Hospital stay for meds

[Guest_7403]

Hi guys,

I'm going for a hospital stay after the Easter break to trial different medications for my PTSD.

I have tried everything Ads, sedatives and depot shots. I abuse my meds when I am triggered or down so the last resort was a depot shot....it made me heavily groggy and even after a full night sleep I still couldnt wake up.

The psychiatrist wants me to do this 2 week in patient treatment to trial meds and im wondering if anyone else has done it? He says he can monitor me and see what does and doesn't work

This seems pointless to me as most meds take weeks to take affect.

My work place insurer is paying but it still seems pointless

Any advice. I'm not currently taking anything

[Croix]

Dear Theborderline~

I think it might have been a couple of years since you first came here and I forget if I've mentioned to you before I have been hospitalized, due to PTSD, depression, anxiety and being suicidal PLUS on one occasion for a change of mess.

An unpleasant experience, the other 'clients' there were upsetting to observe, the staff -except for two exceptions, mediocre to say the best, but I was under the supervision of an external psychiatrist -which made a big difference.

Sadly the new meds were as effective as the previous lot, that is to say unhelpful. It took me many years to find a regimen that suited me, therapy plus unusual meds. Now I'm good (ish mostly) provided I tread carefully.

All that being said the stay was very beneficial, and I came out of it much calmer and improved. I was isolated from the world. As I'd done before I looked out as people scurrying though their daily lives, sitting in a cafe, going to the shops. Each with their own burden of troubles or happiness (or both).

I was removed, the pressing impossibilities of my life took a less powerful hold, I could see other things apart from them.

Reading drowned out others and made the time pass, plus transported me to other places, all reducing my keyed up hopelessness.

I do remember you had family troubles stemming from hte combination of two families and it caused you real grief over the children, may I ask if the situation remains the same ?

I can only say it may be a chance, it will not be pleasant.

Croix

[Guest_7403]

Yes i have the split family, my wife has moved out (temporarily) as she says until I make meaningful efforts it won't work. She says she wants to make it work once I'm better.

I'm not very hopeful for a positive outcome.

I have a new psychologist coming up before hospital (one of a fair few now), then hospital and an attempt to return to work

I'm a bit lost atm, feel very alone in this battle.

I've tried to tell my wife that now is when i need her, to support me through this now that I'm willing to go to hospital. But she wont come home, says until I've showed I've changed and worked on myself then she wont entertain being together or coming home

I understand her point to an extent, but i ask myself the question....if she's not willing to be there for me, and help me go through this together...do I really want to be with her after going through hell alone?

Thanks for the heads up regarding it won't be a nice experience, i tried to go three weeks ago, but it was a shared room and I couldn't handle that so i left after 30 minutes

I've got a confirmed single room now so I'll give it a proper shot. I'm not sociable and most likely wont leave the room or associate with anyone...im not sure what i should expect to get out of this

Thanks for reply

[Croix]

Dear Theborderline~

I don't know why my wife stayed, I was terribly hard to live with, angry, controlling, suspicious, resentful, wanting to be alone and more. Perhaps the fact her mum was there for her and helped in every way you could think of made the difference, though my wife simply said it was love.

I'd not have blamed her in the slightest if she had left.

As to what you might get out of being on a ward changing meds. Well in my case, going in to change meds along with all the rest, as I said, it was to be removed from the world, to settle with books and give my mind alternate paths to go down.

I remember one time going in convinced I'd reached the end, there was nothing left. When I came out my chief worry was what my colleagues might think (in fact they hardly noticed)

Can I suggest you remain for the whole period this time,? The start is the worst and it would be a pity to waste the effort. I've been tempted to leave.

Croix

[Guest_7403]

I'm going to try and stay this time.

My wife officially ended it yesterday, there is no reconciliation.

She has been quite ruthless in regards to finances, stopped paying rent, and refuses to pay our personal loan, credit cards or interest free as she says they're in my name which apparently absolves her from any ownership

I've now got to find rent and payment for our debts on a reduced wage

I have hospital for two weeks, and then return to work for four weeks....

