Community Forum Archive
The Epilepsy Community Forums are closed, and the information is archived. The content in this section may not be current or apply to all situations. In addition, forum questions and responses include information and content that has been generated by epilepsy community members. This content is not moderated. The information on these pages should not be substituted for medical advice from a healthcare provider. Experiences with epilepsy can vary greatly on an individual basis. Please contact your doctor or medical team if you have any questions about your situation. For more information, learn about epilepsy or visit our resources section.
Abnormal EEG - Absences and other stange symptoms in child
Thu, 07/30/2009 - 08:34Hi, new here, hope someone can shed some light on my 12 year old Son's symptoms.
He has always been considered as having some ADHD traits, not diagnosed though, and always high functioning. Has had a lot of strange symptoms that we had pinned down to psychological: seeing things ie. meteors, hearing things like name called, voice like sounds, (never bad though), de ja vue, feeling of electricity going through his body, numbness in lower teeth, occasional occurances of sudden strange vocalisation (but not like a tick) without knowing why, facial grimaces without knowing why, gets angry v easily - always had trouble with concentration, staying on task, remembering instructions or being in trouble for not listening at school. He is becoming more aware of missing important instructions, and even some time lapses in class, where he actually notices missing time. He can been seen staring for up to 30 secs, this is noticeable by his friends (who get bothered by it) and us.
Anyway, finally got an EEG done, results are "from the outset of recording, multifocal sharp waves seen in both frontal regions, and over the frontal poles irregular 3-4 and 4-6hz activity is seen. At times, sharp slow wave discharges spanning both cerebral hemispheres. Hyperventilation induces slowing to 3-4hz with increasing sharp wave activity seen in both the temporal and parietal regions, spreading in to the frontal poles with sharp slow wave dischares.
So -as we haven't been able to see the neurologist yet, we are wondering if this could be causing all the other symptoms as well as the Absences. Or are the visual and auditory disturbances something else? Does anyone have any ideas or comments. Our Son is otherwise a normal functioning able 12 year old who lives a very normal 12 year old life.
Thanks for your help
Michele
Comments
Re: Abnormal EEG - Absences and other stange symptoms in child
Submitted by dvelasquez on Tue, 2009-08-04 - 23:51
Once you see the Neurologist, make sure he or she explains everything. My daughter is 6 and had an abnormal EEG. All the Dr. did was tell me she was having partial complex seizures in her brain and that he wanted to put her on pills. That was all! Didn't give me a reason, didn't make an effort to explain the test, nothing. Even though I specifically told him she can't swallow pills he insisted on a certain pill for her. She has taken some, but ever since she has become aggressive and aggitated. Not herself at all. I feel like she didn't get the care she needs or deserves. I don't want to see that with your son too.
Make sure they explain everything to you and don't leave until you feel comfortable that you understand what is happening. I wish I had some specific help to provide on his issue, but I felt that you should know not to just accept the Dr. wanting to put him on meds. I think that is sometimes the Dr's easy way out and they don't truely find the problem. Good luck to you.
Once you see the Neurologist, make sure he or she explains everything. My daughter is 6 and had an abnormal EEG. All the Dr. did was tell me she was having partial complex seizures in her brain and that he wanted to put her on pills. That was all! Didn't give me a reason, didn't make an effort to explain the test, nothing. Even though I specifically told him she can't swallow pills he insisted on a certain pill for her. She has taken some, but ever since she has become aggressive and aggitated. Not herself at all. I feel like she didn't get the care she needs or deserves. I don't want to see that with your son too.
Make sure they explain everything to you and don't leave until you feel comfortable that you understand what is happening. I wish I had some specific help to provide on his issue, but I felt that you should know not to just accept the Dr. wanting to put him on meds. I think that is sometimes the Dr's easy way out and they don't truely find the problem. Good luck to you.
