Does pmr cause frequent urination? For the last few months I have needed to go more often but as the moment I seem to constantly be on the loo (upwards of 10 tines a day)and I am there ages each time. No pain with it. Or is this just a coincidence?
Too many trips to the loo!!: Does pmr cause... - PMRGCAuk
Too many trips to the loo!!
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Yellowbluebell
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Not sure about the PMR however if you are reducing your carbs to manage insulin resistance you will shed excess water through urination.
To be totally honest I have not changed my diet that much and really only cut down on chocolate!!! I dug the scales out just to check my weight and so far no gains in 6 weeks. This could and probably will change further down the line!!
Same with me. Frequent urination began when I started taking pred. No pain...just have to go a lot. Probably caused by water retention.
Darling always be on the alert for uti. But if it doesn’t hurt it’s probably one of the delightful things that women get as we age. I would strongly advise a one off appointment with a Uro-gynae. They specialise in the muscles and tissue involved and can at least reassure you as well as give you pelvic exercise I went and I was expecting it to be a waste of time but it was a fabulous education. Xxxx
I don’t sleep that well anyhow and wanting the loo during the night is a real pain! I wouldn’t mind losing a few pounds (pre pred puppy fat!!). As I have a nice hacking cough from this cold I might try and phone appt tomorrow and mention the water work issues as well. I am totally undisciplined as far as food is concerned and although I have cut down on the choc I am still eating as normal which could cause a meltdown later if I pile on weight in the future. I have never had to watch my weight so the idea of giving up/cutting back is horrific!!! The downside to being awake most of the night is the cat thinks she can get at least a couple more meals in per day and can go out in the dark!
I find caffeine now to be especially irritating and have switched from black tea to green. I still get up 2 or 3 times but fall right back to sleep.
Green tea contains caffeine, but less than black tea, as all tea starts its life as a leaf from the same plant: the Camellia Sinensis. The type of tea those leaves eventually end up as (black, green, white etc.) is influenced by which part of the plant they are picked from, the age of the leaf and also what treatment the leaves have been through once they are picked (roasted, shaded, sun-dried etc). This also influences the caffeine content.
This has been my experience as well, and especially inconvenient during night time hours. I have lost weight, some of it water, and I take half a blood pressure pill that has a diuretic in it.
I suppose it’s better than retaining that fluid which will contribute to hypertension.
Glad you’ve had no gains as of yet. Not everybody does, especially if you limit carbs/sugar/salt, which is what I’ve adopted. It is doable as I’m not totally eliminating any foods groups (except processed foods in general).
I have just had a flare caused through a chest infection I was on 5mg prior to the flare , I had a 160mg intra muscular injection and have been increased back to 10mg and after 2 days can’t keep out the loo , I wonder since you have said that if that’s what’s causing it .
It might be down to the flare but I don’t know that much about pmr yet as was only diagnosed in sept. Maybe mention it to your gp. I am going to try and talk to mine next week.
I've had this problem a long time. Pre PMR. Although I read it could be a part of it (and as I already complained of chronic aching shoulders, who knows?). I had to do a test for the Dr and was up every 15 minutes... delighted to be put on meds - one tab a day. Despite tags, I still get up at least twice a night. Although, as I have amitryptiline to aid sleep (only taken when i need to) I can go a whole night sometimes without waking! Bliss. I'm 60. I've been on the wee tablets for about four years! My advice is get to the doctor - your sleep is essential to cope with PMR!
It’s driving me mad during the night, especially as our bathroom is downstairs!!
Oh yes the stairs would do me in for sure.
Get yourself some SheWees or similar from Amazon. I take them camping. Saves a long walk to the loo in the dark and you can use each one until they are full. Four times usually. Saves a trek down the stairs.
Hi thank you for the advice. Looked it up on Amazon. I consider using it at night, being so sleepy then and with the loo downstairs I am a bit afraid of the stairs. (one of my friends died falling of the stairs at night in his house) Is it much of a bungling or is it doable indoors?
It is well known that everyone reacts differently and I had taken 5mgs Pred for 9 days when my UTIs began and kept recurring. I did have pain while urinating and now I am up every hour in the night to go without pain. However, I am no longer on any Pred and I have a prolapsed bladder which develops every afternoon/early evening with soreness.
Have you had a urine sample sent off for investigation, if not I recommend you ask GP to do this as the strip test does not always show a UTI- having had that happen to me.
