15 month old has hour long febrile convulsions - Epilepsy Message Board

expectant · 07-22-2007, 07:57 AM

Hi

I am just doing some reading on febrile convulsions as my 15 month old has them - he has had three so far each lasting beyond an hour in length and requiring drug intervention to stop them. He has been tested for epilepsy and it has come back negative and they seem to be just fever related (although the last one 2 days ago he didnt have a fever....) anyway i was reading on the net that prolonged febile convulsions can lead to epilepsy in the future. Has anyone experienced this or have any other info on this?????

Thanks

stressed mum

Sherri5186 · 07-22-2007, 09:40 AM

Hi Expectant,

I hate to be the one to tell you this,but,that is exactly how
my Epilepsy started.I had a fever of 104 and went into convulsions
at 14 months old.I was then fine,but,the doctor told my parents to
keep an eye on because it can cause Epilepsy.Then when I was 4
years old I had another and have had them ever since.
But,everyone is different,I hear that alot of young children can outgrow
them,they even told my mom that.Unfortunately I did not.
The test not showing any signs,I would think is possibly a better chance
of him outgrowing them.My first eeg was not until I was 5 years old.
So,I do not have an answer for you there.
Take care,I am sure this can be very stressful.Sherri

neurowreck · 07-22-2007, 06:26 PM

An hour is a long time for a little one- call 911. Chances are , he may not have any past the higher risk ages for febrile seizures, but those seizures are still very hard on his little body. Can you get some rectal Valium to keep at home, to give him if he seizes more than the time designated by your MD? But still take him to the ER.

For me, I had a febrile seizure at age 16 (old buzzard to be having those then), and continued to have seizures, since the whole thing was blown off by my folks (said my wisdom teeth were coming in- yeah, right). I still have seizures often enough now that I can't work,and that has been awful. I feel so useless, when I was able to work for years. They didn't find the 'usual' mesiotemporal sclerosis lesions that often occur with febrile seizures, so don't know if the ongoing seizures are from that, or repeated concussions (at least 7; lost count somewhere along the line).

But the big thing is to limit the length of time of each seizure. Best of luck- it is very 'helpless' to watch a little one seize.

expectant · 07-23-2007, 03:06 AM

Thanks for your replies - yes they have given me some diazepam to give to him asa suppository if it happens again -he has gone to hospital every time and he ends up getting admitted and they have to give him a drug (i cant remember the name of it) to bring him out of his seizure as his body hasnt come out by itself yet. I am just really worried as the docs keep saying 'oh its very common in young children' but they usually only last up to 10 mins not over an hour!!!!! and they told me kids dont swallow their tongues...hmmm wel the first time he seized he swallowed it and went blue and had tubes down his throat and was part paralysed for over an hour after the seizure and then the other day he was unconcious after the seizure..i dont know the doctors try and make you feel better i suppose but i just feel like there is something more going on and i feel totally hopeless in doing any more than i am.

For those of you with epilepsy - i am really ignorant on it - but do you have to take medication every day? How often do you have seizures????

cher1052 · 07-23-2007, 06:35 AM

Expectant, Welcome to the board~I had my first seizures when I was about 3-4 mths old due to high temp. All was fine til I was about 9 mths old-and had another due to the same-then the dr gave me phenobaratol-that was aLONG time ago-(50yrs)..Then they started up again when about the same age of your son. Now the drs I'm with think the fevers or even hitting my head as I was walking at about 9-10 mths could of triggerd it. In answer to your ? yes I take meds every day 2x a day. Your dr will work with you and your son to find what will help him-do yourself a favor-keep a journal as to when these happen-and what happens it will help his Dr so much. I was lucky to be able to have a surgery in 2003 that has helped me so much-I haven't had any seizures since sept '03...I still take meds--see my dr twice a year.

Good Luck~Cherie