Returning to work

[MattUK]

Hello

I’ve started my return to work, and I was happy to dive back in thinking I can work whatever.. I’ve been in the office a few times and during meetings that i find frustrating I start to feel a pain in my neck, which is similar to when I had my heart attack.

Having told my nurse about that they said I need to slow down..

Curious to know how people found returning to work and any weird pains.. as it could also just be me thinking the worse

Work wise I work in IT so not overly stressful other than dealing with people who frustrate

[NathanBlau]

We are in the same business but I elected to return to work part time i.e. 2 and then 3 days a week. I initially found it quite hard as I also had to commute but I did eventually get back in to the swing of things after a month or 6 weeks.

Once I had returned to fitness and 'part time' wasn't a medical requirement I found that I loved the new work/life balance and never went back full time! I was lucky in that a company I had previously worked for were happy to have me as a part time contractor and am now 2 years in that role. Best business decision I ever made; you cant beat 5 day weekends!.

As for pains etc. I don't think that I have had heart related pains but I think its quite common to ascribe or fear that every pain is a recurring heart attack. It definitely takes time to get to the new situation and of course most of us in IT will have neck and shoulder pains from too many years at keyboards. Try moving around when you experience them and see if that relieves it.

All the best

[Maisie2014]

I can’t speak about your return to work as I’m retired but I can say that I have experienced pain in the chest a couple of times at my clinical psychologist appointments. They’re not bad enough for my GTN just sore. They were similar to the pains I had after my heart attack before I was correctly diagnosed. I felt I wasn’t being believed at the time. The CP said they were probably stress pains from trying to keep my emotions in check. She told me to stop holding them in. I think in my case she may be right.

[Cazz1954]

Hi I’m on a phased return to work. Started 2 mornings now 5 mornings this has been going on since late March. I’m a assistant team leader in an engineering factory it gets a bit hectic so every time I get a pain I worry. Have my GTN spray with me all the time. I get a review every couple of weeks and the last one part time was suggested. Speak to your employer they are there to help you

[Stevo1979]

I work in an office for the silly service and I must admit it was very mentally challenging. I got pains in my arms and shoulder and then worried myself about them and made myself worse but it does go away. I believe when you get your head around the mental state and anxiety everything else gets better

[Harbourside]

I've been encouraged by my GP to not rush back to work but to take time out for myself; I've had a hectic past few years. (I've been signed off since 28 January and hoping to return to work on a phased return in September). My GP - and friends who are nurses - have stated that a lot of people return to work too soon and then end up having additional time off, which in turn, undermines confidence and self-esteem. I did notice a severe pain in my jaw when I was doing/dealing with something stressful one time, but I've learned tips from a stress management course ran by my local cardiac dept, which has been very helpful.