Sleep deprived with BPH and Nocturia

[wjk7]

I am 73 years old and have had an enlarged prostate for 5 + years. I'm up every night 4+ times to urinate, and have not had a decent nights sleep for years. Medications from my GP don't help. I am currently taking Tamsulosin. Although I take naps, I have little energy during the day. I would really appreciate any help or suggestions. Or hearing from someone in a similar situation.

[Hidden]

I’m 10 years younger than you. Also taking tamsulosin. I think it has caused insomnia and generalised mild weakness in me. And as for the sexual side effects- don’t get me started...

[wjk7 in reply to Hidden]

I came across an interesting article on acupuncture I thought you might be interested in. It's titled 'Acupuncture Restores Urine Flow Blocked by Enlarged Prostate' and is dated 7th February, 2018. You can find it at healthcmi.com and the results from the study were quite amazing. 'As a standalone therapy, acupuncture produced significant positive patient outcomes and produced a 94.9% total effective rate. ' I hope you are doing well. Kind regards.

[FerdyOne]

I have BPH and was until recently taking tamsulosin. As largely staying at home due to the pandemic decided to try coming off it. Been off it for well over a month and have not noticed much difference, except I have regained the ability to ejaculate which I was missing. I am on the waiting list for urolift which after extensive research on the options seems to be the best. My urologist was pushing for TURP which carries risks I am not willing to countenance.

[Hidden in reply to FerdyOne]

FerdyOne I am struggling a bit with the side effects of tamsulosin. I have seen posts where guys take it on alternate days - I may try that rather than completely stop, as I also worry about going into retention and needing an emergency catheter. Ouch!

[FerdyOne in reply to Hidden]

Good luck with the alternate days. Retention would not be very nice. Crossed my mind but think I am not too likely to have that happen - yet! (I have contemplated ordering a catheter set just in case. There are YouTube videos showing how to apply it!) I would look to get on the list for Urolift, if not already.

I usually have to get up twice a night. I tend to concentrate my liquid intake into the first half of the day and slope it off. Last thing before bed, even if I do not feel any need to pee, I pour quite warm water over my penis, making sure it runs past my frenulum which usually encourages a flow.

[Hidden in reply to FerdyOne]

I’m fortunate that at the present time anyway nocturia is not a problem. Hope it says that way.

Good (tip) about the warm water!

[Hidden in reply to FerdyOne]

Investigate Green Light Laser, I can unreservedly recommend it, you will not regret it.

[Tracker52]

I was on Tamsulosin for about 7 years but stopped taking it 2 years ago.

I've noticed no difference,. I got up twice or three times a night for a pee with it and the same without it.

In my opinion it's nothing better than a placebo with bad side effects-the main one being zero ejaculate-im still very much sexually active at 67 years of age.

I tried the other popular medication for bph, finasteride and that gave me headaches.

I take no meds for the condition now and Im not worse or better for it.

I do drink alcohol at night which stimulates the bladder so maybe I could ease the problem by simply cutting it out in the evening though I must say I like my tipple !

[Hidden in reply to Tracker52]

The retro is just horrible. I always feel a popping sensation in my perineum and momentary pain when I orgasm. It was not meant to be like this....

[wjk7 in reply to Tracker52]

I'm 73 years old and my GP prescribed Tamsulosin to help me with Nocturia.

I was diagnosed with BPH thirteen months ago but have actually had to get up in the middle of the night for 5+ years.

Tamsulosin hasn't reduced the number of times I have to get up at night and currently I'm up 4/5 times a night. I am seriously sleep deprived because I never get into a deep REM sleep.

Like you, I have no faith in Tamsulosin, and I've decided as of today to stop taking it.

I normally stop drinking anything after 5pm.

Have you found any other way to stop peeing so much at night?

[Hidden]

Off label use of 25 mg amitryptiline for sleep ended my nocturia, but then I gained 15 pounds. Switched to 50 mg trazodone for sleep, similar affect on nocturia. Sadly trazodone interferes with other medications. Ask your GP if it might be worth a try as both drugs are relatively cheap and safe.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

I have a friend who was put on amitryptiline in a low dose for migraines. It worked, but he too piled on the pounds. It seems to do that.

[wjk7 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for your comments on amitryptiline. Good to hear from you.

[wjk7 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for suggesting amitryptiline or possibly trazodone. It's good to know something works. I'm not sure about the weight gain.