Good luck
Will take one in next week and get him to test it. I also take amitryptyline but take 200mg for my depression and to relieve the pain from shoulder ops. I was taking 150 mg but gp just upped it. Still not sleeping through though. I have been awake since 4am!!!
Not in my experience ,others may have different answers .Any urinary should be checked with a water sample just to be sure I would think ,Easiest first step .Could be something else even just ordinary water infection if there is such a thing but you know what I mean .
I found that I had frequency for various reasons. 1. Not enough water (I think it irritates the bladder) which I could tell by the lack of wee volume and darker colour when I went. 2. Too much salt leading to fluid retention during the day and loss during night or a few days after dropping salt. 3. Actual infection diagnosed by foul smelling urine and feeling yuk plus a lab culture. 4. Rubbish pelvic floor tone due to Pred’s muscle weakening effect. 5. Eating something extra that put my blood sugar up (Pred already has this effect). All these have reduced with dose, particularly below 5mg and pelvic floor exercises.
Thanks for your advice. I do like a bit of salt in my food so it might be that. Will get a test next week to just check.
When I first got PMR (before starting pred) I was the same. It was worse in the morning - I'd wake up desperate for the loo, but I could hardly move so it took me about 10 mins get out of bed... most alarming! 😱😳
Oh my god I would have wet myself by then!! Our bathroom is downstairs so if I am in bed it really winds me up!!
It was a close shave, I can tell you! 🤣
It’s when you start looking at the adult sized nappies in Sainsbury’s you know you have a problem!!!
I seem to be ok now, but each time I reduce my pred (currently on 7mg) it comes back a little bit - at least I can move quicker now!
Maybe a tin tray on the stairs!! It’s faster that’s crawling!!
That made me laugh. The thought of any of us sliding down the stairs on a tin tray. How long would it take to climb on and then climb off 😄
I made the mistake on Saturday of trying the zip wire in the park with my grandson and youngest daughter. A bit of a sore groin again but tbh I don’t care. Maybe not the best thing to do be doing my grandson enjoyed it!! Still might need that tray for the stairs if this frequent peeing continues!! Only problem is I would probably end up going down the stairs, take off over the settee and then make a very dignified exit through the dining room window and onto the street to the astonishment of any neighbours still up. As they thought my barristers outfit was fancy dress I dread to think what they would make of me arriving in the street on a steel tray!! The mind boggles!!
My be worth dropping a urine sample at your GP's. At mine you can do that without an appointment. I never have any urgency to go to the loo, never go in the night (2.5 yrs on pred). So when I was going too often for what was usual for me it turned out I had a symptom less urine infection. Urine infections can pull you down, I would always get checked if it doesn't feel right.
I have not used salt in my food for about 20 years and I do pelvic floor exercises but I don't know if that means anything because I am also overweight.
PMRproAmbassador
Yes, PMR (and pred) can both contribute to irritable bladder syndrome. Had this started before you were put on pred?
Yes started before me taking pred but even worse now so guessing it’s a mixture of both pred and pmr. Will see doctor next week. Thanks
I was waiting for your answer before saying what Chihuahua1 suggested. Diabetes is a possibility - but less so if it had already started before pred.
It might be a wise idea to have your urine tested for sugar. Apparently pred can trigger diabetes. (Type 2 I believe). That can make you have frequency without pain, but would prbably accompanied by a raging thirst also.
Type 2 diabetes has been flagged as a possible cause by a couple of our experts. But the experts here and I don't think that being on the loo for ages at a time is typical diabetes. Being on it often can be. From a non-expert fighting type 2 diabetes: I know that many of us are often in bed. Most of us have been in bed (too much) for periods of time. If you are having this type of difficulty you need to get a little better before you can do serious exercise. Do what you can, but don't over extend. As to diabetes: You can buy a glucose meter + strips + the little things that prick your skin to get a tiny blood sample (ampules?)..... It's expensive to just buy these things. But they will advise you as to the glucose in your blood. Do it when you have not eaten in 2 hours. When your doctor orders blood tests ask her to also order A1c tests. This will help with a diabetes diagnosis. When you are diagnosed, at least in the states you can get a prescription for the meter, etc., and depending upon your insurance you don't pay full price. But if you can do it, and want to know right away, just buy the stuff and test your glucose often: when you wake up and then when you have not eaten for 2 hours. You are supposed to wake up with a reading of 100 or less. The 2 hours' fasting reading should be this or near to this as well. Eventually check it after you eat certain foods. It will be (too) high if you have eaten something which the new you is not longer able to eat. Apparently we begin to hurt ourselves at a glucose meter reading of about 150. The doctors like 130. The self help books go with 140. Sigh. Then there is a regimen of exercise which helps--resistance as well as aerobic and yoga. Sigh. Aerobic will often take the immediate reading down. Then the yoga and resistance exercise seem to keep it steadier, generally speaking. There are readily available books on this. Personally, the Pred raises my glucose reading 60 points in about three hours. Then after a total of 6 hours it begins to decrease, and a brisk walk for 30 minutes helps. But it's the regular resistance and yoga exercise which help the most overall. The ramifications of these gca and pmr diseases and the Pred. are never ending. Maybe if we ever get over this at least we will be somewhat fit. More than 5 years in and no longer in bed overly much--Asbeck.
