OT: Absence Seizures

[sfhargett]

So, it seems like we have another curveball in our family. I am almost certain that my middle child, Carrington, is having absence seizures. We go to the neurologist (actually their PA, the actual MDs were booked through December) on Wednesday. Has anyone experienced these?

Carrington also has pretty significant anxiety, especially when it comes to doctors and medical procedures. She had her flu shot today, and even after lots of pep talks about how it would go, coping strategies, etc, she was still a mess. She ended up having to sit in my lap and I had to wrap my arms and legs around her to hold her down, just to get through a quick shot. There were copious tears.

I expect she'll need to have an EEG at least along with medications. I am pretty worried about how she is going to handle it. She has anxiety over food and medicine too. We have yet to get her to take medicines successfully, except for bubble gum flavored liquid antibiotics. We bought some tic-tacs so she can practice taking pills.

I would certainly appreciate your prayers.

As a side note, Grayson has now been diagnosed with ADHD and meds are in the works for him too. I have no idea how we're going to get him to take medicine, but boy does he need it! I'm hoping his OT can help us.

So I guess I'd love hearing how you've managed to convince your hesitant/anxious/headstrong children take medicine too.

[cherylswope]

Re: OT: Absence Seizures

Susan,

Prayer - Yes!

EEG - My daughter has a very sensitive scalp, so these have been hard. I remind her she will only need to have it repeated if she does not persevere through the first time; conversely, if we make it through the entire process, we will be all finished and can go do xyz that we both enjoy. They allow her to take her favorite snuggly item whether daytime or overnight. Be sure to wash hair ahead of time exactly as instructed. (One time we failed to do this.) To this day she does not enjoy EEGs, but tolerates them. If it is a larger facility, you can ask ahead of time for an especially good EEG tech who knows how to deal well with anxiety.

Meds - Both ADHD meds and some seizure meds come in liquid forms. Some might be chewable, so you can ask your doctor for the delivery method you think will be most tolerated. You might also ask whether this or that medication can be mixed into something. Then save that special "something" for medicine times only.

My husband taught Michelle to swallow necessary medications by placing the pill back on her tongue. He says two of his most important contributions were teaching both children 1) to ride a bicycle and 2) to swallow medicines when they need them.

Others here may have additional tips --

[Anita]

Re: OT: Absence Seizures

Paging Kaufman — Mary Kaufman! Mary Kaufman to the visiting room.

She’s been pretty open about her son having absence seizures here (so I don’t think I’m being untoward). If she doesn’t get this page you can message her directly at screen name OrthodoxHandmaiden.

[sfhargett]

Re: OT: Absence Seizures

Thank you both. I will PM Mary.

I talked to my daughter tonight and she seemed a bit concerned, but not too much. So hopefully tomorrow will go well. After they tell us what tests, etc she will need to have, I'll watch some videos of those tests with DD to prepare her. I've already scoped out a video of an EEG.

[SPearson]

Re: OT: Absence Seizures

Susan,

We have been living the epilepsy life for many, many years. My teen appears to have grown out of the sleep seizures, all to replace them with daytime absence seizures. He has more auras than he has absence seizures. If the auras progress far enough they will turn into an absence. I will PM you.

Also, can you join in this Tuesday night on the SN support group meet-up?

SusanP