Back to work.

[Lynn1966]

Hi everyone, I had my H/A in October. It's been a life changer. The question is in my head I'm ready to get back to work. My other half says I have to wait for the cardiologist to give me the all clear. I've not had any check ups or exercise from cardio as I'm still waiting for appointment. I work in a busy coffee shop, which I'm really missing. Advice would be appreciated x

[kizza67]

Have you done your cardio rehab yet at the hospital as this gives you some idea of how fit to go back to work you are?

[Lynn1966 in reply to kizza67]

Hi kizza67, no not yet, I'm still waiting for an appointment. Apparently it's a long waiting list. My cardio nurse is going try an move it along in the new year. I'm starting to feel the pressure from work, as the staff can't take there holidays until I get back 😬😬x

[kizza67 in reply to Lynn1966]

That's a shame I had my cardio rehab about 4 weeks after my HA. I assume the doctor is issuing you with sick note what does he say about going back to work? Don't feel pressured into going back to soon I know that's easier said than done I went back after 12 weeks but cut my hours which helps as I do quite a physical job in a supermarket

[Lynn1966 in reply to kizza67]

Doctor said it wasn't best to wait and see the the cardio rehab. It's very awkward as my boss is my sister-in law and the kind off person who thinks if your out walking then you can come into work 😬😬xx

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to Lynn1966]

I used to work for someone like that. When I told my consultant that my manager considered me fit to return to work he asked "Are they medically qualified?". When I replied that they were not he retorted "They are certifiable then!!!".

BTW I also think it is too early unless it is a phased return, e.g. half days.

[kizza67 in reply to Lynn1966]

I know what you mean people kept saying to me you look so well but obviously they can't see inside so you then feel guilty if you go out anywhere just try not to overdo it until your told its ok to

[Chappychap]

If you're still waiting for your final discharge appointment with the cardiologist (or more likely with a registrar who reports to the cardiologist!), then phone the hospital. Sometimes patients slip off their lists. I believe they normally firm up a month's worth of discharge appointments at the end of the previous month or at the start of that actual month, so call now and hopefully you'll be on the January list.

If they don't have you scheduled then explain the situation, that you need to clarify the situation with your employer, and they may be able to give you some guidance there and then (I'm surprised they didn't when you previously left hospital) or bump you up the appointment list.

Good luck!

[Lynn1966 in reply to Chappychap]

I seen a cardio nurse 4 wks after my H/A just to go through what happened to me and what the surgeon did etc. She said I need to go for the exercise program which is what I'm waiting on. GP hasn't really said anything xx

[Sususulio in reply to Chappychap]

Do we even see a cardiologist?

I had a stent (no HA) about the same time and am 6 weeks into cardiac rehab but was told they would do the discharge. It really seems to differ around the UK.Its difficult given the involvement of relatives I work in the public sector and still intend a phased return as I think despite the walking and ongoing recovery the whole thing has been a bit of an assault.... I do find GP refers to cardiac nurses, they refer to pharmacy and GP and I do sometimes feel a bit of a pinball in the system.

I suppose Lynn the answer is time wise I suppose it is about the right time to go back but only you know how you feel and how strenuous the job is - catering of any kind can be quite demanding, definitely a phased P/T return might be the best option. Cardiac Rehab has been helpful but going back to the workplace in a quite demanding job still makes me a bit anxious - tricky 🙂 xx

[Lynn1966 in reply to Sususulio]

Lol I’m having a disagreement with the other half. I’m saying I’m going to go back next wk and he is trying to talk me out off it. Arghhhhh

[Gooner045]

Hi Lynn! great to see you so positive, it's easy to get stuck in a "I'm too ill to do anything"

I had HA in June and quad bypass in July, due to the council taking me to court for rent arrears, I was forced back to work as self employed decorator after six weeks, far too early but needs must as they say. Certainly regret it now, still working through the pain.

I'd say wait and see cardio first, just to be on safe side, try cardio rehab in another hospital, could be shorter waiting list. Failing that you could always go in and have a coffee to get the vibe back, maybe help out for an hour or two, you will probably be exhausted after that and think **** that.

