I had my stroke in October 24. Left with light sensitivity and the dreaded fatigue. I’m a health visitor. I have dropped from full time to permanent 3 days a week. Planned my reasonable adjustments ( lots of wfh, dark mode laptop etc , no meetings for quite some time ) and an extended ( 3 -6 month) phased return. Plan is to start off on 3 hours a week and increase over time. Mostly working from home. I feel mentally ready. But terrified that I’m not physically ready. Don’t know what to do. Scared of going back and ending up off sick again.
2 Likes
Hi @Seddso I have returned to work after my stroke but had to reduce to part time. I did a 4 month phased return starting at 2 hrs a day. I work from home 99% of the time & have lots of adjustments in place including software to help me read & write which i needed a lot at the beginning.
I was worried about going back & I am not going to pretend it is easy because it isn’t but I am glad I went back. It gives me purpose again & makes me feel useful.
Be prepared for the fatigue it hit me harder than I imagined & it still does after being back 2 years the other thing that surprised me was the first couple of months I felt quite down as going back seemed to remind me of all the rhings I was no longer able to do.
I would say go for it if you are ready. Be prepared to adjust your phased return plan if you need to. Be honest with your manager about how you are getting on.
Before I went back I joined a couple of online meetings to get myself used to a bit of work again & help get me up to speed with what I had missed.
Good luck. You’ll do great I am sure.
Best wishes
Ann
2 Likes
You’ll be alright - go ahead and do it. Try no to overthink it. You’ve planned it and you know the things you need to watch out for, now it’s a case of doing it.
Wishing you all the best as you return to work.
1 Like
Thanks so much , this has helped more than you know 
3 Likes
Isn’t it wonderful when you can talk to someone who has been there, done it, got the T-shirt and more importantly knows how to help you.
When do you start, or have you already started?
Ann @Mrs5K has walked the walk!
Keep us posted and if there are any questions, come right back and I am pretty sure Ann (or someone else) will have something to offer.
Take care!
1 Like
I planning to start in August. I feel ready 
.
1 Like
Good luck I hope it goes really well. Let us know how you get on xx
1 Like
Hi Jeanette - If I am not mistaken you are soon to return to work in phased return.
I hope you have managed to contain your excitement and (positive) nervous energy and are now ready for the next phase in your life post-stroke.
I know you recently had an “unexpected dizzy spell” - I hope that is just what it was and I believe we may have narrowed it down to you being overly enthusiastic and accidentally over doing things. I trust no recurrences of that have occurred and you have remined well and are now ready to take the next step.
I am sure you will be looking forward to this as I hope your work colleagues will be too. I am sure they will be very supportive and help you settle back into work mode. You don’t need me to remind you to take care, try not to over do things and don’t worry if things don’t appear to work.
Starting any new job can potentially be scary and stressful and this for you might be like starting a new job, but I always say at the end of the day it is just a job and you should not let it take over your life. Your health, family and home life should (in my view) take priority over your job or career.
I wish you all the best and hope you will continue to share your experiences with us on this forum.
Take care.
Peace & Love.
1 Like
Returned to work in August. Gentle phased return. At the same time came down with an inner ear thing , off balance , waiting for ENT appointment.
My light sensitivity is worse now and I’m stressed about my vision every day. I’m assuming this is all tied to returning to work and the inner ear thing taking its toll. But I’m so tired since returning and hope this will all go away. I was feeling much better in July than I am now.
J
1 Like
Hi Jeanette - It’s nice to hear from you and I am sorry the return to work has left you feeling worse 
I suspect the shock to the system may be a contributory factor, but can’t speak from any personal experience.
I know Ann as been through this herself and has shared her experiences and offered advice on how to cope.
I hope things get better soon, but don’t forget, your health and well-being always comes first and if things get too much, do not hesitate to take time out to allow your mind and body to recover.
Wishing you all the best.
Over to @Mrs5K for her words of wisdom 
1 Like
Hi @Seddso returning to work will have taken more out of you than you would imagine. I found the first few months back really hard work even though I started back on reduced hours. It also reminded me of the deficits I had which I thought I had accepted.
Have you got any adjustments in place? I needed loads initially most of which are still in place now. Are you taking breaks in your working hours? I started by having a break after half an hour. I also made sure I rested up loads after I finished work too.
Being back at work will be using lots of brain power & concentration and things that you didn’t have to think about before you will have to now. This will all add to your fatigue and is probably why your light sensitivity is worse. Having an inner ear infection won’t have helped either.
However ready to return you felt it is so much harder than you expect. Bear with it though it does get easier in time. But don’t be afraid to ask for further adjustments or to rethink things if it is all too much too soon. Try not to stress about things that won’t be helping uour fatigue.
Good luck.
Best wishes
Ann x
1 Like
Hi Ann
Thanks for checking in. The stroke consultant thought it was my inner ear or maybe As he saw nystagmus in my eyes. , so has referred me to ENT. He ruled out another stroke. Obviously that was my worst fear.
Still feeling out of sorts and off balance with terrible pressure between my ears - so it must be that. Can’t wait for this ENT appointment.
1 Like
Hi again
Yes the first four weeks I was working every minute of the hours I was supposed to be working. Now I’ve started taking breaks. Still apprehensive as to how it’ll look in a couple of months. But got my occupational health appointment next week so they’re usually helpful.
Thanks again.
J 
1 Like
Thanks so much Ann. I do hope so , and take much encouragement from your kind words Jeanette 
Hope your Occupational Health appointment goes well. I always found them useful.
Taking breaks is really important & glad to see you are now taking some.
Try not to think too far ahead just deal with the here & now. I never made it back to full time hours & whilst that isn’t how I wanted it I am now very happy to be working part time. I take every Weds off to give meca recovery day so I can manage the rest of the week.
You’ll get stronger as each week passes. Keep going you’re doing great.
Ann x
1 Like