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Can anyone chat while I wait for an inpatient bed?

71 replies

pyjamas89 · 29/08/2019 11:07

I've been struggling with my mental health and my CPN who came to see me on Tuesday is adamant that a hospital admission is going to be the best thing. I'm at home and waiting for a bed in the local MH ward which can unfortunately take days +. I've been admitted before and I really don't want to go (though accept it is probably a fair plan) but waiting is horrible. Not knowing when the phone might ring. I feel even more anxious and unsettled.

Can anyone chat while I'm waiting?

OP posts:
JustNotCoping123 · 30/08/2019 07:16

I'm sorry to hear you're finding things so difficult at the moment- I'm in a similar position waiting for my CPN to find an inpatient bed (eating disorder) so I know the wait isn't a great place to be. I hope you hear something soon and things start to get better for you Thanks

Orchidflower1 · 30/08/2019 07:25

Morning OP. The wait must be a drain for you. As you know it won’t be until Monday now could you plan somethings in to break up the weekend. I find if I’ve got a little list of things it makes me feel more calm. Eg.

  1. have a bath
  2. play piano for 20 min 3)file finger nails
  3. play with cat for 15 min
  4. read an online newspaper
  5. watch a film
  6. tidy sock/ pants drawer
  7. try yoga video on you tube

I’m not suggesting you do all in one day and I know some aren’t exciting but just an idea or two for the weekend.

Do you feel up to stretching your legs with a walk to the shop to get some magazines? Dsil gets a cat magazine weekly but I can’t recall it’s name- sorry.

Deathraystare · 30/08/2019 08:02

Hi pyjamas89. I hope you are feeling ok. It is hard sometimes to do even the simplest things like washing your hair but I bet you feel better now! I sometimes put it off myself, then when my hair is soft and shiny and not smelling of sweat etc I wonder why I did not bother before!

Another thing that makes me feel so good is tending to my feet. The poor things have a lot to put up with. Why not do a foot soak and if you have a face pack on you - you can put that on your feet too or just find your most luxurious/rich cream and give them a good old massage. I feel much lighter after that!

I work in a mental health unit. People always look horrified when I tell them that but I have to say I do enjoy my work. Most of the patients are really nice people. Sadly we do see some regulars.

One guy - an ex patient was desperate to come back in (possibly because he had again trashed his accommodation!), then when he was brought in he ran away again! He came back to see us again and seems ok and is not an inpatient

They seem on the whole to be happy and content (when they are on their medication and getting the help they need). They pop out for a quick ciggie every now and again (we are supposed to be a smoke free zone and they are asked to go out of the hospital grounds to smoke but of course they are lighting up as they leave reception!).

Some have had really interesting /sad lives. The one that really upset me was the eastern european woman who was brought in and sounded like a wounded animal. I will never forget that noise. She had been sex trafficked.

Anyway, on a better note I was pleased to see they do art and music therapy here and someone has started up a football team as well.

I hope someone can look after your cats for you.

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Jemima232 · 30/08/2019 11:58

Hi there Pyjamas.

How are you feeling today?

I've been thinking of you.

pyjamas89 · 30/08/2019 15:28

Thanks all for the messages and ideas. I'm not feeling so good. Have been in the respite / urgent assessment unit overnight at CPNs request where I still am. She came to see me earlier and is doing her best to get me a bed on the local unit today. She's coming back to update ASAP so praying it's possible much as I don't want to go in.

OP posts:
pyjamas89 · 30/08/2019 19:53

Top marks for my CPN who really has fought tooth and nail for me and I have a bed in the unit really local to my house from later on this evening. I am so relieved this has not dragged on into next week - I'm sorry for you others who are waiting. Nervous about actually going now.

OP posts:
chinam · 30/08/2019 20:04

That's great, pajamas89. I hope you get the help you need and are feeling better soon. Flowers

Orchidflower1 · 30/08/2019 22:56

Great news ( iyswim) that you have got a place. Wishing you well Op 💐💐💐

FFSOMG · 30/08/2019 23:02

Hi @pyjamas89 I’m also inpatient, although I’m on an psychiatric intensive care unit. I’m really pleased for you that you’ve got a bed (I’m waiting for one closer to home as I’m 70 miles away from home and my family), hope you settle in ok and the ward is settled. Look after yourself x

mamaraah · 30/08/2019 23:04

Hi @pyjamas89
I Hate to admit this but I was sectioned soon after the birth of my youngest dd. Good luck and I hope it all works out for you X

darkriver19886 · 30/08/2019 23:05

Glad you finally have a space.

Jemima232 · 30/08/2019 23:20

At least you're getting some help now, Pyjamas

Wishing you well.

Let us know how things go. We're always here to chat.

Orchidflower1 · 31/08/2019 07:38

Hope you had a reasonable night OP.

pyjamas89 · 31/08/2019 10:12

Thanks all.

@FFSOMG sorry to hear you're also unwell. Really hope you can get a bed near home soon.

I'm feeling quite anxious. I don't find these places are very good at explaining how things work or what the routine is. I'm autistic and non verbal at the moment which makes me feel really vulnerable and hard to ask.

I think I will keep this thread even though I've got a bed now, if that's ok. Could prob do with a bit of chat and support...

