Results of MRI

If he is completely unresponsive during these episodes, I would keep pursuing this. Unfortunately, to get a better diagnosis your will have to be older and be better able to communicate if he is having sudden dizzy spells, nausea, head pain, memory loss, etc.

It could be a migraine which would result in normal EEG and MRI, and the only visible symptom is stopping and staring into space. It could be autism, or a long list of other things.

Right now, there isn't much that can be done unfortunately. As much as you would like an answer right away, you might just have to wait and keep a log of when he has the episode, how long it lasts, what he eats daily, what activities he does throughout the day, how much sleep, how much he eats, his moods for the day, if he shies away from touch, and the activity he was engaged in when he gets the episode.

The doctor can run some tests but the best way to get a faster more accurate diagnosis is a very detailed daily log. It can identify patterns which might not be readily seen.

That is not to say you shouldn't keep at it. The behavior isn't normal. He needs more tests but detailed log will go a long way in speeding up getting him diagnosed.

My little sister had the exact same thing. She was diagnosed with Petit Mal seisures (sp?). She took medicine (we called it Z medicine) for a few years and she grew out of it. Don't give up until you are satisfied. Kathleen would "space out" while singing or giving my dad 10 kissing - anything that required deep breathing in and out. The doctors tested her by having her blow repeatedly on a tissue held up to her face. This brought on the seizures usually. I believe the night before the test she had to only sleep a few hours. I believe she was tested at the Hinsdale hospital. I'll ask. We used to joke that she was just spacey until she was diagnosed. The doctor said it was serious because if she had an episode while riding a bike or crossing a street it could lead to a serious accident. It never came to that but I know my mom felt bad that she did not press the issue immediately. Keep getting opinions. It sounds like you are doing a great job. Good luck.

I haven't experienced this personally but it sounds a lot like what my friend has gone through with her son, who will be 1 in August. He has had similar seizures and I believe he was actually diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy. He has had numerous tests and fortunately during his 24 hour EEG, he had a pretty serious seizure so that the doctor was able to see. He has been on steroids and all kinds of medicine and the last time I saw him, he was like a different child (for the better). He had a minor seizure while he was at my house. It was so minor, I didn't even realize he had one. She is full of information about what she went through so I could probably get you in contact with her. Maybe she can provide some insight for you, if you'd like.

While I do not have any personal experience in this, an extended memeber of the family had a similiar situation with her daughter. She was around 8 years old and was finally diagnosed with a seizure disorder. And, the ironic thing is that her dad is a doctor. From what I know, she would stare and "zone out" at times. Her parents just thought it was a case of tuning people out and choosing to ignore certain things. Finally, it was diagnosed as seizures. I don't know who to recommend to you, but I think I would take it a step further and get another opinion from a higher up neurologist. Maybe you can get a recommendation for someone at Children's Memorial.

I wish you luck.

Hi M.,
Has anyone checked his heart? I saw on TV about a man who had similar intermittent episodes as you describe. The obvious place to look is the brain, and he had every such type of test, all with normal results. It turned out he had an irregular heartbeat with the episodes of arrhythmia disrupting circulation to his brain causing the symptoms. A small pacemaker was implanted and he never again had the "seizure" type symptoms. Your son's lips turning blue would lean me in this direction also. God bless you and guide you in the right direction.
C.

Hi M., I've had a history of petit mal seizures. Only one of 5 tests I've taken over the years has shown seizure activity. From what my neurologist told me, it is hit or miss whether they will see anything. Did the neurologist have you keep your son awake as much as possible before the test? My doctor did tell me that the more tired you are the higher the chance of activity.

Good luck! I agree with going to Children's Memorial.

Hi there-

I am sorry to hear that you are still struggling with this. I was one of the Moms that responded last time and I agree. I think your little boy is suffering from petit mal seizures and definately needs the 24-hour EEG with video test. I too had them infrequently (although much less frequently) and nothing ever showed up on any test except the 24-hour EEG. Please keep pursuing this. The sooner that you get a diagnosis, the sooner that you can get treatment and get it controlled.

If I can help, please feel free to e-mail.
N.

If you haven't already. Take all of your info and Go to Children's Memorial. It's not normal. If you don't want to go there, at least get a second opinion. I don't like that Dr's answer either. Follow your gut.

Hi,
I had something similar happen to me when I was in 8th grade. I had a gran-mal seizure and then a couple mini seizures where I would zone out. I had EEG's, MRI's, Cat scans and a angiogram. It turned out I had a bleed in the brain and they went in and did surgery to remove it. 13 years later and I haven't had a problem since. I was a kid, so my mom dealt with the doctor's, she said she did some research on her own and was constantly calling the doctor or his nurses for answers and we had a couple second opinions. The Cat scans didn't show anything and my EEG's were usually normal. The MRI is what showed the bleed. There are so many things that could cause the seizures, you just have to stay on top of the doctor's. I'd be happy to speak to you more about this!

I was a special education teacher for many years and it sounds like a seizure to me. I wasn't really sure until you said he is wiped out the rest of day when he has one (which is very common). I am NOT a doctor so I can only say what it sounds like but that was my first thought. In any of these appointments have you seen a neurologist? If you are still worried get another opinion. Also it may be helpful to take data on when they happen, how long they last, what are his behaviors before, during, and after. This info may provide a doctor with a little more insight. There were many parents that I worked with that stated seeing seizures in their children without the MRI or EEG showing signs of seizure activity. I know it is hard not to worry but if the doctor was willing to do "nothing" then the seizure will probably not hurt him, however, it would still be nice to have an answer. Good luck with all of this and hopefully he will stop having them.