I wanted to ask if anyone else has been having really vivid or disturbing dreams since their stroke?? Lately they’ve felt much more intense, sometimes frighteningly real. I’ll wake up in a sweat and it can take a while to calm down again.
I’m wondering if it’s linked to the stroke itself, the medication, or just the general stress and anxiety that comes with life and recovery. These nightmares can be really unsettling, especially when I’m already feeling tired during the day. Which then makes me very cranky and short with others. Especially my husband, who is my carer and does a great job caring for me.
Does it ease up over time? I’d love to hear from others who might have gone through this. And, more importantly, how do I make it stop? These nightmares have come through much more in recent weeks.
Work is also very stressful. My manager does not understand stroke at all, he is an absolute tyrant, but I can’t leave the job, we need the money. I understand that life is stressful of course but I could do without the nightmares, I need good sleep. Without good sleep everything becomes miserable.
Hi, I’m really new to this group and 19 weeks post small stroke so there is not much I can offer other than, it’s something I am experiencing also.
started pretty much straight away, dipped off for a month but is back with a vengeance this weeks. Thankfully I’ve only had one experience of sleep paralysis, which was really upsetting.
I think it’s everything you said about stroke itself, medication and the anxiety of it. But if you don’t mind I’ll be watching for your responses.
Basically my response is to let you know you’re not on your own
Thank you so much for your reply Shelly, I already feel. More at ease knowing that I am not alone in this, it is very scary because we have no control over our subconscious while we sleep, this is something we cannot help, I am sure you are right when you say its a combination of things, the worry the anxiety, the medication, it all piles up and our brains have to cope with it all somehow, and sleep is wehn we truly let go and are relaxed. I hope more people can advise too!
I slept like a log straight after my TIA, I was exhausted, but after a few weeks I was sleeping very badly and waking with palpitations. No vivid nightmares, but maybe I’m not that type. Anyway, I agree with @Shelly.B, it’s probably a combination of recovery from the stroke, new medication and very understandable anxiety. Throw in your stress at work And you have a perfect storm.
In my experience it does get better with time, but you need to deal with as many of the sources as you can. Maybe getting your boss to better understand what you’ve been through? Though that might be a source of stress in itself
@Fallenleaf I had awful nightmares & very vivid dreams after my stroke. I have heard many same the same thing. I wondered if it was medication causing it as we all had different strokes. It could be brain activity though. I used to wake ip screaming. It was awful.
For me they have settled now. I still get the odd one but not as scary now. I didn’t do anything to stop them they just eased over time.
It actually helps a lot hearing it from someone who’s been through similar and you’re probly right, it’s a mix of recovery, meds and just general stress I guess. Feels like my brain just doesn’t switch off some nights. Glad to hear it got better for you though, it does give me a bit of hope.… talking to my manager about anything is stress in itself. I just wish I could make him understand, but I fear it would fall on deaf ears. Talking here though has already helped me a lot
Thank you for sharing that @Mrs5K that actually makes me feel a bit less alone with it. Sounds like you went through a really rough time too mine have been pretty full-on lately, proper vivid and weird, sometimes I wake up shaking. Good to know they eased up for you over time, that gives me a bit of hope too! Fingers crossed mine do the same, and thank you so much for taking the time to reply. Everyone here is so kinld and understanding, I am in awe of you all I wish I had found this place sooner!
Stroke affects everything. I have had nightmares, I find what you eat and when you eat affects this. I changed everything an slowly going in right direction. I work full time and I have yet to have a good nights sleep. Your manager will not be helping, they sound like a . Since my stroke and take no and tell people how it is or it will affect me. And that is not going to happe. Good luck. All meds play a part as well.
mine have been pretty full-on lately, proper vivid and weird, sometimes I wake up shaking. Good to know they eased up for you over time, that gives me a bit of hope too! Fingers crossed mine do the same, and thank you so much for taking the time to reply. Everyone here is so kinld and understanding, I am in awe of you all I wish I had found this place sooner!
. Since my stroke and take no 
and tell people how it is or it will affect me. And that is not going to happe. Good luck. All meds play a part as well.
