Help with Bedwetting.

We had the same issue with our oldest daughter...many years ago. The Doctor told us ( after all of the tests etc) that the problem was basically a small bladder...he said she never would be able to go through the night without going to the bathroom....unless we managed to enlarge her bladder. Luckily the bladder is "expandable"...what we were told to do was have her WAIT for as long as possible to go to the bathroom during the day. Your body is producing urine 24/7 so if you wait to eliminate the urine, after you feel the urge, then you are stretching the bladder and making it capable of holding more urine. She STILL has a small bladder, she inherited it from her Dad and her Grandmother, roadtrips with the three of them are filled with roadside parks!! lol. Good luck...I know how frustrating it can be.!!
R. Ann

D., this is really personal to me. I myself was a bed wetter! I tried everything, It started when i was 7 years old, night terrors would not allow me to awaken, I tried alarms, pills, i even tried the no drinking after 6PM, the problem was, i was dreaming in such a deep sleep, that i thought i was getting up and using the restroom. Only to find out, that I was still in bed, it was embarrassing, I was spanked, sent to a counselor! Nothing but time helped me. I can only suggest adult diapers at night, and all the loving support you can give, also my bladder is tilted and spasms alot. Just something to consider. I no longer wet the bed, but if im not careful, in my deep sleeping episodes, I have come close, I am almost 38 years old, and have high hopes your two great kids will get through this! Be positive, and compassionate to them. It must not be easy for you, but for them its devastating!

Dear D.,

My heart goes out to you. My friend also had a bedwetting problem herself on into her 20s. She finaly was able to control it as she learned more about nutrients and what role they play in muscle control...the bladder is a muscle.

She got an excellent nutrition program that was clinically proven to be safe and effective and after some months the bed-wetting problem was corrected.

A Little about me: It has always been my passion to help others create a healthy home and a better environment for all.

I have been a Health and Wellness Advisor for 16 yr. and have personally recovered from total disability when the doctors had no hope for me - I can help you get started on a guaranteed nutrition plan. No Risk - you're satisfied or your money back!!
Visit my website at www.shaklee.net/ser

Looking forward to hearing from you soon, S. Riemann

I'm just curious to see what kind of advise you have gotten. My daughter is almost 13 and is still a bedwetter, despite her and our best efforts. It's a tough thing for kids to deal with at this age.

Have you tried counseling? Bedwetting beyond the normal years & after all tests point to know physical problems can be a sign of psychological stress. It can be caused by a suppressed childhood trauma or many other subconscious psychological problems. If you haven't already I would highly recommend trying the counseling as this has to be horrible for them to live / deal with.
I just wanted to add you might try acupuncture to help with the bladder, also.

You do realize this is hereditary don't you? Someone else in the family had this problem-anyway there are pull ups out there made especially for night use-heavier and stronger. Get them! Also put plastic hospital sheets on the bottom of the bed to protect the mattress. Next a good mattress pad helps cushion-then the sheet(s) now here is a trick i used and it actually saved the bed and sometimes the sheets but mostly the mattress-buy those large "puppy pads" for training-yes puppy pads-after all this is not going away fast! now take a fresh one and duct tape it to the sheet plastic side down/fluffy side up and your child can sleep on it comfortably and if there is an accident then you simply roll it up and throw it out and you are ready for the next sleep. Yes it helps to slow down the liquid intake after supper but you cannot cut it out totally-it is impossible for any child and then they become "silly" about it. You don't say if they are girls-this might be something to check with a gynocologist if they are-there may be something we aren't thinking about. Boys in puberty also go thru difficulties that might be starting from the bedwetting-it is worth talking to specialty doctors at these ages-make sure they are healthy otherwise and if all else is good then treat the situation and let it go-they are having enough issues with this problem I am sure. Good luck to all of you.PS: the puppy pads are cheaper than the pads thehospitals will sell and they are the same thing-maybe even stronger for our "puppies" and it is less hazardous to buy in the stores than sleep pads-for the whole family and your friends.

