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Very confused and need advice

Sun, 05/21/2006 - 18:39
Hi there, My daughter (16mths) has so far had 2 seizures, one on 5th March and one on 6th May and both were accompanied by a fever. The first one she had blood tests and they come back normal and the second one they sent us home after 20minutes and only gave her panadol. Now my dilemma is that she is not having a typical febrile convulsion. The paramedic for the second seizure told me to please follow up on tests etc to make sure other causes were ruled out, but this was obviously not possible because we were sent home without any tests. Basically I can tell she is going to have one because she goes very quiet and pale, she then becomes unresponsive, like if I wave my hand in front of her face she will not look at me, she just stares into space. She also went floppy the first time. The second time we actually managed to remain calm and talk to her quietly and stroke her and she had a much milder seizure (not sure if that was a coincidence). Maybe its easier if I break it up a bit: 1st seizure: unresponsive (would not respond to touch or noise) fever completely floppy lethargic for an hour after lasted 5-7 minutes no convulsing (may have twitched but I cant be sure because I was driving and didnt realise until I went to get her out of the carseat) 2nd seizure: fever weak limbs but not floppy could still grip my fingers muscle twitching but no convulsing (approx 1 twitch every 15 seconds or so) eyes twitched around towards the end of the seizure maintained eye contact for 99% of time (a period of 5 seconds of unresponsiveness) lasted around 8 minutes snapped out of it with no lethargy (sat straight up and was fine) VERY rapid pulse started to have breathing difficulties/shallow breathing but then the seizure stopped Its also possible that I missed a few symptoms for the first seizure because I was fairly hysterical! But there is definately NO convulsing and the twitches just look like twitches people have when they are asleep. Anyway each time, the paramedic has told us it doesnt sound like a febrile convulsion and each time we get sent home with them saying they will label it as one even though it isnt typical. Now another thing that may be a total coincidence is that she has stopped saying a couple words since her last seizure, she still says some but others she acts like she doesnt know how to?!?! She still has comprehension though. If you managed to get through this post, thank you! And I really hope someone can give me some helpful advice. Kylie

Comments

Re: Very confused and need advice

Submitted by angel_lts on Mon, 2006-05-22 - 07:22
THe second seizure you said she had a fever. Seizures can come on more when a child is sick. Many children when having seizures when they are months old, is caused by low b6. Make sure b6, b complex, magnesium, calcium, vit d, blood sugar, sodium levels are checked, for all will cause seizures if too low. take care Lisa http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/epilepsyapproach/

Re: Very confused and need advice

Submitted by d00r on Fri, 2006-07-21 - 10:10
Our doctors here wouldn't do anything until after my daughter had a 3rd seizure. They say the first 2 could be febrile seizures, but that only 2 doesn't matter too much. That if there are more, then they will look into the situation further and run tests. Some doctors don't communicate very well. That's why I turn to the internet. :)

Re: Very confused and need advice

Submitted by vrawls on Sun, 2006-07-23 - 14:44
Kylie, Find a Pedi-neuro in your area to take your daughter to. Seizures are expected with fevers, but any odd behavior when your daughter does not appear to be ill are cause for concern. The most important thing that I have learned while dealing with my children whom have seizures is be persistent and if you don't like an answer a dr gives you, get a 2nd or 3rd opinion. Don't settle, don't be afraid to disagree. My neuro didn't see a need to put my 6yr old daugther on meds, well I disagreed and we began her on Trileptal. Just remember, you are the parent of a child that can't articulate how they feel! Best of luck to you.

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