Febrile Seizures - Renton,WA

hi,
my daughter had a febrile seizure in october. it was terrifying. She's had 3 other incidents where her fever spiked suddenly but she didn't seize. She just got listless and vacant. We religiously use tylenol and motrin the minute she gets a cold even without a fever to keep her fevers low. we haven't had any scares since january...thankfully. from what our doctors say, we just have to wait it out and let her grow out of them. we have not done any more testing yet, but keep a thermometer close by. good luck and hang in there. you're not alone.

Hi J.! Oddly enough we just had the same experience with our 2 year old son last week. He had two febrile seizures within about two hours of eachother. One of them was while we were at home, then he had another while we were waiting for the doc in the ER. They did a number of tests on him and kept him overnight just incase, but determined that the seizures were just due to his high fever. They told us to stay on top of his fever by alternating tylenol and motrin. Tylenol every 4 hours and Motrin every 6 hours. From what I have researched this is pretty common for kids from 6months to 5 years. It still doesn't take away from how scary it is. We were totally freaked, but relieved that it really wasn't that serious!! Hang in there, I hope he is getting better!!!

I'm so sorry that is happening to your little one! I can only imagine how scary it would be! I will, however echo what someone else said about neither the fever nor the seizure being harmful to your son in the long run. The book she mentioned ("How to raise a healthy child in spite of your doctor") is in fact a great book with lots of calming explanations concerning many medical issues that scare us as parents. I actually have a link of the full text that you can read on Goggle books (I linked it to the specific chapter about fevers): http://books.google.com/books?id=yWATg4JNQKEC&pg=PA79...
There's also this info about fevers in general: www.altonpeds.com/MythsAboutFever.pdf

Having said that, I also realize that as parents we want to be able to rule out something more serious so if your doc suggests you go see a neurologist, that might at least appease your mind to hopefully find out it really is just innocent febrile seizures and nothing more.
All the best to you!

S.
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My daughter had a febrile seizure at about 18 months and my son has a seizure disorder that we medicate, among his other clinical seizures he has had one febrile. Though I didn't want to be the mom that "treated" a fever, I am. Whenever they have fevers I give them ibuprofen at the recommended dosage times until the fever has broken. I also give lukewarm baths and keep them loosely and lightly dressed and give lots of water.
I'm sorry Mama, I think seizures are about the scariest thing. When my daughter had hers the ER doc told me the same thing about three before age five or six and they refer to a neurologist because they figure at that point there may be a seizure disorder happening. I'm a mam that takes her little man to a neurologists so if you want to chat about that let me know:)

Good luck,
R.

The best way to keep a fever at bay is to alternate Tylenol and Motrin. Neither one alone works all that well, but something about the alternating works great. Be sure that you follow the instructions properly so you don't overdoes him. Give Tylenol, then 4 hours later give Motrin, 4 hours later, Tylenol, etc... If you mess up and give Tylenol following a Tylenol dose it is no big deal, but Motrin must have at least 6 hours before another Motrin does.. on this plan, there will be 8 hours inbetween. Be sure you are not using extended release or 8 hour Tylenol though.

Childrens Tylonol every 4 hrs

Hi J.,

Although febril seizures are terrifying to you, they are not harmful to your baby. They are his body dealing with the temperature. What is his temperature when he has these, before or after? I have never had to deal with this, but I recommend reading a book called How to Raise a Healthy Child in Spite of your Doctor, by Dr. Robert Mendehlson. He was a leading Pediatrician and ran a huge hospital. The last place for your baby is the emergency room if he is just having a cold. Maybe he is prone to seizing at a lower temp but if it were me I would want to know what a neurologist says about it. I am not a big proponent of using advil or tylenol because it is hard on their kidneys and their livers, and using both gives them a double shot! But I have never had to watch my little baby have a seizure either. But he is having the fevers to fight whatever is going on in his little body. I would remove all his clothing and diaper and cool him down. My little brother used to have them and my parents would dip him in a cool bath. Remember, the seizure is NOT hurting him, neither is the fever. His little brain can withstand temperatures above 108 believe it or not. Febrile seizures usually don't happen until 106. But if he is seizing below that, I would want to know why and I would talk to the neurologist. The book I mentioned explains it it more detail as well and it can be found on amazon or ebay, maybe in the book store as well. Good luck and good health to you both.

My youngest, now 6, had a couple of febrile seizures when he was very little. He may still be prone to them but we never let his fever go above 99.9. As soon as he becomes feverish we monitor him like hawks. When his fever hits the 100 mark or looks like it's starting to climb rapidlly we give him advil AND tylenol. (You can do this as each is filtered through a different organ of the body.) We carefully keep track of the times each dosage is given and when each can be regiven. This has worked well for us.

J.,

I do have a couple of suggestions on children with fevers. We personally have had very good success with. Okay here is what you need. Two pairs of socks one 100 0/0 cotton and the other 100 0/0 wool. When you child or adult is suffering from a fever, chest cold, or sinus issue this works great for all of these. Ok take the cotton socks get them wet with cold water, wring them out well, put them on the feet of the child, then put the dry wool socks over the top of cold wet cotton socks. Make sure the child's feet are warm. Then put the child to bed. This will keep your fever down at night. I personally do it every time any one in my family begins to get sick. We never have repertory, or sinus issues any longer. Also I am sure you know to put them in cool water.
Best to you and your family
TP

J. K,
My son also had febrile seizures as an infant. We had to keep a close eye anytime he ran a fever because it would spike so quickly. He didn't have any other seizures after a year old. He is now 17 years old and very healthy. I hope the same happens for your son.