British woman sleeps for 45 days straight due to chronic fatigue syndrome

Jane Rothney, a 65-year-old British woman, spent around 45 days unconscious after developing chronic fatigue syndrome.

Rothney's ordeal began when she felt unwell while meeting friends at a café, believing her symptoms—mainly a persistent runny nose—were just a common cold, according to the Mirror newspaper.

She returned home and went to bed, but the next day her family was unable to wake her. As she appeared calm and was breathing normally, they initially did not call for medical help. Throughout the following six weeks, her family made sure to give her water regularly to prevent dehydration.

Rothney regained consciousness after 45 days, only to discover she had lost about three kilograms. She would fall asleep again whenever she tried to get up, even while in the bathroom.

When her condition worsened, she sought medical assistance and doctors diagnosed her with myalgic encephalomyelitis, now known as chronic fatigue syndrome.

After receiving treatment at a specialized center, Rothney changed her life path—leaving her previous job, qualifying as a health coach, learning relaxation techniques, and publishing a book about her experience with the illness.