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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
itsgettingweird · 08/05/2023 10:37

Sorry didn't refresh before posting.

Glad you're getting him checked out.

HopesMama32 · 08/05/2023 10:40

aww hopefully the wait isn't too long op. Hope all goes well x

plutoniumum · 08/05/2023 10:42

Hope all goes well op, please keep us posted Flowers

Hankunamatata · 08/05/2023 10:44

Keep diary of times of attack and duration

Cuwins · 08/05/2023 10:49

As soon as I read your OP I thought gelastic seizures. I have worked with children with epilepsy for years and but only 1 child with clear gelastic seizures but they sound very like what your describing. Also the around sleep makes it sound more likely as that's the very common time for seizures to hit.
I would definitely have said a&e. Let us know how you get on.

Cuwins · 08/05/2023 10:50

And yes absolutely video anything you can and keep a log.

SleepyRich · 08/05/2023 10:56

Is he distractable when having these laughing episodes? As others have said absolutely video them and make a diary of frequency and duration, also what was going on just before the episode i.e. sleeping, eating, exertion, watching TV (flashy lights), loud noises....

I've never heard of or come across such a thing before. I work an ambulance and good call on standing them down, the thought process would have been "I can't believe I'm being sent to examine a laughing toddler, what a load of....", then arrival and hear the history "hmmm so it could be something, no idea whether that should wait to see GP/specialist during the week, or A&E now, better drop them off at A&E as I don't know anything about this". Only you have to wait an hour or 2 for the ambulance to arrive and then repeat the whole history again when you arrive at A&E!

Willmafrockfit · 08/05/2023 10:58

others of heard of the condition @SleepyRich

Viviennemary · 08/05/2023 11:03

Good idea to take a video. Those 111 folk will be useless. You need to see a proper doctor.

GoodChat · 08/05/2023 11:05

Viviennemary · 08/05/2023 11:03

Good idea to take a video. Those 111 folk will be useless. You need to see a proper doctor.

Except they weren't useless and wanted to send an ambulance so they clearly understood the gravity of the situation.

Teder · 08/05/2023 11:08

SleepyRich · 08/05/2023 10:56

Is he distractable when having these laughing episodes? As others have said absolutely video them and make a diary of frequency and duration, also what was going on just before the episode i.e. sleeping, eating, exertion, watching TV (flashy lights), loud noises....

I've never heard of or come across such a thing before. I work an ambulance and good call on standing them down, the thought process would have been "I can't believe I'm being sent to examine a laughing toddler, what a load of....", then arrival and hear the history "hmmm so it could be something, no idea whether that should wait to see GP/specialist during the week, or A&E now, better drop them off at A&E as I don't know anything about this". Only you have to wait an hour or 2 for the ambulance to arrive and then repeat the whole history again when you arrive at A&E!

I would be concerned about waiting to see a GP given the increase in these possible ? seizures. I’m not a medic but this little one has a rare genetic condition and now a rapid increase in possible seizures. Sounds an emergency to me!

Good luck, OP. You’re doing the right thing. Hope the wait isn’t too long and that you can get some answers.

Viviennemary · 08/05/2023 11:08

Well thats good it is getting sorted out. I read they were unqualified people and worked from a tick sheet. Perhaps thats wrong.

Cuwins · 08/05/2023 11:09

SleepyRich · 08/05/2023 10:56

Is he distractable when having these laughing episodes? As others have said absolutely video them and make a diary of frequency and duration, also what was going on just before the episode i.e. sleeping, eating, exertion, watching TV (flashy lights), loud noises....

I've never heard of or come across such a thing before. I work an ambulance and good call on standing them down, the thought process would have been "I can't believe I'm being sent to examine a laughing toddler, what a load of....", then arrival and hear the history "hmmm so it could be something, no idea whether that should wait to see GP/specialist during the week, or A&E now, better drop them off at A&E as I don't know anything about this". Only you have to wait an hour or 2 for the ambulance to arrive and then repeat the whole history again when you arrive at A&E!

I have to say this is my experience of ambulance staff for anything out of the ordinary seizure wise. Very good with your standard tonic clinic type seizure and absolutely fabulous the day one of my students stopped breathing (thankfully while they were already in attendance) but I have often sat in the back of an ambulance educating the paramedic about the more unusual seizures we are dealing with/pointing out when they are happening etc.
Don't get me wrong that's not a slur on paramedics they have been literally life savers at times and are always lovely but they can't know about everything. They are always very interested to learn though and never dismissive of what I'm saying.

