A bedwetting 8 year old is nothing to worry about, I'm surprised you managed to get any help, my granddaughter is 10 and is still wet every night, and is apparently not eligible for medication or pads for bedwetting until she is 13, despite receiving having a treatment plan for her bowel and daytime incontinence.
I phoned up the continence team I'd been dealing with to enquire about this, apparently the age here is so those most in need, aka older kids, can get a better service, but therse not enough funding for younger kids because the price of logistics is so much higher than in the cities.
Surely if they helped children earlier then they wouldn't have so many older kids reliant on pads.
Have you ruled out constipation? This is such a common reason and yet people think just because their child goes regularly they are fine, when in fact they are completely backed up. There are lots of other things you can do, ensure that they are drinking enough during the day, this will help strengthen the bladder to hold more liquid at night. Encourage regular toilet sitting after every meal. When they go to the toilet, get them to count to 30 before they step away/get up from the toilet, you will be surprised how much more wee comes out. Take them to the toilet twice before they go to bed. restrict drinks with caffeine or high acidity as this wont help with the wetting.
Thank you for your response. I haven't considered constipation, as you say he is regular. How would we find out if he is constipated? Or do I just follow the guidelines you have suggested etc?
I would try the things I have suggested first, but dont be closed off to the idea of constipation. Also have you been referred to your local continence nursing team? They should be able to help you too.
It sounds like you need to go back to GP and ask for a referral to a different consultant. We had to do this and are now being seen at the Evelina. I think you can be put on a waiting list where you want to be seen (not just the nearest) so research where a paediatric urologist is in residency and where bladder function testing can be performed. 8 is a perfectly acceptable age, in fact I received a raised eyebrow from out first consultant that I'd left it that long. Waiting lists are long; and there's obviously now a back up. If you have the right GP they will support you finding the right Paed. Urologist. Good luck.
Don't be put off, keep pushing. Its having an adverse effect on his daily life. GP or get a referral to a paediatrician if GP won't refer to continence services. It can be a long and winding road so get things in motion now. There are various medications and other things which can be tried. ERIC do pajama pants which could help for school trips as they are discreet. Talk to school staff. school nurse as well. Sometimes they can get things moving forward. Don't take no for an answer, children's needs should be addressed. A child has every right to good medical support for continence.
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