Teen - Possible Seizure

[sparklingsummer]

Hello,

Just wondering if anyone has experience of anything similar;

DD (14) had covid last year and lost her appetite, she went to a concert and queued for a while and to cut a long story short she passed out (and lost bladder control). We saw the dr shortly after and he wasn’t concerned (she’s been prone to fainting and had fainted a few times in the past). Fast forward to last week, she had her nose pierced in the morning and miraculously didn’t faint but in the afternoon passed out and once again lost bladder control. I wasn’t present so going from reports from her friends that she was shaking before she woke up. We saw the GP who has referred her back to paediatricians at the hospital but I am out of my mind with worry about her. She returned to school this week and has had to sit in medical twice because she has come over feeling ‘hot and funny’ including slight ear ringing (which happens before she faints). I’m told the school is incredibly hot but she’s never had this problem prior to last week. I don’t know if this may be an anxiety related thing as I know she is worried about it happening again but she said she doesn’t feel panicked or is something going on. I don’t know what to do whilst we await the hospital to make an appointment but I’m worried sick.

Quite a lot of teens have some shaking as part of a faint. It doesn't necessarily mean a seizure.

Thank you for your reply - I think that and the loss of bladder control was what was concerning?

Around 14 was absolutely peak age for me fainting and it sounds just like your daughter. Hot, sweaty, going blind and ears ringing before fainting. Low blood pressure mainly. Much worse if I skipped breakfast or hadn't eaten enough generally. Also hormonal. I grew out of it by about 16.

I've had this before, convulsions after a faint in my teens. GP was not concerned, took my blood pressure and it was then that I discovered that it is very low. So, I know that I am a bit prone to fainting due to the very low BP and have fainted a few times in adult life. My BP is so low that I was once denied gym membership (they didn't want me fainting on the treadmill!).

Do you think she might be fighting off a virus this week (which could be causing the feeling hot?).

It's possible. The fainting could of course be due to low blood sugar, and the shaking hyperventilating - but the loss of bladder control not so much.

Are there other things that she's experiencing that might she not be associated woth the fainting? Headaches? Lights passing her eyes? Rising feeling of panic or disorientation?

No, nothing. Before the faint last week she said she felt hot and her ears were ringing, things started to sound far away and her eyes went blurry. Next thing she was awake and realised she had wet. She knew nothing of the shaking until a few days ago when she spoke to friends.

Appreciate all the replies, thank you. I think without the loss of bladder control I’d be much less concerned but between that and now the two days running coming home telling me she’s been sat in medical I’m on high alert. I did wonder if perhaps she’s getting herself worried/panic atrack about it happening again as it scared/embarrassed her but she says she’s not worried or panicking.

Does she eat well?

Could she be taking drugs?

She eats well at home but is notorious for going all school day without eating.

Definitely no drugs.

Syncope is common after fainting. I once receive a call from DS's school asking me to collect him and take him to the GP after he'd fainted in class and been shaking whilst on the floor. School thought it might be a seizure but the GP said it was a normal reaction of the body to fainting.
The loss of bladder control would be more of a concern for me though.

Loss of bladder control is common with fainting. Both myself and my sister get it when fainting and my GP refer it as a "full faint"

I've had it since I was around 11/12.

My first thought was vasovagal syncope.

Can you request to be referred to a paediatrician who can order an eeg and ecg to put your mind at ease?

Loss of bladder control is common with fainting. It’s just not as well known as the association with epilepsy. Not saying a seizure is impossible, of course, but there’s nothing in what you’ve described that is not consistent with adolescent fainting. Following a Covid infection, dysregulation of the nervous system is also very common, so if she’s inclined that way anyway, and in the age group where fainting is more common, and then has had Covid… chances are it’s all those things combining. Bring up “POTS” (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome) with the doctor and discuss whether it could be that or one of the similar, but slightly differently manifesting, syndromes affecting the autonomic nervous system. Girls often grow out of them naturally, but they are also fortunately quite treatable!

Have you considered POTS? Not sure about the loss of bladder control but it can definitely make you feel hot and pass out, and my cardiologist told me they're seeing more people diagnosed with it following covid. The bit that struck a chord with me is you mentioning the queuing in a busy place - until I started medication standing in even a supermarket queue would make me come over quite unnecessary and I'd have to sit on the floor where I was otherwise risk passing out.

Sorry, didn't spot @verysmellyjelly had already mentioned that one.

Where do you live op? I'm in Scotland and a few years ago I ( aged 29) passed out and had convulsions with no bladder loss. People around me ( carers with experience of seizures) said it was a seizure. Within a couple of months I had a MRI and when I questioned it they said it was protocol . Might be worth trying to get your GP to push for it. Hope you and daughter are ok . Similar had happened to my step son and he has a MRI scheduled next month xx