Compession "stockings" and urinary frequency at night

Men's health
1

I wanted to thank the poster who mentioned compression socks or stockings as helpful in reducing urinary frequency at night. Short story: I tried it and it works for me. Today, saw my doc and asked him about it and he confirmed that -- in the sleeping position the body works overtime to harvest every drop of fluid/urine in the system. Hence, more urination. The compression during the day (not while sleeping) has the effect of squeezing more fluid out of the extremities in the daytime...and so easing the burden on the bladder in sleep mode. So I tried it and last night reduced my usual up-every-two-hours to just ONE bathroom trip at 4 in the morning. Legs/calves feel more relaxed too., Will watch and wait some more...but who'd have thunk that a rather simple step like this could provide some relief. (Socks are available in black, so they don't look dorky and grandfatherish.)

2

Hey Buddy

Glad that the socks help

I have been wearing them for years. Also if you can when you rest or nab put your legs on a pillow to raise them up the bed. It will help to keep your blood moving.

Have a great day…Ken

3

Wow, Owen. I posted that but have only been able to reduce my nighttime trips by one from 3 to 2 using compression stockings. But for you to go from 3 or 4 down to 1 is great. Still, if you’ve only tried it for one night, let’s see if the results last. Please continue to update us. Good luck.

Thanks!

4

Do you sleep with them on too?

5

Owen,

Are you using knee high or thigh high, and what compression range are they, are they graduated, and what brand:
8-15mmHg
15-20mmHg
20-30mmHg

Thanks in advance,
Thomas

6

No

7

I am using 15…but have a pair of 30s ordered on amazon.

8

and knee high. They feel good. Hope it will be the same in hotter weather.

9

will do. maybe the first night was a fluke. I’ll give it several days.

10

I started wearing them yesterday - no change yet, but I’ll give them a month.

11

Brand name(s) Jobst (8-15mm) purchased at Walgreens and
SB Sox (30mm)-- Amazon on line.

12

Night #2: Up once at 1 am after 9pm to bed. Standard for me otherwise is up every two hours.

13

The SB Sox (20 - 30 mm HG) look good but pricey at $15 for one pair. I have the Laite Hebe socks which were $14 for 3 pairs. It’s not clearly stated, but a reviewer said that these are 15 to 20 mm. I’ m considering getting a higher level of compression. I think my socks are now providing less compression, possibly because I just throw them in with the rest of the laundry. Normally, you’re supposed to wash these socks by hand.

Also, I wear the compression socks from the moment I wake up until bedtime. I assume that is what you are doing as well?

14

Glad to have mentioned that. Have you tried the potato chips (extra salt) snack at bedtime which raises your blood sodium level and causes your body to retain water (less pee) overnight. Works for me some times.Jerry

15

Yes…wearing them all waking hours but not while asleep. And I read somewhere that you are not supposed to machine dry these. Air dry only.

16

Not yet. And I have blood pressure issues so I doubt that approach can be embraced.

17

Yet another NEW “clue” on dealing with nighttime bathroom trips:

Did not know that blood pressure meds are DIURETICS and should be avoided at night before bed. I’ve been taking 25mg Losartan for several years before sleep and have had nighttime bathroom meds for those SEVERAL YEARS.

Coincidence? Or should the docs have told me? Seems like you have to quarterback your own health a lot these days.

Will switch to a morning bp med schedule + Alfuzosin no longer at night and see how it goes. (The compression socks are still showing great promise. Even the nighttime stream has improved. No more sitting for 10 mins to pass a few ounces. This time next week, I hope my new experience will remain positive and will report here. May have a new life coming :slight_smile:

18

Line 3 correction: nighttime bathroom TRIPS – not meds

19

Owen:

Alfuzosin should be taken immediately after a meal. Studies show that the absorption rate on a full stomach is significantly higher than on an empty stomach. Google “alfuzosin absorption rate”.

20

Thanks for that valuable tip. I have been taking alfuzosin before bed and at least two hours after dinner. Now, all considered together: alfuzosin timing, losartan timing and compression stockings – may turn the clock back 30 years :slight_smile: I will update in this space over the next couple of weeks. So hoping for a true night’s sleep after years of not!