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Original poster

Excessive thirst and night time urinating

38 replies

DialsMavis · 09/02/2022 20:34

I have a Drs appointment but not for a couple of weeks and not sure how much of this is in my head. I drink loads of water, glasses and glasses a day. But also have an ever increasing need to get out of bed for a wee (3 times last night). I have been trying to drink a bit less water to stop this but I am so thristy and mouth dry when I dont keep chugging it down. The bit that I think is in my head is that I am also up and down to the bathroom about 3 times before I actually go to sleep, each time to passing the tiniest amount, I think this is anxiety about waking up so many times in the night and being exhausted. It has been getting gradually worse but my sleep has been crap during the pandemic, so I am also not sure if I just sleep so lightly now that anything would wake me.

I am wondering if anyone else has had similar issues and has any tips to help, or advice on what to say if Dr is dismissive?

I don't think I can have developed Diabetes as I am not overweight and do lots of exercise, pretty good diet etc. I'm only just 40, but maybe I just have the bladder of a 90 year old nowSad

OP posts:
2022IamHavingYa · 09/02/2022 20:37

Sounds like it could be diabetes. Ask a chemist to check your blood sugars asap

Wildrobin · 09/02/2022 20:38

I would mention it to your GP, but someone more medical here may have advice. I’ve been very similar and am slim but pregnant and I was checked for gestational diabetes.

It does sound worth checking to me

Burgerqueenbee · 09/02/2022 20:38

You don't have to be overweight to get diabetes. They will likely check you for it as it is easy to rule out.

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General health
babymama471 · 09/02/2022 20:41

This sounds exactly how I was before I was diagnosed with diabetes. I had this incredible thirst that I just couldn't quench despite drinking glass after glass of water. I was also up frequently throughout the night to use the toilet.

Type 1 diabetes can develop at any age and isn't necessarily linked to weight or diet etc.

BurbageBrook · 09/02/2022 20:42

They are red flags for diabetes. It could be anxiety, but you need a test.

Original poster
DialsMavis · 09/02/2022 20:43

Thanks for responses, I will see if I can get a chemist to check blood sugars, I didn't know that was a thing, so I am really glad I posted here.

OP posts:
toomuchlaundry · 09/02/2022 20:44

Any family history of diabetes?

Original poster
DialsMavis · 09/02/2022 20:47

Hi @toomuchlaundry Not in parents or siblings, not sure about further back

OP posts:
Epsod · 09/02/2022 20:47

This sounds like diabetes. You can become very unwell if you have developed Type 1 diabetes and it goes unchecked. You need to see a doctor.

Original poster
DialsMavis · 09/02/2022 20:49

Hi @babymama471 thanks for responding. How old were you? And were your symptoms quite gradual at first? I had ruled this out as thought it very rare to develop type 1 in adulthood

OP posts:
moanymyrtle · 09/02/2022 20:49

It can be type 1 diabetes - nothing to do with being overweight in fact symptoms include weight loss (as your body burns fat to create glucose when your blood sugar goes too low). I wouldn't wait several weeks, my son was diagnosed in a morning but it does develop quicker in children. You can also buy a glucose meter and test strips at a chemist and would need to test at different times a day to see if blood sugar in range but the diagnosis will still need to be confirmed by a blood being taken and tested. Will the GP give remote advice? if so they could arrange the blood test without seeing you. Otherwise go and see a pharmacist a glucose meter and pack of testing strips will cost about £40 and may put your mind at rest - eg you may want to test before you drive a car if you are worried. Covid has led to a spike in anti-immune diseases like type 1 so if you have had Covid that could have triggered it. Look at Diabetes UK for info on type 1 as your symptoms do fit.

Original poster
DialsMavis · 09/02/2022 21:01

Wow thank you so much everyone. I will ring round local chemists tomorrow and see if I can get a test that way and if not I will ring the Drs again and say I think I need a consultation sooner than a fortnight.

I have one more potentially very dim question Blush: is it the same test for type 1 and type 2 as they are distinct illnesses with different insulin issues? I had a very quick Google and spotted that Lloyd's pharmacy do free blood tests for type 2.

