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DS has just been diagnosed with Focal Cortical Dysplasia

6 replies

red37 · 05/06/2010 08:10

Hi

Well, it is still sinking in.

He started having seizures last August, his first one lasted about a minute, he slumped to his left side, lost all muscle tone stared into mid space, eventually came out of it and wet himself.
He had 3 of these in 10 days, with each time resulting in a trip to A&E to be told it was his temp(but there was never any sign of virus or temp) and he would grow out of these febrile convulsions, anyhow health visitor felt we were being fobbed off so helped us get a referral.

He was seizure free for about 4 weeks, then bang it all started again, these seizures came out of nowhere but I started to notice a change in ds's behaviour aggression, hyperactivity and a general tiredness.
This may seem quite strange but he can be hyperactive for say half an hour then get an over whelming tiredness like burnout, this is when he is more likely to have seizures.

Both eeg came back normal, sleep deprived normal, but consultant seems to think that this does not mean anything.
MRI showed FCD, which was explained to me that this congenial condition happened in my first 3 months of preg, and the consultant says it is the cause of Ds's seizures and surgery may be an option later in life or if the seizures become worse or medication ceases to work.All I can actually say is that after leaving the hospital yesterday I was not given a prognosis, yes I know he was born with it etc but it was was more of a "just wait and see approach" they also checked his hand a feet to see if one was bigger than the other.
I feel like I have been hit with a huge hammer.

He is on tegretol atm and has been seizure free for 7 weeks but has staring spells alot.

Please has anyone experienced this condition or knows about it, thx for reading

OP posts:
red37 · 05/06/2010 08:14

just re read post and he is aged 4

OP posts:
red37 · 05/06/2010 08:20

congenital condition sorry

OP posts:
justaboutupright · 05/06/2010 08:36

This reply has been deleted

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lisad123wantsherquoteinDM · 05/06/2010 09:58

dont have any advice but couldnt not reply. Your in shock at the moment so please give yourself time. When will they see him again? Im sure someone will be along shortly.

fatzak · 05/06/2010 19:11

Hi Red- have no experience of FCD but DS has had seizures since he was 3. He isn't a candidate for surgery as his seizures start all over the place. Having spent many many weeks this year on a neurology ward with DS, I can only say to you just how quickly children bounce back from brain surgery. I have been amazed at the rapid recovery some of the children have made and just how quickly they are back home again.

Let's hope that they can find the right meds for your DS - don't forget that most children are controlled with medication even if it takes some tweeking. DS has been on the ketogenic diet for the past month and so far so good. He's also on another course of steroids plus a new medication so we aren't sure which is actually working! He's not completely seizure free, but 10000% better than he has been all year

lou031205 · 05/06/2010 20:30

Hi red. It is a shock, so don't be surprised that you are reeling a little.

DD1 has a similar condition, also cortical dysplasia, except that her is widespread and diffuse. So no surgical options for her.

She just had drop attacks, and some absences. At the moment we are just giving her epilim.

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