Melatonin, etc.
Posted , 12 users are following.
Since discovering this site a few months ago, I have both added to my knowledge regarding BPH and learned new ways to try to cope.
First off, I detect a bit of prognosis pessimism on these pages for those who do suffer this condition. Namely, that it has to get worse and that some get-tough "procedure" is inevitably in every sufferer's future.
Maybe so on inevitability, but my own experience goes back 30+ years (hard to believe, for me. But true.) I was in my early 40s when the pee syndrome first kicked in. Now about to turn 73, I am in good health overall, still have sexual desire and spring in my step -- and have yet to let anyone cut or laser me down there. (Even as my uro has suggested TURP as a "once and for all" relief from the nighttime hassle.)
Now the good part: I have pieced together so much good strategy from folks here that I can now say my BPH is quite bearable. What was 4x in the night is now 1x in the night for info gleaned here.
The latest "miracle" of sort: a 3mg melatonin tablet taken each night around 8pm. The supplement had had the remarkable effect of allowing me to sleep through the discomfort of a full-feeling bladder that is not-so-full. (Possible downside, I have to pee with even greater urgency when I do awake, but the melatonin + the "techniques" noted below collectively have resulted in a now 1x per night need that doesn't seem harmful.)
In summary, I have adopted the following:
Melatonin 3mg
Compression socks daytime at work (as a part-time delivery driver)
Very limited fluids -- if any -- after 7pm
BP meds in the morning 'sted of at night (these meds enhance the urinary urge)
Alfuzosin at night (tried to go without recently to see if a difference...and there IS a difference. Relaxation of the prostate seems the importance of this drug, as it feels. With no discernible side effects.)
I have yet to eliminate caffeine -- coffee in the a.m. and occasional "therapeutic" chocolate are still in my routine. And I have yet to try chilled salt-water bedtime enemas which I have read about. But the latter is my next hopefully "breakthrough" addition.
Bottom line: these things collectively have helped considerably and are perhaps worth sharing.
If only they could help everyone. For those beyond these remedies as workable, you have my best wishes.
Thanks again to all the contributors here. You've changed my life quite a bit -- when quite a bit truly matters.
1 like, 26 replies
tom86211 owen35669
Posted
Owen,
Thank you for starting this discussion. I was just considering taking melatonin to help me overcome my nocturia issues - my bladder wakes me up about every hour and a half at night and I am up for 5-10 minutes each time trying to empty my bladder. Since my sleep is always disrupted I am always a bit tired during the day. This situation is wearing on me physically and psychologically. My latest PVR ultrasound came back at 200ml, so my bladder is always 1/3 to almost 1/2 full. I measure my urine output and at night it averages about 100ml per hour, so I start with 200ml, then after an hour and a half my bladder now holds 350ml, and that wakes me up. Taking two Flomax per day helps, eliminating some known bladder irritants helps, and I am considering various BPH procedures to come up with a longer lasting "fix" for the problem.
I was reading about melatonin on Amazon and there are a number of comments by people who use it who say to only take 1mg. They say that if one takes more your own body will reduce it's own production of melatonin and you will become dependent on the pills. I only took it a few times many years ago (probably took the 5mg dose) and it made me groggy and dizzy. So, I was thinking of trying the 1mg dose, or cutting a 3mg pill in half. After reading of your experience I think it's worth a try.
You say you only get up once per night now, but how many times did you get up before the melatonin?
Tom
derek76 tom86211
Posted
melatonin did nothing for me, some have tried a strong cherry juice as that has natural melatonin.
owen35669 tom86211
Posted
Excellent question: how many times up each night prior to melatonin.
I'd say 2 to 3 -- though I also, at this time, had changed the bp med schedule and added the compression socks.
The melatonin has clearly had an impact though, beyond the other "therapies". And I, too, felt dizzy in the morning after a prior use of melatonin some years ago. But that was just before bed. Now I take the pill around 8 and it seems to work. (I go to bed typically around 10 or sometimes later.)
