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

Only came across this thread today for the first time and people are fuckers.
If 111 advise A&E you do what they say not a bunch of keyboard arsehats.

But OP, if there are other issues you need to distance yourself from your mother. That was cruel and she isn’t someone you need in your life and also why services are stretched if she thought an ambulance was appropriate.

Another adding to say you owe the OP an apology.

Fuck me, if I had symptoms for 2 months and was trying to work it out/see if there was a pattern before going to the Gp and then suddenly over the weekend I was so drowsy I couldn’t stay awake sat upright, I would be fucking worried too and go to hospital. A&E is entirely appropriate for someone with a reduced consciousness level.

Just to mention I had some of these symptoms too (apart from the vast amounts of sleeping) before my bloods showed I had pre diabetes - I was only at 43 - since reversed to 39 by low carb/low sugar- so anyone getting ridiculous amounts of headaches and dizziness def needs to get a blood glucose test

I'm type 2 diabetic, OP, and have been so for nearly 15 years (strong family gene unfortunately on my Dad's side and most of us have it).

I would be careful about heading down any sort of fasting routes - slow but sure lifestyle changes worked for me initially for about 5 years, then I needed medication. I started off cutting out any white bread/pasta/potatoes and just added more protein/veg. Drink lots of water, start gentle exercise. That way you're far more likely to stick at it rather than a dramatic crash diet.

When my blood sugars are high (ie when I'm poorly, you lose a lot of control and just have to go with it).

Only just caught up on this thread Op if you’re still there!! I listened to a great pod cast on Diary of a CEO with a lady called Jessie Inchauspe about sugar intake and glucose levels it was so interesting. She’s written books also just thought I’d give her a recommendation even before I’d read about your diagnosis I thought I’m going to recommend this information for OP. All of your symptoms are consistent with what she discusses re glucose levels and how they affect the body. I’m definitely addicted to sugar but am a healthy weight however after learning what I’ve learned I am cutting it out of mine and my children’s diet as much as is possible without being obsessive !! (Im got going to be that parent who’s disallows ANY treats) but we should make no mistake are diets are slowly but surely killing us.

Wishing you well and I hope you get your life back!! X x x

I profoundly disagree @Bluebells1970 , it's been shown that crash dieting and fasting under a doctor's supervision can put type 2 diabetes into complete remission in many people (not all, sadly).

Thank you for coming back to tell us you are on track of your health. I have been thinking of you, hoping you got to the bottom of your problems.

I have seen a documetary about a clinic in Siberia that does that, fasting under doctors supervision. It also mentioned a clinic in Germany or Switzerland. Fasting can heal a lot of conditions apparently.

God people on here are vile

So glad for the update. And what a relief to you to have a diagnosis and treatment plan. A&E was exactly the right decision. Your bitch DM has apologised profusely i hope?!!!

@Headproblems, are you satisfied that low level type 2 diabetes (which it must be otherwise you would have been put on meds immediately) would cause the extreme and significant symptoms you have been experiencing?
I have never ever heard of such severe symptoms with new type 2 diagnosis and I’m concerned that the diabetes is incidental and not the cause

What's your profession @HairyKitty ? Because you have some tall opinions on other peoples threads.....

I expect you know quite a lot of people with diet controlled diabetes who have symptoms like this OP describes?

My DH (mid sixties) was diagnosed with level type 2 diabetes. He was Prescribed Metformin and advised to lose some weight. I buy lots of fruit and veg, DH now has fruit only for lunch. Started going to the gym 4/5 times a week. Within 8 months, he lost 3st and his medication was stopped.
The only symptoms he showed was extreme grumpiness.
I am pleased to say that he has managed to keep to his diet and gym membership.

That’s amazing, fair play to him 💪🏻

Hi everyone, thank you so much for all the well wishes and kindness and well wishes I really appreciate it.

funnily enough, I had a call from my dr today to say that a recent blood test that hasn’t come back when we last spoke showed my CRP levels are high, and have been increasing over the last three months. She was confused about this apparently, liaised with another doctor to go through my records, and apparently in 2020 on a scan I had it showed ‘complex cysts’ (not sure what this means) on both ovaries. She said it could be coincidental but could be a reason for my CRPs to go up (in which would cause more tiredness wouldn’t it maybe?) and has now booked me in for a scan.

i had no idea about any Of this - I gave birth in April 2020 so maybe it was seen on a scan and not mentioned? Most bizarre but extremely impressed by my GP for going the extra mile!

So glad to hear your update. Obviously it’s still a bit of a bummer but at least it’s something manageable.

My DH was diagnosed in February and was put on Metformin..he’s basically cut out all sweets and chocolates and is generally just eating a good variety of other food, though hasn’t been massively restrictive with that. He’s upped his activity a bit too. Like he plays badminton twice a week instead of once, goes out on his bike a bit and then goes for long walks - stuff he enjoys. He’s managed to get his Hba1c down to just above ‘normal’ levels so hopefully next time he’s checked it will be even better. I’m only mentioning all this as a description of how he hasn’t had to do anything too drastic and it’s really helped - so it might give you some hope. Also, most of his symptoms have completely gone. He was really lethargic (though not like you), had long, drawn out headaches and generally felt unwell. He also had a problem with thrush. That has all completely cleared.

On another note - I hope you’re getting some support from your OH and your mum now and that they’ve apologised. If not, I hope you have support elsewhere.xx

I'm sorry about the diabetes, OP, but very glad for you that you've got a diagnosis now, and that they'll be able to help you. It's very hard to be feeling rotten and not having any idea what could be up.

That's great. I often think with medical stuff that it's possible that people have more than one thing wrong with them and then there is a hidden condition unnoticed

Seems @HairyKitty might have been right.

@Headproblems come and join us on the new low carb bootcamp, brilliant recipes and support.

Glad to hear you have a diagnosis.

Glad things are being properly sorted for you OP, I read your thread from the start and was quite concerned for you. Did you tell your GP about the breast lump?

@Headproblems some information on the Newcastle diet:
https://www.england.nhs.uk/diabetes/treatment-care/diabetes-remission/

Hi there @Headproblems , sorry to hear that. I hope you feel better soon.

My dad was diagnosed type 2 (he's skinny it was age-related.

If someone is overweight it can even be reversible, well put into remission. https://www.diabetes.org.uk/diabetes-the-basics/type-2-reverse

Either way it's fairly treatable as long as you stick to the diet etc. x

Why didn't they pick up your diabetes at the A&E?

Also, don't forget to follow up on the breast lump with your doctor. It's true that many are benign but that doesn't mean you ever make the assumption that they are benign. Some are not and they won't know until they've investigated it.