DS going to the toilet a lot

[josiecat]

DS(4) goes to the toilet a lot, several times in one hour sometimes.This has been going on for a few months now and I don't know if its physical or psychological. He started school last Sept and seems to have settled OK. Had a tearful, clingy phase about Nov but goes in Ok now. Still says he prefers being at home tho. They mentioned the toilet thing at school and I took him to the drs with a water sample. He didnt think there was anything physical as no other symptoms and promised to get sample checked and get back to me if anything was found. Didnt hear anything so assume all ok. He's not quite as bad now but has started to ask before we go anywhere if there'll be toilets there. I always ask if he wants to go before we leave the house then 10 mins later he says he wants to go again. Often we're in car and I'll tell him to wait til we stop, then he doesn't mention it again. When he goes its often just a few drops. He used to be fine and toilet trained no problem. He isnt drinking any more than usual. Now he says he doesn't want to go on holiday in the summer (is a long drive) as he'll need the toilet in the car. What's going on?

It sounds like an irritable bladder type thing. What happens is that the bladder sends messages to the brain telling it that it needs emptying when it's not full, the person wee's, then it fills up a little bit and sends the same message to the brain so the person is on the toilet every hour and the bladder doesn't have time to fill up properly. It's a vicious cycle. You need to tell him to wait, the urge will pass. This is the only way that he can retrain himself IYSWIM. He will feel as if he needs to go, if he's going every 20 minutes at the moment then see if you can make it wait until 30 minutes, then increase the spaces gradually.

I would say there's a nervous element to this, especially if it's happening at school and if he's nervous about a long trip. We all do it when we're a little bit anxious... feel the need to use the loo even though it's not that long since we just went. If there was nothing wrong with the sample left with the doctor (which would mean 'no infection'), it could be he needs more time to adjust to school.

If he complains of any pain when urinating it could be a bladder infection and then he'd need to see the doctor again. To reduce the chances of irritation keep his urine weak by making sure he drinks plenty of plain water

My daughter is exactly the same and she is sick - It followed an episode when she wet herself in the car when we were on the drive - I (stupidly) told her off and it has been horrendous ever since (1.5 yrs) sometimes its better but seems to go through bad times occasionally. She wont go in some toilets because she doesnt like the look of them which makes it even more of a nightmare as ther are some places where its really not appropriate to go in public! I have had an infection checked and its not that - but she does suffer with nerves and its soo hard to know how to help!??? Any advice would be sooo good!

I made a typo she isnt sick! not she is sick sorry!