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Original poster

Anyone awake? Night in hospital and can't sleep

25 replies

Lezbehonest · 04/01/2022 00:26

I'm in hospital tonight and very much didn't expect to be. Came for an OOH GP appointment at lunchtime and didn't get to leave. I feel relatively ok but have to have loads of tests tomorrow. I'm quite anxious about what they might find which isn't helping the situation.

Any tips on sleeping? I am WIDE awake. I struggle to sleep at the best of times but I'm in a bay with some people who keep calling out (older ladies who seem quite ill bless them) the lights are on and I'm starving. I missed dinner on the ward so I've only had my breakfast and a sad little sandwich all day.

I have clothes, headphones and toiletries but no sleep mask, food or earplugs unfortunately. Gah.

Anyone fancy a chat?

OP posts:
BobbieT1999 · 04/01/2022 00:30

Sorry to hear this op!

Sounds like you're on an admission ward? They're often much noisier than the specialised ones!

Sucks that no-one has been able to fetch you something else to eat, ime nurses are usually very happy to do you some tea & toast to tide you over. I know things are much harder for them right now but worth asking?

On the subject of catching a nurse, if you tell them lights are keeping you awake they'll do their best to keep your area as quiet as possible...even if it's an old dearest bedside light shining through your curtain!

Pickles89 · 04/01/2022 00:33

Oh I'm sorry!! How horrid. Sleeping in hospital is hard at the best of times. I have insomnia so not a lot of use on the sleep suggestions front but happy to chat! What are you in the mood for? We could play a game like 'A to Z of...' or 'Would you rather...?' Or dya wanna hear a joke? These are my favourites:

Why did the scarecrow win an award?

Because he was Out Standing in his field!

And

Did you know, owls can't mate when its raining?

It's Too Wet To Woo!

Grin
BobbieT1999 · 04/01/2022 00:34

Did you know, owls can't mate when its raining?
It's Too Wet To Woo

THIS. IS MY NEW FAVOURITE Grin

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Sleep
UltraVividLament · 04/01/2022 00:34

Have you got a white noise app on your phone? They can be good for drowning out background noise and getting to sleep. Or how about an audio book of a comforting classic story? Maybe a childhood favourite. Nothing that is unfamiliar or challenging.

1WeekTillChristmas · 04/01/2022 00:35

You can ask them for a mask and ear plugs and also if you ask them for a sandwich and a hot drink, they will give it to you

DartmoorChef · 04/01/2022 00:36

If you aren't stuck in bed is there a vending machine anywhere in the building.

Original poster
Lezbehonest · 04/01/2022 00:37

Omg the owl joke is my favourite too!!

More than up for a game of would you rather!

Starting with a classic: would you rather have fingers for toes or toes for fingers?

Thanks also for the kind suggestions of catching a nurse. Will try to do so when they next pop in. They've been quite busy tending to the other ladies so didn't want to be a nuisance as my complaints are hunger and light rather than illness! They've already brought me the sandwich when I first got to the ward. Agree it seems I'm on an admission ward. Not sure what the plan is tomorrow.

OP posts:
mandajmo · 04/01/2022 00:37

Download the Calm App and listen to some of the sleep sounds x

Original poster
Lezbehonest · 04/01/2022 00:38

@mandajmo

Download the Calm App and listen to some of the sleep sounds x
Ooh yes I've listened to their sleep stories before. Will re download it
OP posts:
Original poster
Lezbehonest · 04/01/2022 00:39

@1WeekTillChristmas

You can ask them for a mask and ear plugs and also if you ask them for a sandwich and a hot drink, they will give it to you
I will ask definitely thank you. Had considered using my face mask to cover my eyes...
OP posts:
BobbieT1999 · 04/01/2022 00:40

I think fingers for toes...could always lop the ends off

Pickles89 · 04/01/2022 00:41

Would you rather have fingers for toes or toes for fingers?'

Definitely fingers for toes! Although finding shoes and socks that fit my massive feet is already a challenge, it would be cool to properly grip stuff like a monkey!

If you'd been a servant 200 years ago, would you rather have been a nanny, a housekeeper or a cook?

