"The good and the bad"

I'd like to provide feedback about my stay in MHEC. 

To start with the positives, I was treated well in MHEC by all staff. The nurse, who's name I have unfortunately forgotten who I spoke with about my ADHD medication concerns was receptive and could empathise with where I was coming from.

The not so positives. In ED, when the registrar (?) first spoke with the PLN after they spoke with me, the PLN said to the Registrar that it was best that I saw my Psychiatrist as it would be better than the public system.

When the registrar (?) relayed this comment from the PLN to me, I voiced my concern that seeing the Psychiatrist would be a later option, but right now I was at risk and wasn't safe to go home, factoring in that it was a long weekend.

The registrar let the PLN know about what I said and luckily the PLN ended up speaking with me. The PLN turned out to be good, but I'm a little confused on why they said it was best to speak with my Psychiatrist when I was in ED at immediate risk.

On the following day when I was given my morning medication I was advised that my Ritalin needed to be ordered in as they couldn't use my own supply, but it should arrive by lunch time, which I was perfectly fine with as a schedule 8 medication has certain processes that need to be followed.

The nurse came into my room around 1pm and advised me that they, the consultant and pharmacist all agreed that they didn't like to give patients their stimulant medication in MHEC as ' it's a stimulant that makes ADHD people get up and do things and hype them up when they should be resting.'

For content, I've been in MHEC numerous times from 2023, I've been an inpatient three times from 2023 through Royal Perth including TCU, and I've always been given my own supply of ADHD medication without question.

When the nurse was advising me about their choice in regards to not giving me the ritalin I voiced my concerns that Ritalin keeps me regulated, thinking properly and allows to me to concentrate. I advised the nurse that it took me half an hour to read one page of my book.

For context, I have not missed a dose of Ritalin in about three years, which I advised the consultant when they spoke to me.

The nurse advised me that they could see my side and the consultant and pharmacist's side, and that I could speak to the consultant when they came into MHEC.

By this point I was really struggling as I could not concentrate, could not stop moving, my legs were shaking and my feet were moving, and I was developing a headache and sweating from not having the ritalin.

Becoming more worried that I would not be given ritalin I made a Aishwarya Care Call to a friendly clinical nurse (?) Who advised me that they'll come down when they can and speak with someone.

The clinical nurse came down as promised and said, after talking with the MHEC staff that the consultant will see me when they can. I was appreciative that they came down.

When I spoke with the consultant the first thing they said was that they would chart my Ritalin again, but they also asked a lot of questions. I was confused as to why they would take it, and then re chart it as soon as the interview started, but I didn't say anything as I was greatful to have the Ritalin back and I didn't want to rock the boat.

Around 3pm a new nurse came in and said that they would give the Ritalin the following day as the consultant said it was too late in the day to give it. I agreed to this, as long as it was in the morning and the new nurse assured me that they ordered it, which I thanked them for.

By this point I was really struggling. I was tired from non stop moving, becoming sensory overloaded, annoyed because of a headache and sweats going on and annoyed that I couldn't concentrate.

I felt glued to the bed as walking around didn't feel good. At this stage I came to the conclusion that I was going to ask the next morning if I could go home as I'd rather be having withdrawl symptoms at home and rather feel mentally off at home in my environment knowing that there is 24 hour support at home.

The following morning I woke up not feeling physically and mentally well at all from not having Ritalin the day before. Sweats were happening, I had a headache and there was slight nausea. I was even more sensory overloaded than the day before.

After I was given my medication I asked the nurse if I was allowed to go home. They said yes, I just had to speak to the consultant, which was fine.

The consultant was nice, and they asked the appropriate questions. I stated that I was safe to go home, and was overwhelmed due to the noise, which was true but I didn't want to cause an issue with the Ritalin situation again, so I didn't say anything about that.

I was feeling angry that I was put in this state due to not being given a regular medication and having to cut my stay in MHEC short due to the situation.

I'm now home, curtains closed as the light is too bright and no TV or laptop on due to sensitiveness to noise. I feel all of this could have been avoided and I could have stayed longer in MHEC to rest properly and to return to a better mental health state if I was given my regular Ritalin.