Nocturnal seizure

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pattid12

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Hi, I'm new and want to share my sons story.

Around 8:00am Wed morning my son (15) was having a seizure. he was still asleep and never had one before. He was jerking, biting tongue, and urinated. Lasted about 2 minutes. He went to sleep, never waking from the seizure until an hour later. When he woke up he vomited 2x and a headache, no fever. I took him to dr. gave him lab work, which sugar was a little high, and a quick neuro exam in office. I have neuro appt on Monday. I am reading that it could be colonic seizure because of the tongue biting and urinating. My main concern is that he was playing x-box for 12 hours day before and 8 hours day before that. Yes, hje was playing modern warfare and those type of games. On the box it says may cause seizures.Has anyone come across this before with the game playing? I'm very nervous.
 
I don't know about the x-box games causing seizures, but playing for 12 hours a day is a bit excessive. Did your son stop to eat anything during this time? If his blood sugar was high, has he been tested for diabetes? Does he complain of blurred vision? lack of energy? These can all be signs of diabetes, too. And sometimes, seizures, also. Make sure you tell the neurologist all so they can figure out what is going on.
 
Hi patti,

It does sound like your son had a tonic-clonic seizure (what used to be called "grand mal"). Hopefully, it's just a one-off due to a particular combination of triggers. About 2% of adults have a seizure at some point during their life, and two thirds of these people never have another one.

Each individual has a seizure "threshold", and for most people that threshold is never crossed. It's very possible that your son's game-playing played a role, perhaps in combination with other factors. You can read more about video-game induced seizures here: http://professionals.epilepsy.com/page/video_game_seizures.html

Looking at monitors/screens can affect the quality of sleep people have, and fatigue is the #1 seizure trigger. Another contributor can be dehydration and/or low blood sugar -- was he taking enough breaks to eat and drink? Sometimes the nature of the food/drink can be an issue too -- hi-caffeine energy drinks and certain food additives can be triggers.

The neurologist may want to schedule an EEG or other tests, and discuss whether treatment is in an order. After only one seizure, it's unlikely that any particular treatment would be recommended, but it might be a good thing to evaluate your son's habits and try and moderate his exposure to anything that might have played a role in triggering the seizure.

I hope things go well at the neurologist's on Monday. Please feel free to ask any additional questions here as they arise.

Best,
Nakamova
 
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Thanks for the info, I truly appreciate, will write findings this week from neuro.
 
I too believe that the Nintendo DS my daughter received for her 11th birthday may have triggered something in her brain. She'd never had one before and after an hour of playing Madagascar on that thing she began having her 1st one. Dr's still don't know til this day if that is what triggered them but I'm not giving up. Good luck with your son.
 
Hi again, saw neuro Wed, diagonised with jme was put on Kepra. Believe it or not, he has no jerking for 2 days. I think because he is getting enough sleep now due to the med it seems to make him groggy at night. Starting out at 250 twice daily and to increase to 500 twice daily. Reading everyone's comments, scares me because Tepra does not work on most people. Still having 25 hour sleep test soon. Anyone have no luck with Kepra?
 
I don't know, *ALL* video games come with that warning. though 12 hours is excessive, I wouldn't jump straight to the game being the culprit...maybe the trigger...but it's possible it was bound to happen.

It also sounds like a 'normal' tonic clonic seizure to me as well.

Has the neurologist ordered any other tests? EEG, sleep study?

I am always reluctant to start any medication, or give my kids anything unless there is a 'proven need'. Like, the last time I went off my meds, I had another cluster, so I went back on my meds.

Lots of people have trouble finding the right medication, sometimes it takes trying several, and that might take a few years. Hang in there, you'll figure it out. And stick around, we'll help :)
 
Hi, yes he had EEG and 24 EEG which came back abnormal. Saw spikes for 2 seconds 2 times. MRI of brain was normal. Waiting for dr to set up Video EEG in hosptial? Anyone done this before? I agree with the meds, but it was getting worse every morning. He missed alot of school. In my heard I know its because of fatigue, lack of sleep. He does not sleep 7 to 8 hours.
 
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