Just curious - a question about nocturia

[PlainJane]

I have read that nocturia (or in other words waking up at night to pee) is associated with daytime fatigue that often results in unemployment/depression.

I am wondering if this is true. A question for the people with nocturia: how does it affect your life? Are you able to work? Does it cause depression?

Nocturia was the first symptom I noticed when my IC symptoms started (I haven't officially been diagnosed with IC but that is pretty much what the doctors think it is). During the first month I started getting up once or twice a night and then it quickly went upto eight times a night. This has been going on for two years now. I usually wake up at least six-eight times/night (some nights I wake up a lot more than eight times and it's usually not ever less than six times). For the past two years I have been unable to return to school or work because I am so drained because I can't sleep at night. I also found out at a sleep lab that I have 17 partial awakenings an hour in addition to getting up at least 6-8 times/night. The sleep lab had no explanation for why I wake up so often (as in it isn't sleep apnea) but I think it's my bladder. Some nights my bladder is so irritated I just give up on sleep and stay up.

I haven't found anything yet that helps it. I've tried sleeping pills as well as almost everything natural. I can't take antidepressants either. Have you found anything that has helped it?

I can see how nocturia would cause depression. I think the only reason I am not depressed is I am so loaded up on vitamins. I take a specific vitamin blend for depression. I am actually surprised I am not depressed given how sleep deprived I am. Anyway, I would appreciate any input on this topic.

Thanks,

Erica

[ICLori]

Nocturia was the main reason I had to quit work when I first developed IC. I was getting up 12 or more times per night, and sleeping only 10-15 minutes at a time. It was awful. I couldn't think - I was an absolute zombie. Pain pills are the only reason I'm able to sleep at night now.

Blessings,
Lori

[PlainJane]

Lori,

Thanks for your reply. I am glad you are getting some sleep now. I am to the point where at times things feel unreal because I am so tired. That happened to me last week because I was so tired. It feels like one long nightmare.

Erica

[sami4]

According to an article in Urology Times by Dr. Jeffery Weiss, nocturia is usually caused by two conditions: diminished bladder capacity (teeny weeny bladder), or an increased volume of urine at night rather than during the day caused by the anti diuretic hormone production of AVP or arginine vasopressin that is lower than normal. Treatment in this case is administration of Desmopressin. It seems to work well for some and not so good for others. You might check with your doctor about this and see what he says?
I too have nocturia but nowhere near the level of your suffering. I pee some nights every two hours other nights every 4. I found Elavil to be most helpful and I dont drink anything after 5:00 PM.
Hope you get to the bottom of this soon,
Sammie

[PlainJane]

Hi Sammie,

Thanks for your post. I actually tried the Desmopressin but didn't have any luck with it. It feels like my bladder just gets irritated with even just a little bit of urine.

My next step is to get tested for Lyme disease because it can cause bladder problems so maybe that will give me some idea about treatment.

Erica

[MarthaB]

:) Nocturia is one of my biggest problems, I cannot really function the next day, I am now taking elavil 5 mg at night and it does help, I don't seem to get out of bed to pee as often.

[Silverfern]

Nocturia is one of my main symptoms too. I can't remember when I got up in the morning feeling 'refreshed' from a decent sleep. I seem to wander around in a permanent haze these days, and my memory is shocking. I think when you're really tired all the time even simple things are hard to do. I'm definitely not depressed though (thank heavens), just supremely tired!!!! I'm lucky as I'm retired and don't work. I can't for the life of me figure out how I'd be able to work these days....it'd be absolutely hopeless.

I'm always trying to figure out whether it's something I'm eating/drinking in the evening that could be contributing to the incessant peeing all night, but it doesn't seem to matter whether I drink a lot, or nothing at all.

I hear your frustration and wish I could help. Maybe one day we'll get to figure this out.

Hugs

[PlainJane]

Nocturia is one of my main symptoms too. I can't remember when I got up in the morning feeling 'refreshed' from a decent sleep. I seem to wander around in a permanent haze these days, and my memory is shocking. I think when you're really tired all the time even simple things are hard to do. I'm definitely not depressed though (thank heavens), just supremely tired!!!! I'm lucky as I'm retired and don't work. I can't for the life of me figure out how I'd be able to work these days....it'd be absolutely hopeless.

