[Detach]

I'm a home health nurse, I've been off work since Sept 6th when I went into the hospital for mania. I had never been truly manic before, just hypomanic or depressed. I've had many issues with exhaustion for the past week...first meds were too high, so they were adjusted...still didn't go away and Tdoc said she likes to call it "exhaustion after mania".

Anyways, today I feel pretty good. I went out for about 4 hours doing some stuff and I still feel okay. I actually think I'm started to miss working now. I'm getting tired of the isolation feeling. Of course Pdoc would have to approve and write me a return to work note. I just don't want to jump the gun...

How have any of you known when it was okay to go back to work or not???

[Moose72]

i am sort poff for issues. Ive been exhaustyed a few days and hallucinated a few times so i called in. Im enjoying time off. Wanna quit actually. Think the job is part of it. But meanwhile i just know that if i miss another half day or more or am late im out of a job. Sux.

[Detach]

Originally Posted by Moose72

i am sort poff for issues. Ive been exhaustyed a few days and hallucinated a few times so i called in. Im enjoying time off. Wanna quit actually. Think the job is part of it. But meanwhile i just know that if i miss another half day or more or am late im out of a job. Sux.

Hi moose I know from your other thread you're not feeling well, hope you are ok!

[Detach]

Well, go figure the first day of normalcy so to speak and then get bad news...UGH! Husband calls from work upset and crying, his step dad went to the ER for confusion and has 2 brain tumors and one is bleeding. Dear god let me keep my "sort of" sanity through this nightmare!...UUUGGGGGHHHHHHHHH

[Moose72]

oh wow! HUGS

[hanners]

*huggles dijmart*

I'm really sorry to hear that. That must be really tough news to take in, on top of everything going on for you.

[Detach]

Thanks very much... I think I'll be ok. Really, thanks a lot.

....I feel like I hijacked my own thread...LOL. but Honestly, I'd like to get back to the thread topic now....

anyone?

[ohlala]

I was hospitalized a week for mania but when I was discharged, (on meds which had been adjusted 3 times while I was there), it became apparent over several weeks that I was nowhere near stable and I was still "flying" though not to the level where I required in-patient. I'd take a break from work for at least 3 weeks after hospitalization, just to make sure the meds are OK, and stay in close contact with the P-doc, (every 2 weeks), until you're somewhat confident about stability.

[me_myself__I]

Originally Posted by dijmart

I'm a home health nurse, I've been off work since Sept 6th when I went into the hospital for mania. I had never been truly manic before, just hypomanic or depressed. I've had many issues with exhaustion for the past week...first meds were too high, so they were adjusted...still didn't go away and Tdoc said she likes to call it "exhaustion after mania".

Anyways, today I feel pretty good. I went out for about 4 hours doing some stuff and I still feel okay. I actually think I'm started to miss working now. I'm getting tired of the isolation feeling. Of course Pdoc would have to approve and write me a return to work note. I just don't want to jump the gun...

How have any of you known when it was okay to go back to work or not???

Talk to your pdoc or T about that!

[wing]

During my severe mania, I stayed off work for 6 weeks to get my confidence back. I went through some med changes that turned out badly so I was glad to be able to deal with them without the stress of working.

[BlackPup]

med changes are a big issue cos they can really stuff you around. are your meds sorted now or do you think you will need further changes?
Another thing to think of is if going back to work might push you back towards another mania? Have enough things changed to make things different this time around?
how is your confidence? do you feel like you can make it through a day? Can you start back slowly a few days a week?
I would discuss it with my pdoc cos I really value his opinion, but I guess it depends on what your pdoc is like...

[Detach]

Hi all,
I've been out of the hospital since Sept 15th, but was still manic for several days later, then went into this exhaustion, no motivation phase for a week or more straight...Pdoc lowered meds, but Seroquel is still at higher dose then before hospitalization. For the past 2-3 days I feel, well, um, "normal"...."stable"....

I've seen my Pdoc every 1-2 weeks since hospitalization, however I wasn't doing so hot when I saw him last, so my feeling better will be new news to him at Thursdays appt.