MobMoll · 08/05/2023 11:11

My son does this- it’s very common in autistic kids. I too initially thought it was seizures. We got to see a pediatric neurologist who confirmed that it wasn’t. Unfortunately epilepsy is common in autistic kids, glad that wasn’t the case with my son and hopefully it isn’t the case with yours

Leftoverssandwich · 08/05/2023 11:15

It’s not just paramedics. A&E are the same in my experience. Quite rightly they have specific skills and knowledge for the things they deal with most but a rare genetic condition will not be in their sights.

We found that we had to really push to be taken to the specialists within the hospital on an A&E admission because the registrar we saw cheerily said she knew nothing about the condition beyond what she’d done in Biology A level. That’s not her fault but it meant we weren’t getting the right treatment. It took hours and I’m afraid the outcome wasn’t great. In our case there was an A&E protocol that wasn’t followed (we should have been immediately referred according to instructions left with them, but they ignored us telling them that).

I think emergency medical staff do a fantastic job but there will obviously be limitations on their expertise when dealing with something unusual, whether 111, paramedics or A&E staff.

polkadotelephant · 08/05/2023 11:23

I’m hoping you’re now in A&E.
These do sound like seizures to me (my son has unusual seizures and has been shouted at whilst having a seizure because people don’t realise that not all seizures are tonic clonic).

If they’re not then that is excellent news but if they are this is a medical emergency. You wouldn’t wait with chest pain or sudden loss of vision just because it’s more likely to be heart burn or a migraine than a heart attack or a stroke. Certain symptoms are for A&E.

WilsonMilson · 08/05/2023 11:23

This sounds exactly like gelastic seizures, and getting a video of them would be very helpful for your doctors. I see he is under a neuro paed, that’s exactly who you need and who will likely have some more tests done. Sometimes a benign hypothalamus tumour is the cause, but that needs more investigation.

The problem with these sorts of seizures is that they are quite tricky to control and often standard epilepsy drugs don’t work too well.

I would take him to your nearest kids A&E and hopefully they will take it from there - the A&E doctors probably won’t be able to help too much, but I’d push for an admission so he can see the paed neuro far quicker than he would as an outpatient.

Highdaysandholidays1 · 08/05/2023 11:29

In our A and E you would go through screening and then probably straight onto the Paeds assessment Unit, where a dr will come and see you relatively quickly (so no adult assessment drs). Definitely go for an increase in seizure activity which may worsen, also the advice to video it, whilst you are waiting, is spot on. Good luck, OP.

Batalax · 08/05/2023 11:38

Glad they are taking it seriously. You know that’s not normal and the increase could be dangerous.

SunnyEgg · 08/05/2023 11:40

Good luck op glad you’re going

Frazzled1502 · 08/05/2023 11:42

Glad to hear you’ve been taken seriously.
Id too encourage you to push for admission to get fast tracked to the neuro team able to deal with this.

let us know how you get on. And a huge pat on the back for being a great mum and pushing for this

AliceUK · 08/05/2023 12:00

I’m medical, but I have never heard of these type of seizures. Obviously I cannot comment on a case I haven’t seen over the internet, but in general with any type of suspected seizure you should time it, film it if possible, and seek medical advice if seizures have never been diagnosed in your child before. An increase in frequency of these episodes would concern me too and no one will think you’re silly for seeking help. If your toddler had a tonic-clinic seizure you wouldn’t think twice about going to A&E, I would always suggest you do visit the hospital to make sure any kind of seizure is ruled out. Rare types of seizure still occur, and it’s very possible that your little one is one of the rare few to experience it.
People on here may not think it is urgent, but it’s not just the brain activity that’s the concern, if it happens when your child is eating they could choke too and that is immediately life threatening. If it’s disturbing their sleep as well then whatever the problem is it’s affecting basic daily functioning which needs addressing, and I haven’t read the full thread so apologies if you’ve already said if he is finding it distressing or not, but if it is causing him distress I would also consider that reason enough for urgent investigation. If your GP refers him you may be faced with a long waiting list, if you present to A&E then you will at least be assessed to make sure he is immediately safe and paediatrics may be able to run some useful tests and scans even if they don’t have a specialist in today, at least that way if they find anything of concern then they can call a specialist in to see him. We have been taught that parent’a concern for their child should always be taken seriously when considering the urgency of a case, so if your gut says something isn’t right, get it checked out! If it eases the worry and reassures you then that’s important. Best of luck ❤️

Lochjeda · 08/05/2023 12:00

Oops posted too s

Lochjeda · 08/05/2023 12:01

My phone is ripping the piss out me today 🙈 what I'm trying to say is the line under her top on her mid section simply looks like she's got high waisted

Lochjeda · 08/05/2023 12:03

Wrong thread so sorry, an ad keeps popping up and my screen moves down midtyping and somehow have pressed back and ended up on here, apologies hope your toddler is okay!