a bed side commode is a great idea! no wandering around the bed or down the hall. just a quick dump of the bucket in the am. its also less tiring than the walk.

Bed side rails can help, or you can tie a rope under the mattress, and she can use it like a tug of war rope to pull herself up. Tie it to the bed post or bed rail if you like.

Learn to roll onto her side, then bring her legs over the edge, the push against the mattress with her hands to bring herself up. This way she isnt hoisting all of her weight, she is only pushing up her top half, as the legs should be over the edge. This is what they teach you after you have abdominal surgery so you can sit up without feeling like you are ripping your tummy open.

restricting fluids after 2pm can help, but in some folks we get the urge to go, and we must! even if its only dribbles. When an over active bladder triggers even on empty, it will demand that you get up. Perhaps she should be seen for over active bladder.

Sleep is so important. Having it disturbed night after night is no good for either of you. I hope you find a way to get rest.

Several years ago I think someone posted a similar question. Someone replied that they kept a glass of water or maybe orange juice with dissolved Sinemet by thir bedside and that this would kick in more quickly.

Anyone remember this or am I just imagining? Are there strategies to get Sinemet to act more quickly so you could use it for help getting out of bed?

BTW my wife has visited the urologist and appears to be fine. She had a UTI a few months ago which made the problem worse; that was successfully treated.

Taking a sinemet with carbonated water gets it in fast.

The 'liquid sinemet' can be made with dilutable orange squash with vitamin C. Usually for sipping during the day, it would usually contain more sinemet, a days worth. For one night time dose make it up with not too much to drink in one go and however much sinemet for one normal nightime dose. If it is needed for more times than that you could try diluting it further and drink half at a time. Dissolve the tablet thoroughly and remember to swirl the liquid before drinking. A small plastic bottle instead of a glass might be more practical. The vit C helps it not degrade while it is sitting. As it is just for the purpose of being up briefly one dose divided is probably enough but that is something that could be adjusted. If not taking night time medication, discuss this with doctor first......

Dejibo's way to get upright is good, basically use the lower body as a counter balance to the upper, and pivot on butt as legs drop to floor. Even when very stiff this can work, especially if there is something to pull on to do the final bit of getting upright. I have a bed head with a rail, and use that to pull on.

If a commode is no use an old fashioned jug with handle, like the ones that used to come as a washstand set with a basin, could be practical. There are also lady gadgets like this that may come in handy. www.shewee.com

A friend with MS who has 'neurologic' bladder had botox for this problem, successfully, and gets it repeated every 8 months. Neuro/uro advice on whether this is appropriate could give another option.