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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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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:

Ipadannie · 08/05/2023 22:50

Hope you're doing OK. Have been where you are and it's very scary. Don't know where you are based but if you're in Scotland please speak to Epilepsy Scotland if you feel you aren't being heard. They were literally a life saver for us.

UmbilicusSuperficialis · 08/05/2023 22:53

Wishing you all the best OP. Well done on acting on your instincts. X

Cuwins · 08/05/2023 22:56

If they are happening a lot around sleep the alternative to a video telemetry might be a sleep one

RogersOrganismicProcess · 08/05/2023 23:10

Sending you and him my best.

Flufz · 08/05/2023 23:13

I work in care. With a first epilepsy fit in an undiagnosed person we call an ambulance immediately. With a diagnosed person we call an ambulance after a set number of minutes fitting (whatever the consultants epilepsy plan directs).

Good idea to take your little on to A&E now. Take supplies and expect a long wait. However please don’t panic, I’m sure there will be medicine to alleviate the issue.

Flufz · 08/05/2023 23:16

Apologies, just realised I’ve missed lots of posts and updates. Good you’re in the best place for him right now. Sending best wishes

Mummapenguin20 · 08/05/2023 23:19

Hope he gets seen n has a restful night

Mumtobabyhavoc · 08/05/2023 23:22

You've done the right thing taking your child in. Mention what you've learned through research. Ask for paediatric specialist re genetics. Good luck. You're a strong mama. 💐

Coffeeandcrocs · 08/05/2023 23:25

I work with a disabled child who has uncontrolled epilepsy and had gellastic seizures - they are as you describe usually, glazed over eyes, non responsive to name calling/touch and manic laughter

OhwhyOY · 08/05/2023 23:29

Well done for getting him to hospital. Fingers crossed it's nothing serious and some medication will get him fixed up. How scary for all of you :-(

IfOnlyOurEyesSawSouls · 08/05/2023 23:30

My heart goes out to you OP.

Seizures are scary. I can honestly sat that when my baby had seizures it was the closest I ever came to losing my mind.
(Me and DS are fine now)

Original poster

Hogi · 08/05/2023 23:35

They were going to send us home saying he needed an outpatient EEG.

I said I weren't happy with that as it's a 6-8 weeks wait and it's concerning they have increased, they're affecting his sleep and he's struggling so after viewing the video they're happy to keep him in over night for observations (just a nurse popping in and out) but a consultant will be on site tomorrow.

I've also sent the videos to my own ped doctor so hopefully we get some help one way or another

OP posts:

Barnbrack · 08/05/2023 23:38

Hogi · 08/05/2023 23:35

They were going to send us home saying he needed an outpatient EEG.

I've also sent the videos to my own ped doctor so hopefully we get some help one way or another

Well done, it's ridiculous you have to do it, I feel like I'm losing my mind when my son has had inpatient episodes because of how hard it is to actually see someone who can help a d how much you need to know yourself to be take seriously. Ask for an EEG and a sleep EEG, ask for an MRI brain, if they won't do them ask them to document that you've requested those tests and why they've decid d against doing them. Ask them to show you where they've documented that in his notes.

It's would destroying having to be like that but honestly it's necessary if they're not checking!

ladydimitrescu · 08/05/2023 23:41

Hope he manages some sleep, poor little thing. Well done to you mum, you've done everything right x

RowenaRosewood · 08/05/2023 23:45

Good for you for standing up for him. Ime those who shout the loudest seem to get seen sooner. If they refer him for an EEG insist that it's for an urgent referral, none of this 8 week nonsense.

Hope you both manage a peaceful night.

uncomfortablydumb53 · 08/05/2023 23:46

I hope DC sleeps tonight and you can rest
Your videos will be a huge help in diagnosis and I hope you have answers very soon

beckietheconqueror · 08/05/2023 23:53

Fingers crossed for your little one.

Floralnomad · 08/05/2023 23:58

Well done @Hogi , hope he has a comfortable night

Raniqw · 09/05/2023 00:14

Dear OP,
FYI case report of gelastic seizure diagnosis in a 2 year old.
Best wishes https://www.jpeds.com/article/S0022-3476(14)00654-4/pdf

Sheindel · 09/05/2023 00:49

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

ElizabethBest · 09/05/2023 00:54

Like @StreetSpirit3 my son has these occasionally in his sleep, but it’s linked to his autism. It’s just normal giggling though, no facial rigour or mania. It happens a few times a week maybe?

sandyhappypeople · 09/05/2023 01:02

I hope they get the bottom of it OP.

I've got temporal lobe epilepsy, it's normally controlled by medication but when I was pregnant the medication stopped working effectively, and I used to wake up laughing all the time, seizures on waking are extremely common. The type of seizures I have are simple focal seizures, where basically your mind goes for a little wander for a minute or two but you don't lose consciousness, because I've had it so long I can control it to the point where no one would know when I have a seizure as I don't show any outward signs, but when I was coming awake I couldn't control it so would wake up manically laughing or saying certain phrases, it used to freak out my OH quite a bit.

When I was a child my mum could always tell by my eyes, as my pupils would always dilate. I'm in my forties now but it first started when I was 4/5.

If you're struggling to get little one seen you could always look into going private for the EEG, some of the private tests aren't all that expensive (£200-£300) but I think it depends on where you live.

coxesorangepippin · 09/05/2023 01:36

You're in our thoughts, hogi 💗💐

Barnbrack · 09/05/2023 02:31

ElizabethBest · 09/05/2023 00:54

Like @StreetSpirit3 my son has these occasionally in his sleep, but it’s linked to his autism. It’s just normal giggling though, no facial rigour or mania. It happens a few times a week maybe?

This is very different to a gelastic seizure

EasyPeelersAreNotSatsumas · 09/05/2023 02:33

Just to let you know there's still people thinking of you and little one. You'll be in all of our thoughts as soon as we wake later too.
Do hope you're managing to at least doze 💐

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