Your comment about dependency is much appreciated. I assume, at my age, that my body stopped doing melatonin on its own years ago. But maybe not?
Something to watch.
owen35669 tom86211
Posted
Also, Tom. I feel REMARKABLY well (or at least much better) rested with the melatonin. Maybe my first good nights of sleep in decades??
owen35669 derek76
Posted
Derek -- I would conclude that the melatonin is simply allowing me to sleep deeper -- and so unaware -- of the discomfort of bladder pressure. In that sense, it "works". But it seems not to be actually impacting the BPH itself. Just the ability to sleep through it on a not-overly distended bladder.
tom86211 owen35669
Posted
Owen,
It's worth a try. Getting up 5-8 times per night is wearing me out. Mentioned above by derek - cherry juice. Unfortunately, I am allergic to cherries. I should be OK with the melatonin as long as I don't trigger the syndrome where my body stops making its own and I have to take more and more to get to sleep...this seems to be the case with my mother in law.
One thing I have been taking that has helped to dull the bladder irritation - a half Tylenol tablet at bedtime. I noticed that if I had a headache and took Tylenol(I suppose Ibuprofen would do the same) I slept a bit longer before my bladder woke me up.
Drugs for overactive bladder, among them Sanctura (Trospium) also help to dull the bladder sensation a bit. I do take this as well as the Tylenol. Maybe the melatonin will help me so that I don't have to take the other pills.
What amazes me is that my wife just falls asleep naturally, no ear plugs, and just sleeps 8+ hours before waking up and going to the bathroom. I just find this remarkable. Her bladder must be really full in the morning, yet she can sleep right through it. No issues.
I remember once, years ago, before my prostate enlarged, I took a trip to Hawaii on little sleep, and checked into my hotel room, fell asleep for a "nap" at 4pm, and woke up, looked at the clock and it said 4:00, but it was 4am - I had slept solid for 12 hours! The good old days....
Tom
owen35669 tom86211
Posted
Ha-ha. My wife too. Not only sleeps like a baby, but gushes a torrent when she goes so freely. Women have it good, without that prostate thingy.
Also, many years ago I was living in Asia and -- in a youthful indiscretion -- allowed myself to smoke a very potent form of pot from Thailand. No exaggeration: I fell asleep at around 2 pm that day...and didn't wake up 'til around 5 pm THE NEXT DAY! When I did wake up I was starving and thirsty -- and none the worse for wear having not peed in over 24 hours. Ahhh...youth.
BTW, I tried to overactive bladder drugs but they dry me out. Dry mouth so severe. Can't tolerate.
kenneth1955 tom86211
Posted
Hey Tom
Do some research on it . It may just be what you need.
I happen to do some the other day. It also has to be taking at night so it does not bother you own body's making it and They say 1 to 3 mg.
Just a little information. Never had a problem at night. I don't sleep at night much anyway.
Good luck......ken
derek76 owen35669
Posted
Like many other things it works for some but not for others, I've tried it about three times over the years without it helping me to sleep. CBD also does not help me to sleep.
derek76 tom86211
Posted
My wife is also most annoying by sleeping through the night 9 nights out of 10 but during the day she goes to the toilet a lot.
kenneth1955 owen35669
Posted
Hey Owen
Very good post. I'm happy that you have found something that works for you. I have noticed there are some men on the site that are looking into taking Melatonin for help with there BPH problems.
I just look this up a few days ago. I know you that it has to be taken at night and you can either 1 to 3 g of Melatonin. Great job on taking care of you.
God Bless......Ken
owen35669 kenneth1955
Posted
Thanks Ken. You, of course, are an inspiration.
kenneth1955 owen35669
Posted
Owen
Thank you my friend....Ken
Motto owen35669
Posted
Good stuff. I haven't tried Alfuzosin. Is it similar to Flomax which I did not tolerate well? My BP is a bit high too so that could work out.
owen35669 Motto
Posted
Night and day from Flomax. No side effects, RE w/ alfuzosin.