Medication and section 3

Ballerina123 · 23-03-2013, 05:10 PM

I am currently in hospital on a section 3 of the mental health act.

I have been on a s3 twice before an the last time I was fine and willing to take the medication that was prescribed.
This time, however, I'm not.
Not because Im trying to be difficult but because I seriously believe that the medication I'm on is making me worse not better. I was on a moderate 800mg of sodium valporate. I have been on this medication for 6 months and in that 6 months i have not see it be beinficial to my mental health at all. When I was admitted they increased it to 1000mg and the a couple f days later to 1200mg. Since the increase from 800-1200mg I have felt more actively suicidal, extremely exhausted/lethargic (I am literally only awake for like 3 hours a day), I feel sick all the time and I'm getting horrible headaches that no pain killer seems to get rid of.
I have told several nurses this during the week and none of them approached the consultant about it. They just kept saying "it's for your own good". I told them that I'm sturggling to understand why a medication that is making me feel worse is for my own good, that I'm here to be made better not worse.

I really feel like if they keep me on this medication I am going to get worse and worse and spend months here rather than taking me off/reducing the dose of the medication and/or trying something that has worked in the past of something new.

I feel like I have no rights and i just can't understand why they think it is ok for them to make me feel like this?

Any wise words?

sherlock holmes · 23-03-2013, 06:13 PM

When is your next ward round? Definitely mention it to your consultant. Also try and get in contact with PALS (patient advice and liaison service) it's free and there should be info on how to contact them on your ward. You'd be given an advocate who can help fight in your corner for things like this.

yoyogirl · 23-03-2013, 06:45 PM

Hey
i would get in touch with PALS or simply ask one of the nurses to liase on your behalf when they have their next case conference

Wonderland. · 23-03-2013, 07:33 PM

Does the unit have a MH advocacy service? They can be very helpful in getting your feelings put across and know the legal side of things so you can ask them about what rights you have.

Ballerina123 · 23-03-2013, 10:15 PM

Thanks.

I tried to get in touch with a advocate on friday but the guy who deals with my ward was not in so I will have to try again Monday.

I am going to write a letter to the consultant to explain my feeling toward the meds as I sometimes get a bit nervous in ward round and forget to say things that need to be said.

I feel like I have this real dilemma because I know they can force meds onto me and I don't want that. I just want to be listened to.

Sleepless123 · 24-03-2013, 02:16 PM

Hey i really hope you can get in touch with the advocacy sercice and that you can be heard. Writing a lettter sounds a good idea too. i know your on section and therefore you dont have as much say over meds but your feelings are still important and i hope they will be taken into consideration more once fully explained. Take care and keep us updated when you want to/can/feel able. xx

yoyogirl · 24-03-2013, 05:35 PM

On an S3 they can force meds on to you, you have no choice in a lot of matters basicaly you dont have the mental capacity to make decisions on your behalf and therefore a S3 is in place.

Ballerina123 · 24-03-2013, 08:33 PM

Yea they can force meds on me but I have refused them all weekend and the staff seem fine with it because my mental state has actually improved so there not really getting to bothered.

It not "if you don't take your meds you will be forced" it more like "if not taking your meds stops you improving the we will consider forcing them"
I think like everything on a hospital it's dependant on risk x

yoyogirl · 24-03-2013, 09:34 PM

I am so sorry your going through that hugs to you