Very scared, what’s wrong with me? Feeling confused and drowsy indoors but fine as soon as I go outside

[Noelle101]

Almost every day for a year now I get this horrible feeling, that I’m having trouble explaining. But I’ll try.

its like very reduced awareness and alertness. Like mental confusion, lethargic, disoriented, Drowsy. Like I am not really taking in what’s around me. I could be looking at screen and not really taking in what I’m seeing. Just like I been drugged I guess? Like I’m just sitting there staring into space not really taking in what’s around me. Very weak too.

i had extremely low blood pressure a couple times in my life and it’s kind of like this.

this feeling lasts hours and hours. I literally can not get anything done especially recently.

gp is saying it’s mental/anxiety

But the weird thing is I noticed this goes away as soon as I step outside. Like the second I step outside.

it’s also better if I spend all day not in the house and worse if I spend more time indoors

I also haven’t experienced this anywhere else outside my home.

But other 2 people living with me don’t experience this.

anyone know what this can be?

they are not my parents

I remember my dad being so unwell at home. One day he had enough and went looking for answers. He pulled up floorboards and tore off wallpaper. There was mould climbing the walls. It was shocking.
Also buy a more sensitive carbon monoxide alarm. You can get those that show the number if it even goes above zero!

Actually the less air there is the worse it gets because its created by moisture build up air lets the moisture out and mould won't grow !

OP, phone Cadent: cadentgas.com/suspect-carbon-monoxide

I had to phone them earlier this year when I thought I could smell gas (it turns out it was an old basil plant I had on the windowsill in the kitchen!) They were so fantastic - they came really quickly, were super kind and helpful, did a thorough check and didn’t make me feel like an idiot at all - they said it’s better to be safe than sorry. The chap had been to multiple false alarms already that evening.

The link above has a phone number for if you suspect carbon monoxide.

At least then you can rule out a gas issue in the next couple of hours and you can at least put your mind at rest today that it’s not that. Good luck x

Get a damp survey or call environmental health for advice?

In the absence of C0, I'm thinking infrasound. You can't hear it because it's below human range but a fan or something might be resonating into your space and this is the effect it has on you.

People have been known to paradoxically undress and even pass out as a result of infrasound.

I have no idea how you would check for it. It might be worth a Google but it has been recognised as being responsible for 'sick building syndrome'.

Sorry another Q and possibly a daft one as I’m sure you know them. They aren’t smoking anything are they?

Not sure if anyone has said this but the CO alarm will only beep if above a certain level. I’ve got one that is digital and shows how much CO is in the room. They aren’t expensive I got mine off amazon and feel much more reassured.

OP the flooding issue you mentioned and resultant mould sounds a likely cause.

I am not sure where you go for advice but would try ringing environmental health at the Council and telling them what you have said here.

I have also heard the carbon monoxide detectors sometimes only sound at very high levels. It wouldn’t hurt to get the fire service out for a check. Who knows, they may also be aware of alternate sources of the symptoms you suggest where carbon monoxide is not the cause.

No

yes

Yes i constantly switch it on, like every hour

Despite trying to do everything to keep humidity low it always shows 65-85 humidity when i switch it on (though it does drop quickly)

Could you sleep elsewhere in the house for a few nights and see if that helps? It might localise the problem area to your room, which would then suggest there is mould in the walls, or another allergen in there.

Do you mean inside in general eg at work, in shops or inside your home. This is VERY important as it is only occuring in one environment which sounds like your home as pp have said CO2 levels etc need checking urgently. Let us know how you get on.

OK but my question remains. Are you responsible for them in any way? Are they nice people to share a home with?

This.
I have a long story about this which I won't go into but it was my first thought here.

There is no problem with CO² levels sleeping with an open window. You basically have to be in an air tight box to be affected by too much CO² (climate change excluded).

Well that changes the picture. This isn't normal, the damp needs addressing structurally.

I would get the same symptoms as you in a room that damp. Have you tried antihistamines? (Sorry if that's been asked already).

CO2 levels etc need checking urgently

I'm sorry but I'm going to be pedantic here.
It's the CO, carbon monoxide, levels that need checking.
CO2 is carbon dioxide which is harmless in normal quantities.

I had this. Carbon monoxide alarm tested regularly but never went off. Our boiler went down and when the man came out he said it had been leaking carbon monoxide for years. New boiler and I don't get this anymore

Only at home

So are you going to do anything about it OP? it seems extremely likely your walls are still full of mould and it has just been covered up and it is making you ill

If only you sleep on your room, i suspect the mould might be growing under the plasterboard and releasing something slowly into the air. Google how to check if mould is growing under plasterboard.

Exactly what I was going to say

Carbon monoxide alarms can fail to beep for lots of different reasons. Get your home professionally tested for carbon monoxide and also for mould / damp.

The issue is very obviously environmental and specific to your home.