I just want to put this issue out for others to read...A majority of the time, when a patient is in the hospital, regardless as to why, and they have a history of bipolar, depression, anxiety, etc., they are almost ALWAYS sterotyped into being a "druggie", a "seeker", a bad person, etc. Now in saying this, when a patient is in pain, as nurses, we are supposed to take their words as to the intensity of their pain. But if the patient is in pain AND is bipolar, has depression,etc, most nurses automatically would say, "That pt only wants pain meds to get high" or whatever....ARE YOU SERIOUS??? When someone is in pain, of course they are going to be requesting their pain meds around the clock, but for some reason, if they have a hx of bipolar, they are automatically almost looked down upon or something. I am just so sick of other nurses questioning these patients and their requests for pain meds. Sorry...I just thought I would get some input and see if anyone else has seen this issue where they work..
Specializes in A little of this & a little of that.
A little personal story: I suffer from recurrent major depression and despite it have lived a responsible, fulfilling life. When I was pregnant for the 1st time, I didn't know it for 6 weeks so had been taking anti-depressants which I stopped immediately. My dream birth experience was to be at a newly opened birthing "cottage" with CNM's. The OB who supervised the program denied me because of psych history. She was also the only OB around who accepted my insurance so I ended up with her as a doctor, judgmental attitude and all. When I c/o hyper-emesis she poo-pooed me until I was so dehydrated I ended up in hopsital for a week. When I c/o of incresed thirst and urination, she told me it was nerves, until my GTT came back with BS of 478. The night I started labor, I had been in the office that day, so she told me that it was "false labor". Although the pain was very bad, the contractions were not regular enough. After a few calls, she finally told me to go to the hospital and they could give me something to "put me out" and she would see me in the A.M. She obviously called ahead & told them I was nuts, because that's how I was treated. I was @ 4 cm so was sent to L&D. When I asked for pain medication, I was told "deal with, you have a long way to go". I wanted to get up & walk, but they wanted me on the monitor, so I was restrained to the bed. Every time I brought up medication, I was told off and lectured about drugs and newborns. After I had been there for 2 hrs, I was yelling that the bay was coming. I got a kindly "Alright, let's see what's bothering you now" from a nurse who was surprised to find that what was bothering me was that the baby's head was sticking out. Far from my dream birth experience and all because of the "high risk" I posed because of taking mediications for a mental illness. That hospital and doctor both had excellent reputations for maternity care. I am certain that I was treated so badly because of judgements that were made.
That is so horrible... people like that truly make me sick to my stomach.
Ya know that saying in the Pledge of Allegiance "United We Stand" some people really need to practice it we are all human beings we should be helping each other illness or not .. poor or rich... white or black... etc
That is so horrible... people like that truly make me sick to my stomach.
Ya know that saying in the Pledge of Allegiance "United We Stand" some people really need to practice it we are all human beings we should be helping each other illness or not .. poor or rich... white or black... etc
got to agree.. couldn't imagine how i would have reacted if my wife had been treated that way during our sons birth. i probably would have missed the birth for causing a scene and getting arrested!
I am so glad everyone who posted was on the side of helping not hurting these patients...
This is a great, informative, and educational thread with awesome personal stories that really touched my heart. To all who have participated in this thread...thanks!
Thornbird
373 Posts
A little personal story: I suffer from recurrent major depression and despite it have lived a responsible, fulfilling life. When I was pregnant for the 1st time, I didn't know it for 6 weeks so had been taking anti-depressants which I stopped immediately. My dream birth experience was to be at a newly opened birthing "cottage" with CNM's. The OB who supervised the program denied me because of psych history. She was also the only OB around who accepted my insurance so I ended up with her as a doctor, judgmental attitude and all. When I c/o hyper-emesis she poo-pooed me until I was so dehydrated I ended up in hopsital for a week. When I c/o of incresed thirst and urination, she told me it was nerves, until my GTT came back with BS of 478. The night I started labor, I had been in the office that day, so she told me that it was "false labor". Although the pain was very bad, the contractions were not regular enough. After a few calls, she finally told me to go to the hospital and they could give me something to "put me out" and she would see me in the A.M. She obviously called ahead & told them I was nuts, because that's how I was treated. I was @ 4 cm so was sent to L&D. When I asked for pain medication, I was told "deal with, you have a long way to go". I wanted to get up & walk, but they wanted me on the monitor, so I was restrained to the bed. Every time I brought up medication, I was told off and lectured about drugs and newborns. After I had been there for 2 hrs, I was yelling that the bay was coming. I got a kindly "Alright, let's see what's bothering you now" from a nurse who was surprised to find that what was bothering me was that the baby's head was sticking out. Far from my dream birth experience and all because of the "high risk" I posed because of taking mediications for a mental illness. That hospital and doctor both had excellent reputations for maternity care. I am certain that I was treated so badly because of judgements that were made.