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photosensitive diagnosis 7 yr old?
Fri, 06/18/2004 - 11:27Topic: Family & Friends
Hi,I,m a new member neurotic mom of a seven yr old girl.I was falling asllep one night, she was nest to me, I hada "normal Jerk". when this happened, she informed me that she gets jerks and shakes on the playground "only in one area of the playground. I thought she was crazy till i started reading about photosensitive epilepsy. She is scheduled for aan eeg on wednesday mar. 24th.I am discouraged because of so many reports that eegs are not always accurate in diagnosing seizures. she describes the seizure in great detail: upper body stiffens, sholders up, head back hands with fingers straighted and pulled toward thumb, up on toes. It's amazing she has not fallen backward when you see the position she is in. she also hears echos. lasts about 5 seconds. upon inspection of the area where this occurs, there is a fence with one inch slats, when you walk past, light flickers through. seven year olds do not make up this kind of detail. If anyone else has photosensitive epilepsy or has info on the diagnosis of such, can you please let me know? Also, if anyone has an idea of what type of seizure this may be classified as? thankyou!
Comments
RE: photosensitive diagnosis 7 yr old?
Submitted by e_nuffofthis on Mon, 2004-03-22 - 13:17
I just have to add that a regular ped should not be making these decisions. You really need to put your foot down about getting a referral to a pediatric neurologist or better yet an epileptologist (ped neuro that specializes in E). You are right in being concerned now because this is an area where a specialist needs to have the input on this, plus a regular ped has no right to be handing out Anti-epileptic meds. If it was just one Febrile seizure (seizure from fever) that's different. But what you are looking at is something much more involved and involves things that regular peds have VERY little training in, especially reading EEG's. Another clue for you is you want a neuro that reads the EEG's himself. Some of them don't, and you don't want that.
RE: photosensitive diagnosis 7 yr old?
Submitted by anneellis on Mon, 2004-03-22 - 14:52
thanks, again for the valuable advice. I will have to work on putting my foot down after the eeg on wednesday. If anyone is in the bay area( California) and knows the name of a good specialist, that would would really be helpful. I'll let you all know if we get some answers.
RE: photosensitive diagnosis 7 yr old?
Submitted by anneellis on Mon, 2004-03-22 - 13:03
hi,Thanks for the reassurance, I know you are right. As far as a neurologist though, this is why I am concerned. When I asked the pediatrician about a specialist, he said lets wait and see what the eeg says. I feel as though the referral depends upon eeg results (which do not always show up) or on someone witnessing the behavior. Oh well, time will tell and I know worrying will not change a thing. Im getting a little better now with the support of helpful people like you! It's just a shock at first> Thanks a bunch for all the very good advice from you and all here. This support system really does do what it is designed to! Thanks!