Nocturnal Enuresis: Bed Wetting

by Linda Hansen | More from this Blogger

08 Feb 2007 03:00 AM

"I'm sorry, I wet the bed again". We became familiar with this phrase soon after the boys moved in. Even more frequently, there would be no declaration of an accident, simply wet sheets and pajamas, discovered after the boys left for school.

During our first visit with Randy's psychiatrist, I discussed his bedwetting issues with her and asked for suggestions. This was my first experience with the problem and I had no idea how to deal with it. Randy had gone through a medical exam to rule out a physical problem. His doctor told me in her opinion his problem was probably psychological. She told me there was treatment and with patience and understanding we would get to the point where he should outgrow it.

Her first step was to prescribe DDAVP, a medication given just before bedtime to keep him from having the urge to urinate in his sleep. We started with two pills and soon were up to three, the maximum dosage. It didn't work.

Our next visit she suggested waking him up during the night, but warned this was not really very effective and worked on few kids, but was worth a try. I would remind Randy to go to the bathroom every night before bedtime, I eliminated drinks after 6 p.m., and woke him up at 2 p.m. every night for about three weeks. I soon became tired and he had trouble getting up at his regular time in the morning because I disturbed him every night. Sometimes he couldn't go to the bathroom. Occasionally he would wet the bed after I woke him up. He and I agreed, it just wasn't working.

On our next visit, she suggested using a bell and pad. I ordered one online and we set it up. The premise was when he began wetting the bed a loud buzzer type noise would go off to wake him up so he could get up and go to the bathroom. The loud noise would wake everyone in the house up except him; Randy would sleep right through it. Obviously it didn't work. However, using the bell and pad gave me some insight into the problem. He was a really deep sleeper.

I finally reached the conclusion that the only thing we could do to help was to continue restricting his fluid intake at night, make sure he eliminated before bedtime, and keep a waterproof mattress cover on the bed. We also made Randy accountable for his actions. Without humiliating him and with a great deal of understanding, we talked about his problem, assured him we understood and requested he remove his bedding and pajamas and take them to the washer in the morning. When he came home from school I would have clean sheets set out and he would make his bed. This procedure worked the best. We simply learned to live with it and realized he would eventually outgrow the problem.

It has been about four months since Randy's last bedwetting episode. The bell and pad are history, the medication is long gone, and we are more lenient about nighttime drinks, although nothing is allowed after eight p.m. The mattress cover is still in place, just in case. It appears Randy has outgrown his problem. I have a tendency to think that part of it included his previous insecure lifestyle. Now that he has been in one home with the same rules and knows what to expect each day, he is more comfortable, feels safer, and is more secure with his life. I truly believe this has been a big factor in his ceasing to wet the bed.

Learn more about Linda Hansen

Linda Hansen is a retired restaurant manager and stay at home mom.

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rsbg (501) 09 Feb 2007 07:38 PM

I think patience and understanding is very important with this issue. I think a lot of kids go through this and eventually outgrow it (I know I did). You are awesome Linda and those boys' lives are changed for the better because of you. Keep up the good work!

Linda Hansen (1796) 10 Feb 2007 06:32 AM

Thank you rsbg. Bedwetting is common and something that shouldn't cause a great deal of tension between child and parent. It's one of those deal with it and eventually it will go away situations. Making your child a part of the solution by helping clean up is important, if the child is old enough.

Melissa J (13710) 10 Feb 2007 09:42 AM

I agree Linda.

Andrea Hermitt (5507) 10 Feb 2007 04:27 PM

thank you so much for this post!

Enuresis Treatment Center (20) 10 May 2007 09:44 AM

Many medical professionals misinform patients when they blame a small bladder for the bedwetting. Traditional treatments prevent the bladder from developing to the proper size. Restricting fluids just causes further underdevelopment of the bladder. At the Enuresis Treatment Center we identify the actual size of the bladder, and use techniques that will increase the bladder’s capacity to reach its normal size. We have helped thousands of people overcome bedwetting and have developed a free online guide to help patients decide which treatment method would work best for them. To download this free guide go to www.freebedwettingguide.com.

kellykane (5) 20 Jun 2007 10:52 AM

We have worked with and cured thousands of children and infused their parents with hope at the Enuresis Treatment Center in Farmington, MI. Besides being a deep sleep disorder, research shows that bedwetting is also genetic. If both parents have a history of bedwetting there is a 77% chance the child will also wet the bed. The average length of treatment is 6 months, and we are certain we can correct the sleep disorder and end bedwetting. Go to www.freebedwettingguide.com for more info.