absence epilepsy

[Guest guest]

Hi

I first noticed Joe was having absences about a year ago. He would go into

a trance-like state for a period of time, usually about 30-40 seconds and

then seem to snap out of it. This was usually when he was tired. Around the

same time his sleep became disturbed. He was previously a good sleeper

(unlike twin brother) and he suddenly started waking at all hours. I kept a

diary of his 'absences' and then went to the Paed. She said that she

suspected absence epilepsy but I should carry on with the diary and also

that children with special needs are very good at 'zoning' out, i.e. what we

used to call daydreaming, especially when they find something difficult etc.

She said it may be hard to tell the difference and booked us in for an EEG

(brain test).

They made a cock-up of the test and we had to go for a second. This was

sleep-deprived, I had to put him to bed late and wake him very early. He

had an absence in the waiting room but none during the test! Then on waking

he was a little disturbed. This showed up on the test but nothing

conclusive. However, as this had been going on for so long, had been

observed by others including his portage teacher, opportunity group and

playgroup it was pretty certain. Joe is now on Epilim (Sodium valporate)

and i have to say that his absences have decreased. He still has them,

especially when he's over tired.

I wouldn't say that a long 'fit' like this is absence epilepsy and it does

sound like a febrile convulsion to me on what you've said. However, I'm

told that there are over 12 types of epilepsy, so I suggest you ask for

guidance and keep a diary to note any absences, strange occurences etc.

There are loads of epilepsy sites on the web and Dr Len Leshin's pages I

believe hold some content about this as far as I recall.

The Paed said that in a child without disability she probably wouldn't have

treated them unless absolutely necessary. However, absence epilepsy can

prevent learning being 'stored' and of course our children find this hard

anyway, so another dose of information not being 'stored' away isn't good

for them, and hence his medication. It doesn't seem to affect him any other

way, apart from the disturbed sleep patterns which we're trying to sort out.

I have been told that AE does sometimes develop into fully blown epilepsy

but this usually isn't the case. Of course, it's a concern but I'm just

dealing with the here and now at the moment

Hope that helps you

Cheers from a freezing cold England, [and from an Island that thinks a

prince marrying a divorcee is all that they can talk about! yawwwwwwn]

Francesca and family