Febrile Seizures

Carole - posted on 05/19/2013

Hi Sarah , unfortunately there is nothing to do. You just have to hope for the best. I gave my son some echenacia as prevention when I felt there was a bug ir a flu going around or when he was tired I gave him vitamin c . Good luck

Carole - posted on 05/19/2013

I have a 7 year old turning 8 in June and I was told that these febrile convulsions would stop by the time he turned 5 years old. In the past 2 years he has had 2 convulsions not due to fever but due to outdoor heat. It is very disturbing not knowing how to help your child. Tests were done but they keep in telling me it will go away.

Michelle - posted on 05/07/2013

Hello All,
Don't take this wrong but I found comfort in your posts.... My son was dx with atypical febrile seizures back in march afte his 12 month shots. It was so scary, he had 6 seizures in 6 hours the last one being 7 minutes. He has actually had several since then, 2 of which were without a fever, but he did get a fever later in the day?? Does this mean we are looking at something else? Called the neuro md that we saw in the hospital and she wanted me to put him on kolonipan 2 times a day! I said no, not at least until we are sure it is nessesary must. We have dyzapam as a just in case. We are scared... I don't know if this is all a part of atypical febrile seizures or if we are on the verge of something else? EEG and CT were normal, now I believe they will want us to get an MRI, and a sleep study done. Anyone else have seizures with out fevers? Any news to report from it?

Adrian - posted on 11/16/2012

Hello Everyone..



So happy I found this and other people are going through/been through what I am right now.. My daughter is 19 months and last month She has 4 Seizures in a 2 day period. The doctor said the same febrile seizures.. I know how they get them is how fast they spike/or drop. I delt with it the best I could.. Though it's scary I don't freak out and dial 911 like I did the first time. However, When she had her seizures last time her highest temp was 101.1.. For the last 3 days she has had 4 more! I am doing everything I can to keep the fever down! I am giving her tylenol and motrin every 4 hours.. I off set them so she gets tylenol then motrin so on.. Basically I am pumping my daughter full of meds! I understand its something viral But every month I have to go through her being sick for a week and having multiple seizures evevn though I am doing everything I can to keep them down? We have already been through the MRI and the EEG test both normal. Last night she had a fever of 105.4! I checked her temp twice and I am doing it with a Braun ear thermometer wich has always worked for her. I can't help but think that 105.4 fever is ok. I myself have never had a fever that high! She is stuffy maybe she is teething? I guess I am not sure. I am going to make her a doctors appointment today but I know they will just tell me the same thing. Give her meds keep the fever down blah blah.. UGH SO FRUSTRATING! And I agree with all of you. No matter how many of those seizures I see I will never be used to it.. When a small child shakes and her eyes roll into her head and she turns blue with spit bubbles coming out of her mouth a mothers normal reaction is to FREAK OUT!



Thanks for making me know now that my child is not the only one who sufferes from this, and does not have something crazy wrong with her.





-Adrian

Summer - posted on 08/23/2012

My son started having Febrile Convulsion at the age of 10 months they are calling it that since they say the seizures dont come without fever, he had 7 attacked last yr and 3 so far for this yrs they want to start him on Epilim but i am having two minds so i waiting it out for this yr if its less than 7 i will wait again next yr and if it keeps going down then i know he is growing out of it but if it keeps climbing i will have to put him on the med. I am now hearing about the drop seizures he has never experience that and I hope to God he dont since he has to start school in September. My son EEG and CT Scan came back normal, but at least i am here to talk too.

Summer

Aneta - posted on 08/17/2012

My daughter is 18 months old now and had 4 febrile seizures. We had fever 4 times since she was born and every time she had a febrile seize with it. First one was at 11 months with our first upper respiratory virus. Second one, three months later. Thrird one, three months later after MMR vaccine and another one two weeks later with fever 102...I assume the last one was because of her canines coming in all at ones because she didnt develop any runny nose, cough, no sypmptoms..just one sudden spike in her fever and a very craby mood due to her teething. My poor little peanut. We had an EEG done two weeks ago, didnt show anything. Going to see a ped neurologist for a consult. It is soooo scarry. We dont have any family history of seizure of any kind on both sides, so it makes me really worried. Im a nurse myself but every time she has one, I become a complete reck, I dont think I will ever be able to stay calm and get through one. I pray God every day that she outgrows them sooner than age 5 because I dont think I can handle it for that long. I am always afraid to take her to play gyms or big group play dates, dont want her to get anything from other kids. We do play dates but with just a few kids that I know are not sick. I always carry thermometer every place we go to. Traveling on a plane is also a risk every time we do it. Its one of the most terriffying things and nerve recking experiences a parent can go through not considering the very worst ones parents go through otherwise. I dont want to put her in a bubble growing up because she needs exposure to bugs to strenghten her immune system but you cant help it to try and avoid every kid with a sniffle. Any views from other moms with kids with febrile seizures and going places like big play dates, play gyms, etc? I cant imgaing what we will do when its time for preschool and she will still have her febirle seizure....

