Anyone, or their children, have experience of petit mal epilepsy?

[Aimsmum]

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DD1 has absence seizures, also described as petit mal epilepsy (or should I say had as they are now under control by medication). We discovered it because she kept staring into space with a totally blank expression on her face, not hearing anything or seeing anything. The seizure would only last a few seconds - I don't think they ever lasted more than a minute - and to begin with, it was only one or two seizures a day. Gradually though, they got more and more frequent, to the point where I took her to the GP and he referred her for tests. There didn't seem to be any "pattern" for the seizures - they would happen when she was having "quiet" time or when we were out and about - she once had one when she was riding her bike and just stopped pedalling! Unfortunately, she couldn't really describe what was happening to her as she was only just 4 years old.

I'm not sure if any of that helps at all!

I have temporal lobe epilepsy which causes petit mal seizures, under control now thankfully.

It is something which is very hard to describe and I believe that depending on which part of the brain is involved, the symptoms can vary. I personally experience strongs feelings of 'deja vu' - whatever is going on at the time seems to have already happened... weird. I don't blank out and am aware of what is going on around me and it is over in a matter of seconds/minutes. I am left with a dull headache afterwards but it doesn't last long. I am on medication now and havent had an absence for absolutely ages and can drive.

Don't know if any of this will help, but if you have any questions please ask.

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I have epilepsy, although haven't had a fit for about 15 years. I had a few petit mal episodes- I can't really remember what happened but probably the strangest one happened in a shopping centre when I was 9.

We were in a toy shop and I told my mum that someone was calling me over the tannoy, they were describing my clothing and asking me to go to customer services. My mum was instantly concerned and took me to sit down. She told me there was no tannoy system in the shopping centre. I was adamant the lady had called me! My mum took me home and I slept for 18 hours. I was fine when I woke up and couldn't remember anything from that day.

Try not to worry too much, easier said than done! I am now 24, and as I said haven't had a fit since I was 9. I was weaned off the medication by age 11. Good luck x

Please don't worry too much, its "fairly" common at that age
i was dx as having up to 20 petit mal's a day when i was about 17,my mum said when i was a toddler i'd had a few funny turns but she'd never thought to check it out, people used to think i was just a bit of a daydreamer, it never upset me, as i didn't really notice them,I'd get like an aura which was a bit like tunnel vision,occasionally feel nauseous i did also once hear my sisters voice .. when she was out of the county so it was impossible , With petit mal i was never sleepy after when i was older (strangely at 17 when i started going out and doing the bottle of martini a night) i did have a few grand mal (the big rolling on the floor type)usually when tired or hungry (or hungover) .. low blood sugar being a key thing.THEN i did have to sleep straight after and was very disorientated so I DID seek medical help and was properly diagnosed, I was perscribed carbamazapine and the Dr Voice of Doom consultant said, well thats for life you know ... well no, i cut out the booze, ate sensibly, and stopped the medication
Ok NOT RECOMMENDED but i was fine and have been fit free and healthy for 16 years
Would imagine your DD would have a EEG and possible a cat scan (i discribed it as lying in a polo mint !!

sorry if this was disjointed have a toddler who is rebounding from bed as i speak

Kate x

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Just to add Aimsmum, I found it interesting that she asks for water afterwards. I ALWAYS did this. Anyway, glad you feel a bit more reassured. Keep us updated.

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Hi again Aimsmum

That's good that you have an appointment so quickly. I would imagine they will just talk about her symptoms, how she acts when she has a turn, how she is afterwards etc. Then if they decide to investigate it she will be called back for an EEG.

Hope it goes well for you today. Let us know how you get on.

ds3 had an absence with a high fever and was out for 8 minutes, he was completely non-responsive, but kind of passed out slowly iyswim.

Could it be a drop in blood pressure or something? Hope all goes well today.

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HI.
glad u got your appointment sorted.
My dd 4 1/2 has been having very occasional blanks over the past year, moreso at her dads, well up untill 3 m onths ago I had never witnessed one. I firstly thoght stress related. Well you almost describe exactly what my dd says, and we had a visit to hosp, and when i described it doc said didnt think it was epilepsy.

i am just to keep an eye on her, and if it becomes more often or if she has a grand mal, then of course to report it back.

Well there have been 2 incidences this past week, and one about 2 weks ago, yet dd is also full of flu and cough.

Its difficult to know. They didnt offer dd a blood test.

Hope oyu find out soon. Also it may just be something they grow out of. I have lived with my ex having epilepsy, and his didnt start till he was 20.