Returning to work guidance
 

Hi-

Can someone give me some guidance on returning to work? I was injured in a car accident Nov 2014. I suffer from PCS symptoms. Can I lose my job if I stay on STD. Does my employer have to work with me on a reduced hour schedule? If my doc releases me and I can't do it what happens? My employer pays for my STD will I lose that if I am let go. I do not have FMLA protection as I only had the job six months before the accident. Any advice would be appreciated as I am very stressed about this and do not know how to navigate working.

Sharon345,

Welcome to NeuroTalk. The questions you asked vary from state to state and employer to employer so they can not be answered here. Have you talked to HR ? Do you have a work contract that would explain these issues ? Your state may have a Vocational Rehabilitation Department that can help you with these questions.

Yeah talk to HR.

I went on STD for a few weeks back in 2013 and was caught off guard by the fact that they wanted to terminate my health insurance coverage and told me that there are no guarantees that my job will be there when I come back (my employer isn't eligible for FMLA). It all worked out in the end as I was able to come back fairly soon.

Hey Sharon,

I was off work for almost 3 months full time last year, and wasn't back to full time for nearly 6 months. I'd say it was 8-9 months before I fully returned to normal life.

While returning to work working I found the following things really helped:
- avoid computer time as much as possible (was tough as a web designer)
- avoid bright florescent lights. I just took out most of the lights in my office
- only focus on one thing at a time, that includes other distracting noises or conversations while you work. As much as you can, start a task and finish it before moving on.
- take mini-breaks as soon as you start to feel overwhelmed or other symptoms. Just pausing, closing your eyes and focusing on breathing helps. I'd take short walks, or just sit in the bathroom for 5 min to relax my brain again.
- I avoided meetings as much as possible, trying to talk to several people at once was very hard on my mind
- Take it very easy before/after work

Taking fish oil really helped me, and I've started taking 25mg of Zinc a day now that I'm mostly recovered.

It's been 10 months since my concussion and I still have the symptoms come back occasionally. Just remember the only thing that will heal your brain is rest, and concussions can take a very long time to heal. Dont' get frustrated!

Thank you for the replies.

Thrasher, thank you for the detailed suggestions. You picked up on the right word (Frustration). There is definitely a learning curve to taking breaks. I also have a job that is 99% computer focused. It is hard for me to be on the computer long so it is really hard for me to imagine trying to work.

Sharon,

I started back to work in January after 8.5 months off.

I find it imperative as thrasher mentioned to take breaks. I take mini breaks also and at times find ways to get off alone for a few minutes.

I am learning to recognize the early signs of anxiety and other symptoms arising and am doing a better job at curbing them before they get out of hand.

I also snack frequently.....fruit, nuts, rice cakes and yogurt, seems to keep the blood sugar swings at bay which of course really helps to keep anxiety from turning to a storm.

You will be able to figure it out, seems to be a matter of paying attention and asking some questions here.

Bud

Hi Bud-

Thanks for the advice and encouragement. Did you return to the same place of work after 8.5 months? I can't imagine my employer would hold my job that long.

I feel very caught in the middle. I don't want to lose my job but I don't want to have to return to keep it and hurt myself further.

Sharon,

I am very fortunate. God has blessed me with being self employed and family members that work for/with me.

I have been able to do what I need to to heal for a he most part and the pressure has been self imposed.

I would have been able to return sooner most likely but the drive to work is 22 miles and it is just recent I could bare traveling that distance.

I don't spend much time at a computer but it has been just the last 2 weeks I can look at a putter screen without my eyes going nuts almost immediately.

Bud

Bud,

So glad to have found this sight! Thanks for sharing your story and I am glad you have made good progress and took care of yourself.

Sharon

Welcome Sharon345. :Wave-Hello:

Thank you Kitt :hug:

If you are thinking of trying to return to work, there is a great booklet put out by the Mayo Clinic for employers that helps them understand issues you may encounter as you come back to work.

I sent it to my boss and closest co-workers before I started back to work.

You can download it here: http://www.mayo.edu/pmts/mc1200-mc1299/mc1298.pdf

Sleep sleep and more sleep!

Just returned to work last week and here's my regimen:

4 hours a day 3 days a week for 1 month - the rest of the schedule is to be determined.

I understand your concerns with returning to work. I found on the day that I did not get adequate sleep the night before I had many of my symptoms reoccur - photophobia, dizziness, feeling out of sorts, inability to concentrate etc. When these symptoms start- I immediately go take a 10-15 minute brain break. An app called HeadSpace is great for this as it's a quick guided relaxation exercise.

Also- I now show up 15 minutes earlier than before to associate myself to the day, and plan my day out. This really seems to have helped.

My Neuro Ot also said 'be in control' and when I begin to feel out of control I remember that I am my own advocate for me and I will bot allow situations to dictate me (haha easier thought than done) however it does remind me to center myself by focusing on something not moving and regain control.

Go slow and be honest with your bosses and co-workers. They know you had your bell rung and will be more then willing to allow you what you need to succeed.

And if not- remember your body is your first priority- take the steps you need to heal=} Hope it goes smoothly!

I should also note that my employer had been extremely graceful on me. I also have a neuro OT I am working with who had come to my job and spoken to my coworkers and suggested implementing some things to help with my symptoms such as window coverings for glare and computer coverings for glare as well.

My OT has designed the re-entry work schedule for me and it's a 6-10 week re-entry before I'm back to 40 hours. I still have my benefits and still have my position. I come in for my allotted time- do a brain break half way through- and do the best I can and the most I can for those 4 hours.

Then I come home and rest before continuing on with home life.

My biggest whoopsie originally was not resting and taking on the I can do it all even with a brain injury motto. Let's say that made my healing more like a slow degradation of my capacity and brain functioning than it was 'healing'.

With the right knowledge now to get back to work I think I will have less symptoms. And I do just as thrasher does .... Brain Break immediately when a symptom pops up.