This isnt sudden onset so I dont think it is a massive emergency, its been building for a wee Wink while. But 3 wake ups and 6 chilly toilet visits in my PJs pushed me to really try and drink less water all day and then I noticed the thirst being so much worse and the dry mouth (which I have been putting down to having a cold - not covid).

As far as I know I haven't ever had Covid, in fact I seem impervious to catching it, despite it coming at me from all angles (DH, DC, work, friends, busy venues etc).

OP posts:
lborgia · 09/02/2022 21:06

The other thing it might be, especially if it's gradually got worse, is primary hyperparathyroidism.

Much less likely, but still, if your blood sugars are OK, worth asking about.

FantasticFebruary · 09/02/2022 21:09

It was what finally pushed me into getting checked out for Diabetes T2.

Many people, like me, became diabetic & that caused the weight gain, not the other way around.

I eat low carb (very low carb) to avoid medication.

Goofbawl · 09/02/2022 21:15

DH is having problems like this. Has been going on since October last year. No matter how much water he drinks, his urine is really dark and at the moment he can’t drink enough water. That comes and goes though. He’s had urine tests and blood tests, and has been for scans and they can’t find anything.
He has to go back to the GP and have more blood tests.
Everything I read suggests diabetes but as far as I’m aware, that’s been ruled out already and he’s not having to wee during the night. So strange.

Original poster
DialsMavis · 09/02/2022 21:16

I have recently(ish) lost some weight (from end of lockdown one until last summer as piled it on in LD1), but it was intentional, hard rather than easy and done very sensibly.

OP posts:
TeenTitan007 · 09/02/2022 21:17

Regarding the poor sleep, I've been in a similar place since the pandemic + peri menopause hit together. I have started using ear plugs and they work really well. Once they are in I am knocked out cold (what a relief) and sleep really deeply. These are simple foam plugs from Amazon. Worth a try.

Original poster
DialsMavis · 09/02/2022 21:20

Are you feeling better now @FantasticFebruary? I just about still get dinner invites as a vegan, think they would dry up completely if I was a vegan low carber Grin

That's worrying @Goofbawl, I hope he gets answers soon! Its very easy for me to say he should keep pushing whilst trying to wimp out of ringing for a faster appointment for myself...

OP posts:
Taurus221 · 09/02/2022 21:22

I'd really encourage you to call your doctor first thing tomorrow and see if you can get a same day appointment. Tell them that it's urgent. A friend had a similar experience/symptoms to yourself and was lucky in that the doctor said he could have been seriously ill if he had waited any longer to get checked out. You could always call 111 now and see what they say as well.

Original poster
DialsMavis · 09/02/2022 21:23

Thanks @TeenTitan007 I haven't tried ear plugs... Will give them a go, have tried magnesium, white noise, pink noise, melatonin, herbal sleep tabs, severely restricting caffeine and alcohol, and when really desparate phenargen, so definitely up for trying anything I can to help with that.

OP posts:
jimmyreckon · 09/02/2022 21:24

It could also be diabetes insipidus or an endocrine problem - I'd ask for a more urgent appt with the gp

Original poster
DialsMavis · 09/02/2022 21:28

Thank you @Taurus221 and @jimmyreckon.
I wont be that dick that asks MN for advice and then ignores it, I will call first thing. I do have slightly martyrish tendencies so I appreciate the push.

OP posts:
tazzy73 · 09/02/2022 21:29

Recently diagnosed with T2 diabetes. I had the exact symptoms as yourself. I thought it was part of the menopause.
You need a HBA1C test to check your sugars for 3 months. That's a fasting blood test.
It could be something completely different, you definitely should see your GP.

Terfydactyl · 09/02/2022 21:31

It sounds like diabetes, but given your age it could be menopause or thyroid issues which often are mixed up
I find 5 years into menopause I'm so very very thirsty but have had so many tests and it's not diabetes and it's not thyroid, so best guess is meno related.
I can drink so much my stomach is distended and still be thirsty.

RagzRebooted · 09/02/2022 21:34

Are you on any medications? There are plenty that cause dry mouth.
Otherwise, yes, could certainly be a type of diabetes and definitely needs checking.

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