Child Seizures - any expeience/info?
Discussion
Hi all.
My son had a seizure recently and being a first one, we spent some time in hospital getting him checked out.
They think its the mildest form and we're waiting for an EEG test to be done.
He doesn't seem to have had an ill effects from it, though he twice ran into walls yesterday. Could this be related?
For the last 3 weeks, he's has severe sleep problems - nightmares, waking up and crying, not being able to get back to sleep.
Any advice or info would be most welcome.
Thanks, a worried parent.
My son had a seizure recently and being a first one, we spent some time in hospital getting him checked out.
They think its the mildest form and we're waiting for an EEG test to be done.
He doesn't seem to have had an ill effects from it, though he twice ran into walls yesterday. Could this be related?
For the last 3 weeks, he's has severe sleep problems - nightmares, waking up and crying, not being able to get back to sleep.
Any advice or info would be most welcome.
Thanks, a worried parent.
Yes, our lad had one when he was about four. It turned out to be the most terrifying thing I have ever experienced.
There was a bump in the night, laddo had gotten up, and we assumed he had fallen out of bed, but actually what we think had happened was he had bumped into a door or something. Anyway, sixth sense started to twitch, I got up and he was on the landing having a mild fit, he was semi conscious.
The fit got worse, then subsided, but he was still pretty much ga-ga and drifting into unconsciousness. His breathing was becoming increasingly shallow. I put him in the recovery position and we called an ambulance, which arrived mind bogglingly quickly, but we really thought he might stop breathing at any point and I was getting myself primed for mouth to mouth and all that
Mrs BG went in the ambulance and I followed on in the car (dont ask, I havent a clue why). I had no idea wether I would arrive behind the ambulance with a DOA scenario. It was awfull. Anyway, he was improving when we got to hospital, and made a full recovery after a few hours. No idea what caused it, he has been fine ever since. He's now ten.
He may have fallen out of bed, then bumped his head as he wandered about, that may have triggered it.
He did have the MMR jab a few days beforehand, so that may have had some bearing on it.
Dont know really.
I hope that you and yours are all OK.
There was a bump in the night, laddo had gotten up, and we assumed he had fallen out of bed, but actually what we think had happened was he had bumped into a door or something. Anyway, sixth sense started to twitch, I got up and he was on the landing having a mild fit, he was semi conscious.
The fit got worse, then subsided, but he was still pretty much ga-ga and drifting into unconsciousness. His breathing was becoming increasingly shallow. I put him in the recovery position and we called an ambulance, which arrived mind bogglingly quickly, but we really thought he might stop breathing at any point and I was getting myself primed for mouth to mouth and all that
Mrs BG went in the ambulance and I followed on in the car (dont ask, I havent a clue why). I had no idea wether I would arrive behind the ambulance with a DOA scenario. It was awfull. Anyway, he was improving when we got to hospital, and made a full recovery after a few hours. No idea what caused it, he has been fine ever since. He's now ten.
He may have fallen out of bed, then bumped his head as he wandered about, that may have triggered it.
He did have the MMR jab a few days beforehand, so that may have had some bearing on it.
Dont know really.
I hope that you and yours are all OK.
Thanks BG - glad it all turned out OK for your lad too.
For me, the problem is not knowing what caused it or whether he'll have another one. His sleep pattern has been so disturbed for a few weeks (so has mine!) it's difficult to tell, as there had been a few problems with a bully at school, which was sorted pretty quickly, but he had a spate of nightmares.
Littlen is also 4 and also awoke from his sleep and wandered a few feet before the fit happened. Very scary.
I've googled for info, there is loads once I know the type, but at this stage that's unclear.
I hope, like your lad, that it's a one off. Yes, we are both fine thanks, apart from needing some undisturbed sleep!
For me, the problem is not knowing what caused it or whether he'll have another one. His sleep pattern has been so disturbed for a few weeks (so has mine!) it's difficult to tell, as there had been a few problems with a bully at school, which was sorted pretty quickly, but he had a spate of nightmares.
Littlen is also 4 and also awoke from his sleep and wandered a few feet before the fit happened. Very scary.
I've googled for info, there is loads once I know the type, but at this stage that's unclear.
I hope, like your lad, that it's a one off. Yes, we are both fine thanks, apart from needing some undisturbed sleep!
Many children have one off seizures with no conclusive diagnosis. It is thought that they can develop pyrexia very quickly which causes fitting.
Has the hospital taught you what to do and what not to do if he has another one? A lot of conflicting advice/old wives tales on how to deal with one.
Has the hospital taught you what to do and what not to do if he has another one? A lot of conflicting advice/old wives tales on how to deal with one.
