Those with long memories will recall that I asked for ds1 to be referred to a consultant way back in April (just after his 7th birthday) as he is not, and has never been, dry at night - still in nappies.
Since then we have tried Desmopressin which had no effect whatsoever, even in the higher dose, and we finally (6 months after initial appointment) got the eneuresis alarm on Friday. Somehow the paperwork got lost and so we didn't get the alarm in time for the summer holidays, which would have been far better.
Thus far (bear with me):
Friday: alarm went off at 10.30. He didn't wake up (this thing could wake the dead - it is deafeningly loud). Changed sheets and jama top - back to bed, slept 'til 7 and stayed dry.
Saturday: alarm went off at 9.30 (didn't wake up again)
3.00 He did wake up, but not in time to catch the wee - he was wet through.
4.15 alarm again - did wake up - smaller wet patch so maybe it did wake him in time to not finish wee-ing, iykwim.
Sunday: alarm went off at 9.55, 10.40, 1.15 and 6.30. The latter two times he did wake up but was still wet through.
Poor kid was in tears at 1.15 and 6.30 - and has gone to school looking like death warmed up, with tiredness.
I am feeling pretty despondent myself (I know - it's early days). How can it work if it doesn't wake him up? I think it depends on how deeply asleep he is (he seems to wake in the small hours of the morning, but not in the first part of the night). Even when the alarm does wake him, it is too late and he has already weed.
Any experience/advice? The nurse at the clinic said it takes about 2-3 weeks to work, and we must persevere, but he is soooo tired (so am I). She has also advised we avoid known bladder irritants: tea and coffee (?), fizzy drinks, acidic drinks, and chocolate. And he is to drink as much water as possible to stretch his bladder capacity.
Has anyone used an eneuresis alarm and succeeded with it? How long did it take? Any other ideas?
TIA from a cross-eyed moo xx