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

Also IME it's Sod's law about health issues getting worse on weekends or holidays, almost like your body goes into 'coping mode'/ working on adrenaline during the working week (bit like how some kids seem to get ill on school holidays when they get a 'break' rather than during term time).

This made me laugh with your username its not necessarily about waiting until Monday its about going to the gp at somepoint in the 2 months prior to this thats its been going on

I've rushed in with a child in my arms and still been seen, it's not the only route in. It is the quickest if you have an emergency that needs A&E but you're mobile and can get there yourself.

Hope you're ok x

I suppose it depends on different hospitals ours has urgent care/ooh attached to it which you get appointments for but actual a&e you just go everyone is triaged and blood taken upon arrival then your seen in priority order they also have a separate children's a&e

Haven’t read the full thread but based my reply on the fact that the OP was originally asking about 111 vs wait for GP. Telling the Op what they should’ve done a month or two ago isn’t helpful.

Hi OP. Glad you’re being seen. Hope it’s all ok. I’ve been listening to a podcast with Dr Rangan Chattergee and Jessie Inchauspee. They talk about the link between unstable blood glucose levels and a whole host of other health issues. They mention things like fatigue, headaches, and in particular, PCOS. Obviously see what the doctors say and get everything checked out but I think with your other symptoms, it’s well worth a listen in case it helps you! It’s here https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/feel-better-live-more-with-dr-rangan-chatterjee/id1333552422?i=1000611491509

I said in my post its not specifically aimed at op but I don't understand why people repeatedly do this and then wonder why a&e is over run.

I suppose in an obvious emergency you phone 999 / show up.

Our local has an "ambulatory A&E". They book you in. They have access to same range of tests as regular A&E next door. It reduces emergency admissions and referrals to regular A&E next door. Obviously not universal but trust seems v happy with it.

OP may just be at regular A&E though - different arrangements everywhere.

My A&E have been booking slots since covid began

I hope you get a full set of bloods done.

This 100%!

Hope you’re ok op!

Honestly medical advice is mad on mumsnet. I was having seizures (undiagnosed) and was told I was being dramatic and having panic attacks 😅

Glad you’re in the right place. Hopefully they get to the bottom of it asap

This sounds quite like me when I was very anaemic, except it was midweek, so I managed to get an emergency GP appointment. He took one look at me, checked my pulse, and immediately gave me a referral letter to take to A&E. Given the tachycardia you're definitely in the right place. I hope the bloods give an indication of what's up, and they can prescribe something to help you feel better soon.

GP on Monday.

Ignore that, I see you’re in A&E already

Yes - epileptic seizures is another thing this could be.

Good luck OP, very interesting case, I hope you get to the bottom of it.

Mopy partner had this last week woke up with facial swelling pressure in his eye and blurred vision. Called 111 at 8.30am they booked him into aand e straight through to triage full bloods taken and antibiotics supplied. He was home in2 hours including travel time. They haven't contacted him with blood results though but he is back to normal

That was a reply to those saying 111 don't book you in.

Could be a b12 or iron deficiency

Glad your in the right place and hopefully getting some answers soon.

I hadn't seen your other replies, was just setting your expectations about the time slot thing, I went to me local A&E after I was told the same and they told me they don't book slots, wasn't trying to take away from your issue at all.

Hope your not waiting too long for some answers and feel better soon

If you snore or gasp, choke etc. when sleeping, mention that to the Dr.

My friends cousin kept sleeping more and more and wouldn't go to the Dr as she felt the symptom was so benign. For a few months. It turned out to be very serious indeed. Hope you are OK, OP.

I started like this last September- acuteheadaches , dizzy, wanting to sleep more but had other things too - heavy legs, blurry sore eyes, pins and needles etc. I went to A&E as one night I was convinced I was having a stroke- (I'm 61 and overweight by about 4 stone) . The lady registrar there was fantastic , very reassuring , I had very high BP and they did full bloods -I did have high cholesterol, pre diabetic (just) plus stupidly high BP. Since then I have been on low dose beta blockers and lowish dose statins but I am weaning off them as they make my legs really weak. My cholesterol though is right down and has stayed down - even only taking statins twice a week. The doctors think mine is long covid as started just after covid and vaccine too (very close together) - combined with some spinal/disc issues - the thing is lovely you have got yourself into the system and whatever it is then it can be assessed and action taken- that's the most vital thing. Deep breathe and let the professionals get to the bottom of it.