Has Anyone Had Experience with Gelastic Seizures?

Yes my son has been diagnosed with Gelastic seizures...He is 9 we found out he had them 1 year ago...what you have said is what he was doing he would have very loud burst of laughter at first we thought he was being silly and he even joked and called it "his condition " Then I noticed he was doing them more and more and they were getting louder...one night he came to me after he had one and was crying said he didnt want this condition anymore i took him to his pediatrician and he had one in front of him when we got to the neurologist we found out there is no brain tumor but only his right side of his brain is seizuring....write down every time he has one how long they last and if you can video them...they come fast and short I know I never could get a video of it ... I hope I have helped if you want to know anything at all please ask this is a rare type of seizure and we still are not for sure what has caused him to do this I know the frustration ...Good luck and god bless!!

Hi G.,

I have a child with grand mal seizures, so I did a little research on Gelastic seizures. I did find these two websites which might be helpful:

www.hhugs.com

www.epilepsyfoundation.org

Both had personal stories and information/research on Gelastic seizures. There is minimal to moderate success with traditional seizure meds, although some parents do opt for surgery or the VNS (vagus nerve stimulator) to deal with the seizures.

If I can help with anything--let me know.

P. with Texas Parent to Parent
1-866-896-6001 toll free
mom to Jessica age 17 with multiple disabilities

Hi G. J

You could try getting him on some liquid childrens calcium and liquid minerals, also I would suggest some proboitics. Also make sure he is getting a nutritious diet.

www.creeksideherbhouse.com is my free teaching website. I would suggest learning the outline to how the body works. With children we have to be very careful as their chemistry is not set in stone, so working with nutrition usually corrects most problems.

Hope this was helpful to you
Blessings
J. M
____@____.com

Hi G.,
sorry to hear that your stepson is going thru this ordeal. Gelastic Seizures are usually caused by a benign tumor called hemartoma. You need to take him to a Neurologist as soon as you can. I really think that any type of seizure can and will affect any child's development. I wish you luck and please take action as soon as you can.

God bless,
Elisa

If you haven't already done so, Google Gelastic Seizures and read up on what this condition can mean. Then, take your concerns to your step-son's pediatrician. This is not the kind of thing you can ignore, hoping it will go away. Good luck!

Yes! My daughter started having them when she was 6, after she was diagnosed with epilepsy. It took us a while to figure out they were seizures. They used to be really strong, kind of comical. She would have about 3-4 a day. They have tapered off to only a few every week. She never did get post ictal. She now has 3 different types of seizures. We have tried every medication out there, but no relief. The epileptologist said they were not causing any further brain damage,(she has a Traumatic Brain injury), and not to worry too much about that kind of seizure. I know this sounds stupid, but if you are going to have a seizure this is the kind to have.... only someone with epilepsy will know what I mean.

Has his pedi not been told about this? You need a neurologist - get a referral from your pedi. If s/he won't give you one, get a new pedi. Gelastic seizures can be associated with other seizure disorders as well as a type of benign brain tumor. This needs to be checked out thoroughly sooner rather than later.

Hi G.,

I have not had experience with this type of sz, but my 17 yr old daughter does have epilepsy. Do you keep a journal on him? Record all his sz, how long they last, what he was doing before and after. What he eats & drinks, do this especially on the days he has seizures. Show this journal to his neuro to help find what his triggers are. Is he on any medication yet? You need to find a pediatric neurologist if you don't already have one. Your pedi, can refer you to one. He needs to have an EEG and MRI done if he hasn't already.

Stop by at the Epilepsy support group boards on WebMD if you'd like. There are plenty of us moms, and people with ep and we just might be able to help you out.

http://boards.webmd.com/webx?14@@.5987f425

Also, the Epilepsy Foundation can help with finding a neuro and any other help you may need.

http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/

Good luck. Having ep is not the greatest thing in the world, but with the proper drs and the proper meds, people can live perfectly 'normal' lives. If you have any questions you can email me as well. ____@____.com put mamasource in the subject line so I don't delete.

T.