Re: Abnormal EEG - Absences and other stange symptoms in child
Submitted by nisperos on Wed, 2009-08-05 - 12:07
There are lots of good comments already on here. In addition to researching "sensory seizures", I'd like to suggest also researching "temporal lobe" or temporolimbic epilepsy (TLE). These are the old terms. An interesting old article to have a librarian pull up for you is "The Riddle of TLE" which appeared the November 1988 edition of The Atlantic. A few quotes from this old article follow:
"TLE is manifested by bizarre sensory and somatic seizures that can be triggered by light and sound. In some patients TLE is accompanied by hypergraphia, a compulsive urge to write detailed diaries and poems -- and sometimes to draw with similar intensity. The most common form of epilepsy among adults, TLE is believed to affect 600,000 to a million Americans. Some doctors speculate that if TLE were properly diagnosed, it might be found to affect one in a hundred adults -- making it an extremely common illness...
Many historical figures may have had TLE, including such religious and political leaders as Moses, Mohammed, Julius Caesar, and Alexander the Great, and such writers as Dostoyevsky, Flaubert, Lewis Carroll, and Eugene O'Neill... The conversion of another great writer of letters, the Apostle Paul, on the road to Damascus, had several of the hallmarks of a complex partial seizure -- a blinding flash of light, a disembodied voice, and subsequent loss of appetite..."
There are lots of good comments already on here. In addition to researching "sensory seizures", I'd like to suggest also researching "temporal lobe" or temporolimbic epilepsy (TLE). These are the old terms. An interesting old article to have a librarian pull up for you is "The Riddle of TLE" which appeared the November 1988 edition of The Atlantic. A few quotes from this old article follow:
"TLE is manifested by bizarre sensory and somatic seizures that can be triggered by light and sound. In some patients TLE is accompanied by hypergraphia, a compulsive urge to write detailed diaries and poems -- and sometimes to draw with similar intensity. The most common form of epilepsy among adults, TLE is believed to affect 600,000 to a million Americans. Some doctors speculate that if TLE were properly diagnosed, it might be found to affect one in a hundred adults -- making it an extremely common illness...
Many historical figures may have had TLE, including such religious and political leaders as Moses, Mohammed, Julius Caesar, and Alexander the Great, and such writers as Dostoyevsky, Flaubert, Lewis Carroll, and Eugene O'Neill... The conversion of another great writer of letters, the Apostle Paul, on the road to Damascus, had several of the hallmarks of a complex partial seizure -- a blinding flash of light, a disembodied voice, and subsequent loss of appetite..."
Re: Abnormal EEG - Absences and other stange symptoms in child
Submitted by tonialpha on Mon, 2009-08-03 - 16:53
The Neurologist will explain in detail what is going on w/ your child and your child's brain is still growing until age 21 approximately. That is something that was told to my family at one time. My parents were told that. That decided not to go to a Neurologist, I wish they had stayed. When I went to college, I ended up working in the field of Neurology. My abnormality started before I was born.
I had partials, partial-complex and generalized seizures. I would run, throw-up and my parents would lay me in bed. I would watch tv and throw up especially cartoons. The doctor thought it was the colors because I hated the color red and I would see spots in my seizures. Cartoons would have red in it. Crazy things would cause my seizures. Lights that would go on or off or flicker would make me have a sz once in a while. Smells of food. Sounds of music would do it. As I grew something else would occur. When I was in my 20's I ran out my shower in my own apt not realizing I had no clothes on and my Neurologist told me to wear a bathing suit when I took a shower. I would be treated as a normal individual and I grew up that way. There were times they had challenges. I pray that you have a good team to help you!
Take good and patient care
The Neurologist will explain in detail what is going on w/ your child and your child's brain is still growing until age 21 approximately. That is something that was told to my family at one time. My parents were told that. That decided not to go to a Neurologist, I wish they had stayed. When I went to college, I ended up working in the field of Neurology. My abnormality started before I was born.
I had partials, partial-complex and generalized seizures. I would run, throw-up and my parents would lay me in bed. I would watch tv and throw up especially cartoons. The doctor thought it was the colors because I hated the color red and I would see spots in my seizures. Cartoons would have red in it. Crazy things would cause my seizures. Lights that would go on or off or flicker would make me have a sz once in a while. Smells of food. Sounds of music would do it. As I grew something else would occur. When I was in my 20's I ran out my shower in my own apt not realizing I had no clothes on and my Neurologist told me to wear a bathing suit when I took a shower. I would be treated as a normal individual and I grew up that way. There were times they had challenges. I pray that you have a good team to help you!
Take good and patient care