My 10 year old sister is experiencing seizure-like-activity for about 15 months now- We have taken her to a series of doctors and have done what seems like hundreds of test and have found nothing physically wrong with her... It all started about 2 months before my due date- She was at the time 9 years old- she began having attacks where she would fall to the floor and begin shaking (both hands and legs-she looked as if she were unconscious) Eventually these attacks would happen everyday around the same time (morning and night) The doctors diagnosis was she was experiencing pudeo seizures- The day I was in labor (please keep in mind this is the first grand-child on my husbands and my families side) she too was admitted in the hospital that evening- This day was a bitter sweet day- Everyone was exciting about my son’s arrival yet emotionally torn because we didn’t know what was going on with my sister! After a series of test her primary care physician asks that we take her to a psychologist. She is currently taking anxiety meds and sees her clinician once a week…her seizure-like activity is slowly diminishing but we are all afraid they will soon return. Has anybody experience anything like this? I feel so frustrated at times because I feel she does this for attention! But what if am wrong! Please help!
I would take her to a chiropractor also. There are so many ways they can help. By now it has caused her some damage and getting adjusted will help her.
Dear L.,
Greetings!!!
I truly understand how you are feeling, and I really commend you for wanting to help your younger sister and for caring so much about her. Seizures are scary, not just for the person who is experiencing them but for everyone. Have you ever thought about researching alternative natural and homeopathic remedies for her instead of the meds? I definitely know from experience that psych meds do more harm than good and that, in fact, there are many natural solutions that can actually help with what your sister is going through! Your sister definitely does not need to see a psychiatrist or psychologist!
I highly recommend contacting Dr. Anita Pepi who is truly an amazing Chiropractor and Nutritionist and would definitely be able to help your sister naturally.
Here's her data:
2950 Los Feliz Blvd. Suite 101
Los Angeles, CA 90039
(323) 666~1088
http://www.drpepi.com
If she is too far for you, please let me know as I may know of an incredible nutritionist that is closer to you.
I also love what Jamie recommends....definitely testing for heavy metals.
I'd also recommend checking out 3 organizations validating why going the natural route is best for your sister and your family:
http://ablechild.org/
http://www.cchr.org/
http://www.labelmesane.com/
You'll also find some amazing data regarding alternatives at: http://www.cchr.org/solutions_and_alternatives/
And, L., please watch:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Xjx0gdL83I
http://www.psychconflicts.org/
Please free to reach me anytime at: (323) 906~2784 or via e~mail me at ____@____.com. I'd love to help you however I can.
L. (Mama to 39 week old Dylan Orion) : )))
Hi L.,
First, congrats on your baby!
Knowing that you have gone the medical route first, the next thing I would try for your sister is absolutely the easiest. I would assume that she might be needing more attention, AND I WOULD GIVE IT TO HER!
Why is everyone in this society so backwards-thinking about that? Parenting isn't a power trip, to see who "wins", it should be a joyful journey together toward balance and happiness.
A 9- or 10-year-old (and even many adults) can manifest physical symptoms for things they are unable or unwilling to verbalize. If she were my child or sister, I would make it a point to spend lots of one-to-one time with her (and now, during summer vacation is a great time to do this!.) I would make "dates" with her to do special things, like going to an amusement park, or something she likes to do that includes interaction (not a movie). Having a date planned ahead gives her something to look forward to, also.
I have found that kids act out when they are scared, feeling unsafe, and not sure they are loved. The solution is not to ignore their call for help, so that they feel even more unsafe and unloved, but to "love them into health".
I would never assume that "just wanting attention" is less important than an actual diagnosable disease. (For one thing, according to many doctors today, it is the unresolved emotional issues we have that later turn into those diseases!)
And we are not called to "judge" whether any other person needs too much or too little love and attention. Our job is, as I see it, to provide love, especially when it is requested.
I bet you will find that with some extra love and attention, your sister gradually blossoms into a more healthy and secure person.
(I am a mother of 8, all grown, and grandmother of 9.)
I have a friend who was going through the exact same thing, the body goes into some sort of mental break down the seizures can be quite scary, although she is bring them on her self, in other words there fake seizures, well thats what the doctors feel they are, she is getting the right care, if the doctor had placed her on some anti seizure meds please be really careful and research them , also with the anti depressent meds if she is on them , they can do a reverse with young kids, this is a Must to research all meds they give her to fully understand the side effects and dangers. Often the pill manufactors give these doctors freebies if they push the prescriptions for certain meds. As long as she stays on her meds, gets a good night sleep, keeps the same routine, which will help her in the long run , she should be ok, although these types of seizures, and mentally started, I feel you have her in good hands. Just research all meds.
Blessings to your sister I will keep her in my prayers, each day.
