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Is this normal?

HLW

Well-Known Member
Messages
723
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Is it normal to have to get up to go to the toilet in the night? I have to about every 4-5 hours I think, to urinate. It's been like that for a couple of years. Hba1c results 7.7 last test. 9ish the test 3 months before. I have too a lot during the day too, for example for my course we have 3 hour exams, I've had to use the toilet during each one.

Sorry to talk about such things!
 
Getting the bg s down doesn't always work
Mine is always under 6 when I go to bed and I get up at least once every night, occasionally up to 4 times on a bad night.
 
Do not assume its diabetes related, It could be age, drug or another medical problem . It could be as simple as you are drinking too much caffine /tea/coke before bed.
Waking up several times a night to urinate is called nocturia. Try looking it up on http://www.google.co.uk
 
I've been wondering about caffine actually, I don't drink tea or coffee but I do drink diet coke (as it is usually the only diet soft drink places have :( ) which has caffine in, I've stopped drinking it ever now just in case it isn't helping, I never drink it in the late evenings though, usually only at lunchtimes when I'm out. I really can't think of what else can be causing it, it's not age as I'm 24, and the only medication I take is metformin and pioglitazone, neither of which cause this as far as I know.

I do drink more than some people (not alcohol), but not an excessive amount, 2-3 litres I'd guess.

Exam isn't till January so not that worried about it yet :) plus I told the university I have diabetes, so they said they will let me sit near the door + add the time I need to go use the toilet on to the end of the exam if I want + have rest breaks if I'm tired, which is helpful, and means I'm less worried too.

I'm going to ask my doctor about this, see if they can help.
 
Most vending machines now have an option of bottled water, which can be seen as expensive and tasteless but it is probably the best thing for you ... it slakes the thirst better than diet coke which not only acts as a diuretic (sp?) but the caffeine is "said" to cause swings in blood sugars.

Some people just need to pee more often that others ... one of my friends (non-diabetic mother to one) needs to pee like 20 times a day (usually 3 times just before we go out!) ... I think her bladder got a bit knackered in pregnancy!

I also drink 2-3 litres of water a day (have done for years, not for pre-diabetic thirst, but for healthy skin and body tissues!) but since reducing my blood sugar readings I don't get up at the crack of sparrow fart anymore to pee.

all of the above said, there can be a multitude of reasons for nocturnal trips to the loo, so best ask your doctor at next appointment :)

xxx
 
HLW said:
Is it normal to have to get up to go to the toilet in the night? I have to about every 4-5 hours I think, to urinate. It's been like that for a couple of years. Hba1c results 7.7 last test. 9ish the test 3 months before. I have too a lot during the day too, for example for my course we have 3 hour exams, I've had to use the toilet during each one.

Sorry to talk about such things!

Well it's part of the disease so you need to talk about it!

My experience, I stopped being able to last the night many years ago, age will do that. I tend to store up the water and get nocturia rather than pee immediately during the day. Even with normal BG I can only go about 6 hours sleep without a pee. I only have to spike over 8 once and that will guarantee an extra nocturnal pissing trip, over 10 and I'm up and down for about 8 hours.

Sometimes it gets me during the day too but that may be down to coffee consumption as much as BG. Also someone pointed out that if you drink the same amount when it's cold as you do when it's hot you will need to pee more as you sweat less.
 
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