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I'm new and need some help quickly.

Fri, 12/08/2006 - 04:23

Topic: New to Epilepsy.com

My three year son has had three Tonic-clonic seizures. But yesterday something different happened to him. He was acting normal and he sat down to eat dinner he ate a couple bites and then said I'm tired. He went and laid on the couch with his head facing to the side. He kept saying he wanted to go to sleep. He turned pale, his eyes got glassy, he started breathing faster than normal and he kept sticking his tongue out and up licking his lips. His legs jerked a couple times and then he started to stare looking in one spot. He answered me when I proceeded to ask him a question. So he could respond to me but he kept starring at that one spot not looking at me. Then it was over he got up on his own and started playing and acting normal. He did not have a fever. This whole episode lasted a minute or so. Does anyone know what this was or what type of seizure? I have read so information about seizures but am still not sure. Also his doctors prescribed Tegretol for him to take for teo years. He is suppose to have a EEG done after he starts taking the Tegretol. I just need a second opnion about the medicine. I don't know if I should give it to him or not? I have read about the side effects and thry scare me. My brothers daughter has had four Tonic-Clonic seizures but his doctor never prescribed tegretol and she is two. Can anyone give me some advice please?

Comments

Hi Nancy, I am sorry that

Submitted by mama bear on Fri, 2006-12-08 - 06:40

Hi Nancy, I am sorry that you are dealing with Epilepsy in such a little guy. I know it is very hard a worrisome to watch them go through this. If you read the definitions on the my My Epilepsy site this sounds very similar to a partial complex seizure. My son who is almost three has been having tonic-clonic seizures and suffered one of these a few days ago. My son has been put on lamotrigine (lamictil in the US) a week ago. Unfortunately I can not give you any information regarding other medications. Just so you know, from what I have read Tonic-clonic are the most severe seizures, and it is a good thing that he was able to respond to you during this other type of seizure. I of course, am no expert or anything, but have been told that these seizures are a little less severe. I hope you can find more information, and good luck, Mama bear

Re: I'm new and need some help quickly.

Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 2006-12-08 - 08:59

Starting medicines can be scarey for some people, but the goal of seizures is to help stop seizures! There is no single medicine for seizures, thus it's important to talk to the doctors about why a specific medicine is chosen for a child, rather than comparing with what another person may be taking.

Here is a link to info on seizures in kids and to general info on meds, in case you haven't seen yet. Hope this helps and welcome to the site!

www.epilepsy.com/info/family_kids.html

www.epilepsy.com/epilepsy/medicine_kids.html

Epilepsy.com Resource Specialist

Here is a link to info on seizures in kids and to general info on meds, in case you haven't seen yet. Hope this helps and welcome to the site!

www.epilepsy.com/info/family_kids.html

www.epilepsy.com/epilepsy/medicine_kids.html

Epilepsy.com Resource Specialist

Re: I'm new and need some help quickly.

Submitted by caradee on Fri, 2006-12-08 - 09:01

Hello, Nancy. It is so great to hear from such a concerned parent. You would not believe how many parents don't recognize this "behavior" as being an uncontrollable seizure. I have E and am 39 years old. I agree that this was, more than likely, a partial complex seizure, but I don't think that every seizure we have can fit nicely in the description of so many types of seizures. I, too, have these types of seizures, with the exception of being able to respond. I have taken Tegretol, and was told by my doc that is has the most mild side effect of all AED's out there (his words, not mine). It didn't control my seizures, so I have switched meds several times over the years. Everyone is different, and will respond different to the meds, but it is very important that you try to keep your child on the meds the doc has prescribed, as stopping them suddenly can be more detrimental than the seizures. I know you're scared. I see it in my families face every day. My thoughts are with you, your son, and his loved ones. It's a tough road.

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