Toilet Training - Daughter "Freezes" when urinating

My nearly 3 year old Daughter has been toilet training unsuccessfully for nearly a year now, and when she has an "accident" she completely freezes up, the moment she starts to urinate its like theres no one home, she doesn't even know shes doing it.  Our question is, has anyone heard of this happening in other children, could it have something to do with Hip Displacia or a seziure (see below) or is it just a normal thing that happens?

Thanks

Now for some background information
She was diagnosed with hip displacia, at birth (she was born without the socket in her hip) which was surgically corrected at 4 months old and placed in a hip spica cast for 3 months.

At 5 weeks old she had a seziure where she was foaming from the mouth, and going stiff and floppy which she had a couple of tests including a brain scan and a lumber puncher, and everything came back normal.

Just before she turned 2 she was diagnosed with Coeliac Disease, after seeing doctors about constipation and other problems for almost a year.  She is now on a fully gluten free diet, and is doing alot better.

Just after she turned 2 she was diagnosed with Dispraxia and is currently in speech therapy, and progressing well.

[seattlemom2plus]

This really reminds me of the issues we were having with our son when he was severely constipated and had an impacted bowel.  His urine was actually backed up due to the pressure from his bowel.  Once this was released, he literally urinated all over the hospital bed.  What we did for about that week was used mineral oil enemas to loosen up the rest of the stool that was left over.  Now to treat the issue, we have eliminated milk from his diet, use PediaLyte Fiber gummies and avoid nuts and nut butter and he has been normal but before that he was having difficulty urinating.

[nzleagle]

She doesn't currently have any problems with the passing of urine or stools, she has lots of wet nappies, and between 1 and 4 dirty nappies a day.

Before she was diagnosed Coeliac that was another story...

The Problem is When she urinates she almost goes into a trance, we can talk to her, we can touch her and she doesn't respond what so ever, if we pick her up and move her to the toilet, when she comes out of her "Trance" she gets really upset, but if we wait for her to come out of her "Trance" its like nothing ever happened.

[seattlemom2plus]

That is very interesting that she goes into a trance.  I am going to say that we did not potty train our kids early and I know most parents usually do for daycares.  We just let them get to their natural readiness which was pretty much right about at 4.  Then without much coaxing at all the diapers were off and they were using the toilet.  Having bowel movements took some staging but they were good about going to the restroom before a nap or bed and fortunately having very few accidents.  Does she exhibit the same behavior with a diaper on as well? that you noticed before potty training?

[skepticalpeach]

I'm with seattlemom, we let our daughter potty train when she wanted to. this happened to be at 3 years old. sometimes she still cries when we remind her to use the potty and we tell her she just has to try, she doesn't have to go. It takes the pressure off for her to perform and has worked really well. I'd talk to her OT about this if you have one.

Our daughter has dyspraxia too!

[seattlemom2plus]

Definitely follow up with us too and let us know what worked or didn't work.  I am sure this thread alone will help a lot of other parents with the same issue :)

[achilles2]

Can she tell you why she freezes up? It could that urinating is painful. I suggest you investigate into the possibility of interstitial cystitis. This is also known as painful bladder syndrome. It is chronic inflammation of the bladder. I treat mine with meds and diet (I also have Celiac's).

I hope this helps,

achilles2

PS If you suspect this do not let them tell you that she is too young to get it, because she is not.

[achilles2]

Also if you are still concerned about seizures see if she can have a MEG. The site will give you info about why an EEG is not enough when it comes to looking for seizures.
http://www.alexianbrothershealth.org/services/neurosciences/services/MEG-Brain-Mapping/index.aspx

[seattlemom2plus]

Yes check in with us when you get a moment to let us know the progress, like achilles2 mentioned there can be a lot of other factors that are the underlying cause.