Returning to work post-TIA

Tshelf10
Tshelf10on Friday, February 27 2026
5 Comments

Hi, I'm 42, 3 weeks post-TIA. I tried to go back to my fast paced strategic role at normal full time at 2.5 weeks (my doctor said if I felt fine then I should be fine to go back) I managed 2 full days before I hit a brick wall and crashed. During that time I felt dizzy and nauseous looking at the computer at times, spacey, incredibly slow - a 2 sentence email took half an hour - and completely exhausted. Ive been off again for the last 3 days and feeling anxious and have been quite tearful.

GP today gave me a letter to say should work reduced 20 hours per week for 2 weeks... no plans after that.  Has anyone else in a high-cognitive role successfully done a phased return? What did your hours look like? And what info did you provide to work to help them understand this invisible issue?

Thanks for any help.

 

 

5 Responses
Hannah avatar
Hannah

Hi, I'm 35, and in a similar situation. it's been 2 months since my stroke + surgery. I'm meant to be going back to my job as a neurobiologist and research team leader next week (only starting with 2 days/ week) but I'm really worried I won't be able to think like I used to be able to. Even lunch with friends is fine for a couple of hours but I then need to lay down as I'm so mentally exhausted.

I've discussed with my supervisor, and i think that I'll be supported, but I don't know how it will go. I've provided my hospital discharge  but surely a letter from your GP should be sufficient. I think it's really important for your recovery to not push your brain too hard while it's busy rewiring.

Hope it goes well for you

Tshelf10 avatar
Tshelf10

Thanks Hannah. Understand that you'd feel anxious. Take it slow and look after yourself. If you start to feel strange take a break or call it a day. Now i understand that having a TIA means there can be recovery implications I'll be taking that advice myself. 

Michael R avatar
Michael R

Hi fellow stroke survivors, I don't want to sound negative, but, my RTW experience was an unpleasant experience. Having said that, I'm happier now after leaving work, but it took some time to accept it. Often, we can't be fully aware what RTW means - I think there are two layers:

1) our desire to return to work/prove our recovery/earn money (bills don't stop)

2) employers' desire and capability to assist with a successful RTW (some industries have a provision that they can assign you to a 'similar' role to the one we had pre stroke). So, this becomes a bit of a legal issue I guess.

Michael R avatar
Michael R

Also, as part of my recovery I underwent cognitive assessments 3x: a) at Rehab, b) my GP, and c) at work.

Also, for my own sake, I used Luminosity for an extended time. It has many 'brain games', but also a NeuroPsych test one can do every 3 months. Mind you, the 'brain games' get a bit boring after a certain period.

Hope this helps a bit.

garrylawson avatar
garrylawson

GP are hands are tired , they can only give off the time limit set by the Government , I am lucky seeing I never can work , What work can a stroke victim who can't use his entire right side, has a paralyzed face , no hearing or sight in R side , left is nearly as bad , no smell , breathing trouble and no taste of feel of mouth and voice !!! Yes your lucky 

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