OP posts:
FFSOMG · 31/08/2019 10:24

Can you make a list of things you’d like to say/ask staff and hand in to a nurse?

I’m hoping for a bit of leave to pop to the local Tesco express shop to pick up toothpaste and doughnuts! Staff said they would take me today but I bet it hasn’t been handed over. I’ve asked but a louder patient than me is also asking to go, and even though I asked first she’ll probably be taken as she’s so loud. And the smokers get to leave the ward three times a day but I don’t smoke so I’m stuck here. Sorry that’s my little moan!

I’m not very patient and find the other patients really hard work, I could never work on a ward, the staff are incredible really.

It was my son’s 5th birthday a couple of days ago and I haven’t seen them in two weeks as I’m so far away stuck in this rubbish PICU. Boo. I didn’t see them for six weeks over Christmas (have been in hospital since October). But I’m genuinely feeling a lot better the past few days, I even spent £425 online shopping and bought a dress for Christmas so I’m planning a future which I couldn’t do a week ago.

Anyway, there’s my little ramble haha

pyjamas89 · 31/08/2019 13:59

I totally hear you @ffsomg! I'm currently non verbal, generally quiet anyway and am unlikely to throw myself on the floor and wail so always at the bottom of the list when it comes to leave /any general request. I do get that people are busy but it's horrible to have had your freedom taken away and the to be ignored... I really hope you get out today. So hard to be cooped up.

You must be missing your family a lot, really hope you can see them soon.

The charge nurse just came in to talk to me (well, I typed to him) so at least have been able to air a few of my concerns.

OP posts:
Orchidflower1 · 31/08/2019 14:18

@pyjamas89 I’m sorry the ward situation is exacerbating the anxiety. If you find the thread helpful do keep it going - there is always someone around to chat to.

Could you type a colour coded list to chat to the nurses about eg in red is what you really would like/ would improve your wellbeing in their care.orange for would be useful and green for “ if you have time(?)” / bonus things etc. Would that help to arrange your thoughts?

Orchidflower1 · 31/08/2019 14:19

Also when I say “chat “ I mean the nurse to read and respond- sorry if that wasn’t clear!!

SirJamesTalbotAndHisSpeculum · 31/08/2019 16:26

Hi there Pyjamas.

It must be double difficult to be in a psychiatric unit if you're non-verbal.

Do you find some of the staff have difficulty taking on board your additional needs?

Is there any way of finding out how long you're likely to be in?

These places can be very intimidating. Hope you're having a better day.

pyjamas89 · 31/08/2019 18:32

Thanks @Orchidflower1 I did just read it as chat/write/read interchangeably! Colour code is a good idea thank you.

@SirJamesTalbotAndHisSpeculum yes it's doubly terrifying. Not the nicest place to be anyway but makes me feel more vulnerable when it's so hard to ask for help or things I need. I'm not always non verbal so hoping it will get easier as I adjust.

I won't know any kind of plan until I see the consultant at the start of the week. Some staff are being OK about things. Others are a bit huffy and think I'm too thick skinned to notice they are being impatient which is not very nice.

OP posts:
pyjamas89 · 01/09/2019 11:24

Morning all
I can't remember if I said but when I came in and my things were searched they took my phone. It's not that I'm not allowed to have it, but I've managed to ask for it several times and each time someone says they will get it for me and then they don't come back. I don't know if it's been misplaced but I which they would just tell me that if that's the case. It's making me very anxious. It's so hard being unable to speak out.

OP posts:
Orchidflower1 · 01/09/2019 15:54

Hi Op. sorry you’ve still not got your phone.

It must be frustrating because where you are nonverbal at the moment you can I assume only communicate with friends/ family via email.

Do you have access to pens and paper - could you write a note and leave it on the desk of the nurse or on your bedside table- that way it will jog the memory of the passing staff?

Have the nonverbal episodes lasted for long before? Hope that chatting on here is helping.apologies if my questions are intrusive- just say.

Have you got head phones to block out the noise/ listen to music? I find certain music really soothing.

💐for you for your virtual visit!

pyjamas89 · 01/09/2019 22:35

@Orchidflower1 thank you

A lovely hca came in and actually made time to talk to me so I have my phone back, a timetable she has written of the ward routine and a few other bits she sorted for me. She was ace. It's just hard having to ask so many times.

Chatting is helping thanks, it's a good distraction. I think the longest I've been non verbal is about a week, maybe a bit more. I have noise cancelling headphones as I also love music and I find this helpful too. Thank you for the flowers!

My CPN said she'd come to see me in the morning. It will be good to see a familiar staff face but if I'm honest I'm feeling a bit cross with her at the moment - even though I rationally know she was just doing her job.

OP posts:
FFSOMG · 01/09/2019 22:52

Glad you got your phone back @pyjamas89

Try not to think about your CPN, you’re in there now so focus on recovering.

Good luck x

pyjamas89 · 02/09/2019 06:17

Thanks @FFSOMG

Been awake for couple of hours already as I was freezing. Took me an hour to get the courage to go and 'ask' for another blanket. So hard to communicate when you can't verbalise out loud. Having a torch shone in your face every 2 minutes also doesn't help one's ability to sleep...

OP posts:
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