DS2 14 months fainted again today :(

[Pheebe]

Every so often he has 'reflex anoxic seizures' when he hurts himself, usually when he's teething or poorly and just can't seem to cope with it all.

Today he bumped his head on a cupboard and really went into one. Went stiff, eyes back, collapsed, came out of it, collapsed again then woke up crying and quite distressed. Fortunately DH was with us and held him through it all, he was so calm and I just go to pieces.

We've seen a consultant who assures us its nothing 'serious' and won't cause him any lasting damage but it's so awful to watch. He hadn't done it for a couple of months and we thought maybe he'd grown out of it.

Not sure why I'm posting really, just to unload I guess.

Bumping for you.

Aww poor you I had these as a child and I did grow out of it in the end. It was quite scary at the time though.

Do you remember them chacha?

How awful for you, I know what it's like. My dd1 had reflex anoxic seizures, sometimes with full blown fits. It's very stressful isn't it, and gave me yet more grey hairs!

It used to take her a good few hours to get over them.

Crikey belgo! ds2 is over them in a few minutes really, takes me hours to recover but they don't seem to bother him too much. Did they seem to get worse or better as your dc got older? We're really worried about the toddler stage now as he's into everything and climbs relentlessly...

She had seven altogether, the first two were little more then faints. The next five were longer with fits (some longer then others) and we took her to hospital with the first long one. They did loads of tests - EEG, ECG,(heart and brain monitors) and all was negetive thankfully. She's perfectly healthy, very fit ans strongly. She's nearly five now and the last one she had was last March, so hopefully she has outgrown them. She has no recollection of ever having them - but each one is etched on my memory forever!

I can only remember one, but I was a lot older than your DS, about 8 I think. I think having them that long is quite rare though. I can remember involuntarily holding my breath then starting to pass out. Then my mum chucked a bucket of cold water over me (as the doctor advised her to do) and I came back again. It was scary for me (bar the water thing) just for my parents. I hope he grows out of them soon.

no we've never been advised to throw water! Just to blow on her face if she doesn't come around.

Oh no I wasn't suggesting it! It was horrible archaic advice which can be quite harmful. Sorry! And my last post should say it wasn't scary for me.

I think there is a lot of misunderstanding regarding reflex anoxic seizures, hence the 'water' cure. I've had people tell me that my child was being manipulative, and other people confuse it was voluntary breath holding, which is very different.

Pheebe - glad you've got a diagnosis.

Yes people used to tell my mum I was doing it on purpose, and I think she believed it up until I showed her some info on reflex anoxic seizures. She thought she'd done something wrong.

Yes, I've heard that as well about them doing it on purpose. He had his first one when he was 8 months so definitely no manipulation going on there!

Thank you both for your experiences. The consultant did say to blow on him or dab his face with cold water but to be gentle about it so glad to know I'm doing the right thing.

Hiya, I looked after a child who has his first ever one of these in my arms, I thought he was choking and thought he had died, was horrific so I really sympathise. {{hugs}}

Did you get a leaflet from hosp? I got one when it happened to him and it had some info and a website/support group details on the back.

I was always told just to wait until he came round and not do anything.

It's also useful if you follow a children's first aid course, it gives you some confidence in dealing with these things.