I think something is wrong with my son

[Paradiddle]

I am after some advice. English is not my first language so I do apologize in advance for any mistakes. Not sure if I am paranoid or if there is more to it. Got 3 kids, my middle one is 3 years old. From the start of this year I noticed him being very clumsy, bumping into things, getting hurt ect. He would be standing up doing something and suddenly falling down, usually backwards. Most of the time he lands on his bum without getting hurt but sometimes there is furniture or a wall behind him, he can hit his head or fall down in very awkward position. Falls are very sudden and with no warning, at first I thought maybe it is just something he has learned from his older sibling as they often play together, roll on the floor, crawl, fall. Like kids do, but he seems to be unaware of his surroundings and could potentially hurt himself. Another thing is he has these weird episodes when his eyes get heavy, he sort of looks somewhere in the distance and his head fells forward, it lasts a second or two and he is absolutely fine after. And then tonight he had one of those weird episodes again but at the dinner table, he was eating and next thing was he banged his face very suddenly against his bowl leaving huge lump and a bruise on his forehead. Looked like he had no control of it. It looked almost like those videos you see someone pushing peoples face in the birthday cake. He was very upset and crying. I don't know what to do. I don't want to go to the doctor and sound stupid or like I am trying to find some problems but it really bothers me. Or it is normal thing for kids to do and hope that one day it would stop? Many thanks in advance.

Trust your gut instinct. You are his mother. Go to the doctor, go to any specialist you can and explain your concerns. There’s a risk you may be dismissed as ‘being silly’ or over protective - so what?!

I would take him to the doctor as soon as you can get an appointment. He sounds as if he is having absence seizures .

You need him to be properly checked out.

Have you seen a doctor? You very definitely should. It might be nothing at all, but might be something.

Have you heard of petit mal seizures? A close relative of mine has this and it sounds familiar. It may not be this at all as I am no kind of medical professional, but if it is then it can be a mild and treatable epilepsy or can (as it was in my relativei case) a symptom of something more.
He does need to be seen properly. It would be helpful if you kept a record of these episodes in the meantime.

Yes I agree, it sounds as though he is having some kind of seizure and losing control of his body momentarily.

GP visit for sure. Make a diary of when they happen and if you can, try to get it on video.

Film him if you can

I was thinking of absences too.
It sounds identical to some of the people I work with who have them.

Go to the doctor. Ask for referral to paediatrics. There are several things it could be, and a general paediatrician should be able to work out which/rule them out.

Sounds exactly like the absence seizures my little brother had as a child

It needs investigating immediately, OP. It can develop into grand mal epilepsy later on. Early treatment is essential

Another one to say please see your GP! Could be nothing but it's very important it's checked and push for the GP to take it seriously. Possibly write down everything you've noticed and give it to them as a list

Thank you all for replies. I did some digging on internet and found something called atonic seizures and all the signs match exactly of what has been happening. Also another thing I did not mention he had a one off seizure while back and it was 'assumed' by doctors it's a febrile convulsion although he did not have a fever so I was not fully convinced. It makes me think now it is all connected. Didn't know there are many different types of seizures. Will be booking an appointment with the doctor and hope they will take me seriously.

I see several PPs have mentioned absence seizures. That was my immediate though too - my son had them as a baby and toddler but grew out of them. Definitely see your GP. I know it's tricky but if you can film an episode that will help.

And keep a diary of every strange event to show the doctors.

My DH is a neurologist and recommends he is seen by a pediatric neurologist. A neurologist specializes in the brain and central nervous system. He/she would be the one to establish if seizures or something else is causing these falls. Make sure your GP knows your son was diagnosed previously with a seizure and ask for an appointment with a specialist asap.

It will really help if you can get a video of him when it happens so the doctor can see exactly what you mean.

My daughter has epilepsy, from your description it sounds like atonic seizures which can either affect head only or all their muscles resulting in a sudden fall, often described as being like a puppet whose strings are cut. Please go to GP and request urgent referral to paediatric neurologist. There are lots of helpful support groups on Facebook, look for 'parents of children with epilepsy UK' It's worth joining a group to support you through initial investigations even if the diagnosis in the end is not epilepsy.

Atonic seizure was my first thought, though such as cardiac arrhythmia still on the list. Needs a proper paediatric check up.