What is causing chronic, severe itching since my father's stroke? --ischemic stroke, right side brain, left side paralysis. My 80 yr old father had a stroke 4 months ago. About 1-1/2 months ago he started experiencing mild itching on his legs and has now become chronic all over his body. Most of his meds have rash and itching side effects. Aggrenox was just changed to Plavix, but the itching has not stopped. 325mg of aspirin is also a future consideration as a blood thinner. He was given Ativan 0.5mg two days ago to stop the itching. The first night he practically scratched two wholes in his paralyzed arm. More than anything, he was knocked-out, groggy til 3pm the next day and could not do his physical therapy. He is restless at night, but I don't understand the Ativan. This is not helping his state of mind either. What can we do to stop the itching? It's making him crazy! He tends to itch more at night in his sleep.