for a proper diagnosis

I’ve been following since the beginning, no home diagnosis from me, and I really hope that you’re own GP will now find the source of your illness and provide treatment to make you fit and well.
Sending big hugs.🥰💐

Are you calling me disgusting?

If your the poster who told the op you had the exact same symptoms as her when you had breast cancer knowing full well how long that 2 week wait is and how terrifying it is when the reality is the majority of people don't have breast cancer. Then yes I am calling your comment disgusting.

Offs. Youre on a roll today with your vicious comments, arent you? Jog on with your merry little self! 💋

I think telling a person their symptoms mirror yours when you had breast cancer is a lot more vicious then me calling you out on it.

Whatever makes you feel good about yourself dear! I'm not here to argue. I'm just wishing the very best to OP. and her journey to getting to the bottom of what's ailing her. Good wishes @Headproblems .

Same il just do it without scaring the 💩 out of her. Have a good day dear 😘

Hi OP.

I would strongly suggest writing down all the symptoms that you can think of and giving that to your doctor. Tell them that you don't think they are all related, and that many you wouldn't ever go to a doctor about, but you're telling them now in case it's a clue.

It's like clubbed fingers - not something you would see a doctor about but a really important symptoms of something. Just having the full list might give that extra bit of information the doctor needs.

I suffer hemiplegic migraines

Could you have had this

I don't think it sounds like one? I'm amazed you didn't have an MRI? How scary.

This 100%

Thinking of you op, hope you don't have to wait long for answers x

Where have you deduced health anxiety from?
You are either saying her symptoms are not real (why would you think this)?
Or that her symptoms are real but of no concern (have you actually read what she’s said, can you imagine having to live like that day after day?).

Nobody is saying there's nothing wrong with her people with health anxiety still get physical health problems

I think anyone would be anxious with these symptoms, it doesn’t indicate health anxiety.

Nothing here so far indicates health anxiety.

@Headproblems
did you get your breast lump looked at?

Let us know immediately what they say.

hi, just wanted to send my best to you I hope you are starting to get somewhere with it all OP, you know your body better than anyone and at least the ball is rolling now, despite what anyone says I think you did the right thing going to A&E and I would have done the same in your situation. Please let us know how you get on with it all when you get the chance to, there are a lot people on here thinking of you and routing for you xx💐