I wish you well on your journey back to full health

G

[Frenchi]

Hi, I agree you do need to be seen by your Cardiologist for sign off prior to any RTW - you can always ring the hospital - asking to speak with their secretary to see if they can help with any pending appointments. Your relatives see you as normal and have no idea what damage has been done. The Cardiac Rehab team are great and it may be an idea to try and contact the department to see if you can expedite your pending rehab appointment. I do medical return to work interviews for a living and I would insist you are signed off as fit prior to any RTW. Also I would suggest when you make your RTW - possibly mid week and on reduced hours over a possible 4 week period. You will feel tired on your RTW as you are working in what can be a rather busy and demanding environment. Hope this helps.

[NorthantsSteve]

Hi Lynn. My Doctor’s advice was to take it easy go back when I felt ready and to go back on a phased return. He said he sees a lot of people who go back too soon and struggle and then need even more time off.

Obviously we’re all different and we have different jobs and conditions but if it helps - I had my heart attack and Stent in mid November. Started 8 week cardio rehab early December and went back to work on a phased return start of January. The organisation that I worked for insisted that I have a telephone interview with an occupational health person who submitted a report before they’d let me back. It took a couple of months before I was back on a full time basis but I found I couldn’t get back up to speed for ages.

Good luck!

[Benji_Mum]

Hi Lynn, I would listen to your cardiologist. Speak with GP too. If needed you can get a fit note with restrictions. Take your time. Explain to your Brother and sister in law together what your op was and the recovery time and treatment. Jo x

[ubet123]

Hi lynn glad to see you feel able to go back to work but I think you have to question if that is really what you are ready for or are you feeling pressurised, also I agree with what has been said about the rehab I think when you start it will give you a real indication of what you are capable of and the nurses are very informative, I was told shortly after my heart attack that I would be able to return to work quite quickly, I'm a builder but at rehab they told me to wait a while and they were right so in essence don't be pushed in to something your not ready for, your health is to important x

[lisburb]

Hi Lynn.

Happy New Year. Its great to be wanting to get back to work, feel normal again and miss our colleagues and the customers we serve. However, non of us are able to make the decision, am I fit to return to work, that decision belongs to the Cardiologists and the Doctors, they are the ones who know best in this position. I had a mitral valve repair last December, which is a different situation to a Heart attack, I know, and was itching to get back after 8 weeks, felt fine and was walking everywhere and felt fitter than I had for a long time. I am so pleased my GP and the Hospital put the reins on me and told me to hold fire. My Cardiologist said 12 weeks minimum. I went for a final check up with my local GP on week 11, which frightened me more than the hospital, he then contacted the Consultant, with his findings and then they signed me back on. When you are told you are ready to go back, you must have a meeting with your Boss and discuss your phased return to work, which takes weeks, not days, Talk about all your options, what your limitations are and how the other staff can help you. My GP wanted to know what this was and had also contacted my Boss. ( I had agreed to this in advance)

Your health and well being are so so important here, you do not want to race back and then have to have even more time off. Have a think about how you can start. I did 4 hours a day for a week, then 5 hours the next, then 6. My Boss was so fantastic and let me sit down if I felt tired, or have a break when I needed. She also put a plan into place, so that I was working with 2 other people at the same time (normally only 2 of us worked at any one time) and she sent everyone on a first aid course in case I collapsed !!! that was good for other emergencies too. When I went back to work, although I felt well and was fully recovered, I felt very, very tired. This continued until well past the Summer and it was only in October when I was going home one evening after work, I thought Blimey I feel great. So, think about the physicality of your job.Ring the Cardio Rehab Team and see what the hold up is, talk to the consultants secretary to see if you can move things along. In the big scheme of things, it has only been a short time since your heart attack and you need to be realistic about where you are. I will say this too. Your Sister in Law needs to be compassionate about what has happenned here. It is her responsibility that the people you work with cannot have their holiday, she needs to organise and sort that, not you. Please do not feel pressured to go back too soon.

[Lynn1966]

Hi everyone,I'd like to thank each one off you for your replies. The decision about going Back to work yesterday was taken out off my hands. The cardio and my doctor decided it was too soon and I was given another month off. Turns out it was a good call as I had the niggles back again yesterday,which did frighten me 😢 I hope you all had a good Christmas and new year xx