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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 anneellis on Sat, 2004-03-20 - 14:36
thankyou so much for replying to my message and for your support mommy2kyra! Im not quite sure how to run this forum. If you don't mind my asking, what type of seizures do you have? It was nice to hear from someone who has actually had an eeg and an accurate diagnosis! You get the feeling from what you read that it's just hit or miss! Thanks so much!
RE: photosensitive diagnosis 7 yr old?
Submitted by tibet2 on Sat, 2004-03-20 - 20:35
hi, i have to agree your little one is very articulate. since she regularly has seizures that are triggered by light, then i think there is a good chance that one will be caught on an EEG. for the record, all my EEGs have been normal. even though i don't have generalized seizures, my diagnosis is made on the basis of what my history. when you read support boards, you need to keep in mind that they self select for a higher percentage of people who are having problems with epilepsy. you aren't being neurotic, this is your 7 year old we are talking about! i would also think that you would be allowed in the room for the EEG. when my 12 year old had an open scan MRI for his knee i was expected to be in the room. i was surprised because i certainly thought he was old enough to have that sort of procedure without a parent in the room with him. he had expected to do it on his own as well, but was happy to have me in the room with him. i can't imagine the EEG will be different. you might want to bring her a hat to wear for after the EEG. the glue kind of gunks up your hair. if she has a little blanket or lovey, that is certainly ok to bring.
RE: photosensitive diagnosis 7 yr old?
Submitted by mommy2kyra on Sat, 2004-03-20 - 13:59
I don't have any experience with this type of seizure, but I just had to tell you how amazed I am by your daughter's ability to share her experience with you. Seven years old...wow! She must not be losing or having an impaired consciousness, and that's a good thing. I've had several EEG's...and all picked up abnormal brain activity during the time of stress (for me, during hyperventilation). It doesn't seem to matter whether or not I'm on meds during these EEG's either, because it's still there. After the hyperventilation, you have the photoptic stressor. This isn't very comfortable either, so I'm sure that if your daughter does have seizures triggered by lights they will see some abnormal activity. The EEG definitely isn't fun, but maybe they'll let you stay in there and hold her hand (since she is so young). It isn't painful, really, just not fun. I hope that I haven't gotten you more worried!!You don't sound lke a neurotic mom at all...and bless you for noticing that what your daughter described isn't normal (and doing something about it)! I hope that everything works out well for you and your daughter. Take care!Heather