[Rand.]

Hey guys. I'm sorry I haven't been very active in this forum lately. I've been really struggling with mental health and haven't felt like I can contribute much.

Here's the scoop. There's a high likelihood I will be going inpatient on Monday. I've been on testosterone for quite a while now and pass as male. I've even had to start shaving my face. But I haven't legally changed my name yet and am still listed as F.

I'm concerned about a few things. Obviously who I will be roomed with, a male or female. I'll be bringing that up when it comes time to, of course. Either way it has issues.

I'm also trying to figure out if I should bring my packer or not. I mean, on one hand, I don't see how it'd be an issue. But I just don't know... it's a soft silicone STP packer.
I mean... how will I get changed in the morning and at night... are the toilets single stall... binding my chest for more than 12 hours straight...
And then worried about being potentially outted by a worker or idk...
I just have no idea what to expect

[kraken1851]

Hey Adespota,

I'm sorry you've been struggling and I hope that going inpatient will help you resolve some of the issues.

I can't help much with the questions, I'm afraid. I've heard many positive accounts in my self-help group, but that's in Europe so I don't know how things will be where you are. I would think they'd place you either in a single room or with another male. There also should be single stall bathrooms and possibly showers available.

Definitely raise all your questions with them on intake! I'm sure they'll be able to find a solution that works for you as well.

[-jimi-]

First of all I'm sorry you're not doing well.

Secondly I don't know much about what you ask. Only been inpatient once and then we had unisex toilets/shower rooms but I guess every hospital has it's own style.

At least here you would most likely be paired with a female. Because you are "legally" one and they care more about rules... Hopefully they will let YOU tell your side of it, what you think is best and all that.

Good luck.

[LoneWolfie]

I don't know where you are in Ontario but I am in Kingston and when I went in-patient here and that was before I realized I was a transmale. The hospital I was at and I did an observation stint on one ward for over a week before being moved to the main psych section all the rooms were single. I didn't share with anyone in either section. The first ward it was unisex single bathrooms on the ward, the shower was a single as well. On the main ward I shared a bathroom and the shower with the person in the next room. Basically the bathroom/shower was in the middle of the two rooms, as long as the door was closed on the other person's room they should know that you are in there and not come in.

Hope you are able to get the help you need.

LW