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Sleep Issues After Radical Prostatectomy

Prostate Cancer | Last Active: Aug 25 12:49pm | Replies (13)

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I didn't sleep well during the week of the catheter. I think I was just too anxious about tugging on the catheter during sleep, plus with the catheter I was just generally uncomfortable. It didn't help that normally I sleep on my stomach but with the catheter I was trying to sleep on my back. But I tried not to stress about it since I was retired and I could nap whenever I wanted during the day. After the catheter came out, I did much better sleeping, but with the exception that I had to get up much more frequently at night to urinate. That persisted for a while; certainly several months. I also think unconsciously I was worried about wetting the bed so I think that worry contributed to getting up so often during the night. One consequence of getting up so often was that if I got up later in my sleep cycle I'd then have trouble getting back to sleep. I did try to reduce my fluid consumption later in the evening to cut down on the need to get up so much, and that seemed to help a bit. That all gradually improved as time went on. At 13+ months (and 71 years old), I usually only get up once per night, although occasionally I'll get up twice. Best wishes.

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Replies to "I didn't sleep well during the week of the catheter. I think I was just too..."

Dear Retired,

Thank you for the input. No doubt the catheter was a pain, but I did not have sleep issues at that point. My developed after I somehow got a rash. That kept me awake ... and then the sleep issues continued. After a number of possible solutions, including melatonin, I had to see my PCP, who prescribed medication. I don't love using any type of medication, but I could not go to work on 2-3 hours of sleep. I'm using it less now and hope be off it soon.

Thanx for your input. Best wishes always, man.