Am wondering if you take anything to help you sleep? Could be you are sleeping so deeply due to medications you don't feel the urge as well as you might then when you do wake up, the show is already on the road, so to speak. Another thought is that when you are short of oxygen, your whole body is affected. For myself, incontinence is a huge problem when I am having an exacerbation. And forget sneezing, coughing or laughing too hard! Ahhhh...COPD - dry mouths and wet bottoms! :o)

Have you spoken to your doctor about this? I am wondering if there isn't something he/she might give to help you. And too, hope others here may give you some suggestions.

Hugs,
Joni

Enuresis and Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Adults
Naomi R. Kramer, Alice E. Bonitati, and Richard P. Millman
+ Author Affiliations

From the Division of Pulmonary, Sleep, and Critical Care Medicine, Rhode Island Hospital and Brown University School of Medicine, Providence, RI.
Abstract

Adult enuresis is an unusual symptom of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Although it is described as a classic symptom of childhood OSA, enuresis is encountered infrequently in adult sleep medicine. Five adults with enuresis associated with sleep apnea presented to our Sleep Disorders Center. In all five cases, the onset of enuresis was associated with the progression of sleep apnea symptoms. In each case, the enuresis resolved with treatment with nasal continuous positive airway pressure. Current medical literature on the postulated mechanisms of nocturia and enuresis in sleep apnea is reviewed. Based on the experience of the authors and review of the medical literature, one may conclude that severe OSA may lead to new-onset enuresis in adults and that effective treatment of OSA is associated

http://chestjournal.chestpubs.org/content/114/2/634.abstract

HOpe this helps!
JOAnn

That's a shame, my sister has catheter. Before she was getting up so often just to dribble a couple of drops, very frequent, and would get so SOB they decided to put her on Foley cath. I worry about UTI but at least we are not getting up every five min. She uses a pad or towel occasionally as she has sensation of leakage. I assist the nurse on insertion of same. I am getting a lot of clinical experience I must say! I am glad she is not diabetic or I would have to learn to uses a syringe. I hated puncturing her finger for blood test. .

You know before I got pneumonia last fall, i would always wake up wet, me and the bed, sometimes alot sometimes not, with no knowledge of having to "go".. often had to sleep with a towel under me. THis was before I was put on oxygen though, since being on 02, i have not had that problem anymore..could it be a lack of not enough oxygen at night?

Thank you all for the advice and ideas you have given me. Jams: no I don't take anything to make me sleep. Maybe just a little drowsy from efffexor I take at night, but not really drowsy. Breatheasy: I want to thank you mostly because yes I have been diagnosed with severe sleep apnea. I have had 2 sleep studys done on me and they came back with over 400 episodes a night of stop breathing problems. I do not have a c-pap. I tried it once and didn't seem I could get used to it, so when I didn't use it, the oxygen company came it took it back. And yes I am on oxygen 24/7, 4 liters at that. I have made an appointment with a urologist to see if they could help, but it sounds like to me that maybe it could be the fact that I can't breath when I sleep. If anyone else has anything else to offer, please, feel free to let me know. Thanks again.

Not a doctor, but have to agree with others that it sounds like oxygen deprivation----from sleep apnea, or an exacerbation, etc.

I have had "accidents" when I have an exacerbation. They sell pads that you can put under yourself, anywhere you sit or lie down. They are called "disposable underpads", and you can buy them at any Wal Mart type store. The hospitals use them, as do assisted living places. I would check out the sleep apnea, IF I were you. Best wishes

Rosey...

Sometimes when a person has a CPAP, it requires a period of adjustment and you might have to try various masks, etc., to find the kind you are most comfortable with. If your sleep apnea is severe, and your oxygen levels drop, it could very well be why you are having the lack of bladder control. The other thing by not using one is your heart is being put under a tremendous strain during those episodes when you stop breathing, which is one of the reasons its so important to use one if its deemed necessary.

Is it possible to try again? I think once you are used to it, you will find you have more energy during the day, will breathe easier, sleep better and maybe you'll even find you no longer have to sleep sitting up.

I've been on one for over a year now, and find I am so used to it, I'd probably have trouble going to sleep without it. It really can make a big difference in how you feel.

Best to you.
Joni

Want2Bwell: You need the CPAP machine. There are cloth face masks that are more comfortable to use.

Hi want2bwell.

