Suspected overactive bladder in nearly 5 year old

[AnnaVR]

Hello. My DD who is almost 5 has a big problem with daytime wetting, having been reliably dry before. She seems to get no warning of when she's going to wee, so she's getting wet several times a day however hard we try with getting her to go.

She has seen a specialist who thinks she has an overactive bladder. The treatments on offer are either drugs, with the risk of side effects, or an implant that sends an electrical signal to the bladder. Both feel like really big steps to take.

I'd be really interested to hear if anyone has had a child with this problem and if/how it has been resolved.

Thanks in advance.

Hi Anna. My DD1 is 7. She was eventually diagnosed as having an irritable bladder having never been reliably dry since toilet trained at just before she turned 3. She also suffered from chronic constipation as she is a withholder which also caused a whole host of problems. She's still not dry at night and is on a daily dose of antibiotics to stop recurrent UTIs.

DD1's bowel is now well managed with medication and she has become more reliably dry in the last year. She's been on oxybutinin for 3 years for the irritable bladder but I think what has made the biggest difference is having a reminder watch so she tries on the loo every 2 hours.

We've not been offered anything apart from medication.

Have you checked out the ERIC site, lots of really good information on there?

How is she managing with school?

DS is on tolterodine for his over active bladder, it worked like magic for him! No side effects so far.

We tried ditropan first, which just didn't work for him.

Thanks so much soupmaker and Hurr1cane. It's always good to hear of other people's experiences. It's reassuring to hear that you haven't noticed side effects with the drugs - maybe these aren't such a bad option at all. I've been thinking about a vibrating watch and think I'll probably give it a try. Things aren't good at school from a weeing point of view - she's happy and I don't think it hinders her learning or social interactions, but she comes home very wet every day. I think the staff do try to remind her to go to the toilet but with 30 kids in free flow I think there's a limit to how closely they can keep an eye on her, which is why a watch may help. I have been on the eric site and found some really useful info - maybe I should also give them a call. I hope that both your DCs toilet issues get/stay better. Thanks again for responding.