bedwetting and ADD
Question:
I also have a 10-yr-old and an 8-yr-old (both boys; both ADHD) who wet at night (always have). My oldest also has t.s. We’ve tried everything–from alarms to expensive programs. We’re pretty much waiting at this point. . . . Dee Pope
Response:
Hello- My son is 10 and also has a problem with this. His doctor that we see for the ADHD says it isn’t related. I think it is, maybe, indirectly. He sleeps SO soundly that you could set off a bomb in his room and he would not hear it. I think this is why he doesn’t wake up to go to the bathroom, and I would imagine the deep sleep is a result of the all-day overload he experiences. Just my opinion. He takes Ritalin, but nothing for the night
I just recently read a book which mentioned that bedwetting is indeed a problem with ADHD children. It is not merely betwetting per se, but the fact that the child simply is not aware of their bodily functions. For example, they may get a cut or bang themselves up and it won’t be brought to anyones attention until much later. It merely is another symptom of not paying attenion to certain things. I can’t remember if the book said anything about different medications, but I would guess that by the middle of the night the Ritalin has worn off, thus the problems. My opinion would be to get another doctor’s opinion.
Response:
My son is 12 years old and has been diagnosed ADHD (when he was in first grade). He also has a bedwetting problem. He is in Scouts and refuses to go on camping trips, etc. We have tried DDAVP, a nasal spray, and Tofranil (sp.?). When he is taking both he has fewer problems. When he only takes one or the other bedwetting continues. He is on Ritalin. I would like to know if there is any connection as well. He is hard to send to bed, but when he goes to sleep he is extremely hard to wake up. His doctor does not want him to continue to take Tofranil. Any comments or suggestions are needed.
This is almost the exact description of my son, only age 8 1/2. We have tried everything. He couldn’t come out of zonkers land once he goes to sleep if Michael the archangel blew his trumpet for the ressurection to begin. ;^) Getting him to go to bed, on the other hand can be WW III. Clonidine helps. I can’t believe there is no ADHD connection. In fact I believe I have heard other ADHD authorities comment on the link. —
