Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

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:
Hogi · 08/05/2023 21:35

I called the number on the discharge letter and they've told me to bring him straight back.

I have it on video now though which will show them my concerns at least

OP posts:
heretoread81 · 08/05/2023 21:36

Hogi · 08/05/2023 21:35

I called the number on the discharge letter and they've told me to bring him straight back.

I have it on video now though which will show them my concerns at least

Good luck, don't let them fob you off xx

Cuwins · 08/05/2023 21:37

Hogi · 08/05/2023 21:35

I called the number on the discharge letter and they've told me to bring him straight back.

I have it on video now though which will show them my concerns at least

I think that's the right thing to do. Hopefully the video will make it easier to explain your concerns and if as you say he looks really out of it then hopefully it will be obvious to them that something isn't right.

SunnyEgg · 08/05/2023 21:37

Hogi · 08/05/2023 21:35

I called the number on the discharge letter and they've told me to bring him straight back.

I have it on video now though which will show them my concerns at least

Oh op I feel for you and your poor Ds

Good luck hope it goes ok

roughtyping · 08/05/2023 21:38

Good luck @Hogi , have been following and hope they take good care of him tonight.

Highdaysandholidays1 · 08/05/2023 21:39

Good luck, people are wrong that there's nothing that can be done and you have to wait the 6-8 weeks to see a neurologist, sometimes the body can be going into crisis and you need monitoring and intervention to stabilize the situation, including an urgent neuro/paeds review tomorrow morning. In that instance, the child or adult should be in hospital and being monitored, with a plan for more immediate action. I know that having taken an adult in with odd symptoms that turned out to be constant seizures.

plutoniumum · 08/05/2023 21:42

Hogi · 08/05/2023 21:35

I called the number on the discharge letter and they've told me to bring him straight back.

I have it on video now though which will show them my concerns at least

That's great, I hope all goes well and that your Ds has a thorough checkup. Hope he gets seen first thing by a consultant if not before.

Thinking of you op too.

BrutusMcDogface · 08/05/2023 21:43

Ah, I hope you get to the bottom of it and he can be medicated. Working in special school I’ve seen lots of little ones have seizures and it’s so scary. You’ve definitely done the right thing getting medical advice.

As an aside, one child I teach gets fits of the giggles when they are in pain with their condition. Not seizures as they are still “in the room”, iykwim, but extreme hysterical laughter.

FawnFrenchieMum · 08/05/2023 21:44

Hope you get some answers @Hogi. Don’t let them fob you off.

Evanna13 · 08/05/2023 21:45

Hope you get some answers x

ffscatmove · 08/05/2023 21:45

I'm glad you've been asked to take him back in @Hogi. Like many others I thought "oh shit, seizures" before I read about the genetic condition. Frequent seizures always warrant urgent checking out as you never know if they will escalate. I hope you both have a settled night tonight & don't get hoofed out in the middle of the night 🤞🏻

MaryDerry · 08/05/2023 21:49

Oh Hogi,
Hope you are both being cared for.
Glad you've gone back to the hospital and glad you filmed it.

Will be thinking of you guys.

Arthursmom · 08/05/2023 21:52

@Hogi so scary. Hope you both get some sleep

MrsRinaDecker · 08/05/2023 21:55

Hope you are well taken care of overnight and can see the right specialist first thing in the morning. x

IWantRebeccasConfidence · 08/05/2023 21:55

Well done for being a great mum and recognising something was wrong. Once you’ve got a good video of one don’t stress about recording lots. But have an app or a note pad and write down the time everyone happens, and what he was doing and how long it lasts. So you can show them how much on 24hours it happens. Hopefully they’ll get to the bottom of it going back in.

WavingThroughYoWindow · 08/05/2023 21:56

Followed this thread, actually sounds like it must be quite terrifying and you're 100% right to be so on top of it. Really hope you both have a better night OP and that your son gets well looked after x

RunyoucleverDoctor · 08/05/2023 21:56

My son has gelastic epilepsy. I never heard of it until he was diagnosed. He also has autism and an intellectual disability. He now takes 2 anti seizure meds and they have helped him a lot. I hope your son is ok.

Zonder · 08/05/2023 21:57

How scary for you all. I hope you can get some kind of treatment soon for him.

Summerwhereareyou · 08/05/2023 22:03

Well-done op, how worrying.
The NHS should nt shut down on weekend's it's not acceptable. Hope he is OK

plutoniumum · 08/05/2023 22:04

Also - there should be a neurologist consultant on-call every day and night, whether on site or at home. It will be up to them to decide whether they should come in to hospital to investigate tonight or wait until tomorrow morning when there is staff to carry out tests.

CorsicaDreaming · 08/05/2023 22:05

I'm sure you will be, but push to see a neurologist as soon as possible- don't accept the 6-8 week wait, it sounds too urgent for that.

Batshitcrazy007 · 08/05/2023 22:08

Bless him hopefully you get some answers

JuicyDrop · 08/05/2023 22:09

Bless him. Hope you get some help and some answers.

Butterflybutterflies · 08/05/2023 22:16

You and your DS must be exhausted, hope you get some help.

justasking111 · 08/05/2023 22:17

Poor wee lad. I hope they sort him out asap