Thanks for the advice. Will call doctors in the morning for my regular argument with the receptionists!! God help them with pred inside of me now. I was fairly fit as used to teach scuba diving but had to give up when I started to get out of breath just finning to a dive site. Plus all my aches and pains made everyone think I had the bends!! Will also look at a glucose meter
In the UK you will probaly get a meter OK - but without a diabetes diagnosis you may not get the disposables which are what cost - and cost quite a lot!
(NRR) (No Response Required) Thanks PMPro. Here as well. They cost a lot without the diagnosis. And in the beginning and thereafter, regularly, I need, to test a lot. Therefore, I use lots of disposables. I used to get so frustrated with these diseases that I would do or pay anythings to get a handle on them. I'm more mellow now, more accepting and somewhat better, as well. Almost down to 5.25 mg. Pred and relatively comfortable. This is the lowest that I have even been. And I remain pretty well. We'll see.
"had the bends" I bet that it was very exciting when they thought that you had the bends!!!! I am certified as a 1st level scuba diver. I have asthma and don't do it anymore. But I want to add swimming to my old age habits. We'll see. Warmly yours, Asbeck. P.S. As PMRpro says--the strips are very expensive if you start trying to diagnose yourself with diabetes. You can use the pricker thingies more than once, but the strips are the huge expense without the prescription.
I am a PADI dive instructor and really love teaching but I was almost a liability when you couldn’t tell whether the pain in my shoulders were due to the fact I have had 8 ops on my right shoulder or the bends. What with that and dragging my kit everywhere it just got too much. I used to kit up in the water but thats not possible on a lot of dives.
Don’t know if it PMR or the prednisone, but yah, it’s a side effect of something ....I think the pred...
It’s bloody annoying I know that!! Must cover miles overnight. So much for not doing too much.
Hi,
I have had this happen regularly .
At the moment I have a lower UTI , infections are a part of my other illness , no pain but frequent urination, have you noticed if your urine has changed in colour or smell?
Another , health related issue if you are suffering from cold symptoms could be that you originally got cold in your kidneys or an infection that caused your sinus cold.
You can also have more frequent urination with certain nerve and autonomous system issues. If you have had a flare in symptoms and your condition causes inflammation in your head and neck this can happen.
P
Probablyworth seeing your GP , take first morning sample to check for infection, get urinalysis not just strip testing.
Keep an eye out for other symptoms like pain, numbness and tingling , eye pain or any balance or speech or action issues.
Take care , and keep hydrating , suprisingly you need to make sure you keep fluids up when you see more, as it can lead to dehydration.
I have had a cold recently and still have the sinus symptoms. There is no pain with this just the inconvenience of having to spend half the day in the loo, although I did complain to OH I had a strange pain in lower back which could be something to do with kidneys. That has gone now and could have been as a consequence of me climbing on the zip wire in the park on Saturday. The resulting fiasco is a story for another day but apparently there is a video (I hate my sodding family some days) Have only just been diagnosed 7 weeks ago so all the symptoms are not completely under control yet so wouldn’t recognise a flare at this stage. Definitely off to the doctors with my little pee bottle this week.Debby
My wife has had PMR for almost 3 years, but it has been only in the past year that, not only the frequency has been too great, but the urge hits her suddenly and she has been known to not quite make it to the toilet. Her doctors seem to think it has more to do with her diabetic issues. But she has been diabetic for over 15 years, and this urinary issue has been recent.
