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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:
supercatlady · 08/05/2023 14:15

I’m glad you got it checked out. Did they do an EEG? If it increases or he’s having prolonged attacks while you’re waiting for referral I wouldn’t hesitate to call 111 again.

ToeJabbyRun · 08/05/2023 14:15

My DH also a vet. Got a call out to a fitting dog. Turned out the dog was dreaming, owner was as high as a kite. Sometimes you just can't tell what's the serious call out and what is the ridiculous.

Hogi · 08/05/2023 14:19

supercatlady · 08/05/2023 14:15

I’m glad you got it checked out. Did they do an EEG? If it increases or he’s having prolonged attacks while you’re waiting for referral I wouldn’t hesitate to call 111 again.

They said they couldn't do an EEG but they're doing his blood so we're waiting for that and then the results of the blood test and then I think we can go home assuming everything's okay.

I am hoping as previous PP said it may just be something related to autism but it's hard to say.

He's in the right places getting all the right checks though.

OP posts:
plutoniumum · 08/05/2023 14:23

Thanks for updating us Op. I'm actually surprised they're only doing bloods - what are they testing for? Can the doc get hold of your neurologist today? Or at least one of the consultants in his department who is on call today?

TiredOfCleaning · 08/05/2023 14:34

Thanks for updating. I have a child with Tourettes so immediately thought of that but of course might be off the mark. It is just good to hear they are taking ti seriously. Thanks

Candidate987 · 08/05/2023 14:35

@Hogi Not RTFT, but my nephew laughed whenever he hurt himself badly. They only figured out what it was when he broke his arm and didn't stop laughing until it was plastered.
A&E was a good call (IMHO), hope you get a good explanation that's nothing serious.

Gillbil · 08/05/2023 14:36

Hope he's feeling better

ASGIRC · 08/05/2023 14:41

Peachy2005 · 08/05/2023 13:50

This was on an episode of Greys Anatomy :- really glad you went to A&E, good luck!

I was just thinking that as I was reading the OP!
Glad theyre taking it seriously and hes been taken care of

Coffeeshopsound · 08/05/2023 14:48

Make sure it's a video telemetry you get referred for, not just an EEG. Standard EEG is 20 minutes long and will likely pick nothing up unless an event happens during that time. Video telemetry is at least 24 hours on the EEG in a room with a camera recording the whole time. It is absolutely the best for diagnosing epilepsy, in my experience.

My son is also autistic, has drug resistant epilepsy which now presents as a variety of different seizures. He started off with these laughing episodes. Standard EEG was clear, neurologist told me it was likely just an autistic kid thing. They kept happening and I never thought much more of it. Then he started having what seemed like absence seizures. Back in for another EEG, came back clear. These then progressed to very obvious focal seizures and after sending about 4 or 5 videos to the epilepsy clinic they got him back in for a video telemetry. He had 16 seizures overnight, I had no idea he was having so many, and they gave him his diagnosis of epilepsy. That was 3 years ago and we're now on the pathway for brain surgery.

Of course I hope none of that is going to happen for you or your son but well done you for trying to get it looked in to sooner rather than later. Fingers crossed nothing serious. I always wonder if our outcome might be different if I'd took the laughing episodes more seriously.

lunar1 · 08/05/2023 15:01

Do you think he will be kept in tonight? If so the consultant he's admitted under can contact his neurologist tomorrow, you'll probably find they can fast track the EEG. He's also going to need in patient overnight monitoring i imagine.

Hogi · 08/05/2023 15:09

lunar1 · 08/05/2023 15:01

Do you think he will be kept in tonight? If so the consultant he's admitted under can contact his neurologist tomorrow, you'll probably find they can fast track the EEG. He's also going to need in patient overnight monitoring i imagine.

No they're letting him go now and will ring me with the results on the blood test.

They said it's too complex for them to deal with and they don't have the equipment.

This thread has been really helpful, I'm gonna video as much as I can and ask for the specific EEG previous pp mentioned.

OP posts:
Dachshund40 · 08/05/2023 15:09

Sounds like seizure activity I’d film it and take child to a&e

Dachshund40 · 08/05/2023 15:10

Sorry only just read whole thread, glad you went to a&e

Willmafrockfit · 08/05/2023 15:12

so glad you got seen, i am sure your neurologist will order tests relevant.

carriebradshawwithlessshoes · 08/05/2023 15:18

I have a child with some development issues and epilepsy and sporadic laughing episodes which I’ve discussed at length with the consultant and epilepsy nurses over the years so I can only share our story.

