Sleep Disorders and Bed Wetting

Recently my son had his tonsils out - not because of sore throats or ear infections but because he had signs of sleep apnea. The ENT said that it is very difficult to diagnose sleep apnea in a child (since I worked for 4 years in a sleep center i know this is true, they toss and turn too much at night to get a good reading). However, they can tell from key symptoms - grumpy when first awakened, a lot of thrashing during the night, snoring even light snoring.

He made no promises about any connection between having my son's tonsils taken out and bed wetting but said that bed wetting is a sign they look at for sleep apnea.

Since my son had his tonsils out in December he has been dry most of the time whereas before he wet the bed most of the time.

When I told the ENT this on our follow up he said he hears that a lot but not enough to promise it, but he does believe it is connected because when the child does get to sleep he/she is sleeping so soundly they can't wake up to the signals of needing to go to the bathroom.

in our almost 20 years of parenting the only explanation we've heard of for bed wetting in older children (over 9) is fear of a father or father figure...which would also be a reason for sleep disorders.

Updated

in our almost 20 years of parenting the only explanation we've heard of for bed wetting in older children (over 9) is fear of a father or father figure...which would also be a reason for sleep disorders.

Find a different doctor.......

Is this something recent that was brought on by an event? If it is, maybe your child will pass the phase with some loving conversations or something in that nature. You can always get different opinions from other doctors. Will you be able to watch the sleep study if it happens? I cringe if I think of my toddler being in some odd room with me at home or something... I'm jus paranoid and don't trust people.

Not sure what sleep disorders your child has. My daughter also had her tonsils out about 3 years old. I was hopeful it would positively effect her ability to stay dry at night... no such luck in my case. She is 4 (5 in Oct) and still in a pull up - never a dry night in her life... her body will night train when ready... I will just wait for that... To answer your questions, I would find another Dr. - one that will at least listen and discuss the topics with you...