Experiences with older kids bedwetting

[PollyannaMom]

My DS went through it when he was young, too. It used to get way worse during allergy season (pollen). I have no idea why, but that was definitely a pattern we noticed.

The other thing that might have helped was limiting dairy after 3:00pm. (We really don't know, as we tried it based on anecdotal evidence. - I never could find anything in real medical articles supporting it, so I suppose he could have just outgrown it at the same time.) But it did seem to do the trick! I guess the idea is that the dairy makes them sleep more deeply. After he was used to waking up, we gradually added it back, and he did fine.

I am sorry you're dealing with this. Interrupted sleep is a bummer!

P.S. - I do still support getting the sugar test, even if just gives you peace of mind.

 

[Tiffylv]

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[acebatonfan]

I don't know if this was posted yet, but PLEASE TEST YOUR SON'S BLOOD SUGAR! Sudden bedwetting in older children, especially with increased thirst, hunger, weight loss, and/or fatigue is a sign of type 1 diabetes. I nearly lost my life two years ago due to undiagnosed T1 diabetes (had I waited 48 hours to see a doctor, the ketoacidosis would have killed me) and don't want anyone else to go through the same horrors.

 

[laughinplace199]

Interesting. Our boys are the same age. It's a sudden, recent change like my kid? Is it close to every night? I feel so much better that someone else is dealing with the same thing.

It's been happening on and off for months and just when I'd get ready to call the dr, it'd stop and I'd decide to wait and see. This summer was the worst as far as frequency. It got to the point that it was happening almost every night. I thought he might have been worried about school starting since 3rd grade is a big year (at least in his school). That wasn't it though because it's gotten better since school started.

Just recently it has started again. The only good thing is that usually, as soon as he starts to go, he wakes up and goes to the bathroom. So most nights he's changing clothes but I'm not changing sheets.

This thread has definitely been helpful, so thanks for starting it! I hope we both find some answers soon!

 

[Tiffylv]

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[littleblackegg]

So trying. Everyone has a different idea of how to handle it. There is a small percentage of kids who don't become continent throughout the night until they hit ten or so. Nothing technically wrong with them. It just takes that long. I can only tell you as a nurse who has worked with this to not doctor-hop. Stick with a pediatric specialist who knows your child. There is a medicine called DDAVP which may or may not help. Changes in patterns, schedules and habits may throw him or her off. This is mostly a time and patience thing. Your kid needs to know she or he is normal and getting through this is a family project. There is an anxiety component. They need to know an accident is OK, and they just need to follow the plan. I wish you the best and share all my confidence that you will get through it 100% dry!

 

[bsblady01]

how long after he is in bed is this happening. he may have a night terror or something else may be going on with his brain

 

[hsmamato2]

I would seriously look into food allergies. IMHO that's a pretty common cause that most people don't consider-

 

[mousefanmichelle]

My son who is now 19 was a infrequent bed wetter. His pediatrician had said that he had an immature bladder. We limited drinks etc and he out grew it but when he has to go pee - he has to go pee. That is just how he always has been. No waiting/holding it for him.

 

[DebbieB]

I don't know if this was posted yet, but PLEASE TEST YOUR SON'S BLOOD SUGAR! Sudden bedwetting in older children, especially with increased thirst, hunger, weight loss, and/or fatigue is a sign of type 1 diabetes. I nearly lost my life two years ago due to undiagnosed T1 diabetes (had I waited 48 hours to see a doctor, the ketoacidosis would have killed me) and don't want anyone else to go through the same horrors.

My niece also almost died. She hadn't look well for awhile and we kept telling my brother and his wife to get her to the doctor. She got really sick on Christmas Eve. They took her to the emergency room and her sugar was 600! They life flighted her to Children's Hospital and she was in ICU for a couple days.

 

[Tiffylv]

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[EveDallas]

So trying. Everyone has a different idea of how to handle it. There is a small percentage of kids who don't become continent throughout the night until they hit ten or so. Nothing technically wrong with them. It just takes that long. I can only tell you as a nurse who has worked with this to not doctor-hop. Stick with a pediatric specialist who knows your child. There is a medicine called DDAVP which may or may not help. Changes in patterns, schedules and habits may throw him or her off. This is mostly a time and patience thing. Your kid needs to know she or he is normal and getting through this is a family project. There is an anxiety component. They need to know an accident is OK, and they just need to follow the plan. I wish you the best and share all my confidence that you will get through it 100% dry!

Yep. My son was 14 when he finally stopped having night accidents. He wasn't having them every night, but enough. Some switch inside him finally flipped, and the accidents were done. Never had another one.