Hi L.,
Let me start with saying I suffer from seizure disorder caused by scar tissue in my brain and I hope your little sis comes through this with a positive outcome, no matter the cause. Seizures can be a scary and limiting part of life. It sounds like she has a very loving and supporting big sis and family to help her.
I don't know how many Dr.s you have consulted with. I assume they are neurologists? Has she had MRI's, CT scans and EEG's (both standard and sleep deprived?). If not, those would help shed some light on what is going on. They don't really know why some people have seizures. That is part of what I am saying here...that is why they call it "practicing medicine". Not that I am down on Dr.'s, I just don't think they have all the answers sometimes. Some say it could be anything from genetic, to hormones (I assume she is pre-pubescent), to a head trauma etc.
The problem with seizure activity, is one seizure begets another and it is not good for long term memory and cognitive function. (That was what I was told by my neurologist.) Anyway, she could on some level be doing it for attention, but it sounds to me that there is something physiological going on. (Based on the info given).
The good news is that some kids have grand mal or petit mal (smaller seizures) and grow out of them and never have problems again.
It sounds like you are doing the best you can with trying to get her the best treatment and depending on your answers to my first questions, you could be headed in the right direction.
Best of luck with her situation while handling your own family. Sounds like you are not only "super mom", but "super sis" as well.
U.
This caught my attention! An associate of mine lost her teenage son on February 2007. He had been having seizures and doctors did not believe he was having seizures and he was found dead in his room by his mother.
I am trying to reach a friend of mine to ask her the name of his condition he was diagnosed with during an autopsy.
I would INSIST on further testing for your sister. I will get back to you as soon as I know the name of the condition so you can pass along the information for your sister. Im so sorry she's going thru this!
With the fact that she was having these "seizures" every morning -- I assume before school, but NOT AT school?, then again at home at night and the fact they're decreasing since she goes to a therapist, it really sounds like the "seizures" were for attention. My daughter actually had seizures at age 5-6, but after several EEGs and even a 24 hr video taped EEG, I figured out it was actually the medication that was causing the seizures. Anyway her seizures were at random times, stress and lack of sleep can also bring them on. I think if your sister continues to feel she is getting lots of attention the whole "seizure" thing will fade away. I wouldn't worry about there being a bigger problem unless things change. I know several people for whom seizure medication works, so you can cross that bridge if it ever comes. For now relax. Enjoy your son.
Hi L.
I am a 43 year old mother of three. I have had seizures all my life. When I was younger (pre-teen) the seizures were hard to control and I had to go through a lot of tests and ended up on meds to try to control them. When I was 33 I decided to have brain surgery and I have been seizure free for almost 10 years. The deal is that the seizures come on because of a hormone embalance. It is called "catamenial epilepsy." That was only discovered a few years ago that the hormones can have an impact on the seizures. It is important to have your sister checked out for that also since she is at the "pre-teen" adolescent age when things are going crazy in the body.
Good luck don't give up.
D.
my son started having them around 16 they think they were homores he' now 21 and he's on meds and doing pretty good now knock on wood.
Sizures are something that can still stump the medical community!! Yes, attention could be a factor, her anxiety, stress could be brining on very real symtoms but don't rule out an actual medical condition. When my brother-in-law started having siezures it took almost 2 yrs. to come to a conclusion that they are most due to numerous neck injuries when younger. A combo of meds and Chiropractic care keep them a bit in check. Also don't rule out something viral. My sister lost all felling in one arm and it took months to diagnose and simple, albeit, very strong atibiotics "cured" it. Same with a niece of mine, she experienced sudden tremors and loss of most muscle control, again viral.
Basically, ALL options need to be explored, and be VIGILANT!!! There are wonderful doctors out their but the truth is they are many times overworked (and underpaid, when you look at the amount of college loans and malpractice insurance they must carry) and controlled by insurance companies!!!
Good Luck!
My sister-in-law went through this same thing for a year or more. She was checked into a sleep study clinic and it was determined after doing brain waves and testing that she too was having the Psuedo Siezures. They explained it was a brain chemical thing that was a response to a change in lifestyle and stress. They said when your body can not process the anxiety or stress of a situation the brain will make the body shut down and go into these episodes for protection. We thought she was doing it for attention too. She was put on anti-anxiety meds and has been seizure free for 7 months now. Her episodes would last sometimes HOURS - and she took many trips to the hospital.
Hopefully the meds will be an answer for you all!
I will pray that she is freed from these episodes and that the stress on you will diminish!
Blessings!
I would have her tested for heavy metals including Lead, Mercury, Alumimum and whatever else is on the list. All it involves is taking two pills in the evening then collecting a urine sample in the morning and sending it off. You need a doctor who can understand how to read the results. My favorite doctor for this is Dr. Mary Berry in Anaheim Hills, ###-###-####
