I am the Mother of a 16 year old who wets the bed. We have tried everything we can think of to get things under control. Many of you must have tried the medications, alarms etc. We even tried acupuncture in an effort to help resolve the problems. Diapers are not a good option as he wears a back brace at noght and nothing can go under the brace. He has had many unrelated surgeries and has had so many other more life threatening battles that I have always just supported him in his request not to wear protective clothing at night. I am now thinking that maybe I have been unfair to him. Maybe I should have been more diligent about keeping him dryer in a pull-up or such. He is going away to a special camp for survivors of Open Heart surgery. He has gone for several years and they have always been supportive of his need for their help in washing sheets etc. This year they are asking that he wear some protection. He and I both understand their position, yet he was very upset at having to bring pull-ups to camp. He is thinking of missing his last year because of it. If any of you can give me some guidance as to how to help/support him I would be appreciative
- Find
what can this Mom do?
Does the back brace preclude the use of more trimmer, slimmer bladder control pads that he could tuck inside the front of regular underwear? These are widely available in disposable and even some reusable styles in retail drugstores and online medical supply places, etc.
At camp, a toiletry/"shaving kit" -type bag could be used to discretely exchange dry pads for wet ones (perhaps with the help of some plastic bags) during trips to the lavatory. Establishing such a routine might prove helpful in the future if he were to go away to school for post-secondary education, and/or an extended vacation, or another camping-type trip.
Good luck to you and your family.
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I think you do have options. If most of his problems are at night, you could try limiting his fluid intake a couple of hours before bedtime, and them having him empty before putting on any incontinence clothing.
I don't think a Foley is an option. They are not fun, and run the risk of inducing bladder infections.
Have you thought about a Texas catheter? It is in effect a sheath that slips over and has a tube connected to the a drainage bag. All external. Another option may be a soft clamp. There are several styles. I don't like them during the day. Just some thoughts. Sorry you and he are having so many problems.
Thanks I am familar with the Texas Cath, but didn't know they were available for home use. I will look into that as well as a clamp w/urologist. I would just like to make him feel he has choices and that he is invested in his own treatment.