Looking for people's thoughts

[SnowQueenOne]

Hi all As someone who's been living with various forms of arrhythmia for the last 4 years where my episodes hit at random, does anyone have any advice where employment is concerned? I do have a supportive manager and flexible hours but have noticed when I do have an episode, I need to take time off work until I start to feel a bit more human. This year I've had to take more time off than in previous years . I'm doing all I can in terms of self care but ultimately there's only so much I can do. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you

[Bailey2004]

hi, know exactly how you feel. I took 3 months off after an ablation last January to focus on my health and started to feel better being able to cope with my symptoms and lost 2 stone last year. Went back to work for 7 months which caused significant deterioration in my symptoms and health so took time away again last December and only returned 5 weeks ago. Employer has finally offered me a 3 day week with flexible hours after an Occupational Health referral and I’ve to build up my hours slowly to what I find manageable. After nearly 5 years of many sickness absences I’m hoping this will help. Like you I do everything I possibly can with self care and stress has a huge impact and it’s only now I feel my work understand. However episodes happen and don’t doubt will have to take time off in the future, don’t think there is any advice to give but as long as you have a supportive manager then that’s good. Wish you all the best 😊

[SnowQueenOne in reply to Bailey2004]

Hi Bailey2004

I have seen OH over a different but slightly connected matter who recommended flexibility. The worry for me is the time taken off already. In the last 2 weeks I've had about 3 or 4 very short lived episodes, we are talking seconds as opposed to minutes or hours but they have somewhat knocked me sideways. I'm covered by a Dr's note at the moment but if I had been at work I'd be clocking off and going back to bed every time they happened. OH did say they felt I was covered under a disability act. It just got me thinking how others manage their work lives whilst living with this. Thanks

[Bailey2004 in reply to SnowQueenOne]

OH said the same to me that was covered under disability act and that’s what seems to have got my employer to finally address the approach to my hours. It’s hard and as I said I’ve taken many times off sick and will do in future and that’s just what has to be done. I’m only 50 and I’m just trying to see out till I’m 57 to get my pension pot as good as possible. I’ve only been back working 10 hours a week for last 5 weeks so will see what happens. I incorporate walking and yoga into my daily routine for both my physical and mental health too, just trying not to overdo that though too. Not sure what else to do, stress for me is a huge trigger and work causes that even in small doses. I’m not worrying about time taken off now, if work are supportive and covered by OH then have to think of yourself. That’s where I’ve always gone wrong, always worrying about work and kept pushing myself not to let others down. Take good care

[SnowQueenOne in reply to Bailey2004]

Hi Yes you've echoed my thoughts re: work exactly. Was always bothered about what they thought, pushing myself to go in. I even went back less than a week after my ablation albeit a few hours a day and WFH. How stupid was I? And like you have my eyes on calling it a day as soon as possible! Take care and be interested to know how you get on.

[BenHall1]

Its all a bit of a minefield really, BUT, you don't say exactly what work you do. So, my question must be ... can/does your work produce for you any degree of stress. Have you also considered whether food you eat makes any contribution to your AF events ? also, are you on any medication ?

[SnowQueenOne in reply to BenHall1]

Hi BenHall1 I'm desk based and yes the job causes me stress at times. Have looked for alternatives but in that position where nothing matches up financially so kind of stuck there for a while. As for triggers, there is literally nothing I have found that triggers it, believe me, I've been trying fathom it out for the last few years. I could be relaxed, chilled out and still get a small episode. Had an ablation which did the trick for 15 months. A top up ablation is an option but its my call if i have it done. I'm trying calcium channel blockers as I couldn't tolerate bisoprolol. Have a follow-up with the consultant early January, see where we go from there.

[JOY2THEWORLD49 in reply to SnowQueenOne]

Hi

Had a friend who worked with AF.

He put up with it. I think the wife thought he was a classic terrible patient being a man.

Years later with 3 postpones of his ablation they finally did it. His AF was in two places. Catheterised it was a success for 2.1/2 years no AF and he has been on many drugs.

It seemed he felt he had to 'ride ' through the attacks.

But he is good now.

cherio JOY 75. (NZ)

[DKBX in reply to SnowQueenOne]

You’re on a tough slog. After being through six ablations, dozens of cardioversions, and every drug regimen in the pharmacopoeia, I can commiserate. As one ‘progresses’ toward persistent (and permanent?), it gets frustrating. My advice? Find the best ep you can, do the ablations without fear, keep trying different drugs, and make all the lifestyle changes you can to minimize stress, healthy eating, deep breathing (yoga) … and, in my case, cannabis tea to wipe out anxiety.

[SnowQueenOne in reply to DKBX]

Hi DKBX

Thank you for your reply. I am working on the lifestyle changes, the healthy diet and exercise when I can. I also make time for myself. Unfortunately where meds are concerned for whatever reason I don't tolerate them well at all. It's anything really; bisoprolol, antibiotics even standard things like ibuprofen. Body just doesn't like it at all. I should give yoga a go tbh!

[secondtry]

One thing I am grateful to AF for it has taught me that my work, habits and thoughts can be changed and not for the worse!

[Nomis21]

Similar situation when it comes to work, I'm on my second pacemaker in 2 years, have persistent AF and on meds for heart failure, I have been off work since my 2nd pacemaker insertion but due back first week of December.I get tired throughout the day, the AF knocks chunks out of me and I don't think the side effects of the meds help with my energy levels, lost interest in a lot of things I used to be keen to support and do and generally feel groggy, lethargic, tired with little enthusiasm.

I'm 53 and worry that when I do return to work I won't be able to support my role as well as I used to and it will make my general well being worse due to the effort and stress, I have no doubt come mid mornings I will start flagging and need time to rest which happens now when I'm not working.

I have to give in to the constant feeling of AF and have to go to bed during times of the day to rest.

I'm desk based and I will have to attend a OH appointment before returning to work but not sure if they can support me even with things like flexible working and working from home.

Have no idea how this will pan out, used to enjoy my job but I have to admit I'm not looking forward to returning but willing to see how it goes.

Been a rough few years for me and just not the same person I used to be, don't feel any benefits to the procedures I have had done and life has taken a different direction than expected.

Worried that when I return to work and my health doesn't improve that I struggle to support my role to a good reasonable standard that I may have to take another sickness period, this then obviously goes on my record as another period of sick leave.

[SnowQueenOne]

Hi Nomis21

Your emotional feelings seem to mirror mine. I'm definitely not the person I used to be. But I'm definitely a fighter. Despite these episodes I'm trying to regain a good level of fitness and so do what I can when I can. I need to. Have 1 grandchild to run around after and another recently arrived grandchild so at some point will need to run around after both! The fatigue, when it's got me, does affect my ability to do my job well. Mentally, I really believe once I can call it a day at work ie no stress, things will change for the better. But like you having to take time off hangs over me!