I have a 6 year old who frequently goes through several pairs of clothes being wet a day. On a bad day it could be 4 or 5; he is in afternoon kindergarten and has a change of clothes in his locker that he sometimes uses, but not all the time. I have talked about this with a doctors, but they only recommend a regular bathroom schedule and medication, which I am hesitant about using. I try to stick with natural things and don't want unwanted side effects. He also has some mess in his underwear and drops little raisin like poops on the floor (we might be close to solving this problem though, we took him off of Miralax and started prune juice with licorce or fig nueton and he has been having almost no poops this last week if we stay consistent). Does anyone have older children who have trouble staying dry? Any suggestions beside the drug the doctors prescribe?
Often with this type of problem it can be a problem with diet. I would try getting a high quality B-Complex to help with the digesting of sugars. Shaklee is a great brand. I have a testimonial about this problem in my library. Please contact me if you are interested in more information.
C. - believe it or not, but chiropractic may be able to help with this issues. I have 2 chiroprators I would highly recommend, one in Eagan, one in Lakeville.
Let me know if you want contact information.
Hi C.,
I second the idea to take him to a chiropractor. You'd be surprised at how a misalinged spine can affect bathroom issues.
Like Anne-Marie mentioned, I would also have his blood sugar checked to rule that out.
Also, my family sees a great Naturopathic Doctor who specializes in women's health and pediatrics. She has her own clinic but also works with "difficult diagnosis" at Children's Hospital. She's based in St. Paul--let me know if you want her contact info.
When my daughter was 3 and was wetting herself after being potty trained I took her to the doctor. They discovered she was so constipated that it was pushing on her bladder and therefore she was having mini accidents. It was no fault of her own and was a medical problem. She went on miralax and the problem disappeared. Maybe that's your son's problem
My son is not as old- only 4 1/2. But he has been pee potty trained for almost 2 years and still goes through several pairs of underwear and pants a day. I have tried doing what the doctor recommended and it made things worse (I was setting a timer once an hour so he would get on a schedule and go every hour, but then he thought he could only go when the timer went off or when I told him, so he was having MORE accidents!). He doesn't have any problems with pooping now, though (he's only been pooping on the toilet for 7 months but he is very good about doing it now). I don't know what to do either. Sorry I couldn't help.
My daughter had this problem when she was constipated she would have urine accidents, her doctor had an xray taken and she was so backed up that her colon was as big as her forearm and was pushing on her bladder! You need to get him completely cleaned out with an enema or suppositories(not fun I know) and then keep him regular with the Miralax and lots of water and fiber foods, then hopefully the accidents will stop, they did for us. You may also want to get a urine test done just to make sure there is not a bladder infection...good luck!
Hi C.
I agree that he may be so constipated he is haveing accidents. I would take him to the chiropractor and see if a few adjustments might help. Good Luck T.
have you tried chiropractic care? the bladder and bowels are controlled by nerves obviously.. and if they are impacted in some way by his spine (which we know how boys run and jump and bash themselves around).. this may bring relief. Worth a try. Worked for us.
I think you have some good suggestions from others. One more thing to consider: my daughter had trouble with accidents and we discovered it was due to a food allergy (or food "sensitivity" really, it's not life-threatening). In her case it was to food coloring. I have heard that other kids can have difficulties with the chemicals in processed food. Good luck!
Candace, my daughter was having problems with her 8 yr old daughter, not wetting during the day, but not being able to stay dry at night. She was also having periodic stomach aches (cramping that would wake her up during the night and make her double over) that didn't manifest into anything else. At my suggestion as a 'test' she took her off all milk products (no milk, no ice cream, a little cheese only; uses rice milk for cereal and protein shakes) and within 2 days the tummy aches stopped and she has stayed dry for about 2 weeks - plus the dark circles under her eyes are gone! It could be something as simple as that for your son. You may want to try an elimination diet, one thing at a time (i.e. dairy products first, wheat/gluten products next if dairy isn't the problem). As you know, it's always best to try to find the actual problem and then a solution rather than medicating away the symptoms like your doctor suggested. Best wishes on sleuthing out the problem!
I also highly recommend having him be checked by a chiropractor. I am currently in chiropractic school and have a professor that did his own research study on kids unable to control their bladders. He had excellent results with all of the kids with a simple pelvic adjustment. Adjustments are also a great immune booster, which is great for any kid!
I hate to even suggest this but have you tested him for diabetes or other blood sugar problems?
