Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with GoogleGet your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
Sleeping Long Hours Post Stroke. Normal? Has A-fib
My mother in law has had a stoke at age 58, she is now 71. Due to the stroke she has A-Fib( warfarin & metoprolol .She has anxiety( xanax .25 mg)really bad that she lives her life in fear. She is also manic depressant( lexapro )with paranoia( risperdol)mixed in. She is diabetic( metformin & glipizide). She also has high blood pressure and is hypertensive( hydrochlorothiazide & enalapril). Eventhough she is prescribed these meds she won t take the one for depression or paranoia, but she sleeps 16 to 18 hours a day. Is this normal? I heard post stroke patients sleep a lot and I was told by my husband I shouldn t worry about her sleep patterns.
Fri, 9 Nov 2012
Hi,
Thank you for posting your query.
Sleep problems do occur after stroke. Excessive sleep may occur in patients with large strokes and if there is involvement of hypothalamus.
Medications that she has been prescribed for anxiety may also contribute to it.
Other factor is lack of stimulation. If she is left to sleep and is not encouraged to participate in day-to-day activities, she would sleep more. So, she should be encouraged to talk to family members, watch TV, taken out for walks, etc.
If required, she could be given modafinil tablets, to help her keep awake. Please discuss this with her neurologist.
Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurologist)
Senior Consultant Neurologist
Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad
Thank you for posting your query.
Sleep problems do occur after stroke. Excessive sleep may occur in patients with large strokes and if there is involvement of hypothalamus.
Medications that she has been prescribed for anxiety may also contribute to it.
Other factor is lack of stimulation. If she is left to sleep and is not encouraged to participate in day-to-day activities, she would sleep more. So, she should be encouraged to talk to family members, watch TV, taken out for walks, etc.
If required, she could be given modafinil tablets, to help her keep awake. Please discuss this with her neurologist.
Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurologist)
Senior Consultant Neurologist
Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad
I find this answer helpful
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer.
For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service
[Sample answer]
Related questions you may be interested in
Recent questions on Enalapril
Loading Online Doctors....