Archive for the ‘About Bedwetting’ Category

Bed Wetting Medication

Wednesday, March 10th, 2010

My son is 8 and wets every night. My doctor mentioned that he can prescribe a medication to help. I’m a little nervous about giving my son medicine for this. Can you tell me more?
The most frequently prescribed medication for bedwetting is DDAVP (desmopressin). This synthetic form of the natural hormone vasopressin decreases the quantity of urine produced for the next eight to 12 hours. It begins to work quickly, usually within one hour of taking it. This medication is designed to curb bedwetting by making the urine more concentrated and decreasing the total amount of urine produced that night.

Medication often has immediate results, but when you stop it, the relapse rate is high-about 80 percent. DDAVP allows about half the children who use it to sleep dry that night, which makes it particularly useful for sleepovers and camps. DDAVP is available in two forms: a nasal spray and tablet. The tablet is now preferred because it delivers a more consistent and convenient dose. The nasal spray has a Black Box Warning because of some reported cases of seizures and death because of water intoxication. Also, children with allergic congestion can get erratic results with the nasal spray.

Dosage of DDAVP must be individualized, with one to three tablets (0.2 mg.) each night before bed as the recommended dose. The greatest number of dry nights is achieved by 0.4 to 0.6 mg. nightly. If your child is taking the medication for a situation outside of his home, such as sleepover camp, start it ahead of time to establish the appropriate dose. Your child’s doctor or nurse practitioner is responsible for determining your child’s dosage, but the general recommendation is as follows:
• If your child wets when taking one tablet, increase it to two.
• If wetting occurs with two tablets, his dosage should be three tablets.
• Three tablets is the maximum amount recommended for any age group.

DDAVP is generally safe with few side effects. Reported side effects include headache, stomach ache or water intoxication if a large amount of water is ingested after taking it. The manufacturer provides fluid guidelines, recommending no more than four ounces of water before bedtime. This medication can be safely used for three- to six-month intervals with a one week break. If wetting persists, it can be used for another interval. DDAVP is expensive, as much as $3-4 per tablet. The cost should be taken into account when considering long-term use.

DDAVP does not stop wetting in every child. Increasing the length of time taken will not make it work. The expected results should be seen in a week or two. Parents should realize that this medication does not provide long-lasting effects, but it does provide short-term dryness for many children. For long lasting results, getting to dryness by using a bedwetting alarm has a more permanent response.

Adult Bed Wetting

Thursday, March 4th, 2010

RS writes. I’m a young adult and have never grown out of bed wetting. I’ve been checked out by several doctors who cannot find anything wrong with me. I’ve tried two medicines but it didn’t make any difference in my bedwetting. I just don’t know when I’m wetting. I try to wake up in time but usually find that I’ve already wet. Do you have anything that might help me?

RS, you didn’t mention if you had ever tried a bedwetting alarm. Alarm technology has improved dramatically over the years so there may be products available now that your parents weren’t aware of when you were younger. A good choice for you might be the Rodger Wireless alarm. The specialized underwear sense moisture and alert you by sounding a loud alarm when they begin to get wet. The underwear are available in sizes up to Adult XL. (Does the fact that this size is available let you know that other adults use this product?) When you begin using an alarm, it will enable you to know when the wetting is occurring. As your brain and bladder begin to work together, your body will begin to anticipate what a full bladder feels like and what should be done next. Overcoming bedwetting is a process and it will take time and persistence. However, what do you have to lose?

I frequently get questions from adults who are experiencing nighttime wetting. These people fall into several groups: those who have never achieved nighttime dryness (like RS above), those who have begun wetting as a result of a medical condition or surgery and those who have gradually started wetting as they get older. We have products that can help persons in each of these groups.

Some adults just want to be alerted when wetting is occurring. They want to prevent skin breakdown, being uncomfortable and associated odor. Bedwetting alarms are all moisture sensing devices and can be used for just that purpose. A Malem wireless alarm can be used with your own underwear and the volume control on the receiver allows the tone to be lowered if bothering another household member is a consideration. The first drops of moisture would be detected so a caregiver or the affected person would be alerted. Pad type alarms could also be used but only if the user preferred thin or no underwear in the nighttime.

Waterproof overlay pads, breathable waterproof mattress covers, absorbent waterproof mattress pads, urine stain removers and disposable and washable underwear are all products that can make your life easier. If wetting is an ongoing problem, investing in a few convenient items like these can make the difference between copious amounts of laundry and ruined mattresses and a clean, fresh-smelling room. I also want to recommend www.NationalIncontinence.com for a full line of adult incontinence products.

Bed Wetting Problem

Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010

RA writes, I hope you can help with my son’s bedwetting problem. My almost 10 year old boy is a major bedwetter and I mean he wets 3-4 times per night. He has been seeing a urologist and the biofeedback determines he is not an efficient voider during the day- he does not empty his bladder completely. So all this urine builds up all day long and he wets at night. He is supposed to be doing kegel type exercises. We have tried the alarm for six months and it does not help. He was on medication for nighttime but it made no difference. He is a heavy sleeper and we end up getting up. He double voids before bed and we limit liquids. What else can we do? I am at my wits end! I feel he will be 16 before this ends!

Bedwetting can be so frustrating at times. It sounds like you have explored many avenues to get your son to dryness. Since it sounds like his daytime voiding is inefficient, working on that a little more may help. Did the urologist recommend a timed voiding program in the daytime? The kids wear a vibratory wristwatch that discreetly reminds them to go to the bathroom about every 2 hours, even if they don’t feel like it. If he hasn’t tried this yet, it may help to empty his bladder more efficiently during the day. I use the Vibrowatch for my patients because it can be set to precise times. I like to set times that do not require the kids to leave the middle of class, and allow them to start the bus ride home at the end of the day with an empty bladder. Taking a water bottle to school helps to assure that they are adequately hydrated during the day and not thirsty late in the day. Once he’s done this for a few months, he could restart the alarm at night.

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