I'm always trying to figure out whether it's something I'm eating/drinking in the evening that could be contributing to the incessant peeing all night, but it doesn't seem to matter whether I drink a lot, or nothing at all.

I hear your frustration and wish I could help. Maybe one day we'll get to figure this out.

Hugs

The sleep deprivation is really getting to me. You are totally right about everything being difficult to do when you're tired even the smallest things. My memory is terrible these days. I'll go into a room and forget why I went in there. I'll write emails with half my thoughts missing. I'll forget what I was saying in mid sentence. I've read books over the past two years and totally forgotten the plot to the point where if someone asks me if I liked the book I can't really say one way or another. I finally got around to reading "The Great Gatsby" (I never studied it in high school) and my mom asked me if I liked it and I told her I'm not sure!! I keep saying I'll re-read these books when I am better. Everything comes down to "when I am better". I better stop or I'll have to move this thread to the venting section.

To make a long story short ... Nocturia is ruining my life.

Erica

[rosesitty]

Hey Erica, most ICers have found that vitamins of any kind aggravate their condition. Even the kiddie vitamins bother me. Could the vitamins you're taking actually be exacerbating your nocturia? Just a thought...

[ChrissySunshine]

Hey Erica, Nocturia is ruining my life right now too. I'm up AT LEAST every 2 hours more usually about every hour. I'm on meds that help me to sleep, but it still takes me about an hour to fall asleep, then have to pee in that hour, then no sleep, etc.
Just wanted to let you know you're not the only sleep-deprived person out here. I'm right with you, forgetting things, unable to finish sentences sometimes in conversation, unable to remember why I walked in a room. I am not working right now, though need to get a job SOON, I'm hoping this will get better SOON! I'm gonna try taking my Elmiron earlier (cause I take it with alot of water), then restricting my fluids a bit after 5pm...maybe that'll help?!?

[PlainJane]

Hey Erica, most ICers have found that vitamins of any kind aggravate their condition. Even the kiddie vitamins bother me. Could the vitamins you're taking actually be exacerbating your nocturia? Just a thought...

I haven't noticed that the vitamins are making it worse. But the thing is I can't stop them because I take them for bipolar-depression and haven't found anything else that works.

Erica

[PlainJane]

Hi ChrissySunshine,

Sorry to hear that you are having so many problems sleeping too. It is horrible.

Maybe you're right taking the Elmiron earlier might help you. I hope your sleep improves soon!

Erica





Hey Erica, Nocturia is ruining my life right now too. I'm up AT LEAST every 2 hours more usually about every hour. I'm on meds that help me to sleep, but it still takes me about an hour to fall asleep, then have to pee in that hour, then no sleep, etc.
Just wanted to let you know you're not the only sleep-deprived person out here. I'm right with you, forgetting things, unable to finish sentences sometimes in conversation, unable to remember why I walked in a room. I am not working right now, though need to get a job SOON, I'm hoping this will get better SOON! I'm gonna try taking my Elmiron earlier (cause I take it with alot of water), then restricting my fluids a bit after 5pm...maybe that'll help?!?

[nabroeker]

Nocturnia was a huge problem for me although I worked all through my symptoms, over five years. I am now a teacher and it got harder to get through the day. I recently started Elavil and it has been a miracle as you can tell from any of my other postings. I am a real advocate for this drug. I used to get up 8-10+ times a night and never get a full night of sleep. After a week on the drug I now get up 1 maybe 2 times a night and have even slept five nights the whole night!!!! When you have not slept in that many years, you do not know what you are missing. I have so much more energy now and can finally chase around the kids all day!!

[Imustpee]

I suffered for 40 years with IC....Nights were bad..I was up anywhere from 5 - 17 times a night ( More if I had sex) ...I was ALWAYS so tired....now I am up 1 - 2 times a night...