I had a SAH in April 2020, went back to work in September 2020, I have Bi-polar, OCD, anxiety. (This was before BI) I now am struggling at work with noise/focusing,etc.. On a bad day I can sleep 13-15 hours in a day. My prolactin levels have gone up and through on going blood tests I have an underactive Thyroid(waiting for Endocrinology referral) also I have come off my Anti-depressents hoping I will feel less tired?(waiting for Psychiatrist referral) but now even more emotional/anxious/paranoid/angry (plus menapausaI) I work in a school with children with SEN, Its exhausting even without a BI. My employers don't understand and have tried to get me back doing playground duty which I have said I can't cope with at the moment, they have even said some insensitive comments which has had me in tears, Im struggling with getting to work at 8.30 which I have been warned about so I have asked to be referred to Occupational Health for some support as I feel I am not getting the support I need from my employers for not just my BI but my mental health and not to mention I had a pro-lapsed disc in my back which after an operation many years ago I still have back issues. I just don't know if I can cope with work anymore feeling so stressed, ignored de-valued and unsupported also if I would be entitled for financial help? Plus I have another Aneurysm that is being monitored with a MRA Jan 2022. (this is so unnerving and feels like a ticking time bomb) Any advice would be so appreciated. Jo.
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JoannaHelen
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How long were you in hospital? It sounds like you went back to work too soon in my opinion, brain injury is a lifetime injury.. I think you need more or some rehabilitation.. take care of yourself 😁
Hi Joanna, re coming off meds, I think you know what I am going to say, but to reduce, or stop regular meds can be detrimental. Re hypo-thyroidism, your GP should have started treatment while you are waiting for the specialist follow up, as this will have physical effects, and effect your MH.
I can appreciate your inability to cope with noise, and am sorry that your employer is not as supportive as they should be. If you are a member of a union, then contact them for additional support with your employment.
Also the Headway helpline can offer support, their contact information is pinned to this page.
Thank You again for yr advice, Yes I know coming off meds is not good, and have struggled with this alot over the last 30 years. The side effects of meds make me late for work, I have an appointment with Occupational Health at work and I self- referred because of the lack of support. Headway have given me BI fact sheets for my employers and equal opportunity info which I have emailed to them. (thank you Headway you have been a tower of support and strength) Not that I think this will help as I feel they are Ignorant when it comes to mental health and see me as the weakest link, also they can't just put me where they want me because of ny BI. Thank you Pairofboots for your honest helpful advice. How are you? Do you work with your BI? Also do you know if stress can help contribute to another stroke?
Hi Joanna, I was a RN (MH), specialist nurse in violence reduction when I had my stroke. I was pensioned off after my recovery was incomplete. I was classed as unemployable.
It took a long time to stabilise my MH, nearly seven years. This was not an easy time as I was also a subject of abuse by my ex wife during this period, but when I was stable, the abuse was curtailed.
I also have developed an auto-immune problem that is destroying my thyroid (now being treated), and attacking my ability to absorb vitamins (literally started treatment in the last couple of days). This also seems related to my stroke somehow, don't really understand immunology, so I don't know if it is common. This has had a detrimental effect on my cognitive abilities as well as physical symptoms.
I think subjectively, that stress can contribute to the circumstances of a stroke. Prior to my stroke, I was under a period of extended stress as a result of my ex-wife's behaviour towards me.
There is me, a specialist in my career at identifying and managing violence (not blowing my own trumpet, but one of the best qualified in the country, and a member of an international research community), both physical and psychological, but I couldn't solve the problems closer to home.
But that was then, I will never be where I would ideally be, but I have made peace with my life, and despite ongoing problems, am in a better place (proverbially).
What ever happens, you have to strive for the best you can be in life. I hope that you can resolve the battle's you are facing. I will always reply if you shout.
Thank you Ian for sharing such personal information about your life experiences, from your work to your healh and relationahips. I can only imagine the trauma you have experienced and the effect this has had on your mental/physical health. I continue to research the link between stress, strokes and hormones. I too have been a victim of domestic violence/abuse by an X partner. Im glad to hear you have made peace in your life.
Ironic you being a specialist in your career managing violence and myself working with children who are often violent. (I have the scars to prove it).
Let me know how your knew treatment goes for the thyroid?
Hopefully my thyroid will start to behave with levothyroxine?
Yes we can solve the problems of others but not always our own(closer to home) Life!
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Good options for retraining after BI
getting back to work
