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Children's health

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Original poster

DD8 wetting pants - UTI?

58 replies

woodstocky · 10/09/2022 21:31

I've noticed Dd (8, almost 9) has had frequent wet knickers recently. She came home from school on Friday and I could smell urine and when she got changed her pants were soaked. She was really sore around the tops of her legs, poor thing. She said the teacher didn't let her go to the toilet when she needed to go (which I'm not happy about!).

Earlier I picked up her pyjamas from last night and they were also wet and she said she doesn't remember them being wet when she woke up (they must have been). She's been dry through the night for years and this hasn't been an issue before.

We were abroad on holiday last week and now thinking back her pyjama shorts were wet a couple of times in the morning but she was so exhausted while we were away, I put it down to literally being so tired she didn't wake up in time for the toilet. The bed was dry and clean so I'm not sure if it was that she had accidentally wee'd a bit before getting to the toilet in the morning.

She's not had a temperature or complained about tummy ache at all, but she generally doesn't have much stamina and is always tired. She was so tired while we were away but I put it down to her being her usual self plus the excitement of being on holiday/swimming in the pool all day.

Could this be a UTI? Do I need to take her to the doctors do you think? I'm unsure if they actually treat it any more, but I'd need to get it confirmed wouldn't I? Obviously it's the weekend so I won't be able to get an appointment until Monday. Is there anything I can do in the meantime to help?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Isaidnoalready · 10/09/2022 21:34

Get her to Drink more fluids you should be able to ring the Dr's and ask if you can drop off a sample to be dip tested during lockdown I had dip test strips off amazon

Original poster

woodstocky · 10/09/2022 21:37

Isaidnoalready · 10/09/2022 21:34

Get her to Drink more fluids you should be able to ring the Dr's and ask if you can drop off a sample to be dip tested during lockdown I had dip test strips off amazon

Thank you, I'll get her to drink more water. She's not a big drinker so I often have to remind her!

Stupid question but can I take a sample in my own pot or will I need to collect one from the GP first?

OP posts:

BritishDesiGirl · 10/09/2022 21:37

Yes, give her plenty of fluids. Cranberry juice is a must for me and l am a long term sufferer of UTIs.

Avoid fizzy drinks. Get her to wipe front to back, as the urethra can become irritated and cause infections to occur from not wiping this way.

She needs to go to the toilet as and when. Make sure school is aware that she can't be expected to "hold it in" which definitely makes it worse.

I would talk to the GP on Monday but if she complains of pain over the rest of the weekend then 111

Isaidnoalready · 10/09/2022 21:40

Collect a pot first do you have a chemist nearby? Maybe give them a bell see if they have any? In some areas they dip test there but it's rare

Original poster

woodstocky · 10/09/2022 21:41

BritishDesiGirl · 10/09/2022 21:37

Yes, give her plenty of fluids. Cranberry juice is a must for me and l am a long term sufferer of UTIs.

Avoid fizzy drinks. Get her to wipe front to back, as the urethra can become irritated and cause infections to occur from not wiping this way.

She needs to go to the toilet as and when. Make sure school is aware that she can't be expected to "hold it in" which definitely makes it worse.

I would talk to the GP on Monday but if she complains of pain over the rest of the weekend then 111

Good advice, thank you.

I am definitely going to speak to the school. She is adamant that she goes every break time (I believe her as she's usually quite good in that respect and always knows to try for a wee before we go out anywhere!) so I need to make sure they allow her to go when she needs it.

OP posts:

Original poster

woodstocky · 10/09/2022 21:41

Isaidnoalready · 10/09/2022 21:40

Collect a pot first do you have a chemist nearby? Maybe give them a bell see if they have any? In some areas they dip test there but it's rare

Yes I have access to a few chemists so I will see if I can get one. I hadn't thought of that, thank you

OP posts:

MissBPotter · 10/09/2022 21:46

Could be. My dd who’s 5 had one recently and wet the bed a couple of nights in a row but then also said it hurt when she peed. So that was fairly obvious. We tested her using strips as well. Made her drink lots of fluids for a few days and it went away. I didn’t want her to have antibiotics if not needed so I’m happy about the fluids. I did read that cranberry juice doesn’t actually help and they now recommend water is best, but obviously not an expert.

sidewayswalking · 10/09/2022 21:50

It's been ages, I would be looking for an OOH appointment at this stage. Waiting until Monday is too long. I'm not sure why you think a UTI wouldn't be treated? Antibiotics would be standard treatment.

Original poster

woodstocky · 10/09/2022 21:51

MissBPotter · 10/09/2022 21:46

Thank you, I've just been looking at the test strips online. I assume even if GP tested her and it was a UTI they don't give antibiotics for it usually? She's worried about going to the doctors (not sure why as she's never had a bad experience and I've reassured her) so dunno if it's worth just testing her myself?