Gelastic epilepsy is very rare as you say, especially where there are no other seizure types. Epilepsy isn’t to my knowledge diagnosed on an eeg even if it is abnormal. Our dr says often an epileptic can have a normal eeg and vice versa.

videoing is absolutely key. Try and get him to respond to something whilst he is in this state such as following an instruction. Video that response. If he is awake move your hand to his face/ eyes, touch his face. Does he respond? Does he blink? Video all of that.

as others have said laughing can also be typical in neurological conditions. The key with epilepsy really is is he responsive? Can he be broken out of that state by an instruction or a direction?

good luck x

orangeflags · 08/05/2023 15:25

My brother who is in his late sixties has exactly the same fits. His epilepsy has been lifelong, although seems mainly controlled by drugs now. He was guaranteed to have one if he was at the theatre, cinema, on waking up and all through the night. People always thought he was laughing.

lunar1 · 08/05/2023 15:28

@Hogi, I'm not sure how it works for children. In adults he would be admitted for a set period of time, all the monitoring equipment would be attached to him and that feeds back to equipment based at the nurses station. It's also done in conjunction with video cameras so they can record what's happening.

The problem with an EEG is it only measures activity at the time, so if he's not having a seizure during the appointment it won't show anything. I'd definitely push for in patient monitoring and in the mean while get as much video evidence as you can.

Verbena17 · 08/05/2023 16:11

lunar1 · 08/05/2023 15:28

@Hogi, I'm not sure how it works for children. In adults he would be admitted for a set period of time, all the monitoring equipment would be attached to him and that feeds back to equipment based at the nurses station. It's also done in conjunction with video cameras so they can record what's happening.

The problem with an EEG is it only measures activity at the time, so if he's not having a seizure during the appointment it won't show anything. I'd definitely push for in patient monitoring and in the mean while get as much video evidence as you can.

Not entirely the case - and EEG can pick up background epileptical activity, even when no active seizure is visibly evident.

MyNameIsErinQuin · 08/05/2023 16:15

lunar1 · 08/05/2023 15:28

@Hogi, I'm not sure how it works for children. In adults he would be admitted for a set period of time, all the monitoring equipment would be attached to him and that feeds back to equipment based at the nurses station. It's also done in conjunction with video cameras so they can record what's happening.

The problem with an EEG is it only measures activity at the time, so if he's not having a seizure during the appointment it won't show anything. I'd definitely push for in patient monitoring and in the mean while get as much video evidence as you can.

@Hogi not always. My son has epilepsy and an EEG shows constant abnormal background activity when he’s not having a seizure.

Frazzled1502 · 08/05/2023 18:23

I’m epileptic. Tonic clonic seizures. I was diagnosed at 31 with an EEG and immediately put on anti epileptics. Then booked in for an mri for further information.

Hogi · 08/05/2023 19:21

Bloods were all normal. Doctor said one sample was clotted but she didn't feel they needed to retake them.

Email sent to my ped so hopefully the EEG won't take too long.

OP posts:
carriebradshawwithlessshoes · 08/05/2023 19:26

op the Epilepsy Society have a free helpline which is really good if you just want to discuss your concerns. Obv they don’t diagnose but sometimes an experienced sounding board is helpful.

LamentedHelicopter · 08/05/2023 19:47

If they don't need to redo the failed sample is be asking why they took it.
Has he had a seizure since being there, I'd want to stay until that had been witnessed personally (as you say it's now frequent)

Rainbowsandbutterflies1990 · 08/05/2023 19:54

My daughter used to do these and she is diagnosed with autism non verbal and significant learning disability at 2, now 6. I found them really difficult as wasn't cute to me. She grew out of it but she does go manic quite regularly usually before bed and while we r trying to put her down. where she just goes crazy jumping throwing herself on bed laughing , I've got used to it now but in beginning hated it.

Totalnamechange56 · 08/05/2023 20:21

I've name changed as incredibly outing but my complex, rare and unusual epilepsy was constantly misdiagnosed when I was little for ages because it was, well, weird and epilepsy was not even considered. It was horrible. Glad you went to A&E but in long term, get to a good terriary neurology centre and get EEGs etc. You sound caring Xxx