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Posted 3/1/2009 6:05 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, I have been a Lurker here for a couple of months and learned a lot from this great forum. Thank you all!

I am trying to get continence back but it is a problem especially at night. I am using about 3 pads a day right now as I near the second week without the catheter. The pads work fine for the dribble.

I am getting up several times a night to relieve myself. Last night I was up about 5 times since I feel pressure on my bladder and don’t want to “flood” the bed as has happened before. It seems that my body thinks my bladder is full but that can’t be since not that much comes out when I make my nocturnal trips to the bathroom. When the flood happens far more urine comes out than the pad can hold and I am not even aware of it until I wake up and everything is wet. It seems like the floods come when I am lying on my side so I have been forcing myself to sleep on my back. I don’t really get much sleep between the times I am getting up.

On the one hand my urologist says to drink large quantities of liquids but the more I drink, the bigger the problem seems to be.

John
Posted 3/1/2009 8:39 PM (GMT 0)
    I always sleep on my back so it was not that big of deal with me.  It will take time for the bladder urge to go away.  Just hang in there.  I'm sure you will bet better soon.

   KW

Posted 3/1/2009 9:11 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Texican,

Drinking plenty of liquids during the day is fine but I would shut the liquids off after dinner altogether, and eat early.

You may want to buy a package of the complete diaper type pads just for night time.

If you don't have a rubber or plastic mattress cover, get one just in case.

I empathize with your problem.

Dave
Posted 3/1/2009 9:14 PM (GMT 0)
Wow. You are just 20 days past surgery - still in the very early stages.

After 30 years of sleeping on my stomach, I was forced to learn to sleep on my back. I think that is essential for a while at least. That lets your bladder fill to the level of your urethra before you feel any pressure. The time it takes your bladder to reach that point, the pressure you feel, and the involuntary control you have built up determine how much sleep you get. I had to get up once or twice a night at first, but I started to sleep thru the night after a few weeks. I know some guys get up a bunch of times each night - and others are dry at night from day one.

Drink large quantities of liquids? I don't think you should restrict your fluid intake, but I would drink a normal amount. I would not go out of my way to drink large quantities - especially near bedtime.

Good luck!
kcragman
Posted 3/1/2009 10:54 PM (GMT 0)

texican,

1. your catheter was just removed a week ago.  still very, very early.  i started out using 12 pads per 24 hours, including 1 per hour at night.  got better gradually.

2. try sleeping on your back.  should help some.

good luck.

Posted 3/2/2009 3:28 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks everyone. Last night I took the advice I found here and slept on my back only. I didn’t drink any liquids after dinner. I did get up 4 times to go to the bathroom but my pad was still almost dry this morning. I thought this problem had something to do with my bladder not holding more fluid but it is probably more related to the bladder position with respect to the urethra as suggested by kcragman.

John
Posted 3/3/2009 1:53 AM (GMT 0)
I got up more at night after surgery than before surgery. Good advice in above posts. I stopped drinking at 6:00 p.m. and still got up a lot at night. i also soaked a couple of pads during the night. It does get better. It didn't take long before i was sleeping during the night. I remember the old joke that someone said... I pee every morning at 7:00. The problem is I don't wake up until 8:00. it does get better. don't rush it as you have come a long way.
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