My Pdoc has always seemed to value my opinion of things, especially with the meds. However, with the going back to work topic, I just don't know. He already wrote me a note "off thru Nov 1st" and I'm on short term disability (even though I haven't gotten one check yet). So, I suppose I could just ride it out til' then, but I'm getting bored! And moneys getting tight.

[Sweetest1]

Stable for 2 or 3 days isn't enough to be going back to work. I'd stay off until Nov1, and if you're still stable then go back to work. And try to go back slowly, a couple days a week first, or shorter shifts if you can. Ease back into it so you don't fly into another episode.

[Detach]

Originally Posted by Sweetest1

Stable for 2 or 3 days isn't enough to be going back to work. I'd stay off until Nov1, and if you're still stable then go back to work. And try to go back slowly, a couple days a week first, or shorter shifts if you can. Ease back into it so you don't fly into another episode.

I think you give solid advice. I have been thinking about it and I do need to be stable for a longer period of time to be able to handle the stresses of working. I was also thinking when I go back to start with 3-4 days a week for the first couple of weeks. Maybe Mon-wed-fri the first week and then taking Wed off the next 2 weeks to get a break in the middle of the week.
Thanks for the replies, I really appreciate it!

[roads]

Originally Posted by dijmart

....For the past 2-3 days I feel, well, um, "normal"...."stable"....
....
I'm on short term disability (even though I haven't gotten one check yet). So, I suppose I could just ride it out til' then, but I'm getting bored! And moneys getting tight.

2-3 days really isn't a pattern & I don't think means you're strong enough for work. But, if this continues till you see pdoc, I'd mention these feelings of riding it out & getting bored. Those, plus the money issue, don't sound like really healthy things at this point. All could be stressors you just don't need, & p- or tdoc might be able to help waylay any probs they might throw your way.

If you're on short term disability, isn't there some way of shaking that loose?

Sounds like you've come a mighty long way, btw. Good for you! No need to rush things, is there?

[ohlala]

Originally Posted by dijmart

I think you give solid advice. I have been thinking about it and I do need to be stable for a longer period of time to be able to handle the stresses of working. I was also thinking when I go back to start with 3-4 days a week for the first couple of weeks. Maybe Mon-wed-fri the first week and then taking Wed off the next 2 weeks to get a break in the middle of the week.
Thanks for the replies, I really appreciate it!

I agree with Sweetest1. Go back to work with a "reduced" schedule. Maybe even slower. 2-3 days, then 3-4 days over several weeks, (with breaks in the middle), then work up to 5 days. Stability is nothing to "mess around" with. Better to take it slow and lay a good foundation. At best, everything will progress smoothly. If there are bumps in the road you'll have the time and space to properly address them and sort it out...

[Detach]

Hi there,
Guess I'm just excited that I feel normal, even if it hasn't been for all that long...

I think I just need to think of this extra time off as "time for me", to do or not to do, whatever I want, without much stressors. As you said "no need to rush things"...I've just always been impatient. lol

Last week the HR lady called me and I told her I haven't heard anything about my disability. She said she was going to send corporate an email? If I don't get a check this week I will shake things up a bit....

[hsurp1]

It took me 3 months for the 1st time. That was 8 years ago. That was from Full blown aggravated mania!!! Once you pass Hypomania, THE MOST WONDERFUL FEELING IN THE WORLD!!! AND... WITHOUT ANY HELP IN ANY WAY!!!, you get AGGRAVAGTED AND ANNOYED for no reason. Well, ANY little thing will give you a reason! Notice I DIDN'T Laugh Out Loud, though I wanted to. Reason I didn't abbreviate the previous is because there IS a reason. That reason is MANIA. After you are done feeling like the greatest EVER!!!, you feel mad, angry fidgity, annoyed, like you want to fight and the slightest move or word that someone does or says starts you off. 6 years later, I got worse. I am now on Social Security Disability. I already had a setback 2 weeks or so ago. I now only endanger myself, rather than others. At least I learn and/or others learn to separate from the situation. Make sure you are not only seeing a Psychiatrist but also a Psychologist (or at least someone you trust to talk to, preferably someone licensed). You may think (as well as the therapist) that you no longer need to talk about stuff but you will find yourself slipping without it most likely, if you had the right person to talk to.