sleeping a lot after stroke

[cazzie]

My dad had a "mild" stroke 3 weeks ago. He cannot swallow and has slurred speech but he doesn't appear to have any other paralysis. He has a feeding tube in his stomach. My concern is that he sleeps ALL the time. Therapists come in and can't really work with him because they can't keep him awake very long. I've read this is normal but it has been 3 weeks and he seems to be sleeping more now than he did after the first few days of the stroke. They are moving him into the nursing care portion of the hospital. To me, the only way he can get better is if he can stay awake and respond to therapy. Is it normal to be sleeping for this long after a stroke? Shouldn't he be getting more energy each day? Is there a critical timeframe whereby if he doesn't start waking up more than we can expect him to be like this forever?

[Tidbit]

I was recently in the hospital myself for a mini stroke.  My Neuroligist order that I under go physical therapy, there is a time frame, but you need to really discuss this with his Doctor, because every case is not the same, everyones body is different in the way that we react to things.  Talk with your Dad and encourage him.  It helped to have my family along for the ride, I was told if I didn't use it, I would lose it.  Please think positive thoughts, and encourage your Dad the same way, him having a feeding tube maybe depressing him some, and he needs all of you support at this time.

Lots of well wished to your Dad and prayers!

God Bless you and yours!

[JJPIII]

My father had a stroke 7/9/05.  He has also been very sleepy, and sometimes non-responsive.  We were told by the medical staff that he would have to stay awake and move to become more alert and get on the road to recovery.  We told this to dad several times.  He got the message.  We started working his arms, hands, legs and feet (both sides) for range of motion 5-6 times a day.  We did it whether or not he was awake.  We started this on 7/30/05 and on 8/1/05 he was transfered to acute rehab, able to participate in rehab from 9 AM to 3 PM with an hour nap every two hrs.  He's pooped by the end of the day, but he seems to be able to handle it.

[RyansMom]

My father-in-law had a stroke 2 weeks ago.  They moved him to rehab this past week.  He was sleeping a lot!!  The rehab dr. put him on Ritalin.  It has been wonderful.  He now stays awake and is able to concentrate better.  Ritalin in adults make you more active and in childern less active.