RE: help for nocturnal urgency

[Guest guest]

Agreed – sleep is very important! I still have to get up at least three

times a night, but it can be six if I don’t take precautions. Here are the things that seem to help

me. Many are normal recommendations.

Avoid any stimulants from early evening –

no caffeine or alcohol. I have cut these out almost entirely, a cup of hot

water is pleasant and one gets used to it.

Use bladder-calming drinks like cranberry juice. Don’t drink too much water or

juice before retiring but drink a little water during the night after each visit

to the bathroom. I found that

important to avoid dehydration and resulting constipation. I also creep about the house in the dark

when going to the bathroom so apart from turning on the bathroom light! There is enough stray light coming in

from the street. That helps me stay

almost asleep. (This can be

dangerous so make sure that the path is clear! Don’t want to risk a fall.)

Urologist told me that more urine is produced

at night as one gets older. GP

prescribed Tamsulosin (Flomax). I find that helps by better voiding –

so I get more time between visits!

No side effects noticed.

(Diagnosed 12/99 with bone mets. On DES now. Just

finished palliative RT for haematuria –

original tumour invading bladder – 30Gy to prostate - battling rectal

side effects – Joy!.)

From:

ProstateCancerSupport

[mailto:ProstateCancerSupport ] On Behalf Of dwight black

Sent: 17 January 2008 17:32

To:

ProstateCancerSupport

Subject:

help for nocturnal urgency

Sleep is SO important for good health. I have to get

up 2 or 3 times a

night. I am a light sleeper and getting up (particularily in the winter

when the house is colder) causes me to be awake much longer than I want.

Has anyone experienced any ways to prevent or cut down on visits to the

bathroom at night? I prefer to avoid drugs but would try if they work.

Do the drugs have any severe side effects?

Dwight Black