Tammy - posted on 11/07/2010

My son when he was one had a febrile seizure due to a fever of 105. I rushed him to the ER, they broke it. Over the years there are great was to break them like stripping them down and taking them outside. The cool air gives them the chills and works well.

Brandy - posted on 04/28/2010

motrin helps my little guy when he has a fever. stay calm and strong i will be thinking about you guys. My son was born with seizures they were drop seizures though he never shakes he just falls but it scared me to death cause he'd fall and could really hurt himself so i always made sure that he was away from things that would hurt him. He is seizure free for right now as he was put on steriods because of it and within two week h had no more dorp seizures but it's always in the back of my mind that they can return cause it did in July of 2009 that is when i found out what was wrong. when he was born he a a few but they had him on a med to help it and it did the trick so when he was 6 months old he was taken off of the med, then a year later they came back. but now that they are gone we are playing it safe and he is been seen by a specialist and his doctor so they ar watching him very closely . you and your family are in my thoughts

Dolores - posted on 04/27/2010

hello! i just wanted to comment on your post. My oldest daughter was born premature. she was born with numerous problems. she has a mood disorder and was born with E.F.T. essential familial tremors. she also has had febrile seizures and would have them ever month since she was born then once every 6 months then once a year she is now 9 and has not had any in over a year. usually in these curcumstances the seizures are most like brought on by high fevers and the white count is elevated. i want you to know that there is help and you need to be patient and not get stressed out. You need to find a nuerologist asap and have them do an E.E.G. on your child to make sure there is nothing wrong with your child..My ex husband was a marine and i know what it is like to be cared and alone. Yes motrin is wonderful and you should alternate that with the tylenol that will help her even though your dr said it was a bug wait it out.. i suggest you DO get her into a neurologist though just to rule anything severe out i did and i was totally satisfied that we took her..

Heather - posted on 04/22/2010

My son who is now 7 had numerous febrile seizures over the course of 3 years. They are probably the most terrifying thing a parent will ever see. I still to this day take fever reducer with me everywhere I go, just in case he spikes a fever. I would go as far as laying my son directly in front of a fan in a room with air conditioning. There really is no way to ever be prepared for one of those, just try your best to keep the fever from spiking. I know from experience easier said than done. I do not use Tylenol on my son, simply because I think he actually developed an immunity to it. I switch off between Advil and Motrin. Another great thing I found was to use the fever cool strips, that go across the forehead. They seem to help keep the fever from spiking. The best advice is to keep her close to you, so that way if she starts to seize you are able to control the environment she is in. I know how terrified you are, I was there and even today I am scared to death if he gets a fever. I will keep you and your little girl in my prayers. Remember to time the seizure, and I would call her Ped. to have her seen. I made mine do all types of tests on my son, to make sure that they were only febrile seizures. He still has a 50% chance of becoming epileptic, due to family genetics. At age 7 he seems perfectly fine. Another idea is to try Popsicles, and any fluid that is cold, or even ice cream. God Be with you now, it is a very scary time. You will get through it and share how you handled these with other moms.

Jennifer - posted on 04/21/2010

actually febrile seizures are pretty common. 1 out of every 3 children get them. The doctor's say that they do not need to see a neurologist for febrile seizures because they do not last ver long and that it does nothing to their neuro system. i have been through many many doctors with my son and they all say the same thing. i have taken my son to the children's hospital in pittsburgh and other special list because i needed and wanted to learn more about them bcause my son had two of the febrile seizures exactly 6 months apart to the day . he is 3 now and it will be a 2 years since he had his first seizure and has been a year since his second occurence. he has not had one since his baby sister was born in feburary. doctors have sone every test on him even though they all have come out with the same results and they are that the febrile seizure has nothing to do with the nuerological system. it happens because the childs body temperture spikes at a very rapid pace that the body can not regulate as quickly as the temperture is rises. chnces that the child has a second siezure is 1 in 300 as the child gets older they do out grow them. Again my son is 3 and has not taking the febrile seizure in 14 months and is healthy as can be, he is predicted that he has already outgrown them.

Brenda - posted on 04/20/2010

Make an appointment with a neurologist immediately, and don't let anyone say I'm over-reacting. Call. Now.

