to think I shouldn't be on this ward?

[MoominKoalaAndMiniMoom]

Im in hospital on a ward full of noisy older men who keep shouting sexist views and are competing over who has the most disgusting and worst symptom.

WIBU to discharge myself if they try and make me stay here tonight? I didn't think mixed wards were allowed.

When I was in hospital they put me in a mixed ward (while pregnant I wasn't happy) but I did overhear then talking about a woman in a room full of men and they offered her a private room.

Im in because the cocodamol isnt touching it but I havent been seen yet, every time I ask aboit painkillers im reminded how busy they are. Im just sitting next to the bed. Just want to leave.

They don't seem to be in too much pain from the way theyre shouting at each other.

You are complaining on here. They are complaining out loud. Same difference.

When I was in a surgical ward, I was in a women's bay (6 beds) but the next alcove down the corridor was for men. My bit wasn't too bad, apart from a little old lady who I think had dementia who kept shouting out for cups of tea at all times of the day and night, but it was bedlam down the corridor. I think a fair few of those shouting and yelling had mental health problems, and the nurses were doing their best to calm them. I learnt to filter out the noise after a day or two.

They don't seem to be in too much pain from the way theyre shouting at each other.

Maybe they don't think you can be in too much pain if you're sat up posting on the internet. It's all relative.

Gall bladder pain is bloody awful so you do have my sympathy but I don't think you have the right (or medical knowledge) to judge how bad their pain is based on them being shouty.

Speak to a Nurse and tell them how upsetting it is for you. Ask to discharge yourself if they can't move you and you really can't stand being there. You need to be aware that if you have to go back in as an emergency admission then the wards might be full and you'll end up on a trolley in the corridor instead.

I'd stick my earphones in if I was allowed to charge my phone.

I feel like im taking a bed someone who wants to be here could be using. Id rather.put up with the pain ans wqit for an ultrasound as an outpatient

Could you go and sit in the day room? I work on a medical assessment unit and there are single sex bays of 4 beds in each, we would never put mixed sexes in one bay, ever, not even throughout a bed crisis.

At the least, then, wait to see the doctor. Even if you tell them you arent prepared to stay in, it gives them a chance to give you a prescription for oral antibiotics if necessary and to book the scan as an outpatient. If you go before you see them it will be an even longer wait. Some SAUs Ive worked in have a 'hot clinic' for people who dont need to be admitted, but do need urgent scans, so they are booked in for the next day or so. If you discharge and go via the GP it could take ages.

Id rather.put up with the pain ans wqit for an ultrasound as an outpatient

Decision made then, discharge yourself and go home.

this might sound weird but when I had problems with my gallbladder (enormous stone blocking the duct) I found that the pain eased/went away when I positioned my body sort of 'upside down'. This meant that the stone moved due to gravity and stopped blocking the duct.

I'm not talking about hanging like a bat, just getting my stomach above my head by propping my lower body up. Not especially comfortable but it really did do the trick and was a hell of a lot better than the pain.

This probably won't work if it's inflamation but it might be worth a try (at home, not on the ward!)

Gallbladder Inflammation can be very serious, besides being very painful, trust me I've been there. It can lead to other issues, and you could end up in an even worse state and have to spend longer in hospital in a while if you discharge now.

The thing is if its been caused by gallstones, and you need it removed that is normally only a day case. If you let it get really inflamed, they can't operate, well they won't unless its life or death, and then its a full surgery rather than keyhole. The pain will get worse and you end up in and out of A&E and assessment units.

So it maybe that putting up with it tonight, getting the antibiotics started, and then a quick daycase in a few weeks or so will mean less time away from your LO, or maybe you'll be one of the people who once the inflammation settles down you're not bothered by stone pain for a few years plus.

Short term pain for long term gain??

Oh and people deal with pain in different ways, some use distraction, like chatting. Some want to be left alone, everyone is different, pain is what the patient says it is.

Oh and people deal with pain in different ways, some use distraction, like chatting. Some want to be left alone, everyone is different, pain is what the patient says it is.

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If you feel that you would be happier at home, that you can manage your own pain relief and that you want to free the bed for someone 'needier', then by all means discharge yourself.

If you feel that you need to be further assessed or have treatment then you need to stay put. It's not a great situation but it could be far, far worse. At least you are safe there. You'll just have to make the most of a slightly annoying situation.

Oh and believe me they will not be keeping you in any longer than they need to the pressure on beds, even in assessment units is huge all over the country right now.

And all this has a knock on effect on outpatient scans, who as Bed Manager & Dr are you going to prioritise for a scan spot.

Someone who is 'well' enough not to be in the hospital or someone who post scan maybe able to be discharged and free up a bed??

But there's complaining about pain and then theres arguing over who has the most money and making sexist remarks and staring at me. Am I allowed to keep the curtains closed?

I discharged myself after being admitted for gallbladder pain, i was in "majors"waiting to see a doctor, had been given IV pain meds and was feeling better. The gall bladder was diagnosed and i was waiting on treatment. The nurse was really nice about it and understood that i would actually be better off at home in my own bed now that the pain was managable.

I can't imagine you would be moved onto an actual ward unless you are jaundiced.

The only thing is, if you are awaiting ultrasound or there has been talk of operating in the next few days, stay put!!! seriously, do NOT go home, or you'll have to wait ages.

Close the curtains.

Of course you can keep the curtains closed. They are there for your privacy. Pull 'em! :)

Yes, keep the curtains closed.

Yes you are allowed to keep the curtains closed and you are also allowed to complain about their behaviour making you uncomfortable. Please do that, there may be the slight possibility of you being moved. Could you ask for some sleeping tablets? i did when i was post op and the poor old guy in the next bed was babbling away all night.

I always pull the curtains round my bed when i'm admitted. I hate the idea of everyone peering at everyone else. I leave a gap sometimes, which looks out on to the corridor if i'm in an end bed, or just a gap at the foot of the bed. But i pull them right round if i feel really crap or am surrounded by whingers or shouters.

You could always shuffle off to the day room for a break for a few minutes?

I hope they move you soon--it sounds horrid. I wish I could magic up an old-fashioned matron for you who would shut them up with one glare.

Seems to be a lack of sympathy for you here which seems a little unfair. There is a reason why it is considered best practice to have same sex bays - not because of risk but because of dignity and comfort.

You can pull the curtains to. I'd leave the open at the front, I'd also have a chat with the ward sister and ask about the overnight plan and let her know you feel uncomfortable.

Can you get someone to drop off your phone charger?

Def don't go home, outpatients for the scan etc might take weeks.

Interesting about the curtains. The one time I was in hospital I wasn't allowed to keep them closed. I even had the nurse pull them wide open as I was getting changed and tell me I wasn't allowed them closed during the day. Maybe the rules are different at different hospitals?