absence seizures???

[kissingfrogs]

DD1 age 5.9 has started having "daydreaming" episodes. An awful incident occured where she walked straight into the middle of a busy road and stood there staring at her feet, oblivious to me screaming & car horns blaring. Very out of character. School has noticed that she has started wandering off blankly & not responding to calls. DD1 can't ever remember what she was thinking of each time and was totally embarassed & upset afterwards.
I thought she may be stressed/anxious/lost in a daydream. Saw GP today, thinks it's absent seizures, refered to paediatrics

Has anybody has experiance of this where your DC actually walks off during an episode?

How frightening for you both .
I've never experienced anything like this where there was any walking off involved, my DS (6) has had absence seizures since he was tiny... momentary blank spot when you can't get his attention, and them some bigger ones where his eye stare upwards, and he might sink down to his knees for about half a minute. (he occasionally gets other kinds of seizures too)

There's information about absence seizures, and what to do on www.epilepsy.org.uk

I would advise you to keep a record of what happened each time... what was she doing before, what time of day, what happened, and for how long... It will help the paed give an opinion. even get a video of it happening on your phone if you possibly can. I do hope it's nothing serious, but it's good to get her checked out.

ah, was going to suggest the cotton wool test, but if she's walking about that may not work lol...

usually absence seizures occur when not doing anything lol - and the way you can get a good idea if actual seizure activity is to throw a cotton wool ball at their face - if they start or move - just daydreaming. don't notice it - may indicate sz activity.

not heard of a walking variety tbh, but i guess that's why you go to medical school!

sounds v scary - hope you manage to get a referral soon.

second trying to video it too - so difficult to try and explain what happens, much easier to say 'look'.

Thanks Lauree - yes it is scary. Happened twice today when she was with me, the 2nd time we were in school & she walked straight across the hall & out of the school doors, I had to run & grab her (she burst into tears & hid her head in my coat) . i must start keeping a record like you said.

Thanks madwomanintheattic - may actually try the cottonwool ball!
Riven, thanks. I've just posted on SN.