My 14 yr old son (who is healthy, no medical problems) recently had his first grand mal seizure. It lasted about 2 minutes, but he turned deeply cyanotic (blue) when he stopped breathing during and after it. I had to give him mouth to mouth, while 911 was called. The only abnormal test in the ER was a high fasting blood sugar (fasting 16 hrs, it was 141, not bad, but not that great). He didn't have a fever, didn't have signs of meningitis, and tested negative for drugs. He also wasn't dehydrated. He was, however, playing a 2 dimensional card game on my computer when he seized.
EEG was done yesterday, but no results yet. He has not had anymore seizures since the first one. Has anyone else had experience with new onset seizures in an older child/teen? It's very frustrating to not have a diagnoses or treatment plan for him. It's also frustrating because he lives with his father, 350+ miles away.
Hello sorry i can help you i have a 14 yr old son as well but he is just fine ... im due for another child in abouta week this is also a lil BOY....I hope all is well ... im sorry to hear about this ..
What a blessing that you were with him and knew how to perform mouth to mouth. Two years ago my niece, then 16 years old, had her first grand mal seizure. She was taking a shower at the time. She had no previous medical problems and at that time we knew of no family history of neurological problems. Over the next 6 months she had 2 more seizures, both while showering. Her EEG's showed abnormalities, but a clear diagnosis and treatment was kinda slow in coming. She is now diagnosed with epilepsy, is on Topamax and has not had any seizures since beginning the medicine. Her neurologist does continue to test her often and has increased the dosage of topamax several times based on her EEG's.
Since my niece's diagnosis, I have heard of other cases of this kind starting in the mid to late teen years. I guess it's not real common -- but it does happen.
I know it has to be frustrating for you being so far from him. Try to stay strong and work with your son's father as some medical answers are being searched for. I think it is good for your son to know that you and his dad are working together to find answers.
Hugs,
hi i am a mother of 2. my oldest ia 6 and my youngest is 3. my 6 yr old had a seizure 2 months ago. nothing since. he had his seizure is his sleep. it was scarey. we got mri done and cat scan done at the er. nothing everything was fine. but we have not yet gotten the eeg done cause of my insurance. but now that my insurance has bine changed threw work i can finally get the eeg done. so i am hoping it comes out ok. my son didnt even have a fever or anything. no falls bumps on his head nothing. i am praying this never happens again. i am very paranoid. at this point i'm scared to let my guard down cause it may happen again. i make him sleep w/ me at night now. hope everything goes well w/ u. i will pray for u and ur family.
My sister had grand mal seizures at the age of 17. The doctors never did figure out what caused them. They eventually decided that it was probably stress induced. They actually told my mom that seizures in teenagers are actually more common than people believe. They put her on anti-seizure meds which she took for a couple of years. After awhile they weened her off the meds and she hasn't had any seizures (knock on wood) for several years.
I know that it can be really stressful for you especially being so far away but try to worry a little less. (I know that is probably impossible). They will hopefully find the cause soon and he will most likely be fine.
Good luck to you and your family. I'll keep your son in my prayers.
My sister started taking seizures when she was about 17yrs. She never had a seizure before and she was in perfect health. I think it took a few years before the doctors finally figured out what was wrong. My sister is now 33yrs. and her seizures have stopped just like when they started.
Hello, I thought I would share a bit of info with you. I am 32 year old mother of two with a third on the way...I started having seizures out of the blue when I was 12 years old I know all about this if you would like to chat please let me know I am here. take care...T.
