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Absence Seizure?

Fri, 01/12/2018 - 07:53
I’ve asked quite a few questions on here. Have a new one quick background. Son is 8 years old. Had an abnormal EEG last year. Our old neurologist was less than helpful we had to wait several months to get in to a new neurologist finally our appt is next week. On Wednesday my son and husband were waiting for his drum instructor to come out. He came out and called my son no response so my husband said his name and nudged him no response then slowly my son dropped his drum sticks. Finally it’s like he woke up and after a few seconds picked up the sticks and slowly got up picked up the sticks. The weird thing is I asked him if he could hear them calling him. He said he could hear them but couldn’t respond. I also asked the school they have noticed similar events where he will just stop talking. They also describe what I think is a processing problem or perhaps his meds that when you talk to him he doesn’t know how to answer. Not lost for words just doesn’t seem to understand what your saying. All of this is just so confusing.

Comments

Absence seizures are what

Submitted by just_joe on Fri, 2018-01-12 - 11:39
Absence seizures are what used to be called petite mal seizures. They are like blips in time and the person having them know nothing about what happened nor could they understand what was said. They basically look like they are day dreaming. Another seizure that looks like those seizures would be s focal seizure. I looked like I was day dreaming but the answer to the question the teacher asked came out after the seizure stopped. In other words I saw and understood everything but my response was delayed until the seizure was over. Focal seizures can land in any of the partial seizures and they can generalize.If his dosages have not changed then that might be what is needed. Doses are generally set with the age and size of the person taking them. If they have grown then that does need to be looked at. I had to have mine changed 4 times in a 16-18 month period of time. Gained 50 lbs. Grew about 8" in height.I hope this helpsJoe

Our daughter is being treated

Submitted by Amy Jo on Fri, 2018-01-12 - 13:42
Our daughter is being treated for partial and generalized seizures but initially only had partials. The complex partial seizures look like staring so many medical types initially assumed absence but her neurologist and surgeon knew better than to assume. Your observations are building a history that can help. Please make sure you keep a record of episodes and reports of anything odd.

I agree.... it could be

Submitted by Shon Renee on Wed, 2018-04-25 - 11:02
I agree.... it could be either.  I thought my daughter was having absence seizures based on what I noticed and what daycare notice (and based on what I was reading online). But once she had her EEG and MRI they were diagnosed as focal seizures, stemming from one particular area in her brain. Absence seizures tend to be 15-20 seconds or so, my daughters "episodes" were more like 40-45 seconds, but the other symptoms seemed similar. I also knew that she was somewhat aware of what was happening because I would ask if she was ok, but she would answer after it was over and would cry but say "Im ok" .  I think The imaging and testing is so important to formally diagnose the type of seizure so that its easier to formulate a treatment plan.

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