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Child had a febrile convulsion. Are there ever long term affects. Can't get it from my mind.

17 replies

TakeTwoOfThat · 16/02/2019 23:48

On Tuesday my son had a febrile convulsion, where his body went all stiff his eyes rolled and came unresponsive. He had a runny Nose but other than that he was fine but that morning he was sat on sofa and let out this horrifying scream that was quite haunting and then he went all still and unresponsive. I phoned an ambulance and I was Just screaming and it was made worse because I was alone and the ambulance service was on hold for ages. Finally got through and she was talking through with me if he was breathing and he had gone into a deep sleep but was thankfully breathing. Anyway ambulance didn't turn up it was apparently a very high demand area that day where I live but his dad came from work and took us in the car and he got at my house before the ambulance even came. So we got to hospital, by this time he had woken up but was confused and whingy. They said his temp was very high and had an angry red throat so points to infection. None of the rest of my kids have been ill and he doesn't go to nursery. Anyway ever since this fit he's been so whingy and upset over every little thing even though he's better and his temp is normal. Could the fit have affected him? And can it damage them. I can't get this from my mind either. It was terrifying

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Phoenix76 · 17/02/2019 00:08

I can still remember witnessing my younger sister having a febrile convulsion when I was very young myself, as you describe, it was terrifying to see. The doctor came out, they did in those days, and was completely unconcerned. My sister is now a healthy 40 year old with no memory of it. My dp’s mum said that dp had frequent febrile convulsions and is also unaffected. Your ds is probably still feeling grumpy from the sore throat, did they recommend pain relief? I hope he feels better soon, obviously if you’re worried seek medical advice but in the meantime 💐 for you, I know they’re scary to see!

HoveringHobbit · 17/02/2019 00:12

My son had one when he was 18m old. He suffered no ill effects and nothing has happened similar to that since then. He is now 19.

HeathRobinson · 17/02/2019 00:17

My eldest had one at 3. No ill effects.

It's a shock, I know. Flowers

YouBumder · 17/02/2019 00:18

My son had one just before he turned 3. It was very scary. He’s nearly 13 and never had another and no ill effects x

Auntiepatricia · 17/02/2019 00:18

I know of lots of friends kids who’ve had them. No issues after.

DropZoneOne · 17/02/2019 00:22

My daughter had two, they are so scary to watch but your son will have no recollection. It's a response to a temperature spike, usually caused by a virus, the most common being chickenpox, ear infection and tonsillitis.

Did the hospital give you a leaflet? It will explain about the convulsion and what to do if he has any more.

It's unlikely his grumpiness is to do with the fit. More likely he's still fighting the virus.

ninalovesdragons · 17/02/2019 00:25

The vast vast majority of kids who have a febrile convulsion are absolutely fine, I'm sorry you went through this but rest assured he shouldn't have any long term effects. They're also very common so doctors never seem too bothered about them!

My sister had one at 5 and it was terrifying. Absolutely fine now at 26 with zero long term effects. Doesn't remember it at all.

AornisHades · 17/02/2019 00:25

Dd had one. It was a one time thing. Apparently it is often caused by a sudden temperature spike. Some children are prone to them but it has no lasting effect.

zzzzz · 17/02/2019 00:26

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

bruffin · 17/02/2019 00:28

Ds had over 20 between the age of 14 months and 13.5 years old. DD had 4 at 3/4 years old
My sister and DM had them until the age of 10. My family have a genetic disease called GEFS+ which is really rare. Most children will only have one FC, and very very rarely after the age of 5.
With my DC it was always the first sign they were I'll. It is caused by the temperature shooting up rapidly, not necessarily by a high temperature.
None of them had any problems from the FC.
There is a great quote from Dr Christopher Green.
"The odd fever fit does not do the child any damage, only their mother's nerves!"

Bigonesmallone3 · 17/02/2019 00:30

My daughter had her first when she was 8 months old and that was put down to tonsillitis, she had a further 4/5 on different occasions, her last one was Easter 2018, she has had the odd fever since but I assume as she has got older she has become better at coping with the spike in temperature as before she only needed to get to 39c in spite of medicines before we was blue lighted in.
After lots of tests the hospital we're satisfied it was nothing more than temperature related, we have become experts at temperature tracking and recording all medicine dosages when she's unwell!
It's a horrible thing to see and I will be haunted by her collapsing and seeing her face down 😭 and the sheer panic!!
But it is age related and they will grow out of it

TakeTwoOfThat · 17/02/2019 00:31

Thank you everyone
Seems common than I thought reading all your experiences

He's 2 years 8 months. The doctor asked if any family member had them as a child and I said I did as my mum told me I did. I've not had any affects but when it's my own child can't help but worry. But you've all reassured me he will be fine. He's just very grumpy but maybe it's just him getting over the illness like you say.

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Bigonesmallone3 · 17/02/2019 00:33

Oh and I forgot to say, no lasting ill effects she's a happy healthy nearly 2 year old..

Just a serious fear of hospitals/doctors 🤦‍♀️

TakeTwoOfThat · 17/02/2019 00:34

@Bigonesmallone3 awww poor girl I hope she eventually gets over her hospital fear but to be honest I don't blame her I hate hospitals myself 😢

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TakeTwoOfThat · 17/02/2019 00:35

@bruffin I hope your children are ok now.

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WarpedGalaxy · 17/02/2019 00:36

Oh how terrifying for you OP. Please try not to worry they’re very common and most children only ever have one and those who have more grow out of them by the time they’re about 4 or 5. DS1 had one at 18 months, bloody terrifying, fortunately neighbour was a nurse and did all the right things to cool him down (and calm me down, I was a blubbering mess) and DS was pretty much ok by the time the doctor arrived. Temperature spike caused by a minor ear infection. GP said it’s just that very little children sometimes have a ‘thermostat’ malfunction and while horrible to see, they aren’t really dangerous.

bruffin · 17/02/2019 00:42

They're fine, 21 and 23 and no lasting effects.
There is a big genetic element . Strangely though despite my DM, DGM, DSis and DC all having them I didn't have any.

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