[Dolfinwolf]

I am due to go back to work today. i work at starbucks so it is a pretty stimulating environment. My shift is only 4 hours and I am hoping to do okay. I am usually very extroverted and run around getting a lot done. I know I will not be like that today!! I am trying to focus on doing well and making it through, but I dont want to overthink anything and psych myself out. Recovery-wise, I am still having overstimulation issues, although if I put in earplugs as Mark in Idaho suggested in another post (thanks!) I seem to do okay. I still have multitasking issues as well as the pounding in the head thing sometimes. I am finally to a pattern of 2 good days and then a crash day...sooo I am hoping that I am not overanalyzing things but I am a tad nervous! Sorry to ramble...thanks for listening!

[Lightrail11]

I certainly understand your nervousness, particularly since you deal with the public. Try some mindfulness controlled breathing. Focus on the moment; acknowledge what you are feeling and that it's only 4 hours. If you have a good relationship with your co-workers acknowledge their assistance. It's a big step and it's normal to be anxious; I remember going back to work and resuming driving, which was also a little scary.

[EsthersDoll]

If you have trouble returning to work, you need to continue to rest. It would be best for your brain if you could return to work with zero symptoms - especially if you still have some FMLA time left.

I was unable to wait until I was symptom free to return to work. I returned to work a little over a year after the concussion I sustained.

I still experience symptoms and I'm not all better yet and it's now been 20 months since the accident that gave me a concussion. But I sustained a concussion with some rare complications.

Mark In Idaho has said in previous threads that the more symptom-free days that you can string together, then the less time it will take you to recover from the injury and the better the recovery will be. I think he's right. Try to string together a week of symptom-free days before returning to work if you can.