CharlotteRose90 · 04/01/2022 00:41

Oh bless you im a regular at hospitals and wards are horrible to sleep in.

First please ask one of the nurses if they can make you a brew and some toast. They won’t say no I promise . I’ve even been offered sandwiches and ice lollies before on wards.

You could ask if they have spare headphones, sounds daft but they get rid of some of the noises even when not plugged in anywhere.

Ask for some of the lights to be switched off, they normally keep them on for elderly ladies for they can switch the middle ones off if that makes sense and leave the 4 around the beds on.

dinahsdishes · 04/01/2022 00:41

Ask them for zopiclone - if you're on an admission ward there is normally a dr in situ who can prescribe this. Masks and ear plugs are normally available too. Can you ask a hca for some toast? It might be awhile but they should be able to Thanks

BobbieT1999 · 04/01/2022 00:42

If you'd been a servant 200 years ago, would you rather have been a nanny, a housekeeper or a cook

Housekeeper

What about you?

2018SoFarSoGreat · 04/01/2022 00:44

Fingers for toes IF I get to keep fingers for fingers as well - don't want to do a switcheroo!

Once I admired a friend's toe ring, and determined to get one for me. I am a little unobservant, perhaps, because it took me several jeweler shops with the entire ring sizing bundle (none of which would go over my big - apparently REALLY BIG - toe, before I asked her. She had the ring on her 2nd toe. The normal sized one :( :)

Hope you get something to eat soon. Toast is usually something they can rustle up. Nothing worse than lying there with a rumbly belly and can't just go to sleep until it is food time.

Original poster
Lezbehonest · 04/01/2022 00:44

@Pickles89

Would you rather have fingers for toes or toes for fingers?'

Definitely fingers for toes! Although finding shoes and socks that fit my massive feet is already a challenge, it would be cool to properly grip stuff like a monkey!

If you'd been a servant 200 years ago, would you rather have been a nanny, a housekeeper or a cook?

Good call on the toes all round.

Ooh nanny I think. I like children and I would've liked to be able to live 'upstairs' although I presume that would've been more lonely. I am basing these assumptions entirely on downtown abbey.

I just grabbed a nurse who said she'd find me another sandwich and an apple. So relieved.

OP posts:
WhoAre · 04/01/2022 00:45

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

BobbieT1999 · 04/01/2022 00:45

Ooh = out of hours

Pickles89 · 04/01/2022 00:55

Yeah, I'd have been a nanny. Certainly lonelier but also more peaceful!

Would you rather wear bright vibrant coloured clothes or plain muted ones?

IncessantNameChanger · 04/01/2022 00:58

Sorry to hear this OP. I was admitted onto MAU and the other ladies with dementia kept me awake. It's hard when it's a mixed need ward.

On the plus side there was a very sprightly 90 year old with very slight decline who kept me amused the next day with singing dancing and talking to everyone else.

BasiliskStare · 04/01/2022 01:07

@Lezbehonest - I hope you can get some sleep & when I have been in hospital nurses are lovely and kind so do ask.

I would be torn between nanny and cook - cook - mistress of her own domain - nanny gets to live upstairs . Have you seen the red nose downton abbey spoof - that made me laugh especially Joanna Lumley.

Anyway not sure if his helps but re toes - I read this 50 years ago in the Puffin Children's book of verse

Moses supposes his tosies are roses
But Moses supposes erroneously
For nobody's tosies are posies of roses
As Moses supposes his tosies to be

I know that is utterly shit but maybe will make you think there are worse things than tonight Grin - e.g. my post Grin

Best wishes to you - Basilisk

I think the mask over eyes is inspired

Horrorbags · 04/01/2022 01:10

I use a sock over my eyes if I don’t have my eye mask to hand. The heel part goes over the bridge of your nose to keep any light out!

HeartsTrumpDiamonds · 04/01/2022 01:17

One of my favourite jokes:

Did you hear the one about the dyslexic agnostic insomniac? .... He stayed up all night wondering if there really was a dog.

Pickles89 · 04/01/2022 01:19

@HeartsTrumpDiamonds

Hahahahaha! Not heard that one before!

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