Good morning! My daughter is 9 and was still having trouble staying dry at night (she was wet almost every night). She was fine during the day, and had been for years. We tried the alarm and it has made a huge difference. It was expensive, but I feel well worth it. She hasn't had an accident in several months now. It did take several weeks (probably 10 to 12 weeks) and was very tiring, but I'm so happy we did it. My only concern is if the wire between the sensor (hooks to their underwear) and the alarm (safety pins to their pajama top near the shoulder) may not be long enough for your children--it was barely long enough for my daughter.
Good luck with this...I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers. This is very difficult for kids.

Unfortunately, they just have to grow out of it. I was 13 before I did. It wasn't for lack of trying. For me, I got to a point during the day where I could hold it for all of school, and then I was able to hold it all night. It's not good for you to do that all the time, I know, but that was what it took for me to have strong enough muscles that would work through my deep sleeping. Boys take longer. Good luck!

Have you had all sorts of tests done? I know I had something like "kidney reflux" or something where the tubes let fluid go both ways instead of going just out, and I grew out of it. A friend of mine had the same kind of thing and she had to get surgery. Have you looked into it being physical? It's awefully hard to be that old and still wetting the bed (I know it was hard for me and I outgrew it around age 11). I think you might really want to look for a GOOD doctor who will pursue it.

K.

PS. my brother had a similar problem, it does run in families!

I was a bedwetter for a long time. I had very vivid dreams that I was sitting on the toilet, so I went. I woke up wet and shocked every time. Are your grandkids dreaming about that, too? I told my parents, and they didn't believe me. They said I was just making excuses. But then when I was pregnant, I had the same dreams... but I made myself wake up and get to the bathroom.
Ask the kids if they remember what they were dreaming about. It may be just that simple.

Hi D.,
Bedwetting is very common among those who are visual-spatial type learners. In fact bedwetting beyond appropriate age (can be nightly wetting or on occasion) and being either an extra deep or light sleeper are also common signs. You can read more about these at www.onpointlearning.org.
C.

D.,
God Bless you! I too have had to raise my grandbabies at times! It's hard to figure out what God's plan is sometimes huh?
I know you don't want to hear this but my suggestion would be see a Psychologist. Their little emotions can mess up all kinds of things in their bodies. There are lots of great docs out there that can help. My 16 year old went through a phase of crying all the time & her doc said "T., one of the best things you can do for a teen is give them someone to talk to other than family" It worked & now she knows she can call & go talk anytime she needs to!
The longer this goes on the more it hurts the kids self esteem, which I know is the last thing you want! You will have a special place in heaven and in the hearts of these kids!
Good luck!

No fun! I was a bedwetter for a long time, and the only thing that really helped me was training myself to dream about having to go to the bathroom. I will dream about searching and searching for a bathroom, and if I start to feel any relief, I know I need to wake up. I dont know if that will help, but good luck!

Have you taken them to a chiropractor I know several people who had their childrens bed wetting problems resolved from chiropractic.

D., You didn't mention if you've tried the alarm. We bought one for my son (8 at the time) and I was very skeptical, but it worked. Within a week of using the alarm he was waking up in the night on his own and staying dry all night. I don't remember the name exactly Dri-Night or something like that. The web site had a lot of helpful hints from other users.

Good Luck, M.

Hi D., bedwetting can be caused by so many things. One thing not to overlook is the mental aspect. I notice you are raising your grandkids - chances are there have been issues in their life (regardless of whether they talk about it or not). (I was raised for my teen years by my GP's too - God bless them, they saved me from a terrible home life.)

Anyway, speaking from experience, they may need to work some emotional things out and finding a devoted, caring professional may help with the bedwetting thing.

God bless you for caring so selflessly for your grandchildren, they will always have a special bond to you for what you have done.

Eliminate night time milk. The sugars and proteins in milk irritate the bladder and cause more of a need to go. This eliminated 1/2 half of our issues alone.

Also, take them to an ENT. My oldest son had such large tonsils and adnoids (sp) that his sleep was poor. He could only deep sleep, which he could not respond to his body's need to urinate. He snored, and when you woke him from sleeping he was confused and disoriented. It is also an issue of better sleep. The dr's can also do a sleep study on the kids and see if that has anything to do with it.

I agree this could be psychological as well, I am only telling you what I've experienced with my boys. It is hereditary, it is not fun, and when it is in such amounts it is frustrating! My oldest could sleep in a puddle of urine and not even know it til morning. I understand :D