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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Unsure what to do (daughter can't pee)

291 replies

Jourdain11 · 18/03/2023 09:04

Not really an AIBU, unless IAU for not taking her straight to A&E, but I'm wondering if anyone has ever come across something like this? My 10-yeqr-old daughter (who has OCD and can get a bit stressed about going to the toilet) has woken up this morning and "can't pee". She feels like she needs to go but nothing is coming out.

Has anyone ever come across something like this and if so, what did you do? She seems otherwise okay - no temperature, etc. She seems uncomfortable, but not in agony or anything.

Maybe I am being unreasonable in not running her straight to hospital - but I suspect it's going to right itself, although I will follow up because it seems very odd. She has T1 diabetes and OCD as I said, but I don't particularly see how this could be related.

OP posts:
Dippyeggz · 18/03/2023 11:18

Very rare but there is also something called Fowler's Syndrome which causes this. Hope your daughter is alright

HitsAndMrs · 18/03/2023 11:21

Check for cauda equina symptoms. Definitely A&E.

BungleandGeorge · 18/03/2023 11:21

She went at 10.30 last night, has she actually drunk anything since then? You can’t really see whether the bladder is full. A common symptom of uti is feeling the urge despite not actually having a lot of urine to pass. Yes retention is very serious if it is that. Id have probably gone for 111 (if the wait isn’t long) as they could have screened her based on fluid intake, symptoms etc and directed to most appropriate service. They can also prebook and warn a&e if it is an emergency. Sometimes the wait is too long though, so fair enough, the important thing is to get her assessed asap. Hope all is well

cormorant5 · 18/03/2023 11:22

Pleased that OP has taken her to hospital.
Personal experience of this, It stretched my bladder.
Catheter is answer..

purpledalmation · 18/03/2023 11:26

By making junk food and sweet treats off limits, they may want to indulge more than normal.

Let them eat mainly healthy, but don't make a fuss of treats. When youre out and about anyway its impossible to get hummous dips with celery. Its ice cream and sweets.

purpledalmation · 18/03/2023 11:26

purpledalmation · 18/03/2023 11:26

By making junk food and sweet treats off limits, they may want to indulge more than normal.

Let them eat mainly healthy, but don't make a fuss of treats. When youre out and about anyway its impossible to get hummous dips with celery. Its ice cream and sweets.

wrong thread!

ChesapeakeFan · 18/03/2023 11:29

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Original poster
Jourdain11 · 18/03/2023 11:32

Got here and checked in and triaged and she will be seen as a first priority apparently. It's come to light that she's been having trouble weeing for a couple of weeks but she didn't want to tell anyone! I feel bad that I didn't realise, it's worrying what could be causing it as well.

OP posts:
Original poster
Jourdain11 · 18/03/2023 11:34

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Ouch, thanks.

OP posts:
justmindinmybiz · 18/03/2023 11:37

I know someone who woke up one morning with this issue and she's been diagnosed with something called Fowler Syndrome. Please take her to A&e asap they will put in a catheter

Crumpetdisappointment · 18/03/2023 11:38

best wishes to you and your dd @Jourdain11

SnuggleBuggleBoo · 18/03/2023 11:41

I really hope she can get sorted quickly OP. How stressful. Don't be afraid to ask acquaintances, school friends' mums etc, to watch your other children. I know I would in a heartbeat for a mum with a child in hospital even if we weren't particularly friends.

Hollyhead · 18/03/2023 11:41

Op some of these responses are very unkind, it is a sensible approach to rule out straightforward things first whilst also contacting 111 and your normal diabetes line. It’s not like you’ve left it hours and hours. Please don’t take some of these comments to heart.

Briallen · 18/03/2023 11:45

Op I think people have been a bit mean. You were seeing if it was possible to resolve it at home and as soon as it was obvious it wasn’t you went straight to a and e. I hope your daughter is okay and they get to the bottom of what is causing it.

Annietheacrobat · 18/03/2023 11:53

Glad you're getting her seen. As a medic I wouldn't expect a layperson to appreciate the potential seriousness of this situation. Some of the responses on this thread are simply unkind.

Lwrenagain · 18/03/2023 11:54

Hope shes okay OP!
Keep us posted and hope you're alright as well x

ClairDeLaLune · 18/03/2023 11:55

Hi OP, this happened to MIL (also diabetic but that’s possibly a coincidence) she had a blockage caused by an infection. She was catheterised (at home, out of hours came out pre covid) and it cleared quickly then she had antibiotics. She was sorted out very quickly. You’ve done the right thing.

lieselotte · 18/03/2023 11:57

You can’t really see whether the bladder is full yes you can, my stomach looks like a football when my bladder is full and I really need to go but can't, eg if I am on a car journey and stupidly drank coffee before I set off!

I hope you sort this out OP, it sounds like it will be very uncomfortable for your dd. It's a shame she's not told you that she was struggling before this.

Stickly · 18/03/2023 12:05

@Jourdain11 I hope your daughter is OK. I think some people have been very unkind with their words, even persisting after you stated she's in A and E. It's extremely difficult to assess a child who has behavioural difficulties, my own child has been known to only pee once per day and i panicked contacting GP's who didnt want to act until I'd tried him in the shower (this was after 15 hours of not passing urine). Not everything is so black and white, glad she's getting the right help now!

BellaJuno · 18/03/2023 12:08

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Kudos for managing to dress up your dig at a parent with a child currently in hospital with faux bafflement at their deficit of medical knowledge, experience or common sense 🙄

LookItsMeAgain · 18/03/2023 12:08

I am pleased that they are taking her case seriously.

When this over, it sounds like you will need to have a conversation with your daughter about her health. She can't brush things under the rug in the hope that whatever she is experiencing at the time will disappear and not affect her any longer. That is the way to serious medical complications, particularly as you mentioned she is diabetic.

She has to be able to grab hold of whatever her phobia is with both hands (as this is dealing with her long term health) and however much it might scare her, the alternative prospect doesn't bear thinking about.

It's like preventative medicine rather than reactionary treatment. At her check-ups, she should be able to discuss with her medical practitioner (be that a consultant looking after her diabetes or her GP for other issues) about any thing and everything.

Poor girl and I genuinely hope she starts to feel better soon.

ChesapeakeFan · 18/03/2023 12:17

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ittakes2 · 18/03/2023 12:18

Also we have a lot of OCD in our family - please ask to get her thyroid checked. OCD is a way of expressing anxiety. Thyroid issues can create anxiety.

Chocolateismyfavourite · 18/03/2023 12:20

Glad you're they're and she's being checked out.💐

justasking111 · 18/03/2023 12:21

So glad you've gone OH had this post TURP surgery. He was in agony. Did 90 mph down the motorway with him in agony. As soon as the catheter went in he said it relieves the pain. He was readmitted and treated for an infection.