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Benign Rolandic Epilepsy and chronic bed wetting

Thu, 10/26/2006 - 17:47
My 8 year old son was diagnosed with benign Rolandic epilepsy last year after 2 separate seizures during the early morning hours about a year a part. He recently had another, about nine months after the last one. He is also a chronic bed wetter. We have attributed this to how deep he seems to sleep. It is very difficult to awaken him during the night. We purchased a device that will vibrate when it comes into contact with moisture. Our first attempt at using it coincided with his most recent seizure. We have been fearful to use it since. He is embarrassed by the bed wetting and frustrated that his 5 year old brother has no problems at night. Does anyone else have a similar experience and/or recommendation for addressing this? I really believe the 2 are related. We have 4 sons from ages 2 to 10. He is the only one who has these issues. Apart from these, he seems fine. He is a great student, and has no behavioral problems.

Comments

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Benign Rolandic Epilepsy and chronic bed

Submitted by rhettr on Fri, 2006-10-27 - 00:33
Good idea about the weekend. It really is just the fear of causing another seizure. But I think the stigma of bed wetting is even more damaging. He was wetting the bed before being diagnosed. He seemed to have a handle on it for a while, off and on. But for the past 1-1.5 years it is pretty much an every night thing. He isn't taking any meds. We have only talked to a general neurologist so far.

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Benign Rolandic Epilepsy and chronic

Submitted by ekoorb on Fri, 2006-10-27 - 09:02
Have you mentioned it to your pediatrician? If he is doing it every night, maybe there is some physical reason. You have to wonder if there is some sort of a correlation to E because it sounds like your son's bed wetting problem started within months of his seizures starting. You should read some of the threads of adults here who saw general neurologists for years. They all seem to recommend the benefits of going to an E specialist. We first started with a general one (who was a complete -SS) and switched to Children's Memorial to a epiologist (sp?). At the time we were new to E and I did not even realize he was a specialist because I did not know that existed. I just knew he was with an amazing practice. He truly changed our lives. If you are happy with your doc and things are going well with your son, there may not be a reason to change but if things get tougher, it is definitely something to look into. Keep me posted on the success of the device. I am going to add you to my buddy list. Hopefully we can chat some day in the chat room. Good luck.

Re: Re: Re: Benign Rolandic Epilepsy and chronic bed wetting

Submitted by Anneke on Mon, 2007-01-01 - 10:00
Hi rhettr I know it has been a few months since you wrote this, but I can definitely tell you that in my son's case, epilepsy and bedwetting goes hand in hand. He is now 6 and was diagnosed with epilepsy (complex partial) in May 06 - since he has been on meds, his bedwetting has decreased DRAMATICALLY! Now, I know that a wet night is a sign of a night time seizure for him, and I call my neuro immediately - he normally ups the dose of meds then. It has been a great relief to not have to wash sheets all the time! I keep a bedwetting pad in his bed just for in case. Good luck!

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