could anyone advice me about jerking movements / seizures in babies?

[alittlebitworried]

Hello there - I've just done the classic thing of googling something I'm a little bit anxious about and am now even more anxious. My baby is nearly 7 months and I've noticed - since we've introduced solids - that when I'm feeding him he'll sometimes make what look like involuntary jerking movements (often having just swallowed, but not always), almost as if he's reacting to something very sharp-tasting as he purses his lips. I've also noticed that he can zone out briefly - no loss of consciousness or anything, just stare into the distance for a second or two. This only seems to happen when he's sat up to eat, though I'll also occasionally notice him jerking as he's trying to fall asleep (I know that can be quite common). My DH watched this today and agreed that it is happening - and looks not quite right.

I'm planning to make an appointment with the dr on Monday, but as that's a day or so away I wondered if anyone could offer any advice?
Am just being hyper-over-anxious?

Many thanks.

i think so... both of my NT children have done similar things as well as the sn one lol. but if you are very concerned you should follow your instincts, and get the hv to pop round (preferably at meal time).

absences for a second or two wouldn't normally be something they would bother to medicate unless there was other seizure activity - if you are concerned about the jerking etc see if you can catch it on your mobile or film it - it's easier to just show a doc rather than trying to explain lol...

try not to worry though (easier said than done)

have all the other milestones been on time? smiling etc?

consult the real gp and not dr google lol!

thanks for replying madwoman! Yes - in all other ways he's fine, even doing really well for his age. You're right - I'll try and catch it on film. You're also right about steering clear of Dr Google!

Hi alittlebitworried, as a mum of a 2 yr old who has severe epilepsy, started very subtle at a few weeks old...just movements with head, but eye rolling was the dead giveaway. Nw his seizures are sadly a lot worse...apparently becos when a baby is tiny the brain is too immature to endure a big fit thts why they r so hard to catch...but as the brain matures as the child gets bigger they get worse.

But defo get it checked...pls. I was not given a diagnosis til jack was nearly a year old, and we noticed wen he was a few weeks old, and def def take a video of it with yr phone and show it to gp, thts wat I did. We nw knw tht Jack has a genetic disorder, chromosomes have rearranged so tht is the cause of his epilepsy and he also has brain damage and developmentally delayed...not walkin, says fw words and we sign with him in makaton...but def get it checked out. Let me know hw u get on pls xx

I will, proudestmummyever - I'll make an appointment first thing tomorrow. Thank you so much for replying.

No problem at all alittlebitworried, just glad I can help...pls let me know hw u get on, and try catch it on phone etc....I knw tht can be difficult though, but helps if gp sees it. Good luck xxxx

Hiya

Not sure if this helps but when my dd is angry or frustrated (like at mealtimes, when we try to get her to eat something she doesn't like) she clenches her fists and her whole body shakes (including her face!) Never seen anything like in in another baby, so i scared myself silly on Google but GP seemed to think it was nothing to worry about. She's 21 months now and absolutely fine in every other way. Try not to worry, it's probably fine.

I've been keeping a really close eye on him and it seems to me that it might just be related to eating. What he does when taking solids is really similar to what he sometimes does on the breast - ie. sort of suddenly jerk backwards, and pull-off, which I've read can be a kind of reflex? I've never seen him do it when waking (but I'm not always there when he wakes up!). I've got an appointment with the dr tomorrow to talk it all through - thank you so much for replying.

Hi. Sorry to hear you are worried about your child. I have a special needs child who has epilepsy. It started off with him going stiff in my arms at about 6 months old and also noticed blank looks etc. then small jerking movements. My health visitor was about as much use as a chocolate teapot. Took him to doctors, of course he never did it in the surgery. Doctor thought it may be petit mal siezures. Had EEG at the hospital but didnt pick anything up. Paediatrician was about as much use as helath visitor. I knew something was wrong with George, dunno if mothers instinct kicks in or what, but really made a nuisance of myself. Peadiatrician kept telling me nothing wrong with him, that i was just a neurotic first time mum!!! It wasnt until George was rushed into hospital with a respiratory tract infection that i saw another fantastic paed (a woman!) who sent George for tests at Addenbrooks who picked up that he has Myclonic Jerking seizures. He also has an extremely rare chromosome abnormality which is causing his developmental delay and the epilepsy. Sometimes i think you just know that something is wrong and you just have to be prepared to be bloody minded before you get to the bottom of it. It took 18 months for me to get George diagnosed. Dont be afraid to get a second opinion if you feel you are not being listened to. Like the others have said take a video of the symtoms on the phone, thats a really good idea. Didnt have that 8 years ago when George doing it!!! Also try not to worry, there may be nothing wrong too. Good luck.

Hi alittlebitworried have u been to the dr yet? Just wondered if you'd heard anything?