[Hidden]

I am 70 and have had BPH for what seems like forever, like most men I just put up with the gradual decline until it got so irritating I went to see a specialist who recommended TURP, however at the last minute I backed out due to cowardice and soldiered on for another ten years, I was on Doxasocin and Finasteride which I don't think had any effect. Three years ago I saw an article on tv about the new PAE operation and asked my GP to arrange for me to see a urologist, it was all arranged and after nearly a years wait I had the operation, sadly it didn't work and i was back to square one only now I was self catheterising very time I urinated, which actually was not the end of the world compared to how I was before, at least I was emptying and had control. Six months later I went back to see a different urologist who told me what I needed was Green Light Laser and he said he would have never recommended PAE for me. So I waited another year and finally had my operation on Thursday, in and out the same day, I was fitted with catheter which was taken out yesterday Monday.

Had some blood of course but the bleeding stopped on Friday night and was clear Saturday morning, I am now today pissing like a racehorse and what I would say to you is, go to your urologist, talk about Green Light Laser and if you are suitable, just get it done, its the safest method there is with a high degree of success, my life was blighted by BPH and I only wish I had done something sooner. Ive not had sex yet, but I'm sure Viagra will sort that out when the time comes, it's been working up to now.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for sharing. Hope your recovery continues satisfactorily.

[wjk7 in reply to Hidden]

Is Green Light Laser the same as the Rezum treatment - which also uses steam energy? Or, is it something different? I know the Rezum treatment is offered through the NHS.

Thank you for writing your very detailed medical history. It was very helpful and informative. It's sometimes hard to get a straight answer from a doctor. I'm sorry you had such an awful time.

I am happy that everything went well for you with the Green Light Laser treatment. Stay well, and keep me posted. Best wishes on your speedy recovery.

[Hidden]

Hi

I’ve no experience of Rezum, you can research the Green Light Laser treatment, there is plenty of information out there, it’s main benefit is lack of bleeding due to the cauterisation of tissue as it cuts, greatly reducing trauma, I had my op early afternoon and I was home by 8pm, less than 48 hours later there was no blood in my urine, I am still fascinated by how powerful my stream is, it’s like I was 18 again! I’m over the moon.

[wjk7 in reply to Hidden]

That's great. After what you've been through you deserve some better news. Take care. Keep me posted.

[Jlshotpost]

I’m 55 and have had the same problem of getting up to pee every night 2-4 times every night so no real quality sleep for years. I’ve had all the tests and recently the GP prescribes some Tamsulosin which I’m reluctant to take for some of the known side effects. I also recently discovered an acupuncturist who is treating me for general pelvic area issues but it’s early days so too soon to tell if the symptoms of Nocturia dissipate. However one thing I did try recently, and this may be a placebo effect and it may sound really out there to some - but after watching a documentary on ‘earthing’. Or grounding- I purchased and earthing sheet for myself and the wife for our bed and can honestly say that for the past 10 days since using we have both had the best nights sleeps and I hardly ever get up in the night to pee now. It works by calming the autonomic nervous system and by virtue the parasympathetic nervous system and this seems to have worked by calming what I can only describe as an irritable bladder. So you could always give that a try. - just google either theearthingmovie or earthing sheets. At the very worst you could improve quality of sleep a and at best also improve the noctuira symptoms. It’s working for me. Good luck.

[wallycob]

I am 61 and was diagnosed with BPH about 20 years ago when my GP told me I had the prostate of a 60 year old and prescribed Tamsulosin which I have been taking ever since. At various times I have questioned its efficacy as nocturia, frequent urination with low volume and slow flow have been ever present. I've recently had a bladder neck incision which has dramatically improved the flow but none of the other symptoms.... it's early days.

[wallycob]

I stopped taking Tamsulosin a number of times causing abdominal pain so resumed taking it. I would recommend, on YouTube 'The enlarged prostate: what every man needs to know' - Nicholas Donin, MD UCLA Health. He mentions (1h 17mins) that from our 70's kidneys produce twice as much urine at night than during the day. If you've explored bladder and prostate issues without success, there is medication that can suppress urine production at night. This may be worth exploring wjk7. Good health

[LEON72]

I have BPH and I am 48 years old. I am up four or five times per night. I take Tamsulosin and Dutasteride and I’m not doing any better on these meds. I had a urolift 2019 and that has not improved so now I am awaiting a TURP procedure and it is unusual in a man of my age.

[Clutterduck]

I was diagnosed with BPH around 15 years ago and have been on Dutasteride (Avodart) since. I was prescribed Tamsusolin but stopped taking it due to the side effects. NHS urology consultants are surprised that I don't want a retrograde ejaculation "as you are not looking to start a family"! I managed to get a review with a consultant earlier this year but he wasn't minded to offer a change of treatment (other than add Tamsusolin) - he was more interested in emphasising the risks of any surgical intervention.