Hi Lois
The hospital have said what to and what not to do - I've had a look at some info on the 'net too. So feel better equipped than I did Thursday night, though I stayed surprisingly calm!
Can't help but worry when he goes to bed if he'll have another one. Sure that will get easier as the nights go by without problems (here's hoping anyway!).
The hospital are also looking at his birth records too - as he was emergency section due to being distressed and then heartbeat lost. Apgar(sp?) score was 4 at first attempt IIRC. Thank God I was out of it for that!
He also had a tendancy (at about 12 months) to push himself up against the skirting board and bang his head deliberately and repeatedly. I discussed it with the Health Visitor at the time, who said nothing to worry about!
Makes you wonder though, what's going on in that head of his.
The hospital have said what to and what not to do - I've had a look at some info on the 'net too. So feel better equipped than I did Thursday night, though I stayed surprisingly calm!
Can't help but worry when he goes to bed if he'll have another one. Sure that will get easier as the nights go by without problems (here's hoping anyway!).
The hospital are also looking at his birth records too - as he was emergency section due to being distressed and then heartbeat lost. Apgar(sp?) score was 4 at first attempt IIRC. Thank God I was out of it for that!
He also had a tendancy (at about 12 months) to push himself up against the skirting board and bang his head deliberately and repeatedly. I discussed it with the Health Visitor at the time, who said nothing to worry about!
Makes you wonder though, what's going on in that head of his.
Seizures can sometimes be a result of something quite innocent that pushes the temperature up. My eldest had one at the age of three when she had a cold and it was a little scary. She went totally limp. I know they sometimes fake it, but a hard pinch of the fingernail proved it was the real thing.
Had her checked out at hospital and she was fine.
I don't think it's related, but she started to have "Petit Mal" seizures about a year ago. Rather than fit, these were basically absences where she just used to stop for a second or so. She would carry on doing what she was doing but the brain wasn't available for external input. Most peculiar.
Apparently electrical disturbances in growing children is quite common and they either grow out of it or it carries on. Mine is on a medicine called epilim which has totally controlled the symptoms. They stay on it for two years and come off to see what happens.
I didn't spot the absences for about a year as they are that subtle. I just thought she was occasionally disbedient, turns out she just wasn't aware I was talking to her.
It could be worth watching out for these just in case. I know he's a little young, but keep an eye on him near the roads and on high play equipment.
Had her checked out at hospital and she was fine.
I don't think it's related, but she started to have "Petit Mal" seizures about a year ago. Rather than fit, these were basically absences where she just used to stop for a second or so. She would carry on doing what she was doing but the brain wasn't available for external input. Most peculiar.
Apparently electrical disturbances in growing children is quite common and they either grow out of it or it carries on. Mine is on a medicine called epilim which has totally controlled the symptoms. They stay on it for two years and come off to see what happens.
I didn't spot the absences for about a year as they are that subtle. I just thought she was occasionally disbedient, turns out she just wasn't aware I was talking to her.
It could be worth watching out for these just in case. I know he's a little young, but keep an eye on him near the roads and on high play equipment.
Thanks BlairOut.
I'll need to inform school tomorrow, so I'll ask them to keep a look out for any 'absences' as well.
I'm pretty sure he wasn't faking it - the rolling eyes, he couldn't respond to me (which he normally does if he's half asleep), etc. It went on for 5/6 minutes with him seemingly going back to sleep afterwards.
Hopefully the EEG will give the Docs some info to work with.
I'll need to inform school tomorrow, so I'll ask them to keep a look out for any 'absences' as well.
I'm pretty sure he wasn't faking it - the rolling eyes, he couldn't respond to me (which he normally does if he's half asleep), etc. It went on for 5/6 minutes with him seemingly going back to sleep afterwards.
Hopefully the EEG will give the Docs some info to work with.
Migsy said:
For me, the problem is not knowing what caused it or whether he'll have another one. His sleep pattern has been so disturbed for a few weeks (so has mine!) it's difficult to tell, as there had been a few problems with a bully at school, which was sorted pretty quickly, but he had a spate of nightmares.
Stress (presumably from the bullying in this instance) can cause night terrors which are relatively harmless for the child but desperately worrying and upsetting for the parents to witness.
IIRC night terrors can also be associated with having epilepsy.
cosmoschick said:
How about cranial osteopathy? Apparently, it can be successful in the treatment of disorders causing convulsions.
I'll consider anything if it helps him. Thanks for the idea
My last osteopath put my disk out (though admittedly it was already damaged) and I ended up with lost feeling in my leg and an operation! So I'll tread carefully with this one!
