Urination after alcohol

[Markeekay86]

Hi
My name is Mark and have been a type 1 diabetic since I was 10 years old. I had a Brain hemorrhage 3 years ago but ever since I was 18 and went out and drank I began to wet the bed. This has been a persistent problem. My only way of trying to stop this is I take a large amount of insulin before I go to sleep both lantus and nova rapid. 9 times out of ten this works and I dont wet the bed but sometimes the insulin isnt enough.
I have researched this but never found much about it other than caffeine and alcohol would be diuretics but little or no treatments.
Im not a big drinker but I do binge when im out like most people. I have a partner who knows about the problem which is great but I am hoping someone can tell me how to treat it without giving up alcohol.
I am a diabetic for 19 years and inject 4 times per day minimum. I use 1 unit per 10g of food and drink. I understand being a diabetic is a reason for the urination but looking for a treatment.
I take 20 units of lantus at 10.30pm every day but after a night out I would take 56u nits of lantus and 16 to 18 nova rapid as alcohol increases the blood sugar constantly and your blood sugar is not accurate when home after alcohol. As I said 9 times out of 10 this amount of insulin will stop the urination but I am hoping of a permanent way to treat it without giving up alcohol.
Any help would be greatly appreciated
Kindest regards
Mark

 

[Juicyj]

Hi Mark and welcome to the forum.

I haven't come across this before with type 1, have you seen your doctor about this ? I appreciate you don't want to change your lifestyle but if this is an issue why not try abstaining until you understand why this is happening ? I would be concerned more so with the levels of insulin you are taking to counter this effect, it seems like a drastic measure and as the cognitive function is impaired then it is putting you at risk of a hypo. Seeking medical opinion is really the best suggestion I can make as it is impacting your life here, good luck and let us know how you get on.

 

[himtoo]

Hi there
the bed wetting sounds as though it is happening because you don't wake up to go to the toilet in the night ?

this would suggest that you are either hypo and unresponsive or drunk and unresponsive.

neither sounds really a very good condition to be in.

are you testing BG regularly when drinking ?

I agree with @Juicyj that perhaps you should discuss what is happening with your care team.

 

[Markeekay86]

I would be concerned more so with the levels of insulin you are taking to counter this effect, it seems like a drastic measure and as the cognitive function is impaired then it is putting you at risk of a hypo

Even when it first started I never took insulin after alcohol and that wouldn't risk a hypo. I take a large amount because when testing before bed it could be only 6mmol but the next morning be high as 20mmol. So this suggests that the carbs in alcohol are slow releasing unless its got coke or orange juice mixed in. And since I have done this I have never had a hypo. Bare in mind that I suffered a Brain injury this all started before it and continued afterwards.

 

[Markeekay86]

this would suggest that you are either hypo and unresponsive or drunk and unresponsive.

neither sounds really a very good condition to be in.

In fairness when most people go out and get drunk they would be unresponsive!!! I always eat before I sleep no matter how drunk I am its a habit and very much needed. I live on my own unless my girlfriend is staying with me so I wont risk a hypo when on my own or at any time really. I don't have an alcohol problem I only go out when friends ask me too or there is an occasion but I have done months with out it. The way I look at life after the Brain Haemorrhage is that life is too short and can end at anytime for anyone so I will not be a recluse and be perfect I will enjoy the rest of my life and also no matter how well controlled you are I don't use it as an excuse but I am as normal as I can be with 2 hidden illnesses!

 

[Juicyj]

I can understand your desire to seize life and behave as 'normally' as you can but it really is something you need to see your GP about, my concern was simply the massive amount of insulin you are taking before bed, I would be very nervous unless my levels were very high, that I would be hypo in the night, and it would still be a calculated dose. If your 6mmol/l before bed and still 20mmol/l the next morning would indicate a hypo in the night, being intoxicated could mean you don't wake to acknowledge it and as your going to be hungover the next day you may not feel the effects of the hypo anyway. Like I said best to see your GP, please take care, you can still enjoy life without drinking so much

 

[zand]

Well I have known a few non-diabetics who wet the bed after heavy drinking sessions too. It's par for the course - getting drunk makes you lose control generally. There is a very easy answer to the problem, just stick to a couple of drinks when you are out. That's what a lot of 'normal' people do to solve the problem.