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Seizures...DS6

4 replies

Trustallgone · 20/01/2012 22:48

DS6 has just come out of hospital (Tuesday) after having a massive seizure. Utterly terrifying for us all, he was unconscious for over 2.5 hours and needed to be ventilated. At one point H and I were asked to leave the room and had to sit in the relatives room wondering whether he was going to make it or not. When he went for emergency CT scan we were followed with the crash team and lead paediatric consultant, never in my whole life have I felt so helpless.
He has had 4 previous seizures over a 3 year period which had been put down to febrile convulsions, although his temperature was never very high, I questioned this at the time, but was reassured that it was the speed of the temp rise rather than the temperature reached IYSWIM, these were diagnosed at another hospital, rather than the one we went to on Sunday. The new consultant we saw is now, due to the severity of this latest seizure and a normal temperature, not happy with this diagnosis and is arranging an EEG to test for Epilepsy.
His CT scan came back with a "mild mid-line abnormality" - anyone any ideas?? He also had an MRI, the initial results of which showed no gross abnormality but we are waiting on the full report. There has also been some question as to whether he has absence's. This was first mentioned at pre-school and has also been mentioned at "big" school, we had his hearing checked and that was all good. The teachers all say the same thing, that he seems to blank out for 5-10 secs and then switch back on, but is often very upset following these episodes. I feel horrid now as I have always put them down to "selective hearing"!
I am absolutely terrified of this happening again, I really thought we were going to lose our little boy. Before the seizure on Sunday he complained of feeling sick, tonight he says he feels sick, he looks terrible but he's finally dropped off to sleep. I know I won't sleep a wink, I want to camp out in his room but my H says theres no need and that he probably ate too much (he has eaten for England today!)
Anyone with any advice, I'm really anxious and out of my depth. Please share your experiences, if he seizures in the night will we hear him, is he in danger? Is 2.5 hours unconsciousness usual, am I being over cautious? etc etc.
Many, many thanks.

OP posts:
Clara35 · 20/01/2012 23:33

Hi trust I don't have any advice but didn't want you to go unanswered. My dd took febrile convulsions & I know how scary they were but nothing compared to what you have all been through. Hope you get some answers soon & can then get you ds started on the right treatment.

GRW · 21/01/2012 08:53

Hopefully you won't have to wait too long for an EEG. Then if epilepsy is confirmed he will be started on anti- convulsant medication, which should hopefully control the seizures. Have his seizures occurred at night or during sleep before? If you feel safer sleeping with him because you think you may not hear him if he has a seizure I would do that.
What a frightening experience for you all.

Trustallgone · 21/01/2012 12:40

Hello, thanks for your replies. We all made it through the night OK, despite me imagining the worst Grin. I'm going to have to try and remember that a tummy ache is most likely just going to be that, instead of going into a mini complete meltdown!!
It was frightening, first the actual seizure and then arriving at hospital (H went in ambulance) and seeing DS lying there with god knows how many Dr's around him, discussing whether he needed to be ventilated and a hypothermia heating blanket on him because his temp was falling. Really do not want to have to go through anything like it again....when I close my eyes all I can see is him lying there limp yet convulsing at the same time Sad. Is this what it's going to be like if we get a diagnosis of epilepsy?...Is it always going to be this terrifying? am so sorry if I sound ignorant..but I have very little knowledge about this and do feel completely out of my depth.

No, We have not witnessed any night-time seizures, but he used to suffer from night terrors, but he has not had any of these for at least 18 months or so.

Anyway, waiting on EEG date now, but in the mean time can anyone share their experience, a problem shared and all..I find it V.V. helpful to read and it might give me a little insight into whats coming next..
Thanks again..

OP posts:
GRW · 21/01/2012 14:31

I am a children's nurse rather than a parent of a child with epilepsy, but in my experience most parents do become more confident in dealing with self limiting seizures as time goes on. Of course if a seizure doesn't stop and you have to call an ambulance it is frightening, but for most children medication can give good seizure control.
Some children have emergency medication such as buccal midazolam which can be given to stop a seizure. This is given by syringe into the side of the mouth and is absorbed through the mucus membrane inside the cheek, so it doesn't have to be swallowed.
As your son had such a prolonged seizure I would expect an EEG to be done quickly, so I would phone if you don't hear anything by the middle of next week, or get your GP or health visitor to follow it up.

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