To discharge myself from hospital? Has anyone ever done it?

[FoxRedPuppy]

I’ve been in hospital since Saturday. It is a third occurance of a heart attack called SCAD (it’s quite different to your standard heart attack). I’m in a hospital away from home as we weee on our way in a weekend away when it happened.

Since then I was told on Saturday I needed a CT angiograms. On Sunday consultant told me they do work on Sundays, but I would get it Monday. On Monday a different consultant said it had been recommended in my notes, but not actually ordered. So it would be Tuesday (today).

So I was moved to a day ward so it could be done and then home today. Today I get told actually they only do CT angiograms on Weds and Thurs. 🤬 I just cried. AND no doctors on this ward so I can’t even discuss my options.

Hospitals are obviously awful. I can’t sleep. My children are in another city, being looked after by my mum (separated parent). One child is autistic and not coping with me being away.

I’m seriously thinking of discharging myself and getting referred as an out patient. I don’t think I can do another day, and what if it isn’t just one more day? I’ve got no clean pants left!

I found myself having an unexpected 9 day stay in hospital a couple of years ago with a STEMI. Being away from home and on a filthy ward was absolute Hell. I feel your pain. I also wanted to discharge myself, but a very kind, honest nurse gave my head a wobble (and gave me a big cuddle!). I'm glad you've decided to stay.

Be sure to check what you can and cant do, I found out far too late that I could go outside for fresh air (it was a heatwave) as long as I checked my monitor was still connecting to the ward, and that there was a patient kitchen I could have stored the fruit salads, and bits and bobs my sister was bringing for me (hospital food is not for me). The nurses are so busy they don't always have time to give the info on how to make "your stay" a little easier.
You will be home with your children soon enough, sending positive thoughts your way ❤

I’ve just googled was SCAD is. Do not discharge yourself.

Glad that you’re staying in. Stay and get the tests. Otherwise it’s more waiting for OP to send through something that might get cancelled.

It sounds like you're having a horrible time and some very poor communication has occurred.
You could sign a form to go home against medical advice and you could return to your own A+E if you feel unwell but they won't do an outpatient referral for you unless they think you are low risk enough- they clearly don't as they are generally desperate for all beds so you should stay really and ensure there is nothing more that needs treating.

Ask the staff for some shampoo though, they should be able to get you some toiletries. They won't be nice ones but they'll be better than nothing. Can no family member or friend bring you some bits over if does end up being any longer? It is soul destroying staying in hospital for a long time especially with children struggling at home but they need you well.

I discharged myself 10 hours after my dd was born because I was hungry and they only food on offer was toast and flora (ick), this was when they kept you in for 48 hours. I called my dad to collect me (now exh was stuck overseas) and told the ward midwife I was leaving, they tried to tell me it was dangerous so early , but I went anyway. Of course now they kick you out asap anyway, dangerous my foot!

If you discharge yourself, you could wait months to get something sorted
hell I know bless you , but I’d stay put
are there any hospital volunteers around
sometimes then can help get you things you need
normally lovelies

I've discharged myself after surgery once and they had the nerve to try and refuse my sick note. It was a surgically-managed miscarriage and I'd had the same type of surgery before so knew what to expect. Luckily, my doctor offered to sign me off for as long as I wanted.

If you still need tests done, though, it makes more sense to stay in.

Don't do it. You will go to the back of the queue for the scans. You must take care of yourself so you can care for your kids.

You could phone PALS and explain that you're needlessly bed blocking by waiting for this scan? And that you really don't want to discharge yourself to get clean clothes. They should be able to hurry along the scan at least.

I feel for you, I hate hospitals and considered self discharge many a time. However just check about whether being an outpatient will change the urgency if the scan. I know that being an inpatient means you will get scanned quicker then if you were an outpatient where I work.

My brother had to sign a form to say he was discharging himself against medical advice. The form stated the potential consequence of leaving was death. He signed it and left. He died a week later.

