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

Thank you all! @Vanillazebra they have said type 2. They have said they will be giving me some medication if they need to but first want me to reduce carb intake/sugars and keep testing every 3 months. Not really sure what’s happening at the moment but it’s progress and glad to have got some answers.

I’m just going to focus on eating better and generally making some important changes and hopefully keep it as easy as possible.

Im still feeling very fatigued and keep getting the dizziness but I’m hoping that by continuing over the next three months it will start to die down, it’s early days xx

Thanks for updating us. I think a good few of us have been a bit worried for you. Glad you got a diagnosis and they’re helping you with it.

I am glad you got a diagnosis. Once your levels even out and are under control you should start to feel a lot better. Have a look on the diabetes uk web site for lots support and advice. 💐

So glad to see your update and that you finally got a diagnosis, OP. I really hope you're feeling much better now.

Thanks for updating. I'm so happy you got somewhere. Many best wishes 🤞🙏

Good luck, there are some diabetes boards on here that may be helpful

I’m sorry about the diabetes but so pleased it isn’t as bad as it could have been.

Best wishes for a happy healthy future.

ignore the boring shit stirrers

Glad youve got some answers OP. Good luck on getting this under control and leading a healthy , happy life.
Ignore the shitty comments .Im sure you have helped people with similar symptoms on here to go and seek help.
All the best .

OP I saw your post before but didn't comment as I didn't feel I had anything useful to add, but just wanted to say I am glad that you have got some answers.

It sounded like you had a really difficult time, I hope things improve for you now.

Get checked. It can be something serious or something easy to fix as anemia .

No reason

@Headproblems

I’m really glad you got your answers.

Check out Jason Fung on YouTube for some information on how to reverse T2D with fasting and a low carb diet.

You may be able to avoid medication at all.

No ideas why my phone randomly sent that!!

It was meant to say now reading back it makes sense the diabetes diagnosis.
Having polycystic ovaries makes you greater risk at developing type two diabetes. Along with the other symptoms you have had.

Hope you are on the road to managing your sugar levels and you symptoms lessen as you now have a diagnosis xxx take care

I'm so glad you got an answer. I'm also enjoying the slight smugness of recognising diabetes. I remember how I felt before I was diagnosed and you will feel so much better with meds. Look out for symptoms of low blood sugar and maybe invest in a blood glucose monitor so you can keep an eye on it.

I'm not convinced by low carb high fat diets as diabetes can be linked to furred arteries and heart problems and going keto will literally cause diabetic ketoacidosis which is a killer.

Eat a sensible balanced diet and remember that beans are more carbs than the potato you eat them with and that peanut M and Ms are a low-GI food (great if you're craving sugar). It's also good to learn the motto that a small ice cream is better for you than cheese and biscuits x

Glad you’re getting help and a clear diagnosis. Take care

Good result op.

Shame on the naysayers eh

Oh, thank goodness! I mean, diabetes is a bummer but it is manageable and a whole lot less terrifying than some of the other possible causes for your ghastly symptoms.

I'm sorry you were so poorly before it got picked up Thanks for taking the trouble to update, and I do hope you're all better soon!

Well just read all of that, you poor thing, what a trial! I’m a bit confused/cross that the blood tests did not suggest diabetes earlier, surely it’s a basic check for blood sugar? Or am I just not medically being accurate perhaps…

Anyway, now you can be stabilised hopefully your health will return. You sound like you need to take it easy and focus on yourself, it’s been a long exhausting road!

fasting and low carb OP! You’ve got this, I do think even with T2 it’s worth having your own blood sugars monitor. You can take ownership of T2D.

Glad to hear you finally got a diagnosis OP and you seem to be well on the way to managing it.
If you can, have a read of the Michael Mosley book, very inspiring and he reversed his own T2
Ignore the twats on here.

Are you on medication now?

Hi OP, read your whole thread and wanted to send you some love!! What a horrible time you’ve been through. I’m glad they’ve found the cause. I just wanted to say, I think it’s shocking that some people on here were saying you were wasted medical staff’s time by going to a&e. It is not your fault the NHS is overburdened, it is not your responsibility to suffer at home because you don’t want to inconvenience a doctor. I’m shocked anyone thinks like that really!
Hope you are feeling better for a diagnosis and you get on the right medication for your diabetes so you can start feeling yourself again. Also when you feel up to it I would definitely consider writing to PALS to complain about the way you were treated.

I didn’t get halfway through your original post and thought ‘diabetes’. I see now you’re diagnosed. There are good treatments now, all the best for the future x

Good luck OP, so pleased you have got a diagnosis at last and I hope you are feeling much better soon. Remember you know your body the best, you knew something wasn’t right and you did the right thing by being persistent.