when should i start to work again?
 

im still having a high level of anxiety and depression on top of insomnia for 3+ weeks now and this constant feeling of pressure in my head with no appetite eating once or twice a day, along with blurry vision if im on the computer or watch tv for too long

im supposed to go in for an interview in a couple days and my mom and friend seem to think that it might help me starting to work again, would it be counter productive in recovery at this time? my mother got quite upset at the fact i told her im worried about not being able to

how long should i sit around and rest for?

If you start work, you need to start very slowly. No intense work days.

Is this an interview for a new job?

How are you at learning new information?

Getting out of the house will be good for you as long as it does not increase your symptoms. At the first sign of symptoms, you should stop and take a break.

What kind of work?

This is one of these questions for which the only real answer is "it depends".

For me I started work part time from home about four months after my accident, which I found beneficial because I was feeling anxious about not being productive. I believe having some work that required thought and analysis was helpful in restoring my cognitive abilities.

That said, in your case I would see the blurry vision as a counter indication if the job requires time in front of a computer. If you are having short term memory problems this would be another indicator you may be going back too soon. Not being able to perform at a new job and being let go might be more detrimental in the long term than waiting for a while longer. The insomnia would also be problematic in your ability to perform at your best.

If you are unsure of your cognitive abilities you might consider having a neuropsychological assessment from a clinical neuropsychologist. The test should help confirm if you are “good to go” or if not, the psychologist could recommend specific therapies.

Best to you.

yes mark this is for a new job,
the job will be at a dollar general so i wouldn't assume it would be too taxing, Im not sure about my cognitive functions, my first visit with a neurologist is this Thursday, perhaps I can ask to be referred to a neuropsychologist? only problem being I don't have insurance and id assume this testing would be expensive

I just recently had the neuropsych testing done and it was $5,000...ouch! But hopefully you will be able to get in with someone who would be willing to work with you, if in fact your neurologist thinks it is necessary.

Good luck on the interview!

kpc,

I hope your insurance paid all or most of your NPA fees.

My first NPA was done by a QME and paid by the employer's WC insurance co. The NP got approved to submit extra pages of report. He was paid by the number of pages he submitted. He had his office help retype some pages from earlier in my WC claim. He also billed for 2 days of testing but only tested me for 5 hours on the first day. He was well paid for his report in favor of the WC insurance that denied I had a valid WC claim.

The WC system in California is the best WC system money can buy .

Return to work
 

Abel, I was injured on June 4. My employer pushed from day one to keep me at work. Within a week I had most of the symptoms for PCS. At 7 days I had my first ER visit. That resulted in a few days off.

Again employer pushed for me to return to work. Guess what happened. Back to ER this time with BP so high it was a three day stay. After talking to the WC GP I got a no work restriction until after a neurologist would release me.

All in all I missed about 5 months of work. I am just now starting to work again. PCS can be a beast. I feel I have got off lucky most of the time. I still have symptoms. I still get headaches. I am waiting to do a NPA. That comes in January. Be careful, I would talk to the nuero first.

Thank God I learned from a family members car accident about having enough Med-pay on my car insurance. So yes, mine was covered. Like you Mark, it was billed as a 10 hour test, but I was only there for 5. Those guys make money..lol