Jennifer - posted on 04/19/2010

as long as you know there is a fever just keep it down. my son takes febrile seizures he has have had 2 in a 6 month period. Make sure you put her in a lukewarm bath for an hour or so. alternate tylenol and motrin to keep the fever down, if she likes popsicles make sure she has lots of them, you can even put gingerale in the freezer in make a slush and then give them to her. Im a very over protective mother since my son had had the seizures im always afraid that he will take them but as soon as you notice they have the fever start all the fluids and cold popsicles and lukewarm baths it really helps to bring it down fast even with the motrin and tylenol. I do these things with both my kids when they get a fever, my daughter has never taking a febrile seizure but again you never know what will happen. I hope i helped you out with the things i do with my son. sooner or later she will outgrow them and there will be now worry. take care

Darcie - posted on 04/18/2010

Thanks, I was told that they can last till age five but I hope that they will go away soon.

Tina - posted on 04/18/2010

They usually say that a child will grow out of the febrile seizures my daughter had 2 then they stopped by the age of 2. It isnt how high the fever gets it is caused generally by how quickly the body gets from one temp to another. I dont know of anyone in my family that has seizures, but my daughter is now 10 and was dx with epilepsy at 7. I wish you luck, they are scarry but it sounds like you are doing the right6 thins to control her fevers.

Darcie - posted on 04/18/2010

My son has febrile seizures also. He has had them about 6 times since he was 6 months old. Last summer they started him on phenobarbital, it has helped he has only had one since but that was because the levels were low in the phenobarbital. Just hang in there. the best thing to do is alternate between Tylenol or Motrin.

Karen - posted on 04/18/2010

Hi Sarah, My son had many febrile seizures up until he was three years old. I know they are very scary to watch! Zack even had a couple after his fever had been reduced. They typically happen because when kid's fevers "spike" because an enzyme is released in our kids brains that causes a seizure. This particular seizure disorder is very hereditary. I had them & so did my dad, my uncle, my sister and two of my cousins. Although my sister has developed a 2nd seizure disorder as an adolescent, the rest of us have been seizure free for many years! Including my son who is 14 now! You are doing all the right things such as removing clothing, lukewarm sponge bath and tylenol/motrin, etc. Just remember that you can always call 911. Sometimes Zack's seizures wouldn't stop without meds in the ER. I always called 911 if his seizures lasted more then three minutes. They know how troubling watching a grand mal seizure is and I never had them give me a hard time about it. It's reassuring to know that he really is getting enough oxygen and his heart and lungs really are functioning the way they are supposed to! Hang in there! If your child is already 2 years old, they shouldn't last much longer! Best wishes! Karen

Renee - posted on 04/15/2010

My Mya has had 3 febrile seizures last year.She hasn't had one with the last fever she had.I wasn't worried until she has 1 without fever.i have surgery controlled Eiplepsy i'm thankful for my seizure experience I knew what to do.Actually with the first 1 when i called my mom i was so calm she wasn't sure I needed her to come.LOL
I agree with what someone else said don't hesitate to call 911 and go to er.

I will tell you it doesn't hurt just wipes you out making you so tired.

Jamie - posted on 04/14/2010

My 18 month old has had 10 in the past 9 months. She's also had 1 seizure without a fever. Her fevers typically range from 102 to 103.5 but she has gotten up to 105.5 (rectally). We alternate Tylenol and Motrin every 3 hours but sometimes that doesn't even help. She's had a few febrile seizures even while alternating the meds. Keep in mind that most times a febrile seizure happen at the start of a fever/illness and usually won't happen after they've been running a fever for a while. Of course, that's not always the case. Again, my daughter is a prime example. Keep doing what you are doing. I know it is terrifying to witness and right now you probably feel completely helpless. Don't be afraid to call an ambulance or go to the ER. We have done that many times. And remember, they are typically not harmful if they are short lasting. It's the longer seizures that cause concern. I would also suggest seeing to a pediatric neurologist if you haven't done so already.

Suzanne - posted on 04/13/2010

Hey Sarah,

My 15 month old son Pete, has had 5 febrile seizures in the last 6 months. He gets a fever that ranges from 103.-106.0 These fevers happen once a month, and last around 4-5 days. He finally got diagnosed with a type of periodic fever syndrome called PFAPA. I think you're doing the right thing by stripping her down, w/lukewarm sponge baths, you just want to avoid giving her a chill. Also your ped. might reccomend alternating tylenol and motrin avery 4 hours. That seemed to help my boy. I'm sorry you're going thru this. Febrile seizures are absolutely terrifying, and I always cry when it happens. Just try to stay calm, lay him on his side, and time it. Many times Pete's breathing is really shallow afterwards, and scares me to death. I just hold him, patting his back..If it's a long seizure and if she is having a hard time coming out of it, you may want to take her to the ER. Definately talk to your ped. about it. I'll say a prayer for you guys, hang in there! Suzanne