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Conditions

Nocturnal Enuresis

Waking up to the problems of nocturnal enuresis (Photo courtsey of Kristian Thorjussen)

Wetting the bed during childhood is so common that it almost feels like a rite of passage. However, while most of us can leave those damp nighttime disruptions behind in childhood, wetting the bed at night affects about 1 person in 100 throughout adult life. Not only can this problem send your dry cleaning bills through the roof, but it can also limit you in terms of relationships, holidays, business trips, and any activities away from home. Furthermore, even though it’s called “nocturnal enuresis”, it can actually happen at any time you are asleep – for example, if you doze off during a train journey. Waking up in an empty carriage, with a sodden copy of The Times on your lap and a number of hastily vacated seats around you, is a million times more embarrassing than going to see your GP, who will be able to advise you on treatment.

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heyy i am 16 and i have been bed wetting since well all my life and i have been given tablets charts alarm mats well basically everything they can offer up to now and nothing has worked i am getting abit worried because i am getting to that age were i am getting more independance and want to go to more sleepovers but i am confused because i dont do it a friends houses but i always do it in my own bed and i dont like going on holiday because i went on holiday in the dominican for 2 weeks and must off dont it at lest 7-8 times during the stay and there was no protector so i was stuck sleeping on the floor most nights





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One of my children has had this condition for over 6 years. We saw a consultant every 6 months but no change whatsoever. We were then put in contact with an enuresis nurse and the improvement has been amazing. She is a complete expert on the subject and is the first person to know what she is talking about. She asked us to measure my child's intake of fluids and amount of urine for about ten days. From the info we gave her she advised that my child was not taking in enough fluids and his bladder was not working efficiently. She gave us precise details on how to increase fluid intake and gave info on the times of the day to stop taking in fluid. The improvement has been dramatic from being wet every night to now having 11 dry nights in a row. She is in regular touch with us to answer any queries and has been a life saver. If you can get in touch with an enuresis nurse through your doctor's surgery I would urge you to do so. Its a very distressing condition and I wish you all well. For the first time in 6 years we have reason to feel optimistic and it has all come about because we have an expert who knows what she is talking about. Good luck.





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I started wetting the bed every night following a brain heamorraghe and brain surgery. Tests revealled my bladder was working properley but that my brain doesn't seem to have contact with it. As a consequence i never know if i need to go. Daytime is much easier to manage but night time took a lot longer to deal with but i haven;t had a wet night for over a year. I guess what i'm saying is find out what works for you and never give up hope. xx





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hi i am 15 and i have been wetting the bed since i was really little. i went to my local enuresis clinic (Ipswich) and they gave me bed charts, alarms, and i have tried the tablets and they havent made any difference at all. i have to wear pullups which are fairly expensive for what they are and it is causing great stress for my mum. i have been invited to loads of sleepovers and i have had to turn down all of them and my friends are beginning to become curious and keep asking questions. i want/need something to help me because i am fed up with it. when we finish school, me and my friends are planning to go on holiday so i would love to be able to solve my problems by then otherwise i will not be able to go and enjoy myself. i need help!!! x





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Hi I'm 33 and from 4 to 30 I wet the bed 2-5 times a week. Tried everything - alarms, etc but I found after yrs of desmospressin (which did work) acupuncture had a really good effect so I could stop the desmo, and although I have accidents on occasion - once every couple of months, (i've noticed more so near my period) much better than ever before, and a confidence I never realised I'd missed out on until I was freed of the anxiety around it. Another tip I kept meaning to put somewhere is about bed protectors. Try the john lewis cot protector - once you get over the emb'ment of it being in baby section, as a 'seasoned' user it works really well, it comes in two sizes so can put under sheet in single bed or one side of a double bed, without the crackling, sssh-ing sound of others. really thin too, so easy to take on trips. hope this helps someone as much as it has helped me.





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Im 22 and have a weak bladder when im stressed or walking somewere on my own i can wet myself also every time i go on a night out i wake up with a wet bed which is embarrsing when i have friends or my partner in the bed with me!! please help x





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hi im 14 now nearly 15 i have been wetting the bed for about 10 years and it really annoying i have been to the doctor and they have given me everything alarms dermotablets etc and it is really annoying please help





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im 21 now nearly 22 i wet the bed most night not every night i can stay dry for a 3-4 nights but then i start weting the bed again can any help me.





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im 23 and ive been wetting the bed now for about 6 years now!! i olny started doing it because my boyfriend at the time did it! but now if i go out for a few drinks it happens or i think im gunna do it the next morning its happened! im startin to get really down now!! i want it to stop so i can move forward in my life! please help me!!!!!





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hi, im 17 and have been wetting the bed for too long.. nd just want it to stop.. i only ever seem to wet the bed wen im due on my period.. roughly a week before. but now im in a serious relationship with my boyfriend we want to go away on holiday together. but because of this bed wetting im scared! can anyone advise me?? i have tried everythink possible!!!





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It looks like no one else has asked this question, so please fill in the rest of your details below.





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