Enuresis in older boys - those who have dealt with it longer term, can you come and talk to me

[IlanaK]

A bit of background: I have been to a urologist for my 8.5 year old and he has had scans etc and is fine. It is not emotional or behavioural. We have tried desmopresin without result. We have also recently tried osteopathy. We have also done all the usual monitoring of drinking etc.

I went back to see my very good GP today to talk about seeing a nurse of some kind for support with this and I was told it is normally the school nurse who deals with this, but that as we home educate, we do not have access to this. She sympathises, but did not know of anywhere else she could refer us either privately or through the NHS.

I am finding it hard to believe there is not some sort of enuresis clinic available. If your child has sleep problems, you can be referred to a sleep clinic - surely this is no different.

So, for those of you who have dealt with this, where did you get help from?

Our Local authority has a specialist enuresis clinic based with the community paediatrician. The health visitor should be able to give you the number, or google for them. I'm not sure if it's part of the health service, or local authority, but I think health service. YOu might be able to find them by going through the services for children with special needs. most local authorities will publish a booklet or at least a list of addresses. Keep phoning round till you find them. here in Hackney they offer advice and support and free nappies if you need, ( which we do). you can self- refer, or get health visitor, gp or nurse to refer your dc. The local hospital children's ward might be able to advise you how to find them perhaps?

good luck!

maybe you could try phoning the local school and talk to the school nurse anyway??

Thanks. I googled and there seems to be nothing at all in Westminster where I live. However, we are moving to Brent soon and they do seem to have one. Have you been to one? Was it helpful?

My son was not dry during the day until he was about six. He was dry at night at around ten. We had all the tests and came up with 'immature bladder'.
We had a 'wee lady' otherwise known as the enuresis nurse, who visited us at home and supported us. He took medication briefly but I have to say I think it was just a matter of time and patience.

Lol at wee lady! How did you get your wee lady though - that is the question. My GP can't seem to find any service for us.

here's a list of all the clinics

I didn't get much advice, but I found the free nappies from the clinic a godsend, but DS (6) suddenly decided he won't wear them anymore. His target is one dry month then he gets a major treat. so far it's not going brilliantly but I am managing.
I get him up ( in his sleep) when I go to bed, and I sit him on a bucket next to the bed where he piddles in his sleep and then clambers back into bed (still asleep). It's hard work cuz he's big. but I don't think he would get up on his own. I thought this would be a short phase, but now I think I'm going to be doing it for ages. I put a towel or a waterproof sheet over the sheet these days in case he wets the bed, that way I can remove that and leave the under sheet on and it will still be dry. also put a waterproof sheet over the top if I've got a spare one so the duvet doesn't get soaked

I've stopped worrying about washing the sheets every day if it's only a 'little' leak.

sorry don't have anything really useful. You could try calling the Hackney Ark (our community children's centre)(google for the number) and asking for the enuresis clinic... westminster's not so far away, they might help, or they might know where your should go. sometimes you need a lot of persistence in finding the right services!

Hi, there are bedwetting clinics in most areas in the UK or your school nurse will usually be able to help with bedwetting problems ? if you don?t know who your school nurse simply ask your school reception for her number. Your school nurse or GP should be able to refer your son to a bedwetting clinic. To find out where your nearest clinic is contact ERIC (Education and Resources for Improving Childhood Continence). ERIC keeps a database of bedwetting clinics. If you also visit ERIC's website you will find lots of information to download about bedwetting including a booklet called 'Bedwetting: a guide for parents' and the Helpline will be able to offer support and ways to deal with and manage the problem. The Helpline is on 0845 370 8008 (weekdays 10-4) and the website is www.eric.org.uk.

Hi Lauree and thanks for link, but the ones near me all say continence clinic not enuresis. Do you think they deal with that?

Jenny - As I said in my original post, I do not have access to a school nurse as we home ed and my GP has been unable to find anyone to refer us to (except the urologist). I have looked in the past at ERIC website and did not find any new information. I have not called their helpline though and that might be a useful way to find someone local to me.

I don't have an older boy (ds is only 2!) but my I've got an older daughter who still isn't dry at night at nearly 12.

There are no school nurses where we are, we have to go from GP referral to the enuresis clinic.

If there isn't an enuresis clinic I'd try the continence clinic. I think our specialist deals with all manner of wee related issues, not just enuresis. I'd definately worth contacting the clinic and asking the receptionist how you'd get an appointment and how long the waiting list is.

What form was the desmopressin your ds tried? we first had the nasal spray, then the (under the tongue) melts (at 120 then 240 dose) and more recently tablets (problems getting hold of the melts). Our specialist has said that some people get on with one form better than the others, so it might be worth trying.

Have you tried increasing drinks during the day, cutting out dark drinks (cola, blackcurrant etc) and anything with caffeine (inclduing hot chocolate)?

Hope you can find some help

Thanks for that. He drinks nothing but water and drinks enough of it mostly. He has the tablet form of the desmopressin.

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Hi bloss! I would love to chat to you about this, but don't have CAT. Any chance of email? You can email me on [email protected]

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I dont know if you have resolved your difficulties but my DS, who is nine this month, was wet every night until about a year ago after we bought a specific set of alarm pants. The first few nights we had to wake him up when the alarm went off but after 2 weeks he was having dry nights and was tear jerkingly proud of himself. He still wears the alarm pants now but accidents are limited to less than one or two a month. There is no program as such, just the alarm and a chart to monitor progress, DS feels like he is in control as he set the alarm and attaches the transmitter before going to sleep. All much happier.

Lots of sympathy, I used to be a nurse specialist in continence 3 yrs ago and it upsets me that you are struggling to get support and information. Please ring your local continence advisor (gp should have number) and take it from there, there are loads of products from alarms that are sensitive to wetting to tips on fluids and also alternative medication to try (is he dry by day)that the advisor will tell you about. There are loads of clinics in London
lots of luck

Hi I have a 14 year old ds who still wets the bed every night. Health visitor,GP, enuresis clinic, medication,alarms, drink monitoring, reward chats etc, etc have all proved unsuccessful. All I can advise is patience and lots of deep breathes!!!!