I don't have sleep apnea, but I have sleep issues

Posted by cb3 @cb3, Jun 12 11:05am

I've experienced a myriad of health issues since treatment for anal cancer in 2013. For one, I have trouble staying asleep throughout the night and early morning. I was tested for sleep apnea and I don't have that. I do have a form of urinary incontinence, however, meaning ... I get up at least twice between the hours of 1am to 3am to urinate. And then I have trouble getting back to sleep. So I stay up. And hence, I've turned into a graveyard person.

Kegel doesn't work. It's a frustrating exercise and it's reported to take months to show any improvement, IF ANY. And I refuse to have THAT surgery to expand my bladder to help me hold in more urine. Good grief. I was shocked when my ex-pain doctor mentioned that procedure to me.

Here is what I do know and/or have tried:
Don't eat or drink coffee after 4 PM. I don't drink alcohol or sodas and I drink only instant coffee. So what else is there I need to eliminate? BTW, I don't trust sleep supplements. They scare me. I've had so many various pain issues in the past five years, so I don't remember everything I have tried. Perhaps I should get back on honey, vinegar, and warm water.

Please help me figure out how to sleep through the night. Thanks. CB

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Sleep Health Support Group.

kawanhee | @kawanhee | Jun 13 7:30am

Have you gone to a sleep medicine doctor or therapist? Cognitive behavior therapy may be helpful.

cb3 | @cb3 | Jun 13 8:30am

In reply to @kawanhee "Have you gone to a sleep medicine doctor or therapist? Cognitive behavior therapy may be helpful." + (show)

@kawanhee. Yes, I got tested in a sleep lab. There was no follow up afterwards. I'll look into cognitive behavior therapy. Thank you for the suggestion.

leemoore13 | @leemoore13 | 6 days ago

I have the same problem. I take meds to stop me getting up so often to pee, but I still wake snd can't get back. I find antihistamines are very good, but they don't suit a medical condition I have. I find the best thing for me is mindfulness......

gloaming | @gloaming | 6 days ago

This is your normal stress reaction. Cancer, and I don't need to tell you, is very serious business. It's potentially life-threatening, and your sleep disorder is probably just you being you post-cancer. Try to convince yourself that you're okay now, that you've been fixed, and you can 'let go'.

Nocturia is normal in almost all people as they age. Some quite a bit worse than others. I'm about to turn 72 and never have to rise during the night. My dad is up at least twice. You could try going to bed with one less glass of water after 6 PM, but maybe this symptom is a result of the treatment for your bowel cancer.....? If your nerves were affected, or your pituitary gland (somehow, but I don't see it...), then you'd also be peeing a lot throughout the day.