Nocturnal diuresis (occasional) Need help!

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I'm 80 years old male and in good health. In the last couple years I've experienced major bedwetting perhaps on 15-to-20 occasions.

Sometimes this can occur as short a time as an hour after I've last been awake during the night to urinate.

Somehow, during these experiences, the kidneys apparently get a signal to markedly step up production, and in no small way.

When I awaken, my night clothes and a urine pad are soaked and then when I get to the toilet to urinate, I seem to pee yet another quart. It's a lot. Much, much more than I observe during a normal daytime or middle-of-the night urination.

Sometimes, this will occur a couple of nights in a row, and then everything is normal for periods of up to two months.

Some of the medical websites I've searched list up to 150 causes for this.

My primary care physician offered to prescribe an anti-diuretic hormone for this, but I decided against until I know what I'm dealing with.

Yes, I know I can see a urologist who will order test after test and often come up with no answer.

So, I'd like to get more of a handle on what I'm dealing with before I consult a specialist.

Even if it's just a more concise description.

All replies would be greatly appreciated.

Please keep in mind that the emphasis here is on sudden increased production and volume. And it's occurring mostly at night.

Thanks very much,

Rob in Arizona

 

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Hi Rob I have the same trouble wet every night a lot my urologist is more interested in me just peeing ok and yes 78yrs old even has me on meds to relax bladder.I sure don't want a bunch of tests.

 

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Antidiuretic hormone is produced in the hypothalamus and stored and secreted by the pituitary gland, both of which are parts of the brain. So your problem could be caused by a problem with one or both those parts of the brain. Another common cause of periodic dieresis is congestive heart failure. You're not going to find out what you're dealing with here. Only medical tests are going to provide the answer.

In a way, bedwetting that happens only occasionally is harder to manage than bedwetting that occurs much more frequently. If you wet every night, you could wear a high-capacity diaper and not ever need to get up when you awake with a full bladder. But since you only wet on average about once a month, that solution is probably not what you're looking for. However, you should (and I imagine do) have a waterproof cover on your mattress and in addition sleep on a very absorbent incontinence pads.

 

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Rob,
Until you get a qualified medical doctor to sort this out, you need to find reliable protection. Initially I would suggest Abena, Molicare, Dry24/7 and plastic pants for starters. If this promises to be long-term, you might consider purchasing a small inventory of washables. Good luck and keep us informed.

 

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External catheter may be a solution for that much output, attach to a 2000 ml bedside bag, I doubt you would fill it, I never have, even when I drink more, but I don't have the issue you do with high output at night with regular fluids on board.

 

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My thanks to those of you who replied to my post.

All of your suggestions are helpful.

Thanks to Iconninmiss for the for the explanation as to how the physiology works. My doctor had offered to give me a prescription for an antidiuretic drug to take before bedtime, but I declined. I've learned through life's lessons not to take any drug unless I know exactly what it does and what possible side effects can result.

I've also learned that someone can undergo test after test and never come up with the underlying cause for a disorder. Best example: IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) When the doctors can't put their finger on what's causing a gastro problem, and after inumerable tests, they tell you that you have IBS. I'm of the opinion that I'd get the same result if I submitted myself to the doctors on this bedwetting issue.

So, I'm going to get myself the pads, etc., that were recommended here and see where things go.

Again, many thanks to you who replied.

Rob in Arizona

 

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That may indeed happen. However, incontinence can sometimes be a symptom of a life threatening condition. Only a urologist can tell you if it is minor or major. If your incontinence is minor, wonderful. However, if your incontinence is caused by a life-threatening condition, or could lead to one, such as prostate cancer or kidney disease, watchful waiting could be lethal.