Hi. I am Chris, 51 years old and experienced a TSI 4 days ago. All very strange to be honest, my left arm went completely floppy and had no other symptoms. As was able to walk, talk, have no headaches an communicate fine. I have had a consultant explained to me how lucky I am as it could have been far worse.
So back home already, had all the tests, machines, visits and had a really good night’s sleep and thought I would start my new lifestyle in a positive way – which led me to you after a look online.
I am reasonably active, usually average out to 10’000 steps a day over the week, don’t smoke, not a big drinker but i am 23stone. To put that in a little more context I am 6ft 5 – but to get away with 23 stone I fully accept I would need to be about 8ft 3.
Dropping sugar for my tea, deleting take away and processed foods and enjoying a big bag of crisps on too many occasions are all moved to my deleted emails box, and I need to make sure I also delete my deleted emails box (if that makes sense?) But honestly, I am heartbroken that my illicit affair with cheese now needs to end. We have had many good times but if you love something, you need to set it free.
On the good side, I cant drive for a few weeks. So when I do go back to work the 3 mile walk will help. Hopefully will sleep better and feel like I have more energy if I do the actions I need to do. Also have friends who will offer support but also give me a much need kick up the backside when needed.
Given what I just said above it seems a bit misguided to ask about food, bit if there is some top tips, recipes tasty good heathy food types you know of - please do share.
I am also a civil servant and potentially looking to get involved with sharing best practice, care for, spotting and managing a TSI and stoke around the organisation. If you have any hints, tips know of good websites, please let me know.
There’s a lot to learn on optimizing your diet and gut microbiome ; it can really make a difference to your life. The level of ignorance on such a topic is frightening… anyway enough waffle. I’d look into someone like Tim Spector https://tim-spector.co.uk/ a nutrition scientist for a complete coverage on the subject… good luck, Roland
@Gruffalo A very warm welcome to your road to recovery and weight loss We are more than happy to help spur you on
To lose the fat halve your portion sizes, the average calorie intake for a man is 2500-3000 calories per day…the rest of the math you’ll have to do yourself But don’t just go cold turkey on the palette, occasional treats are still good
You could start just by reduce portion size and yes, cut out things like crisps, fizzy drinks and most things with high sugar content. Walking is a great fat burner, are there any other sport type things you’d be interest in getting into i.e cycling, tennis, badminton, squash, the gym, even gardening will do it for you.
Now you’re here a very warm welcome.
I think a lot of us thought stroke meant the end of the cheese platter but it shouldn’t and doesn’t have to (but moderation in all things is important and that includes moderation itself )
There’s a lot more sense making and orientation in the Welcome Post than I will put in here
When you’ve read it youll know that you have started what is probably a new journey not a detour in life’s path. They certainly are wake up calls - You’ve written TSI twice so I assume it’s not a typo. I’m wondering what that stands for? Google wasn’t able to help me either!
I am familiar with it TIA[1] I did wonder whether you might have a form of aphasia thus you may have meant TIA?
I expect you’ll be on a smorgasbord of pills: blood pressure regulation, cholesterol regulation, antiplatelet regime with stomach protector etc. If you’ve got no cause for your neurological event so far then investigations will be whether you have a hole in the heart (surprisingly common at 20% of the population), irregular heartbeats like aerial fibrillation and sticky blood diabetes etc
Sticking to your meds and some blood tests to confirm safety factors the cheese board could be back on the list of occasionals
4 days is remarkably early in the journey! the welcome post well point out some of the possible developments although I don’t think it says you may have a full recovery and it should But equally many of us know the journey is commonly years and rarely just months. Back to work at the end of the month It’s surprisingly frequently repeated to not then occur - fingers crossed it will be all ok in your case
Certainly sleeping well is important and you are lucky if you’ve had good sleep. If you get fatigued which is extremely common after a stroke don’t fight it Your body is healing a lot internally and that is the first call on nutrition hydration and reserves of energy and sleep
If you’re looking to spread the word and raise awareness your energies will be very welcome by some of us
We get together via zoom on a Thursday afternoon and you would be very welcome to join us Weekly Zoom
@Gruffalo hi & welcome to the community. Sorry you’ve had cause to join us.
I agree with others re having the odd treat as long as in the main you eat healthily. Before my stroke I was a cheddar cheese & crisp fiend. I still have them…Baked crisps instead & low fat cheese. Not quite the same but i am now used to them. I do eat a lot more fruit, salad & veg though.
A 3 mile walk to work sounds a challenge at this early stage but if you can then why not.
You could try the Stroke Association & Different Strokes websites for stroke info. Maybe also someone like the brain & spine foundation & headway.
But don’t just go cold turkey on the palette, occasional treats are still good 
and doesn’t have to (but moderation in all things is important and that includes moderation itself