Question: I have an autistic son of 21 who for a few years will not wee for hours. I am worried he is damaging his bladder. He is highly anxious, cannot talk, severe learning difficulties and is not toilet trained (although periodically will wee a tiny amount on the loo). He wees at about 7.30 am, goes out with carer at 9.30 am and only goes again when he returns at 4 pm. This week has been only weeing about once or twice every 24 hours, I think because he must be particularly anxious. This behaviour mostly has stopped. He is fine at home, weekends and holidays with the weeing. Not sure how to treat this as he reacts very badly to chemicals, tablets etc, and think catheterisation might terrify him. Not sure what to do about this problem and is it going to cause him long term damage. Meant to say he doesn't drink very much, but as mentioned before he is autistic, severe learning difficulties and extremely anxious

Would like to ask about my autistic son's hands/finger joints. These are swollen. We saw a doctor a couple of years ago, had blood tests and x-rays which showed up no abnormalities. It was put down to him wringing his hands. The joints have swollen on other fingers, but wondered if there were alternatives to the strong drugs as he can't talk and has learning difficulties. He is 21. He constantly wrings his hands when excited and I wondered if this could be making the finger joints worse. He wrings his hands so hard that it looks painful. This behaviour is repeated several times a day. Do you have any ideas. Not sure if you are familiar with autism and all the problems that go with it!

I am a 53 year old female, post menopause. Don't want to take HRT. I am the mother of a severely disabled son, and am trying to lose weight (without much success). Can't do loads of exercise as find legs won't tolerate it (ie seem to pull muscles I didn't know I had), also been under chronic stress for years, plus two frozen shoulders, now better. It is a bit like a vicious circle, trying to get self sorted. Are you aware of anything that might help me, to put me back together!! Many thanks.

Hi. Thank you very much for your very helpful answers. I have another question about my son's joints. You mentioned physio for stiffness and pain. What treatments would they offer for this. Also, is there any way of getting the swelling down. I realise this probably comes with the inflammation of the joint, but if the inflammation can be improved will the swelling go down too.

Please would you recommend a topical cream which would help with inflammatory joint problems on the hands. I understand that a tablet might be better, but unfortunately I have a problem with tablets and find creams are better for me. It is more for the swelling.
Many thanks.

Sorry meant to write that my son has a problem with tablets and creams seem to not have such a bad reaction with him. He is the 21 year old autistic boy with learning difficulties.
Many thanks.