Going back to work away before I'm ready...
 

I hit my head 12 days ago and developed PCS 2 days after the accident. I have have very slow and distorted speech, constant headaches, confusion, dizzy, very emotional, and just generally slow. I saw the GP last Thursday and she wrote me a note for a week off work after speaking to the on call neurologist where i had me CT scan saying she thought my speech issues would resolve themselves (basically saying she thought it was all in my head). They haven't and all Icahn think/stress about is having to return back to work on Friday. I work for a massive bank so there isn't really any 'compassion' to be had and without a doctors note I will HAVE to return to work. I can't, it's not that I don't want to its that its taken me an hour to write this...and this isn't dealing with clients/stressful work environment. I see the GP again on Thursday but I am terribly freaked she won't give me more time to rest....help....

Hi, you came to a good place to learn about your condition and get some valuable insight.


Signs and symptoms of concussion can be delayed and can take hours to days to become apparent. Symptoms showing 2 days after hitting your head are thought to still be due to concussion, rather than post concussion syndrome.

Being only 12 days in, you still have plenty of time to recover with use of appropriate rest. Post concussion syndrome can persistently last months to years, but being still early on in your recovery, please don't become used to the idea that you have PCS or expect to have PCS because it is likely that you will improve.

You need to prevent yourself as much anxiety as possible, this will only make your recovery harder. You still have a good time frame to let your brain heal as much as possible, which means not going back to work yet and limiting/avoiding auditory and sensory stimulation as much as you can.

The neurologist is not saying your speech issues are all in your head. She's proposing that they are still organic in nature and that she is hopeful they will get better as you heal.

You need to give yourself as much cognitive rest as possible. I suggest you go to a GP who can write out a doctor's certificate for you for more time off work. Remember, no matter how much rest you get, your symptoms can relapse or get worse if you put yourself under any amount of stress, so make sure to grant yourself some more time off. Friday is far too soon.

- Yours.

Malsedge,

You do not have Post Concussion Syndrome. It is when your concussion symptoms persist beyond 6 weeks or more. Right now, you are just needing to recover from a concussion. The delay in symptoms is not uncommon. In fact, it is quite common. Your brain tried to go on like normal until it hit a critical mass of struggles and the concussion symptoms came crashing down.

As luduplo said, you need quiet rest. If you go back to work, you will likely be very symptomatic and be sent home. Don't try to hide your symptoms.

In the mean time, stay away from caffeine, alcohol and artificial sweeteners. They are poison to an injured brain. Check to see if there is a Headway organization nearby. They can be helpful.

Feel free to tell us how you are doing. There is good help here.

My best to you.

Hi,

I used to work with some of the largest Banks in the city and yes they can be push and demanding. But in these days of increased monitoring and security they will want you back at work if you are likely to cause an error and more so if you are going to be a liability to yourself or the bank.

The doctor will usually be sympathetic to giving you time off and give you what is now called a "fit note". When you do start to recover the doctor can write special conditions on the note - e.g. light duties, reduced hours etc to reduce the impact.

Don't know how you get to work but I guess public transport to your office especially the Tube would be a nightmare at the moment because of the crowds, noise and bustle.

Return to work
 

One of the best restrictions the Dr put in my return to work was to allow me to leave if for a headache. The first two weeks I did not use that and paid a heavy price for it. I would ask for that and then use it!!! Physical rest and cognitive rest are what you need.

The same thing happened to me. i didn't take enough time off bc gp also said i would be fine. i was not fine. i ended up crying at work all the time. i could not do my job. i ended up getting a note to stay out of work longer. in the end i got fired which was for the best because then i got unemployment. it was no where near enough but at least i could eat and keep the lights on. i did not return to work for over a year. i wiped out all of my savings but i could not have gotten better if i were still working.