Going to Sheppard Pratt trauma unit tomorrow

[KatLover93]

So, after a long 4-5 months of applying, waiting 2 months, being denied, applying again, waiting some more, 2 short hospitalizations... I’m FINALLY accepted and going to SP trauma disorders unit. This is a big shock honestly, after my second hospitalization for SI in late January and not hearing back from SP at that point my therapist and I had pretty much given up on the idea of me going and decided to just do the best we could together outpatient with trauma work and keeping me out of the hospital yet again. Then yesterday she gets a call, they have a bed for me tomorrow. Didn’t even tell me I was on the list! But anyway, surprised but happy I was accepted.

Now I’m super anxious and having a hard time with the idea of leaving home for so long (all past hospitalizations have been less than a week with the exception of the time I did ECT but of course I don’t remember much of that time), leaving my cats and something happening to them (silly because they’re all young and healthy but I’ve dealt with a lot of pet losses the past year... 9 total, 2 a big surprise, so it’s a big anxiety point for me), being so far from my family, lots of stuff.

I’m also feeling a lot of SI again today so I know it’s a good thing that I will be in a safe place tomorrow but still. Lots of anxiety. Has anyone been recently (most posts I see on this program were 3+ years ago) and could help ease some worries I have about the program itself if you’d know the answers?

1. Biggest concern for me is, I’m a lesbian. Is this gonna be like.. an issue while I’m there? I would like to assume the staff at least would keep their opinions to themselves about it but other patients may not, would staff tell them not to say anything if they don’t agree with my sexuality if someone did say something? Would it be best not to even bring it up? (Like don’t call my girlfriend my girlfriend, that kinda thing?)

2. Will I be allowed to have my markers? Coloring is a big grounding thing for me and the last hospital I was in only allowed crayons which suck for those adult coloring books lol. If I can’t have markers can I have colored pencils? What about a stress ball? Or fidget cube?

3. I am prescribed Zofran for anxiety induced nausea. The woman on the phone said I only needed to bring my birth control because they have all my other meds, but I don’t know if that only means my every day psych meds? I’m also prescribed imitrex for migraines. Neither of those are prescribed by my psychiatrist, they’re prescribed by my GP. Anyone know if they can get non-psych meds?

4. I use marijuana medicinally. I know I obviously can’t bring that with me, but are they going to drug test me and lecture me about using it? Last hospital I was at they told me to stop using it even though it’s legal here and I have a prescription for it the lecture was just annoying and it was EVERY day I saw my therapist that she brought it up and I felt like I had to say every time she said anything that I wouldn’t use it anymore even though it helps me. I hated it and don’t really want to deal with it again

5. I know you only are allowed some items after you reach a certain level. Does that include photos or will I automatically get those? Is there a limit on how many books I’m allowed to bring? I read pretty much one book every 3 days so I packed like 6. I also packed 2 journals and a writing prompt book. If there’s a limit on books will those be included in that limit lol

6. My second most important concern: if I do not feel comfortable with/like my individual therapist, am I allowed to switch to someone else? Last hospital I was in i really did not like my therapist (the marijuana lecturer. That wasn’t the only reason though) so it really wasn’t helpful for me and I know therapy is a very important part of this program so if I can’t feel comfortable with my therapist I don’t think it will help me much ya know?

7. Oh last thing, can I have body jewelry?

I know this is very long and understand if half my questions don’t have answers or anything but I don’t really have anyone else to ask. The admissions woman only spoke to me for like 5 minutes to tell me what time to come and to bring my birth control and when I tried to call back yesterday because I forgot to ask something she didn’t answer and didn’t call me back all day today and she’s only in M-F so yeah

 

[Friday]

I haven’t been there.

My suggestion, however, is to bring everything that you don’t know whether or not you’re allowed to have it, or whether or not they have the Rx’s already on file.

- If you’re not allowed to have it, it can be boxed up. You’re unlikely to be the very first patient who has gotten a bed on short notice without a do’s and don’t bring list.

- If they don’t have your GP Rx’s all the info they need is right there on the label, and if they do they can go right in the box with your other things to be returned to you.

 

[KatLover93]

Thank you. I’m just anxious about bringing things that I won’t end up being able to have because at a different hospital when I brought things that weren’t allowed, the staff “lost” (in quotes because they’re supposed to be in a locker with my name on it so don’t really see how they can genuinely lose things if they follow the system lol) those things and I never got them back, including my favorite pair of leggings :( so I don’t want that to happen again

 

[EveHarrington]

Go ahead and take all your meds in their bottles. This way there is no confusion over what you’re taking, the doses, etc. Pratt is a big hospital so they should have a well stocked pharmacy, and if they don’t have something stocked, they can probably get it within a day. If they do use a med you brought in, they just need to verify it with your pharmacy.

 

[Joan]

I have not been there either, but I have been at a different place.
You have really great questions and concerns.
The place I went had a list of accepted things, but I still did not get it. When I went in they searched my bags in front of me and held those things not allowed.
No real answers here...just kudos for being brave and taking a very scary step. sending you lots of positive vibes!

 

[Justmehere]

I haven't been to Sheppard Pratt, but I've been to another inpatient intensive PTSD unit. These specialized centers are different than acute inpatient care.

I *highly* doubt being a lesbian will be any kind of issue at all. Where I went, it was a more conservative state/program, and no one cared about that kind thing at all. At all.

If you can, I'd call them and ask about bringing the colored pencils and stress ball and etc. They likely have some for people to use, but if not, then you have a chance of using your own. Their list of what you can bring on the website (Patient FAQs) lists "koosh balls" and notebooks, so there is a good chance that what you want to bring is just fine. Bring comfy clothes and comfy shoes that don't require laces.

Enjoy the trip and the chance to do some great work to feel better!

 

[Sideways]

Markers are probably better than pencils. Either is probably fine, but you may not be allowed a pencil sharpener;)

Is there an admissions nurse you can call and chat to? Often that just puts your mind at ease when you realise that everyone has their anxious questions about what to bring and what it will be like. They may be able to give you heads up on special requirements, like if aerosols are allowed (if not, check you have roll-on deodorant!). The trauma unit I go to is a 3-week admission and people roll in with pillows and blankets and teddies and night-lights and...!!

When your head starts doing backflips over what to bring? Remind yourself why your going, that it’s likely going to be a reeeeally helpful experience, and that as long as you have a change of clothes and pjs? Everything else is bonus.

Probably you’re going to find that if it comes up? Someone is potentially going to give you a lecture if you’re smoking your marijuana. It would kind of be negligent for them to not raise heath concerns about that, and at least offer to talk you through alternatives (whether that be medicinal cannabis in a healthier form or just alternatives). Don’t take that personally, they’re just doing their job:)

 

[Clc122]

I've been to SP within the last year. I am also a lesbian and had no problems because of that at SP. You can have markers as long as they are not super thin with really pointy tips. A lot of people have gel pens. You will definitely have space and time for adult coloring. There is a lot of art therapy built into the program. They will have non-psych meds and are pretty good about getting you what you need. I, too, use medical marijuana. You will get drug tested but I told them it would come up positive before they did it. I got a little lecture BUT most importantly they tried to put "Cannabis Use Disorder" as one of my diagnosis. The psychiatrist agreed to take it off after I talked to him about it. Just watch out for that. You can bring as many books as you like just make sure they aren't likely to trigger.I am not sure about switching therapists--although I have to say that really all of them were great. It is an intense program but worth it. The charge nurse Emily is really wonderful as are most of the staff.