Onset of seizures in 6 year old - urgent care or GP?

[Vinvertebrate]

Hi all

It's another GP moan I am afraid...

My profoundly autistic DS6 has started having absences and seizures. He had a biggie at school the other day and when they told me (and gave me a lesson in seizures 101) I realised that he has quite frequent absences that are getting worse. I had put his "spacecakes" expressions and vacant stares down to autism, but I have since noticed that his eyes flicker and roll back in his head when they are happening.

Aware I sound like a shit parent btw - he has lots of funny mannerisms and foibles with his ASC and I put it down to one of those.

I called my sister who also has a DS with ASC and she said that her DS had been checked for epilepsy when diagnosed with autism because there is such a strong correlation. Good old NHS GP never told me about the link or suggested he get tested, so I filled in an e-consult explaining about this prolonged seizure at school and they responded 5 days later with an appointment in 3 weeks.

It's not AIBU but I wonder whether he should be seen more quickly or even if this is an A&E job. My GP surgery is in the "mildly useless" category although until now had been pretty good with DC.

What would MN do? Complain and try to get him seen earlier, or suck it up?

It will be because you’ve gone in armed, several GP’s don’t know the time scales themselves as the information around epilepsy has changed a lot (for instance I was told by a GP that I should never have any more children even though I have a very mild and controlled epilepsy with tonic seizures only once every 5/6 years).

If you are not seen within 2 weeks; prepare to complain to PALS as that will get it moving for you. Best of luck for your boy and keep that diary of seizures/food/sleep and videos of any seizures you do see x