Does my son have epilepsy?

Question

I have a 9 year old son who, from the age of about 2 years old (possibly younger) has had fainting spells that are very scary when they happen. They appear to happen when he is feeling under the weather or has a viral infection. They happen very quickly and he usually drops suddenly, he goes grey and is normally out for a matter of seconds. He has been hospitalised a couple of times and they have done tests on his heart but have found nothing - they say it is probably something that will happen every time he feels under the weather. Last Thursday he was looking very tired and took himself off to bed. Friday morning he awoke saying he felt much better just hungry. Then in the next breath he said he didn't feel so good (he was standing at the toilet at the time), he stood staring for a couple of seconds and then slowly fell towards me, luckily I caught him but he had his eyes open and he was making a strange noise. I laid him down on his side and then the strange noise he was making stopped, his eyes closed and he looked as though he had fallen asleep. This lasted a couple of seconds, he then rose up not remembering a thing. I noticed he did not go the usual grey colour this time. He is due to have more tests done in March, I am worried - could this be the onset of epilepsy?

This discussion is related to 8 month old baby fainted in my arms and we don't know why.

cheekymonkey15 · Answer

Thank you, all your comments are helpful.  He has not had any further fainting spells since the last one and has been well with no colds etc.  Hopefully it is none of the above!

Narble · Answer

There are epileptiform seizures (i.e.: epilepsy) and seizures from other causes, as well as "seizure-like events" that occur for various reasons. An EEG is useful for evaluation but unfortunately not all that reliable. A 24-hour video EEG or even a 72-hour ambulatory EEG may be necessary in the case of your son. A brain MRI, ideally 10T with contrast, is something many neurologists would also likely consider.
Your son's "attacks" seem to resemble nacrolepsy or similar sudden losses of muscle tone with alterations in or loss of consciousness. Some seizure disorders, e.g.: complex partial seizure disorders, present this way.
Make certain to find a neurologist who specializes in the brain and central nervous system as opposed to one that works on neuromotor issues. The Epilepsy Foundation (epilepsyfoundation.org) should be able to help you find one locally.
Hope you can get through the evaluation quickly and find a resolution.

AshleighR51109 · Answer

The way you describe his symptoms isn't classis Epilectic Seizire activity, but it very well could be. Get a CT/MRI of his brain to rule out anything Neurological,and if you can, make it sooner rather than later. Best Regards.

wisteria700 · Answer

My son has seizures. They are really tricky sometimes to diagnose. We never knew our son was having mild seizures until he had one when he was 12. We took him to a Neurologist and they couldn't find what was causing them. 3 years later he had another. The same story, nothing. He told the doctor about twitching whenever he was concentrating hard on things. He would read and start twitching or jerking a little then it would stop. We finally have him on medication and he is doing well. I hope you can find out for sure if it is epilepsy or not. It is so hard sometimes to know for sure.