OP posts:

Original poster

woodstocky · 10/09/2022 21:52

sidewayswalking · 10/09/2022 21:50

Thank you, I'm not sure why but I always thought they only gave antibiotics for recurrent UTI. I did just reply above saying I may test myself but you are totally right. I will see if I can get an OOH tomorrow.

OP posts:

PrettyUpMyPorch · 10/09/2022 21:53

What are her bowel movements like? I ask because childhood constipation often causes urinary incontinence (hard stool stuck in the rectum can put pressure on the bladder).

The confusing thing is that constipation in children can present both as infrequent, hard stools (as one would expect), or as runny, diarrhoea-like stools (which is overflow poo that has made its way round a blockage).

Original poster

woodstocky · 10/09/2022 21:57

PrettyUpMyPorch · 10/09/2022 21:53

What are her bowel movements like? I ask because childhood constipation often causes urinary incontinence (hard stool stuck in the rectum can put pressure on the bladder).

Thanks, I have been reading about this as I searched other threads but bowel movements are complete fine thankfully

OP posts:

BadGranny · 10/09/2022 22:05

I think she may need to be checked over by the GP. It could be a UTI, but there are other conditions which can cause kids to need to wee more frequently, or to lose bladder control, and it would be wise to eliminate other possible causes.

twotabbies · 10/09/2022 22:23

I don't want to add more worry but this could be symptoms of type 1 diabetes too.

The four T's to look out for are:
Toilet (going more frequently and unusual wetting)

Tiredness
Thinner
Thirsty
If anyone displays two or more symptoms it should be checked ASAP.
My DD was diagnosed at 8 with only two of the symptoms.

Original poster

woodstocky · 10/09/2022 22:47

twotabbies · 10/09/2022 22:23

I don't want to add more worry but this could be symptoms of type 1 diabetes too.

The four T's to look out for are:
Toilet (going more frequently and unusual wetting)

Tiredness
Thinner
Thirsty
If anyone displays two or more symptoms it should be checked ASAP.
My DD was diagnosed at 8 with only two of the symptoms.

Thank you, I actually read another thread where someone's child had a suspected UTI and it did end up being T1. She is always very very tired so I will mention it to the GP.

OP posts:

twotabbies · 10/09/2022 23:05

If I'd known what I do now about T1 and how quickly things can go wrong, I would have insisted on being seen by the GP on the same day. I would strongly recommend phoning 111 & seeing an OOH doctor ASAP. A simple urine test should rule it out, but if it is T1, she needs medical attention immediately.
Again, I'm sorry if this is upsetting / worrying but it really is a medical emergency if it's T1

beebopper6 · 10/09/2022 23:24

Glad you are going to the doctor. It's certainly worth looking into.

twotabbies · 11/09/2022 14:21

How is she today OP?

lorisparkle · 11/09/2022 14:30

The other thing to consider is an overactive bladder. I had suffered (silently) for years as a child and teenager and eventually as a young adult spoke to the GP about it. I saw a specialist and things got so much better.

Isaidnoalready · 11/09/2022 14:52

If she is going every break time is she voiding or just a quick jump in pee and go?

Endofmytether2020 · 11/09/2022 19:08

How is she doing today? If you notice that she's really thirsty, smelling of pear drops or becoming unwell, she will need to go to A&E.

Rainallnight · 11/09/2022 19:10

Definitely could be a UTI and they will give antibiotics if so.

Seaweed42 · 11/09/2022 21:05

A certain type of blackcurrant squash used to make my DD wee a bit like when she was very small like about 3.
Just in case she is bringing a new drink she doesn't usually have into school. A long shot but anyhow.

LostInTheColonies · 11/09/2022 21:10

Pleased to see that someone else has mentioned T1 diabetes - DD was diagnosed at the same age after suddenly starting wetting the bed (for about 2 weeks before diagnosis); very tired for quite some time before that but getting worse - like a couple of months.

Is your daughter also eating more than usual? Cranky?

I took DD to the GP for a UTI and we were sent straight to the hospital; got home 2 days later. And that's with the T1 diabetes being caught early. Please do take your DD to the doctor; hope all goes well.

Original poster

woodstocky · 12/09/2022 17:42

Sorry I didn't manage to update! We saw someone and took a sample which tested slightly higher on something (possibly white blood cells but I'm not sure if that's right?) but he said it wasn't high enough to indicate an infection. He said since she has no other symptoms such as stomach pain or a high temperature he would swing more towards being on holiday/back to school tiredness and getting distracted being the reason, rather than a UTI. The GP did say he would send the sample off for further tests, but if she starts with any other symptoms to call them straight away and he will write a prescription for her, no problem at all. He did give me the option of doing the prescription there and then but I didn't want to waste time/resources if it wasn't needed.

I got a call this afternoon from school saying dd was complaining of tummy ache so I collected her and spoke to a GP again and he said it's still borderline with it just being a tummy ache but has written a prescription for antibiotics to collect this eve.

So hopefully it will clear up and she will be right as rain again. Thanks everyone who have advice

OP posts:

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