Frequent urination and kidney failure.

[Kiwikidney]

Hi there everyone

My name is Scott .

I live in New Zealand and I have stage 4 kidney disease- IGA nephritis.- GFR 25

I was wondering if anyone has the same experience as me?

I have to urinate constantly and it’s really getting me down.

I have urinary urgency whereby I feel I have to urinate every 30-45m during the day , and about every 1.5 hrs at night -during sleeping hours.

I have seen a urologist and my prostate and bladder are apparently OK, and I don’t have a UTI or any other infections.

My kidney specialist doesn’t think I should be urinating this much at my level of kidney failure.

In short, no one can tell me the answer to my problem, and no one seems to be able to help me.

I’m wondering if anyone else with advanced kidney disease has to urinate so frequently like me?

Any answers would be much appreciated as I am desperate for any information or advice

Thanks so much for reading my story and letting me join your group.

Kind Regards

Scott

[Hidden]

Hi and welcome to the community.

Logically there has to be an answer so my first questions are how much water are you drinking each day, and how long before bedtime are you consuming a glass of water? Are you drinking any alcohol throughout the day? Are you taking any medications or supplements that act as a diuretic?

A general rule of thumb is to stop drinking water at least an hour before bedtime. Also, only a minimal amount of alcohol and none within two hours of bedtime.

Best of luck.

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador]

HI Scott,

Yes, I too have the same issues. I drink a lot of water during the day and eat foods with high water content like fruit (apples and pears) and veggies. (lettuce) I stop drinking water around 7pm. But... I drink a lot of water all day long because I like it. During the day and when I am at home, I can hit the pot every half hour it seems. Especially in the am after my mug of coffee. When I am busy, I do seem to notice as much. I too hate it because it does disrupt my life, like when I travel. I found that taking my BP medication after I have travelled helps A LOT. I do not skip it, I take it later. I also found that when my acid is very acidic, (Co2 level) I then have to go more. Also if my sugar is up, that will also make me go more often.

I know its annoying and I was just thinking about this today whether or not this is normal at my stage, which is stage 4. So I did my Goggle thing and it turns out that it is more a bladder issue once you have determined no infections. Makes sense to me. I drink water to help my stage 4 kidneys process toxins out. So it would seem my bladder would get full often.

There are things to do to retrain the body to stop urinating so often. But it takes time. There are also medications, but I am not up for adding more meds.

With sleep, I can go three to four hours max. 1.5 seems really tough to deal with. Try to hold out as long as you can. But if you are like me, I wake up and then can't think of anything else.

Take a look at what other things like diabetes, blood pressure or the meidcations you are on. Stop drinking fluids at a reasonable early time. No sugary things or caffeine either before bed. I sleep on my back and I know that puts more pressure on my bladder than a side sleeper, but that's not going to change for me.

I know it is not much help, but I keep telling myself that the alternative of not peeing at all means I need dialysis..... so I gladly pee. But I know where you are coming from.

[Hidden]

Hi Scott,

I'm in WGTN and struggling to stay in stage3. The only useful place I have been able to get help in NZ is the Kidney Health NZ folks. They have a free phone and give solid advice, 0800 543 639.

At your stage you should be able to get better help than I have. This country seems to be very late at getting involved with CKD people until it is too late. Ambulance at the bottom of the cliff stuff. Sadly there is no preventative health care here.

[drmind]

Hi Scott: I have the same situation as you mention of needing to urinate often but my urges occur mostly at night and at two to three hour intervals. It seems as if i have better control during the day. I drink 6 to 8 glasses of water every day along with fruit and salad. I try to stop drinking as early as 3:00 pm but that has not helped. Medications has been offered to me but i know from friends and a family member that it doesn't help and I'm reluctant to take on more medication. In fact my son who is in 40's just went thru an extended urological evaluation for similar problems and it came down to use of medication since there are no infections or any prostate or bladder problems. He also does not have CKD but has other health issues and does not want more medication either.

Its so annoying , I agree. Im usually able to go back to sleep each time at night, but its the last time usually that i can't do it, so i stay up for an hour or so and read. I take melatonin (1 mg) to help get me back to sleep and it works for me eventually.

Pls check with your medical help first, but i would suggest that during the day at least train yourself not to go as often. As someone earlier suggested resist the urge and wait. Eventually I think you'll notice you can wait and, thus, go less often during the day but it takes time to train yourself. I did this, but I wish i could do it at night, too, but i cant.

If course watch the caffeine and alcohol

Good luck and please keep us posted.

[Quita55]

Hi Scott I'm at stage 4 too and yes there days that I have to urinate more frequently than normal, but I also have diabetic, on a water pill but I understand how you feel your not alone. Does any of your medication have a diuretic in them? I know that I have to stop drinking liquids at least 1 hour before bed. Have also considered keeping a log on when you go to the bath room then you will have a record to show your doctors. Well I will keep you in prayer. God bless

[userotc]

Personally I would consider seeking a naturopathic practitioner that specialises in kidney. As most people who've responded here have stated, no more meds please!

A key part of a diet plan that I compiled yesterday for my mum (stage 3 CKD but urinating more) is massively reducing sugar. A common symptom with diabetics is increased urination so we hope it will help her with that along with improving kidney generally along with the rest of the plan eg more water(!)

[KatyBGood]

You refer to "urgency" which makes me wonder whether your bladder is truly full enough to require emptying or if it is simply sending urgency signals that you cannot ignore. That happened to me and my nephrologist prescribed Ditropan (oxybutynin). Worked like a charm to settle down my overanxious bladder. Now I simply respond to signals of fullness.