They are not keeping you in hospital for their own amusement. It costs a fortune for you to be in that bed so if they are keeping you there you obviously need to be there.

I understand how frustrating it must be for you but your children need you to be well.

your body your choice. Will your children understand why you’re not at their wedding if you die because you didn’t get a ct angiogram because you wanted to go home ? Only you can make that call. Just be happy with your decision

I did mention already in the thread that I stayed, and came to my senses. I was frustrated, tired and emotional when I posted.

Anyway. Good job really, I have an other heart attack in the night and have now had all my scans (suddenly I was an emergency again). Still waiting on results though to work out what to do with me.

Sorry you're going through the mill @FoxRedPuppy and a good thing you stayed in. Not good you had another attack obv but I hope they can sort you out soon and get you home. You really are the most important person to focus on right now but it's natural for you to worry about your children.
Sending you all the best.

Get well soon

illness truly sucks

It’s awful when you miss a dose of Venlafaxine. Can you get someone to drop you some off with some dry shampoo, face wipes, clean underwear and perfume? I have discharged myself from hospital a few times but in your situation I wouldn’t.

Are you able to say the area you are in? In case any of us are able to get some things to you

If you are anywhere Near East Sussex I’ll happily drop stuff off to you. My DH had an MI in December, I’m glad you decided to stay.

oof @FoxRedPuppy so glad you have made the decision to stay in. Although it is awful you probably need to just see it through. I politely self discharged with lots of form signing and stern looks after being in for several days for "monitoring" for my fifth child's impending birth (37w), which I felt was in no way impending. Got as far as McDonalds, waters broke, back in within an hour. Not as serious as your situation, but to be fair, it taught me a bit of a lesson. Hope you are doing OK, it is horrible when you don't want to be there. xx

Hospitals have always given me basic toiletries and disposable knickers. Have you asked?

I’ve managed to get some stuff now, some clean pants and stuff. My hair was beyond what dry shampoo could do anything for, I managed to wash it.

Because I’m back on monitoring unit I also managed to get some sleep last night as there weren’t random patients turning lights on in middle of night, or making calls.

I really struggle with not being able to be in control, so not knowing when stuff will happen. Literally having to ask someone every time I need the toilet, or more water. Or being able to make a cup of tea when I want. I can’t have a wash or shower until someone is free or available, and on a busy (understaffed) critical ward that’s sometimes never. It’s just endless waiting at the mercy of others.

And being in 3 different wards, passed around. Each one has its own schedule so once again you have no idea what is going to happen or when. And I appreciate people might think I’m daft not to suck it up because of my health, but my mental health has taken a right battering being in here. The ward I’m on now has lovely staff who seem to really care, so that has helped a lot.

If you discharge yourself you’ll be put on the back of long waiting lists. Putting your health at risk will not help your kids.
Call on every friend and relation to pitch in and to bring you some underwear and clothes etc.
Now is the time to call for help - for yourself - this will help your kids more in the long run.

@graceinspace999 the OP didn't discharge herself and is staying in hospital for more monitoring.

@FoxRedPuppy I absolutely get what you are describing about not being in control of much of what is happening around you and even to you. It's so frustrating when you just want to be out of there. I'm glad that the current ward staff are kind and understanding, it makes a huge difference.

You poor thing OP but its good you are staying as it sounds like its the best place for you to be from a medical point of view.
As for your question I actually left hospital after having DS without being properly discharged, well to be honest I was properly discharged but only because they did it in a rush as I was walking out. I had been there for 3 days being induced on a ward and had zero sleep even before giving birth and they were trying to move me back to a ward from my nice quiet room. Everything was fine, we were just waiting for paperwork so I said I was leaving. Plus it was DD's first nativity and I didn't want to miss it - drove straight there!
I also "busted" my Mum out once, similar thing just waiting for paperwork when she hadn't even needed to be admitted in the first place and was really upset and wanted to get home
Its incredible how fast a box gets ticked if you are heading for the exit

I hope all goes well for you OP and you recover and get home quickly