Nocturia - urinating at night

[BabyDoc]

There are many reasons people wake up at night to urinate, besides OSA:

1. Type 2 diabetes
2. Congestive Heart failure
3. Prostate enlargement
4. Irritable bladder
5. Urinary tract infections
6. Anxiety/depression

In my case, I awaken 6-8 times a night even with successful treatment of OSA (my AHI=1.0 or less). I have no trouble falling asleep or going back to sleep. I am being treated for a mildly enlarged prostate. All other things on the list have been ruled out, except possible anxiety and depression. When I awaken, perhaps I am anxious that if I don't use the bathroom, I can't fall back to sleep. I try not to go, but can't sleep if I don't. My bladder can't be full, since volumes voided are so small even when I void frequently. I have currently asked for a trial of an antidepressant to see if that helps, although I don't feel depressed.
I have placed on Nortriptyline. If that doesn't work, we may trazadone.


The only reason I am posting my personal experience is that you can't always expect OSA treatment to correct nocturia, when you may have, as I do, multiple causes for awakenings. There are many causes for nocturia and you may have more than one reason for your problem.

[JJJ]

In my case, I awaken 6-8 times a night even with successful treatment of OSA (my AHI=1.0 or less). I have no trouble falling asleep or going back to sleep. I am being treated for a mildly enlarged prostate. All other things on the list have been ruled out, except possible anxiety and depression. When I awaken, perhaps I am anxious that if I don't use the bathroom, I can't fall back to sleep. I try not to go, but can't sleep if I don't. My bladder can't be full, since volumes voided are so small even when I void frequently. I have currently asked for a trial of an antidepressant to see if that helps, although I don't feel depressed.

Your symptoms are so like mine! I have no prostate issues, but I wake up six to eight times a night, the same as before starting CPAP. If the antidepressant works, let me know.

We had this discussion a few weeks ago and I mentioned that I was going to try sustained release melatonin. I have done so and it helps a bit. I take a regular 3 mg melatonin as the sun is setting, and a 6 mg sustained release at bedtime. Bear in mind that the half life of melatonin is only 30 to 50 minutes. A couple times I have forgotten to take the sustained release tablet and I definitely woke up more often and stayed awake longer. The melatonin didn't stop the awakenings much, but it made them very brief. It's not a cure, but I'll take whatever I can get. After all, a normal sleep cycle is about an hour and a quarter or an hour and a half. If we are waking up every hour we can't be getting a full dose of REM sleep.

Having said all of that, melatonin is over the counter in the U.S., but I know a prescription is required in some countries. I haven't researched why. There may be issues that others should consider before trying it.

[cabzinrah]

Have you tried stopping your humidifier? Taking in water wont help your problem. Try a night or two without your humi. and see if this helps. Again seek advise from your sleep specialist and see if they can help

DC

I defiantly saw a positive correlation with using my humidifier, even on the "1" setting, and nocturia. I stopped using it completely and only have nocturia if I've had alcoholoc beverages earlier that evening. But at times that is a trade off I am willing to make

[kfujioka]

I get up several times a night to take a drink,since I used the bipap machine. And when I am up I realize I need to use the toilet too. Before I started using the bipap machine I never got up.

I think it may be related to humidity.