Any more info? Childs age, birth details, family history (any siblings / parents / grand parents) of convulsions.
PS never heard of cranial ostos! I like to keep an open mind on alternative therapy but I would like sone reference as too its affectiveness please.
Most childhood convulsions are caused by pyrexia (raised temperature) and nothing else. If it is epilepsy PM me and I'll try and give you some advice.
PS never heard of cranial ostos! I like to keep an open mind on alternative therapy but I would like sone reference as too its affectiveness please.
Most childhood convulsions are caused by pyrexia (raised temperature) and nothing else. If it is epilepsy PM me and I'll try and give you some advice.
Hi Migsy,
A child at my school had an unxplained seizure just before xmas,she is 4 also. she spent a little time in hospital on an interavenus (sp) drip, and the conclusion was she was dehydrated mainly.
Her mum phoned up to say she wasnt going to be at school that day, as she looked a bit spaced out for some reason, then had the seizure.
Children do these things sometimes, but I can imagine it was pretty scary for you. Fingers crossed it was a one off!
Jane x
A child at my school had an unxplained seizure just before xmas,she is 4 also. she spent a little time in hospital on an interavenus (sp) drip, and the conclusion was she was dehydrated mainly.
Her mum phoned up to say she wasnt going to be at school that day, as she looked a bit spaced out for some reason, then had the seizure.
Children do these things sometimes, but I can imagine it was pretty scary for you. Fingers crossed it was a one off!
Jane x
medicineman said:
Any more info? Childs age, birth details, family history (any siblings / parents / grand parents) of convulsions.
PS never heard of cranial ostos! I like to keep an open mind on alternative therapy but I would like sone reference as too its affectiveness please.
Most childhood convulsions are caused by pyrexia (raised temperature) and nothing else. If it is epilepsy PM me and I'll try and give you some advice.
Son is 4 yrs and 5 months, he was 3 weeks early at birth (5lb 3oz) 17 hr labour, fetal heartbeat disappeared using internal monitor, so emergency section. Apgar score low initially, but all ok. No special care needed. He's stubborn! lol
No history of convulsions/epilepsy in either side of the family.
Yes, I'm keeping a close eye on his temperature - leaving his window slightly open. He's always a hot little bod.
Hope that helps
little me said:
Hi Migsy,
A child at my school had an unxplained seizure just before xmas,she is 4 also. she spent a little time in hospital on an interavenus (sp) drip, and the conclusion was she was dehydrated mainly.
Her mum phoned up to say she wasnt going to be at school that day, as she looked a bit spaced out for some reason, then had the seizure.
Children do these things sometimes, but I can imagine it was pretty scary for you. Fingers crossed it was a one off!
Jane x
Hi Jane
Seems these seizures are more common than I first thought, which in some ways, helps to put it into perspective. Still, its very scary at the time, as BG said.
Now the babysitter isn't too keen for obvious reasns! Hey-ho, sure it'll work out fine.
Must get together again soon too!
Cant offer advice I am afraid - other thant to keep this thread high(ish) for tomorrow and maybe tueday. Just post at the end to push it back up to the top of the list - just in case some of our resident Doctors see it...
As a parent to two young children (one 3 and the other 10 months), all I know is that this type of thing scares the bejezus out of me.
Good luck and I hope it works out.....
As a parent to two young children (one 3 and the other 10 months), all I know is that this type of thing scares the bejezus out of me.
Good luck and I hope it works out.....
off_again said:
Cant offer advice I am afraid - other thant to keep this thread high(ish) for tomorrow and maybe tueday. Just post at the end to push it back up to the top of the list - just in case some of our resident Doctors see it...
As a parent to two young children (one 3 and the other 10 months), all I know is that this type of thing scares the bejezus out of me.
Good luck and I hope it works out.....
Thanks..I'll bump it up in the morning too.
Bit difficult for me to get to read PH during the day (I'm one of those sad people who are always too busy at work!)
And also thank you to everyone who's posted here so far. It is appreciated.
My youngest has cerebal palsy and started fitting last year (age 3) she has 'carbamazapine' twice a day plus we have 'diazepam'to give her if she fits for more than 5 minutes, we still have not had a full answer to the cause the hospital suspect epilepsy but they lost all her eeg and cat scan results 
so we have to re book for more.
One point with the temperature a high temp can cause fitting but also a fit can lower the body temp and can mask its cause so often they are started on anti-biotics just in case there is an infection that started it.
so we have to re book for more. One point with the temperature a high temp can cause fitting but also a fit can lower the body temp and can mask its cause so often they are started on anti-biotics just in case there is an infection that started it.
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