[Abe Froman]

I'm sorry I feel like this doesn't really belong here, but not sure where else to put it.

What are things you can and cannot take or should or should not take if you go to check yourself in to inpatient? Also, how long should you plan on being there? I know that's a way ambiguous question that's different for everyone.

Real shoes that don't have laces like loafers?
Long sleeve button down shirts?
A jacket or sport coat?
Medications?
Toiletries?
Extra socks?
Slacks or khaki type pants?

Could I take my handkerchiefs, just a couple. I usually keep one in my pocket?

Do they ever have a way for you to shave while you're there or is it that you are coming out furry.

Bottom line is if I think I'm gonna do it and I feel like they are going to stick me in a bathrobe and slippers walking around like an idiot then that would make me way worse, so know way. But if I can basically wear my slacks and button down shirts with loafers and my sport coat then at least I could save some self respect and might get something out of it. I get that I wouldn't get a belt.

All comments and thoughts will be appreciated.

[lostwonder]

Depends upon the hospital. I've been places that issue scrubs and others that let you have most anything.

[HazelGirl]

I say take what you think you'll need, and if they won't let you have it, you can always collect it when you leave.

[growlycat]

Yes, bring whatever makes you comfortable. Anything at risk they hold at the nurses' station. I remember being allowed to shave but every 5 min I had to open the bathroom door and let them know I was fine.

Definitely bring changes of clothes and pj's, feminine products, meds, toiletries.

Books, magazines definitely.Not sure if cell phones or tablets are allowed because of glass.

Definitely bring what YOU feel that you'll need while in the hospital. I know that when I went I had NOTHING. It was awful not even to have shampoo. I had to use regular soap until my friends sent me a "care" package. Bring "regular" clothes because most Beh. Health Units allow clients to wear their own clothes.

A lot of units don't allow cell phones, computers or ipads/androids pads. I think that's pretty limiting, but there is no way around it. You might want to check with the unit you're considering. I had to make phone calls to family and friends from a phone in the cafeteria. Needless to say, there was NO privacy and that was difficult.

Good luck and I hope the experience is helpful and is what you are seeking!

[ThisWayOut]

It very much depends on the unit, but as everyone else has said, take what makes you comfortable.
Most emergency first-time admissions generally only last a few days unless there is reason to keep the person longer. The more often you go within a short period or time, the longer they tend to keep you. If you are headed to a specialized hospital or unit, you or your clinician came call and ask about this stuff.

The loafers and pants should be fine, and you are correct that most places will not allow a belt. If a jacket or sport coat is what you are comfortable in, take that, but also take a sweater (no long strings) in case they are sticklers about "no outer wear" and not understanding that the jacket or coat is a comfortable thing.

Oh, don't take your whole supply of meds, but know that they will not even consider looking at it unless it's in the original pharmacy container. Most units in general hospitals will supply meds from their own pharmacy, but some specialized hospitals need you to bring your own.

Good luck. <3

[wotchermuggle]

If you know which hospital you're liking be going to, check and see if they have a website. They'll list what items you have bring there often.

[Yoda]

take a list of phone numbers that you might need and a bunch of quarters for the pay phone - one hospital I was at would let you call from the nurses' station if you needed to call someone but they limited the calls to five minutes

[Abe Froman]

Thank you for all replies.

Thank you for asking the question. I need to know as well.

[Abe Froman]

Thank god right now my slacks are some of those big guy slacks with the stretchy waist band. So they kind of work without a belt.

[Angelique67]

When I was in, they only allowed toiletries brand new and sealed from the store. I couldn't bring or have open containers of anything. It was a miracle they let me keep my lipstick.

[nottrustin]

Here is a list based upon the unit I work on.

~2-3 days worth of clothes (we have a washer and dryer that we can use and limited space to store clothes and such
--no strings
--comfortable clothing
--comfortable shoes without laces or steel toe
--nothing with profanity, advertising drugs or alcohol or to revealing
~toiletries that you use
--our unit allows you to shave if one is on suicide checks they will need to have a staff member with them
--we have a locked belongings room that stores anything the patient can't have all the time. You can check them in and out as needed
~ for confidentiality reasons patients can't have the cell phones or any electronics with cameras...the phone can be locked up in case it is needed to check numbers, etc.
~ we recently started to allow small mp3 players once a person is off suicide checks unless the are without headphones then they can have them whenever.
~books, magazines, paper for drawing, cross word puzzle books, etc. Patients can't have notebooks with spiral bindings but we can rip pages out or whatever.
~a small amount of prepackaged snacks that are not in tin, medal, or glass containers.
~list of all prescriptions

[nottrustin]

Originally Posted by Jaybird57

Definitely bring what YOU feel that you'll need while in the hospital. I know that when I went I had NOTHING. It was awful not even to have shampoo. I had to use regular soap until my friends sent me a "care" package. Bring "regular" clothes because most Beh. Health Units allow clients to wear their own clothes.

A lot of units don't allow cell phones, computers or ipads/androids pads. I think that's pretty limiting, but there is no way around it. You might want to check with the unit you're considering. I had to make phone calls to family and friends from a phone in the cafeteria. Needless to say, there was NO privacy and that was difficult.

Good luck and I hope the experience is helpful and is what you are seeking!

Our unit will occasionally will allow patients to use their cell phone but it has to be in a office with a staff member. The reason for this is for the confidentiality of others. There have been situations where family members and patients have sent pictures by text or said something like "so and so is here in the hospital with me."

[growlycat]

oops sorry--didn't check op's gender! feminine products optional!

[msxyz]

Take something to keep you occupied, these places are mind-numbingly boring.

[Abe Froman]

Originally Posted by growlycat

oops sorry--didn't check op's gender! feminine products optional!

Originally Posted by Akama

Take something to keep you occupied, these places are mind-numbingly boring.

Yeah, I've got two paperbacks that I'm not reading right now, figured I'd stick them in the go bag.

Got some loafers today. So that actually takes a load off.

[StressedMess]

Abe I'm not sure what you might be allowed, or what you might want, but if you have medical needs make sure the facility can accommodate them.

My mother was inpatient for a month, in a hospital for mercy's sake, and we had to arrange for her home medical supplier to bring her portable oxygen tanks to the hospital. I still find that hard to believe, when there was an oxygen mask and everything to attach it to hanging right behind her bed. (She had COPD and was on home oxygen 24/7)

Are you thinking a short stay or something long term? A couple of paperbacks would occupy me about one day and night. Do you journal, sketch, work jigsaw puzzles, or anything else that busies your hands and allows your mind rest?

Most of all, good luck to you, I hope you find what you need!

[Yoda]

Originally Posted by Akama

Take something to keep you occupied, these places are mind-numbingly boring.

I took DVD movies that they let me watch on the TV when we had down time. Sometimes they let me, but I was inpt several times and they kept changing their policies of what clothing, footwear, snacks and others they would allow.

[Abe Froman]

Originally Posted by StressedMess

Abe I'm not sure what you might be allowed....

Thanks for sharing your story and the words of advice.

I'm hoping not to have to go at all. But I was in a bad place when I started this thread. I told my T today that I'm making safety plans to counteract the bad kind of planning, so that's what this is. Make it an easier decision if I suddenly say "Alright, I gotta go to the hospital." Then my brother can just grab the bag and bring it to me.

I journal, so I need to stick a pack of legal pads in it, although I don't know about writing utensils. A little tougher. I'll probably call the hospital that I would likely use and ask what they do about that. I'm sure crayons are safe, but hard to journal with.