My son is 14 yrs old and has wet the bed all his life, you name it we have tried it, nothing seams to help, nasal sprays help sometimes but not all the time. He doesn't go on school camps or go to mates places or have them over because of the problem. He has got a very low self esteem because of it. he has joined the army cadets now and that involves campouts, we are at our wits ends and he misses out on so much, have you got any suggestions???
this must be incredibly frustrating and upsetting for you. One of the major side effects of bedwetting, particularly among adolescents, is the impact it has on children’s social life and self-confidence. I’m assuming you have already been to see a doctor (given the fact he has used nasal spray) – if this was some time ago it may be worth rescheduling an appointment to discuss your progress. You need to insist on a referral to a continence specialist. Unfortunately we are still a bit in the dark when it comes to having a complete understanding of the multiple causes of bedwetting. While many children wet the bed because of an immature nervous system or a small bladder – others have been known to do so as a result of food allergies or other underlying medical causes. It is worth asking for a full medical assessment just to rule these out. When it comes to treatment some parents have experienced success by combining different treatment options – I know of a number of cases where children have achieved nighttime dryness by combining the conditioning alarm with hypnotherapy. It is essential that you consult with a continence specialist first as treatment success increases with the level of support received. In the meantime, what is most important is working on ways to build his self-esteem and self-confidence. You can do this quite simply by really focusing on those aspects of his life where he experiences success – you need to help him understand that he is much more than someone who happens to wet the bed. Keep reminding him that the bedwetting is not his fault and even though it may not seem like it at the moment, it is something he will out grow. It is very important not to let his bedwetting interfere with social opportunities like sleepovers with mates and campouts, as this will only add to his feelings of isolation. Have you thought about combining the nasal spray with wearing DryNites so that he can attend campouts? Some children prefer not to as they fear being discovered although I know of older boys who have gone away on camps and hidden the sound of their DryNites by wearing polyester pyjama pants (the ones that make a swishy noise when they walk). It is important to talk with his cadet leader before going away so that he has a trusting and supportive adult to turn to if needed.
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