Is it normal to have nightmares after suffering a stroke?

Hi MissRMG,

Nightmares after a stroke are not commonly described by stroke survivors. I’d suggest speaking with your GP to work through what might be contributing to the nightmares.

If you recently started new medications after your stroke it’s possible that these medications may be affecting the quality of your sleep.

Another thing to consider is the fact that you’ve recently been through a major health event – this is traumatic and may be contributing to your sleep disruption.

Feel free to call us on StrokeLine if you’d like to speak with one of our health professionals (phone 1800 787 653, Mon-Fri 9am-5pm AEST).

Best wishes,

Katherine (StrokeLine)

Hi MissRMG,

I posted your question on Facebook Too.

Here are some answers from the community:

Danielle - I had a cerebellum stroke in August 2016. I slept perfectly through the night for 12 months but always woke up exhausted. Still continues. Ask your GP about taking Endep. I took a kids dose at night as a strategy to stop the vertigo/dizziness. This also helps you sleep.

Now I wake quite often as my medications have completely changed.

Out of curiosity what ongoing deficits do you have? And what timeframe did they give you to recover?

Katrina - My stroke happened when I was asleep too, no cause identified, I ended up on antidepressants to calm me down and help me sleep, combined with counselling, mindfulness, a heck of a lot of support from my husband, with time it eased off and I weaned off the medication too. All the best x

Leanne - I also had a stroke in the cerebellum earlier this year, I found for quite a few months after I came home I had nightmares about the night of the stroke and woke at 4am each night the time I had the stroke, I got rid of the clock next to my bed and tried some relaxation apps before bed, made a huge difference, good luck 😉