So its going to be 6 weeks before i can earn a wage that will cover me ....i don't know what im going to do

[Croix]

Dear Theborderline`

I'm sorry to hear about your wife, it is sad and just hte wrong time for it to happen. I'd also think it was unexpected after she implied she'd be back in things improved.

On that front I'd suggest getting advice. If it was me I'd start with Relationships Australia (1300 364 277) who have Post Separation Service, they may be able to point you in the right direction. If they are no good there are other places to try.

The two weeks in hospital can either seem like an impediment to be got out the way quickly, or else as a recharging exercise. Although you may not enjoy it try to see it as something to strengthen your coping skills.

Please let us know how you go

Croix

[Guest_7403]

I've been confirmed for Monday.

For 3 weeks my wife claimed she loved me, was in love with me, and wanted this to work. And in 24 hrs completely changed her mind, says she doesn't love me, isn't in love with me and has booked a container for Wednesday to take all her and her son's stuff.

I'm very confused by it all, she refuses to discuss the matter now and says im harassing her for asking her whays going on and questioning it.

I keep saying that I have a right to understand what changed in a day other then I just felt like it

Shes got a friend at work whose husband has just walked out on her after 6 months of marriage, and there's this ever presence of them on Facebook...and even my wife before she left was constantly messaging her.

I've questioned it and my wife says she doesn't give advice only supports my decision. I feel like this lady has had a profound effect on my wife's decision and she definately has a vested interest because her marriage has failed at the same time

I'm pretty upset and not sure how to proceed

She said no promises, no commitment but if in a couple of months im back to my old self she'll see what happens....im not sure if this is a positive sign or if shes just satisfying my questions about what's happening...what do you think?

[Just Sara]

Hi TB;

I'm a MH Peer Worker on an acute ward in a psychiatric hospital and understand your concerns about a two week stay first hand as it's an issue I help patients face on a daily basis.

Your comments about not knowing if you can recover without others to support you is a very normal response, however, being on your own for a while provides much needed time to concentrate on MH without relationship issues, communication problems and the like. It's a sort of sabbatical to understand 'you' as an individual, not how you fit into another person's life or vice-versa.

In essence, it's about learning to cope and then manage your symptoms while your brain heals. Trauma damages the workings of the brain which makes PTSD a real illness like a physical medical issue. It requires time to repair itself.

Supports like medication, counselling, calm environments, self awareness and creating gentle achievable goals step by step, is the way forward.

Attributes such as patience, courage, acceptance and a willingness to live one day at a time without worrying about the future until your coping skills and understanding improves, are qualities that will see you through what could be a long haul. Be sure though TB, you WILL achieve and get better.

There are financial officers at Centrelink who can help you deal with debts and rent etc, and can negotiate terms on your behalf until you're able to get back to work. If you ask to see a Social Worker attached to the ward, it's possible they can assist you to organise this.

That's the bonus of being in supported care; all the external systems are at your fingertips, free of charge and helping you as your family and friends can't.

If you have questions about ward routines or dealing with other patients for instance, I drop in each day to the forum and would be happy to answer them as best as I can. And please remember; you're not alone.

Kind thoughts;

Sez

[Guest_7403]

Thank you very much for your well thought and written response.

My question is more about what i can expect out of the 2 weeks.

The psychiatrist admitting me is doing it for the purpose of trialling meds under supervision...I just don't see any benefits coming from that in such a short period of time

[Croix]

Dear Theborderline~

The meds I'm on now, and have been for years, took some effect within a week and gradually built up as the right dosage was found. True this is after years of being a ginuea-pig, but I'm glad I persevered, it makes a real difference and has little in he way of side effects.

The same medication might do nothing for you,, we re all different , but something else might.

So I've no idea if 2 weeks is going to help with the meds. I do however think the time away from the world will.

As well the services and opportunities Sez mentions are very real.

Croix