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AIBU?

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Original poster

Sudden bedwetting in 12 year old- AIBU to think this is worrying?

50 replies

Sandalgrinder · 14/09/2022 20:48

Shamelessly posting here for traffic, I apologise but really trying to get a sense of how concerning this is.

DS 12 has never been a bedwetter. Since he was a toddler he has wet the bed a handful of times, it has just never been an issue with him at all.

In recent weeks he has had three episodes. He has no explanation for it, says it just happened and is a bit embarrassed so reluctant to discuss it.

So as not to drip feed, he is a young and innocent 12 so no possibility of substance use. He is definitely not under unusual stress and generally a happy and popular kid. No nightmares or worries at night. I cannot see any risk of abuse.

The only health issues he has had is recent mild hypothyroidism, but with a normal TSH so it doesn't fit the normal pattern. The GP and paediatrician just keep repeating these over the past months and they keep getting basically the same results. They're not sure how significant it is or whether he will need medication for it. He complains of low energy and doesn't have great stamina for sport.

I don't think it could be diabetes as he has had his blood sugar checked in the past and I checked it myself recently with a monitor belonging to his grandfather and it was normal.

Any ideas would be appreciated. He's due to see the paediatrician again but not until February.

OP posts:
hiredandsqueak · 14/09/2022 20:54

Could he be fitting at night? My brother's epilepsy started when he was twelve coinciding with the beginning of puberty. He would often wet himself whilst he had a fit.

Original poster
Sandalgrinder · 14/09/2022 20:56

Thanks so much for replying. Gosh that hadn't even entered my mind. That's definitely something to consider. I don't know where I would even start with looking into that though. He does have some tics but I don't think we've seen any possible seizures during the day.

OP posts:
MargaretThursday · 14/09/2022 20:57

Could be an infection.

AloysiusBear · 14/09/2022 20:59

Has he hit puberty?

Is it possible he's picked up a urine infection or the like?

Have you got a fit bit or smart watch with a sleep monitor function he could wear at night for a few weeks? You could spot a pattern or something.

insatiableme · 14/09/2022 20:59

My first thought was a possible seizure. As it's common to wet the bed during one.

Blackbirdblue30 · 14/09/2022 20:59

Are you sure it's bedwetting and not nocturnal emissions? I'd an old boyfriend whose mum thought he was bedwetting at that age but it was wet dreams instead.

BananaBender · 14/09/2022 21:00

Worms. Give him a worming tablet.

Maybe he’s had a wet dream and can’t work out how to justify washing the sheets so figured that wetting the bed would work.

33goingon64 · 14/09/2022 21:00

Are you sure it's urine? Our DS apparently wet the bed a couple of times since hitting puberty - it was semen! He didn't know what it was - he was only 11.

LankylegsFromOz · 14/09/2022 21:00

OP, my son did the same and apparently it is very very common for boys at that age. He still does on and off, 2 years later. We've had him checked over and over but it's just one of those things. We give him this wafer at night now and it stops it. Your Dr can prescribe it for him.

Ivyr0se · 14/09/2022 21:01

Is he changing the bed sheets himself, if so then maybe he isn't wetting the bed, it could be the start of puberty.

If he is definitely wetting the bed, I would play it as cool as you can. Normalise it, no big deal, enable him to sort it himself.

It could just be the back to school that has him out of sorts for the short term.

MarmiteCoriander · 14/09/2022 21:02

I agree with others- are you sure its urine??? Maybe he isn't aware of wet dreams and its seminal fluids!

MarmiteCoriander · 14/09/2022 21:04

If it IS urine, and actual bed wetting, is he worried about anything? Start of high school, changes at school, friendship issues, family dynamics???

mybest · 14/09/2022 21:09

yanbu that it’s worrying. It might not be anything concerning but I would be wondering if anything’s happened to distress him. he might have a UTI?

MagnoliatheMagnificent · 14/09/2022 21:14

Bed wetting can be a sign of sexual abuse. Could be way off but it's something to consider.

Lillipops · 14/09/2022 21:17

Keep an eye out for absence seizures too...staring into space for a few seconds,not hearing what you have said etc. my stepson started having these around that age. Neurology said to keep an eye on it but nothing to worry about. He had always wet the bed but drs didn't know why they tried everything. Then in December he had a massive seizure and another 5 shortly afterwards. Drs put him on Keppra and the seizures and bed wetting stopped overnight. They've changed his meds and the bed wetting has returned, he went into hospital for a week for a video EEG and he wet the bed but no seizure activity. Now waiting for Eurology appointment

Noteverybodylives · 14/09/2022 21:29

As others have suggested are you sure it’s not wet dreams?
Which is completely normal but must be quite shocking for young boys.

If it’s not then I would speak to the gp as it could be a number of things.

Is he dry during the day?

WhatIsThisPlease · 14/09/2022 21:30

If it is urine it could be a sign of diabetes.

Toddlerteaplease · 14/09/2022 21:36

Get him tested for diabetes again.

Givenuptotally · 14/09/2022 21:36

I don't think it could be diabetes as he has had his blood sugar checked in the past and I checked it myself recently with a monitor belonging to his grandfather and it was normal

what do you consider ‘normal’? How long ago was ‘recently’?

Bimblesalong · 14/09/2022 21:40

Don’t rule out diabetes. Sadly it can come on slowly initially. My son had a couple of trips to the GP before it all suddenly became too much for his body to balance and he quickly was diagnosed.
There is a link between thyroid conditions and diabetes. Also with family history of coeliac disease and Addison’s.
I hope it’s not, but keep a close eye for symptoms.

JellyBabiesSaveLives · 14/09/2022 21:42

Is he really thirsty, tired, and looking thinner than normal? Those 3 signs with the bed wetting would be the signs for diabetes. Type 1 diabetes can start very suddenly too. Don’t rule it out unless you tested him today.

Unforgettablefire · 14/09/2022 21:43

Epilepsy can sometimes cause seizures that only happen during sleep.
Does he ever have a sore tongue afterwards? Or any bruising?

Original poster
Sandalgrinder · 14/09/2022 21:49

Thanks so much for all your comments. It’s giving me lots of suggestions to work my way through.

Re: nocturnal emissions this had definitely crossed my mind but there’s a definite urine smell and his pjs were wet from last night and no sign of anything else. So I don’t think so.

I will try to get him to do a sample tomorrow to test for UTI. Last blood sugar was 5 point something so definitely not elevated but good point that it could come on slowly and I will check again.

I’m worrying a bit about potential seizures. He did have a large wet area on a chair last week but insisted he had spilled his drink. I’m going to start watching really closely for any signs of wetting at other times.

He does find the start of the school year unsettling but he has never ever wet in the past due to stress and has gone through bigger changes etc.

OP posts:
OldAndTubby · 14/09/2022 22:23

My first thought is uti.

Could also be coming down with a cold or something - my son is 10 and v occasionally wets the bed when he's getting poorly ..

Givenuptotally · 14/09/2022 22:34

Has he had covid or other virus recently? That might rule in type 1 for him. Test his blood again - a couple of hours after eating should give a reliable result.