What type of doctor should I see?

amother

Mistyrose

Tue, Jul 10 2018, 7:18 pm

My 4 year old has been toilet training for a year and a half. Throughout she has had accidents seemingly without realizing and she is constantly leaking a little throughout the day and always has damp underwear. I don't know if it matters or not but she has low muscle tone and receives ot and pt.

Has anyone dealt with this and can offer advice? Also thinking of taking her to a specialist to rule out any issues, what type of doctor would that be? I spoke to her pediatrician and he wasn't sure he said we can try a urologist but he doesn't think they will do much at this age.

amother

Purple

Tue, Jul 10 2018, 7:40 pm

Definitely can be related to low muscle tone and poor body awareness, which therapists are hopefully addressing. Can you ask the PT to focus in pelvic floor strengthening?

Can't hurt to see a urologist and rule out anything else.

amother

Aqua

Tue, Jul 10 2018, 10:03 pm

1. Make sure she is making #2 daily. Constipation causes the colon (I think?) to bump into the bladder hence squeezing it a bit, leading to leaking urine. Especially in the summer when constipation is more likely if water consumption is not increased, since the body absorbs more water.
2. Low muscle tone may have a lot to do with it. OT should have exercises they can do with her to strengthen up.
3. Visit a urologist. They will rule everything out and guide you throughout until you've reached a solution.

Disclaimer: My daughter is 7 and has some issues as well... I understand you all too well and I wish you the very best!

amother

Magenta

Wed, Jul 11 2018, 11:04 am

amother wrote:

My son had the same problem and I did an EMG flow test at a urologist. Turned out his bladder was smaller than the average kid... I could simply not train him.

I was offered medication but didn't want to medicate due to serious side effects. Doctor told me when he's a bit older to do levels and this will strengthen and thus stretch bladder.

How? When he was about 5 yrs old I taught him to pause while urinating. He would start, then stop mid-stream for 5 seconds and then continue. The bladder is a muscle and can be strengthened and stretched. At about 6 there was no trace of the problem BH.