Long COVID: Determining when to return to work

I’ve not been able to work yet, due to the continuing post Covid symptoms I’m experiencing, so I don’t have any advice for you in that area…but I want to give you all my best wishes for your successful return to one of the most valuable jobs out there…Teachers are the foundation of the future! Please take care of yourself and keep us posted.

Thanks for the kind words! I'm starting back half days tomorrow. I'm praying the normalcy, routine, and joy from the students will help and not hinder the healing process! My best to you as well! How long have you been out of work?

The State of Texas laid off all the Recreation/Wellness Coordinators at the end of July 2020 due to the Covid lockdown-I had Covid pneumonia November 2020 thru December 2020…I’ve been battling post Covid symptoms since. As you said the best we can do most days is just manage the symptoms and continue to push forward hoping to feel normal again! As I’ve been told the doctors working on long Covid say they are in uncharted territory, and are “building the plane as we are up in the air flying.” But I believe that
one day they will find a solution for this baffling condition. Hope your return to work will be terrific-I think you are wise to begin with half days as it will allow you to rest and regroup, as well as being able to attend necessary doctor appointments without having to take off work.
Take care of yourself!

I am a para educator. I went back after about 2 months post covid. I started half days for a week to build stamina. It was tiring the first two or three then by the end of the week was ok for full days again. Consider half days until you are ready to add more. Better half days then none, right? I am lucky that my school is very supportive of that.

Had my first half day. It was good to be back, but weird to be there and just feel different in my surroundings... Don't know how to explain it. I'm so thankful that are allowing half days! I'm wiped.

I get that weird feeling. It is hard to explain to yourself let alone anyone else. Yes, after my first half day I went home and slept for about 2 hours and went to bed on time that night. It is crazy how quickly you lose muscle mass and stamina. Keep listening to your body. It will get better and feel more normal again. Be patient with yourself.

That's what I am doing, half days. I am still very exhausted and still having headaches but have a little more reprieve. Less crash

Gaging when to return to work as you're recovering from long COVID isn't easy. Inspired by this discussion, Dr. Van, occupational and aerospace medicine physician at Mayo Clinic, offers a few tips you can use to navigate the journey back to your livelihood in this blog post on Mayo Clinic Connect.

- Navigating Return to Work with Long COVID https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/post-covid-recovery/newsfeed-post/navigating-return-to-work-with-long-covid/

The State of Texas pulled the funds for the Rec/Wellness Coordinators jobs statewide effective at the end of July 2020 and we were laid off due to the pandemic-then in November 2020 I had Covid pneumonia and it has been a rocky uphill road that I continue to try to navigate health wise. All the best to you as you return to work.

I am back to work 4hrs x 5 days as of Aug 1st after 14 weeks at home. I wish i read this article earlier @collenyoung as it was hard to gage when to go back. I'd say i had the guilt of staying home so long yet i wasnt functional to go back earlier.
i went from being non functional and on o2 to about 80-90% functional at home on RA with daily naps, walks and light exercises. My biggest indicator was to be able to talk without getting into a cough attack as my job demand is talking most of the day.
Yes 1st day felt weird, i was somewhat on auto pilot and brain was spinning as not used to so much cognitive demand.
I agree that being in communication with md and work is the key to successful return as there are lots of unknowns.