Question
Dear Karel,
i'll get right to the point.
my 19 year old brother has been living alone for a year now (its the family home). he goes to university (second year engineering), and does well in his classes.
My folks live in another country and come back and forth during vacations, and i'm married and live next to him , and have a key to his apt.
I noticed his problem about two weeks ago. I had to go to his apartment to do some cleaning before my parents came back home. I arrived at 9 am, and i had to wake him up to do something for me. I tried waking him but no luck...I kept pulling the cover from him, but he fought back and kept pulling it back on him..I opened all the lights..but had no luck.He would open his eyes look at me and just stare!!!
I had to call my husband, made him come see what i was into. He tried too but no luck.he suggested that we leave him sleep for a couple of more hrs and see. We did leave him, and i went to wake him at 1pm, but this time he woke up normal and said he remembered nothing from what I had told him had happened.
I thought maybe he slept in late (which he said he didnt, but I just didn't know what to think).
Days passed, and he was supposed to be starting an internship last wednesday. He asked me to make sure he was up at 7am (just by ringing on his mob). After several attempts, I had to go to the house AGAIN and wake him up myself. It took me 3 hrs just to get him to wake up and talk to me. He didnt go to work since he was very late. Thursday he woke up normally on his own, and then today (sunday) I hwas in the same dilemma. Called him at 7, didnt answer, went up to his house, kept trying to wake him..I poured water on his hair, on his shirt, had 4 alarms ring beside him, i even slapped him a couple times(which i would never ever i thougt i would ever do btw), sprayed perfume on his face,but he would stand up, with his eyes open and just stare at me relentlessly!!
He finally sort of woke up at 8:30, got dressed up, but he forgot to take the right turn on his way, and went to work even later than what he was supposed to have been. Ofcourse he was angry like hell at me, especially for pouring water on his head ( he doesnt like his hair to be wet before he leaves in the morning)..
I have no idea what could be up with him. I just want to point out that during his university days, and before ending last semester, he would wake up early if he needed to without any problems, even if he had to sleep late...
I really want to know what i should be doing..I'm getting really depressed and dont even know what i should tell my mum.
One more thing, is that my brother has been diabetic for 7 years now.Just thought i'd add it up.
Thanks alot and sorry for the very long message.
Answer
You should of mentioned the diabetes first, most probably his sugar is too low. He needs to test his blood sugar and see what it is. The next time this happens test his sugar while he is asleep, you probably will find it low however some even go high, but you need to get the reading so he can bring it to his doctor, he probably needs his insulin adjusted. also have the md take blood and urine tests to test for anemia and thyroid trouble which can happen as well. tell the md about the sleepiness. If all checks out then consider a sleep center but im no md, but my dad has diabetes and sleeping not awakening is usually the first sign that the sugar is too low which you would need to get orange juice down him or the doctor may prescribe him something, but you need to get his readings of his sugar. feel free to emaial again.
