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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To take laughing toddler to A&E?

401 replies

Hogi · 08/05/2023 09:24

I actually don't know if I'm being unreasonable here. I guess i'm just worried.

I can't remember when it started but my toddler would have random burst of uncontrollable laughter a few times a day for seemly no reason. Nothing was funny and it usually gets a bit worse when he's going to sleep or waking up but we just thought it was a quirk of his because he does have a genetic condition and probably is on the spectrum so we just kind of ignored it because laughing can't be bad?

Over the last 24 hours it's been relentless, it's happening more than it ever has and it kept him awake - it was short bursts of laughter for over an hour and he was getting really agitated.

I googled it and it's saying it maybe something called gelastic seizures - it's rare (but so is he's genetic condition) and the history and his symptoms seem to fit what's happening.

He's again having a few attacks this morning and obviously the doctors aren't open but I'm thinking if a 2 year old is potentially having seizures then maybe we should get him checked out?

I don't know really I don't think he can wait a few days with this going on as it's really affecting him (more than it usually does).

OP posts:
Fladdermus · 09/05/2023 07:28

Don't beat yourself up OP. Hindsight is always perfect. You've noticed a problem and you've fought to be heard immediately on recognising that there's a problem. You've done the absolute best you can for you child. You're doing a great job.

plutoniumum · 09/05/2023 07:39

OP I'm so glad you got the help you desperately needed. You're now in safe hands.

IWantAShitzu · 09/05/2023 07:40

Sending lots of love to you xx

Minfilia · 09/05/2023 07:43

My brother has epilepsy OP and for years he had “vacant” seizures without any of us (including him!) realising what it was as they were so short, it was only when he had tonic clonic seizures that he was diagnosed so don’t feel bad about it, it’s really uncommon by the sounds of it (I’d never even heard of the type of seizure your DS has despite my DB being diagnosed and my DS still waiting for potential diagnosis!)

Do they do an MRI at that age? Teen DS had a CT scan and is now awaiting an outpatient MRI.

MaverickSnoopy · 09/05/2023 07:51

OP you are a hero. It can be so hard to identity when oddities or traits are something more in children. All you have to go by is what you can see and a laughing child is hardly abnormal. The doctors were telling you a 6-8 week wait because THEY couldn't see any evidence, which is what it boils down to. YOU have now given them firm evidence and you'll keep pushing like you already have. You're an excellent Mummy.

Original poster
Hogi · 09/05/2023 07:51

Minfilia · 09/05/2023 07:43

My brother has epilepsy OP and for years he had “vacant” seizures without any of us (including him!) realising what it was as they were so short, it was only when he had tonic clonic seizures that he was diagnosed so don’t feel bad about it, it’s really uncommon by the sounds of it (I’d never even heard of the type of seizure your DS has despite my DB being diagnosed and my DS still waiting for potential diagnosis!)

Do they do an MRI at that age? Teen DS had a CT scan and is now awaiting an outpatient MRI.

Gosh it's crazy isn't it. I guess I thought a seizure was what we see on telly, a lot of shaking around but obviously that isn't the case but thank you for sharing. It does help.

I think the doctor said imaging to be fair so possibly CT scan.

OP posts:
SunnyEgg · 09/05/2023 08:02

I hope you both managed to sleep op

You're doing well, I’m glad the healthcare team is very good

Minfilia · 09/05/2023 08:10

Hogi · 09/05/2023 07:51

Gosh it's crazy isn't it. I guess I thought a seizure was what we see on telly, a lot of shaking around but obviously that isn't the case but thank you for sharing. It does help.

I think the doctor said imaging to be fair so possibly CT scan.

Show quote history

It might progress to the “shaking” type seizures too OP (just based on my experience). If that happens the advice is to call 999 for a first seizure and also for any seizure lasting 5 minutes or more after that.

I hope you both get a swift diagnosis so you can start feeling more under control of the situation. But you noticed that it’s a potential seizure way earlier than a lot of people would so you have no reason to feel guilty. It sounds like you’re a lovely, caring mum who has done everything right.

AuditAngel · 09/05/2023 08:23

I just wanted to say don’t beat yourself up about not realising they might be seizures, DD1 started having seizures in March last year just before her 15th birthday. Looking back, she had a series of “fainting fits” 18 months earlier that might have been seizures. She also fell while carrying some food between the “fainting fits” and the subsequent seizures which may also have been a seizure as it matches one of the kinds of seizures she has.

We’re all just doing the best that we can.

phoneissue · 09/05/2023 08:42

Good luck @Hogi I hope your dear little one gets suitable assessment very soon. You’re a great Mum and doing the right thing.

Original poster
Hogi · 09/05/2023 08:45

When the doctor comes around today. I'm really hoping he says the same as the night doctor but if not ..

What should I ask for?

I'm going to ask for an urgent EEG and refuse to wait (wish me luck) but is that it and take it from there?

Gosh it's all so scary I just want to get it right.

OP posts:
FlamingoQueen · 09/05/2023 08:48

I would be hopeful that you don’t have to demand anything now they’ve seen him having episodes. I expect they will get a plan of action in place today and as you are in the hospital already, things happen a bit quicker.

Original poster
Hogi · 09/05/2023 08:50

FlamingoQueen · 09/05/2023 08:48

I would be hopeful that you don’t have to demand anything now they’ve seen him having episodes. I expect they will get a plan of action in place today and as you are in the hospital already, things happen a bit quicker.