Joe
I know what she’s going through when you need it quick!! I have even tried racing my 6 year old grandson to the loo!! This always fails and ends up with me doing the loo dance in the doorway!!!
it might be the pred then. Pmrpro has said earlier in this discussion that pred can make you want the loo more! I am getting a sample to my gp so maybe your wife could do so as well.Debby
It is possibly the pred as it can cause muscle weakness which would affect our loo visits!
Oh brill just another bloody symptom to add to my ever growing list. I will mention it to the gp when I actually see him.
There are only eighty two to think about!!
Please tell me you exaggerating?!!
No - and PMRGCANE decided they had found another couple...
Oh just bloody brilliant! Wasn’t 80 enough? knowing my body it’s probably queuing right now for the whole lot as it wouldn’t want to miss out on anything. Hibernation is looking more and more enticing!!!
Don't they say the more the merrier? 
I would be quite happy to drop out of this party thanks. Just to top it off my grandson who spends a lot of time here has got chicken pox!! Even though he’s been inoculated!! I might just move to the shed.
Hmmm - sounds like a plan!!!
I too have the same problem. at the moment on 9mg, and easily going 10 times a day which does not help your bladder. I had been on a lower dose
where the problem was not so bad. Some times it is only small amount but impossible to hold on as starting to leak. Night times it varies but not so often, may be two or three times and larger amounts. Before PMR went to the loo often but nothing like this.
I haven’t had any leaks (so far) but it’s been close!! Like I said earlier I am often to be seen doing the loo dance in the doorway of toilet (no privacy in this house!!) whilst shouting “hurry the hell up” to anyone brave enough to have beaten me to the bathroom. Almost been tempted to drag certain people off the toilet when they have taken too long!! The next best option is to join the cat in the neighbours gardens but as seen in earlier posts they think I am mad as a hatter anyway but peeing in their gardens would reach an all time high on their list of things their mad neighbour has done. Besides if I swatted down there is no guarantee I could get back up and that would then involve the fire brigade and husband is a retired fireman which just brings a new level of embarrassment to the picture.!!! As you can see my life is never dull. I now have a very vivid picture of myself in the neighbours garden with my knickers around my ankles, all the neighbours watching whilst the fire brigade discuss how to move me, with my husband refusing to acknowledge he knows me.!!!
Since starting on Pred March 2017 I've restricted sodium & carbs. Whatever I drink goes right through me. I wake up several times at night to urinate voluminous amounts. I didn't even think I could hold that much. My HgbA1c is normal, so, no diabetes. It maybe the sodium restriction. But, when I have foods with higher sodium, I notice I can hardly open my eyes.
If your urine is clear & not cloudy, that's a good indication there's no infection. My doctor has diagnosed me with Cushing's Syndrome from long term steroids. Thirst & excessive urination are a part of that.
It’s clear but a bit more yellow than usual I suppose. Despite an argument with the receptionists today I can’t get an appt till Wednesday. Only our imminent death is apparently urgent at my doctors which I will be relating to the office manager on Wednesday in the reception area with my court voice on. They really hate it when I make a fuss in reception and I couldn’t care less!!
I notice I have to wee far more when I'm on Pred.
Well pmrpro says both pmr and pred can cause bladder sensitivity so it’s kind of expected but doesn’t seem to affect everyone with pmr.
Mmmm. I've had a similar situation, but with burning pain, like cystitis. Now, was it due to the intake of steroids, or was it actually cystitis? Has anyone any clues?
Greenheath
It could have been irritable bladder or it could have been due to calcium grit forming in your urine - I had that problem. It only happened when I was good and took 2 tablets of calcium supplement a day but then I didn't drink as much as usual - when travelling or out of the house, above all, when I wasn't drinking the usual 4 or 5 mugs of tea during the day! If I didn't take the calcium on those days I had no problems.
I do have UTIs too, had a bad history when I was younger. A urethral stretch sorted that for the best part of 10 years and then another, and a third about 5 years ago (the bladder wasn't emptying properly because the urethra was very narrow).
Well I finally got to see dr this evening and she tested wee and apparently there were some white cells in it (not sure what that means except poss an infection?!)but she has asked for another sample tomorrow morning to send off for testing in the lab. She doesn’t think it’s an infection and doesn’t want to prescribe antibiotics just in case. When I asked about the prm and pred she said it could be down to either(like prmpro said) but she wants it investigated to check nothing else is going on. I have now come to the conclusion my body is falling apart bit by bit. I know I have given it grief over the years by playing hockey till well into my 30’s and the scuba diving till into my 50’s but I didn’t expect it to break down quite so early!!
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