I would go along with what others have said re your oxygen levels, these may be dropping whilst you are asleep and I would definitely speak to your doctor about this situation.

You can get a 24 hour oxy cardio check done to get this checked.

Also have you thought about a high bed wedge for sleeping on instead of sleeping in the chair - you may be able to get two to place one on top of the other, at least that way you will be able to get your feet up.

Hope you can get help with this soon.

Take care

I have CPAP and I am trying to change providers, why? The first mask head gear don't fit me and fall off my face during my sleep....they let me change the face mask last week. They just handed me the bag and didn't try the new face mask on me. I have a tiny head and the new face mask is a FX....And it is on the last thing I can pull it too, And when I ask for a womens size mask not a mans they got up set....threaten me etc.
So I call my insurance and ask them to change suppliers...they said I have to get the doctor to write a letter explaining why I need to change.

I am upset because I have this machine I can't use, the
Rx the doctor worte they haen't follow and refuse to follow. And now I can't even use what I have.

I started this whole thing on March 29/ and haven't had any good nite sleep yet.

I have problems with sleeping, and stopping breathing as you have stated. It is a job in it's self to keep on top of your health or it is for me.
I have sleep apnea and copd, heart condition.

I am having some problems that is hard to talk about that is wetting one's pants. I try to talk to the doctor but that didn't work well.
So I have taken care of myself without doctors help.

I wake up several times during the night, I can get where when I can be close to wetting the bed, but getting up can be a problem for me too. My OA interfers with that as well...where I can't walk for a few min until my back lets me walk/ So I can pee on myself// I use a towel or I did went down and purchase at wal mart pads, I also purchase those under pants to help. But they are awful to wear!
Only wear if I know having a bad day. But mostly use other things.

So good luck and I hope you get some doctor to listen to you or help you.
I don't know if what you have is sleep apnea or something else?

Ruthie

hi honey, sorry for your problem. iknow you said you use panties, maybe you could try a kotex along with the panties for extra help.
i hope the doc can give you some help. i force myself to pittle befor i go to bed, sometimes i have to sit there for a very long time, but i finally go. anyway again i hope you can solve this with the doc.
love annykitty

Ruthie...

The idea of the person from the supplier that did not fit your face mask is, to put it mildly, unacceptable. And why they would give you a man's mask when you are a woman is beyond me. They have to be fitted to the individual. I would suggest you ask to speak to that person's supervisor. Be nice but be assertive, too. Tell him/her you are unable to use your machine because of your ill fitting mask and it's a medical necessity.

Have you spoken to your doctor about this? I am thinking if you were treated this way, most likely other patients were, too. And, it seems you certainly need to use one.

You can buy CPAP masks on the internet, but they can be pricey.....perhaps others here might have a suggestion where they are the least expensive.

Hope it works out for you.

Best,

Joni

thank you all.
I going to my gp tomorrow and ask he write a Rx for a new supplier and
I am changing suppliers.
I call insurance company.
I have to probably pay for a new face mask, because insurance will only pay once every 3 months only.
I am looking a better machine that lets me breath out different strengths too. etc.
I'll let you know if I am able to have all this happen.

Also wish me luck going to SSDI doctor tomorrow for their phy on me. Gosh maybe being tired might help me lol

God Bless you

ruthie

I also had a bed wetting problem, and getting up 3-4 times a night. Couldn't always make it in time. Started wearing Poise pads and using a bed pad to sleep on. After sleep studies, etc., I was put on a CPap. Did not like it, didn't use it. Ended up in hospital again. This time I was put on a BiPap. I knew this was serious this time. But, to my amazement, I sleep like a rock, don't have to pee until A.M. I can't sleep without it. I love it. No more bed wetting, and I get good quality sleep. I found that I had to pee everytime I woke up; not that I had to wake up to pee. So it could be that you are in need of breathing assistance at night. Also, I am on 4.5 to 5 liters oxygen 24/7. Good luck.
jnita

junita...

You mentioned a Bi-Pap. I use a C-Pap. The other day I was curious as to what the difference was between the two and discovered a Bi-Pap measures exhalations as well as inhalations. It seems for some people exhaling against the steady intake pressure of a C-Pap makes breathing difficult for them. The Bi-Pap is meant to solve this problem by adjusting the pressure for both inhaling and exhaling. Made me wonder if this may be part of the problem as to why those on a C-Pap have such a difficult time and will give up on it.

Best,
Joni