How do I explain my difficulties as an inpatient

[ByLimeAnt]

I have a physical health condition which occasionally necessitates an emergency hospital admission. I also have bi-polar disorder.

The last time I was admitted I handled it very badly. My pain wasn't managed, I got very stressed and spent most of the time crying becuase I felt out of control. I must have been a nightmare patient. It didn't help that my pain was repeatedly dismissed. My care coordinator made a complaint as well.

I was wondering if there was a way that I could manage this better in the future? I suppose I'm thinking something along the lines of a hospital passport like some people with learning disabilities have. I'm not very articulate and find out difficult to explain things under pressure.

You can try the Patient's Association
https://www.patients-association.org.uk/

Rethink mental illness
https://www.rethink.org/

PALS
https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/hospitals/what-is-pals-patient-advice-and-liaison-service/

They can all advise on how best to handle this. Women are often given less pain relief than men.
https://www.kcl.ac.uk/news/study-finds-women-less-likely-to-be-prescribed-pain-relief-than-men

I'd have an overnight hospital bag packed and ready to go at all times, with a laminated sheet of your symptoms and pain requirements with supporting documentation so you can just hand it over even if you're not in the best headspace.

Anyone can use a hospital passport so yes get one! :)

Also health watch created a Trauma card which is free to access and it sounds like it would be beneficial for you.

You could have something put on your notes to alert staff to your condition. Could you type out a note ready to take with you stating your needs and what may make your stay easier? Is your support worker allowed to remain with you and advocate on your behalf? Our hospital has a system call Call for Concern where relatives or carers can flag worries about treatment if they feel needs are not being accommodated, might be worth checking if there is anything similar.

@ByLimeAnt I’m a MH nurse. Next time you’re admitted, ask to speak to psychiatric liaison. They’re a mental health team who work in physical health hospitals to help support individuals with ongoing mental health needs. Most big hospitals will have their own team but some trusts/smaller hospitals share teams across hospitals-they should be able to come and speak to you ASAP though. Additionally, get your CPN/care coordinator to phone the ward and have a chat with the ward manager/nurse in charge. That way your needs will have been communicated professional to professional which should make things clearer. And, as others have said, hospital passports and trauma cards are all a good idea too.