I'm really hoping so but the day nurse came round and was like we don't have a plan of action for today, you'll just see the doctor at around dinner time so I'm just a bit worried but I'll wait to see the doctor.

OP posts:
Shelefttheweb · 09/05/2023 08:50

Just read the thread. I am horrified that A&E decided he was too complex for them so discharged. Also rare conditions are rare because few people have them not because no one has them. Actually rare conditions aren’t necessarily even that rare at all; it counts as rare if 1 person or less in 2000 has it.

MyNameIsErinQuin · 09/05/2023 08:53

Shelefttheweb · 09/05/2023 08:50

Just read the thread. I am horrified that A&E decided he was too complex for them so discharged. Also rare conditions are rare because few people have them not because no one has them. Actually rare conditions aren’t necessarily even that rare at all; it counts as rare if 1 person or less in 2000 has it.

My son has epilepsy and A&E won’t do anything until a specialist doctor/nurse arrives other than usual regular observations. Same with GP.

Shelefttheweb · 09/05/2023 08:54

Hogi · 09/05/2023 08:45

When the doctor comes around today. I'm really hoping he says the same as the night doctor but if not ..

What should I ask for?

I'm going to ask for an urgent EEG and refuse to wait (wish me luck) but is that it and take it from there?

Gosh it's all so scary I just want to get it right.

Just read a bit about gelastic seizures, it suggested that as they orig8nate deep within the brain EEGs don’t always pick them up. I would ask for the suggested MRI. Yes small children can have MRIs but he will probably need a general anaesthetic - friends’ toddlers/babies who have had them have had generals.

MyNameIsErinQuin · 09/05/2023 08:56

Hogi · 09/05/2023 08:45

When the doctor comes around today. I'm really hoping he says the same as the night doctor but if not ..

What should I ask for?

I'm going to ask for an urgent EEG and refuse to wait (wish me luck) but is that it and take it from there?

Gosh it's all so scary I just want to get it right.

Yes to pushing for an EEG but the hospital you are at may not be able to do paediatric EEGs, ours can’t. So you may be referred elsewhere. If you are, phone them and say you are available at short notice if there are cancellations. We got seen within a couple of days but got a phone call saying can you leave now.
Once you have had an EEG, MRI could be the next logical step. If you decide that he would need sedation, again be prepared to have it done elsewhere.

PaddingtonTheAngelofDeath · 09/05/2023 09:00

Would you mind explaining what happens a bit more, does it happen from no where, can you distract out of it? Only asking as a child in my family has random outbursts of sobbing, which are worse at bedtime/night and which seem completely unrelated to mood and seem manic rather than upset if that makes sense?

Good luck with the doc today I hope you get some answers.

Original poster
Hogi · 09/05/2023 09:13

PaddingtonTheAngelofDeath · 09/05/2023 09:00

Would you mind explaining what happens a bit more, does it happen from no where, can you distract out of it? Only asking as a child in my family has random outbursts of sobbing, which are worse at bedtime/night and which seem completely unrelated to mood and seem manic rather than upset if that makes sense?

Good luck with the doc today I hope you get some answers.

It's hard to explain but I'll try my best - before the last 24-48 hours. He would just randomly laugh, it last anywhere from 2-5 seconds so we ignored it.

Bedtime he'd laugh for a few minutes, same when he woke up in the morning - it sounded manic though not like he's normal laugh.

When he was crying. He was laughing manic between them on Sunday.

Recently he's been showing signs of seizures you would expect. Flicky eyes, blank expression .. they seem to be getting worse now but like said before it didn't seem like anything

OP posts:
Doggi · 09/05/2023 09:18

Hope you get some answers soon

mumof1879 · 09/05/2023 09:22

My 6yo daughter has had seizures recently and when she first went to A&E they arranged an outpatient EEG and MRI but we were told if she had another then she would be admitted for a CT scan while she waits for the MRI. CT scan wasn’t their first choice but would be a good option while we wait for MRI.
I hope you get some answers today and your son is doing ok. It was such a rollercoaster few weeks while we got the tests and made some progress x

Wheresthebeach · 09/05/2023 09:28

Fingers crossed you get some answers today OP. You've done absolutely everything you could and acting quickly. Don't spend any time thinking you should have done things differently.

womenoftheworldtakeover · 09/05/2023 09:31

Your poor boy. I’m so sorry for all that you’re going through @Hogi. You are doing everything right. I hope today goes well 💐

PaddingtonTheAngelofDeath · 09/05/2023 09:51

Thank you, I've forwarded this thread onto her.

Really hope you get some answers.

Bella94 · 09/05/2023 09:57

Hi OP, just wanted to share I was in a similar situation few years back and it was actually MN that helped me to get to the bottom of what was happening to my son when I asked for an advice. My son started having very short seizures when he would randomly fall down or his face would go blank, it only lasted seconds and initially I didn't think anything of it. Nobody except me noticed anything at all and being persuaded by MN I took him to the doctor thinking nobody would take me seriously because I had no evidence. Luckily they took it very seriously, after some investigations my son was diagnosed with epilepsy and was put on meds. He has been seizure free for 3 years now and stopped taking his meds 2 years ago. I wish you and your little one all the best. I will be forever grateful for all the helpful advice I received here those years ago.