www.incontinentsupport.org

Been a while since I've visited and posted. Hello everyone.

Background: I have an enlarged prostate. Daytime dribbling largely halted once I started taking Tamsulosin a year ago. Biggest daytime issue involves urge when I hear running water or am washing my hands. Haven't had a flooding nighttime accident since March of last year (2 nights in a row) but I do wake up 60+% nights with an urge to go. I wake up at least once, maybe 2x but 2x is the exception.

Here's my sleep habit question for you: I don't sleep nearly as soundly as I used to and I often have a difficult time getting back to sleep once I've woken up. Being awake for good at 3 or 4 a.m. has happened several times. I'm often tired during the day, especially by about 3 p.m., because of the lack of solid sleep. Our house is set to 67 degrees at night and is a bit drafty and the 2nd floor master bedroom can get quite chilly by midnight or so. Sometimes I find sleeping on the living room couch more comfortable than the bed so I sleep there but the window over the couch is drafty too. My questions are thus: a. does cooler temps influence bedwetting or the need to go at night? b. Would any of you, if in my shoes, wear a protective garment and use it versus getting up or c). bite the financial bullet and replace the windows

G

My experience is that cold temperatures can cause wetting issues. What my understanding is that when we get cold, the body will pull blood towards the core organs to stay warmer. When this happens, the kidneys detect a higher volume of fluids and increase the output, thus we pee/leak more.
That's what i have experienced.

that is a fascinating explanation. Thank you. that would explain why I've had bedwetting issues in the cooler months but no problems in the warmer months.

G

My nighttime issues started out very similar to yours but rapidly worsened. Originally, I was waking up a couple times per night with the occasional bed wetting. Eventually, this reversed to me sleeping through the night and wetting the bed most of the time, but occasionally waking up. I too had a hard time getting back to sleep after going to the toilet (was losing an hour+ of sleep per night). At this point, sleep is more important to me than waking up dry, so on the occasional nights I wake up with an urge to go, I figure why bother, and just wet in the diaper and go back to sleep. With my situation, it isn't likely that I would make it to the toilet in time, anyway. I find I get more sleep and have more productive days that way.

I agree with Rope - cold definitely has an affect on things and his reasoning is sound. Simply going outside in the cold usually triggers a sudden, uncontrollable urge to go for me.

My experience with the cold is it sends my bladder into uncontrollable spasms, thus increase accidents. I already wear protection at night due to most of the time if I do wake up, I don't make it anyways. For replacing the windows. I would bite the bullet. You would be surprise at the difference they will make along with the energy savings. Also, you will find your place quieter also.

When it is warmer, we usually sweat more, and lose fluid that way.
The kidneys compensate this through the amount of urine they produce.
A really good and warm blanket will keep the extremities fairly warm,
so the blood cirkulation should be ok.
You can especially feel the effect in cooling when outdoors.
Usually when you are further away from a toilet than you are comfortable with.

I also recommend new windows if you can afford. Both for the comfort and the electricity bill.