Absence seizures - could ds be having absences?

[tacal]

My DS is 4 and I think he could possibly be having absence seizures but I am not sure. If you have a ds or dd who has absence seizures, when did you first notice them? Did/does noise and flashing lights trigger them? After a seizure does their head feel 'funny' and was there any hearing difficulty?

I would be grateful for any information/advice you could give me. Thank you.

Cotton wool ball test. If you chuck a cotton wool ball at their face and they don't flinch or 'come to', get it checked out. Try filming with your phone so that the neurologist can see what's happening.

Mostly it's just bog standard day dreaming tbh.

I've been around a lot of children who were at high risk for seizure activity, but even then it's notoriously difficult to work out - and often even when we're fairly convinced, it turns out not to be.

Not usually 'triggered' as far as I know, or headache afterwards - that sounds more like sz activity of a different kind.

Still film and consult episodes though.

Not my dd, but my niece. My sister first started noticing them after a parents evening at school where her teacher said dn was often daydreaming, then sis noticed her sort of blanking out at home too. She does go funny after a seizure, most often being really, really desperate for the toilet and sometimes wetting herself because she physically can't get there quick enough. Other times she becomes very, very tired and demands to go to bed, no matter what time of day it is. She also becomes angry at times, or whingy and clingy, which she never is normally.

They are still undergoing tests but all the doctors are sure it is epilepsy, but some of her symptoms suggest a more severe form than 'just' absence seizures. The next time they visit the consultant they are hoping for an official diagnosis and a treatment plan.

If I was you, I'd make an appointment with your gp to talk over ds's symptoms. They are in a much better position to advise than any of us are, even if they have to refer to a specialist.

For sure, they are all very common post-sz behaviours. You don't usually get them with absence stuff though, which is why it's so hard to tell the difference between an absence sz and a quick daydreams/ away with the fairies moment.

Keep your phone handy and film anything out of the ordinary though. It all helps.

Thank you for your quick replies. Prissy, I have started filming him but have always just missed any of his daydreaming/absence moments. I will try the cotton wool test. There were 3 times that his eyes flickered/rolled and it really did look like a seizure. Other times it just looks like daydreaming but he can be a bit confused/disorientated afterwards. Yesterday and today he has said he has a funny head which he needs fixed now.

Schooldidi, everything you say about your neice is the same as my ds. He can suddenly wet himself. He can suddenly be very tired, clingy, angry. How often does your neice have seizures? I hope she gets a diagnosis and treatment soon.

DS has been referred to a multi disciplinary clinic for assessment because of his rigidity and need for rituals and repetition. I spoke to my gp about the possible absence seizures but he did not seem very concerned about it. I think I just have to wait until we eventually get an appointment at the clinic.

Thank you so much for your replies.

My niece is having them every day but the number of them varies. School say she never has them there, but my sis has been in as a helper and has seen her having them, it's just that the teacher and TA don't notice because they are so quick.

She had one with me a couple of weeks ago and the only reason I noticed was because she fell off the see saw :( She was convinced it was because her sister was being too rough, but she'd been perfectly happy (positively loving it) playing that roughly until she had an absence and obviously let go.

She's next going to see the consultant in a couple of weeks I think.

Schooldidi, I had been wondering if absences could result in falls and accidents. Your poor niece falling off the see saw, I imagine you have to keep close to her when she is on climbing frames and swimming in case anything happens.

I think I saw DS having an absence this morning. I tapped his face with my finger and said his name about three times then on the fourth time he responded.

I hope things go well with the consultant and your niece gets a treatment plan that will help her.

What my sister was advised to do was keep a diary of any absences she noticed, like what time, where, what was she doing, etc. and as Prissy said, film it whenever possible. That sort of thing really helps them to make a diagnosis apparently.

Dn was fine after a big cuddle when she fell off the see saw, she's never had an accident that she couldn't ahve had without the absences. When she has swimming lessons she has a lifeguard watching her at all times, they've only had to jump in and stop her sinking once, she thought it was very odd to come to with someone holding onto her when last she remembered she was swimming along happily.