My son was 1st diagnosed with grand mal seizures 6 months ago when he had a grand mal seizure at school he was 13 they did all tests EEG MRI cat scans and doctor said yes he's epileptic, they put him on keppra and he had suicidal thoughts we quickly stopped it and they changed his medication and as we were in denial and thought it was a 1x thing we NEVER put him on medicine again but today at school again he had his 2nd seizure we are heartbroken we put him on the 2nd medicine but beyond that we are helpless it's a messed up feeling not knowing what to do or help prevent seizures, my advice is talk to the doctors about lights computers. When my babe had his 1st seizure he was doing a map test at school on the computer and today he was doing the same thing so we go back to the docs Monday but good luck and be aware of him at all times
Updated
My son was 1st diagnosed with grand mal seizures 6 months ago when he had a grand mal seizure at school he was 13 they did all tests EEG MRI cat scans and doctor said yes he's epileptic, they put him on keppra and he had suicidal thoughts we quickly stopped it and they changed his medication and as we were in denial and thought it was a 1x thing we NEVER put him on medicine again but today at school again he had his 2nd seizure we are heartbroken we put him on the 2nd medicine but beyond that we are helpless it's a messed up feeling not knowing what to do or help prevent seizures, my advice is talk to the doctors about lights computers. When my babe had his 1st seizure he was doing a map test at school on the computer and today he was doing the same thing so we go back to the docs Monday but good luck and be aware of him at all times
Updated
My son was 1st diagnosed with grand mal seizures 6 months ago when he had a grand mal seizure at school he was 13 they did all tests EEG MRI cat scans and doctor said yes he's epileptic, they put him on keppra and he had suicidal thoughts we quickly stopped it and they changed his medication and as we were in denial and thought it was a 1x thing we NEVER put him on medicine again but today at school again he had his 2nd seizure we are heartbroken we put him on the 2nd medicine but beyond that we are helpless it's a messed up feeling not knowing what to do or help prevent seizures, my advice is talk to the doctors about lights computers. When my babe had his 1st seizure he was doing a map test at school on the computer and today he was doing the same thing so we go back to the docs Monday but good luck and be aware of him at all times we will pray for you and make sure he gets lots of sleep
J. I can personally understand what you and your Son are going through. When I was 15 I had my first known seizure. It wasn't a grand mal seizure, I had what is called coplex partial seizures. It would look as if I was day dreaming and would not respond to conversation. It would last anywhere up to 2-5 minutes. I had all the tests done and found out I did have Epilepsy. I went 3 years on different Meds and none of them controlled my seizures. I was lucky enough to find Childrens Hospital of PA and had brain surgery in 1994. As long as I am on Medicine I don't have seizures. My last seizure was in 1996. But come to find out I was born with my left temperial lobe deformed and the right side of my brain took over most of those functions. I know that was way too much info than what you wanted to hear. But I wanted to let you know that if you needed to talk or if I could answer any questions you might have that is my backround.
I am now a Mother of two boys and I always have that fear of something happening to them. So I can really sympathize with what you are going through. Please let me know if I can help in any way.
K.
Hi J.,
In 2003 my 14 year old daughter had her first grand mal seizure. She was taken to the ER where she experienced her second seizure.
Here's the story. When she was younger, around 3 or so, she would get these staring moments. We would talk to her, she would look at us, not respond right away, or was slow to respond. We thought it was just her being tired. And we never thought anything else about it.
The day she had her first seizure, she was on her period, had only two hours of sleep, had gone jogging with a friend, hadnt had much water to drink, and the weather was hot. What I did notice that morning tho was that she was having one of those staring episodes. But I thought she was just exhausted from the night before and she insisted on going jogging, so i let her.
In summary, we found out that she was epileptic and had been most of her life. What we thought was her being tired was actually her having Focus seizures. It wasnt until she was in her teens, hormonal, dehydrated, and lack of sleep that it surfaced with a seizure.
She is on seizure meds (Lamictal). The neurologist says when she is on her period, or any time when she is mostly hormonal, including pregnancy, she is more prone to seizures. Lack of sleep is her enemy. He told us that most people dont find out they are epileptic until they are in college when they are getting less sleep, more abusive to their bodies. That is when a seizure will present itself.
Maybe your son has been epleptic all of his life and you didnt know how to read the signs and sympton, like most parents. He is hormonal at age 14, sleeps less im sure, and the video games dont help. Just like my daughters feels very dizzy know just watching something spinning.
Now that he's had the seizure, he is more prone to them now. He may have been experiencing signs when he was younger but you just chalked it up to being tired, temper tantrums, illness, etc. My daughter has not had a grand mal seizure since then becuz of the meds, but she still experiences Focus seizures if she is over tired, on her period, etc. But lack of sleep is the worst for her.
If you have any other questions, just ask.
G.
My best friend was diagnosed with a seizure condition a little over a year ago. She had her first one at 27 y.o They did some tests and a cat scan showed it was developmetal from birth (she was very premature). They said it was probably brought on by stress and exhaustion. Luckily she has been on medication and has not had one since. They also told her it may have been a one time deal but the medication would be a safety net so she doesn't have to take the chance. I know flashing lights can bring on a seizure so maybe that was your son's trigger. Hopefully everything works out. I know it can be very scary, especially when you have no control over the situation. At least with medication it can be very manageable.
