Should I be freaking out about this? DD's weird spasm episodes

Sinafey

Catie keeps having these episodes where she'll arch her back, stiffen her whole body, and usually look up at the ceiling.  Sometimes she'll lower herself to the ground and stiffen in the same way, but usually she stays standing.  The whole episode will last 10-15 seconds, then she'll loosen up and act normally.  Sometimes it'll only happen once, other times she'll do it several times in a couple minute span.  She started this a few months ago but they've been getting far more frequent in the last couple of weeks.  Today when she did it DH noticed her eyes roll up and she went from being very grumpy to immediately happy.  I've never noticed a drastic mood change before.

MIL is convinced that she's just overstimulated, and while they do definitely coincide with stimulation they also occasionally happen when there isn't anything exciting going on.  I'm trying to get a good video or two of it and will definitely try to get in to see the pedi on Monday.  

Does anyone else's kid do anything like this? Should I try to get in sooner or go to urgent care?

MrsBeckO

I would certainly get in to see the pedi on Monday, but in my (non-medically-educated) opinion, I don't think it warrants a trip to Urgent Care unless she's obviously losing consciousness in that time, or has any other life-threatening type symptom happen with it or before/after it. KWIM?

If you are getting really worried about it, I'd call your pedi's after hours number to ask if they think you should get in to see someone before Monday.

Hope you get some answers and that its no big deal. 

HSartteach

I agree with Beck-O.  I don't think it is necessary to go to urgent care unless it escalates and she falls/injures herself.  I would definitely go to the pedi on monday.

angelaggie

I'd just have the pedi check it out. My cousin did something very similar when he was a baby but it could be so many different things. 

Taytee

Definitely do ry to get it on video if you can. It will help your pedi and a neurologist.

No urgent care will be able to diangose or help with it. She may need a CT scan or even MRI, neither of which an Urgent Care can do. Even most ER's probably wouldn't she would need moderate sedation. It really needs to be scheduled as an outpatient procedure for that. A neuro consult may also be indicated to do an EEG (brain wave testing).

If this was something that just started happening multiple times today, I'd say to head to Dell Children's today but since it's been a few months, I don't feel like it's anything that can't wait a day or two for your Pedi to give direction on what to do and how to go about it.

I would also consider the timing of when these started. Did she get any of her shots before this started or any new ones around the time it started to get more severe? You may recall from carlinlp's experience that vaccine reactions are often associated with neurological symptoms and there's much you can do to prevent the progression of it's damage if you catch it early enough. DTAP and MMR are the most common ones that produce seizures, although it's thought it only has a negative impact in the first 7-14 days following vaccination. But, if there's any chance these caused what is happening to your child, it should be reported.

Just something else to consider if all else comes up empty.

SareBear30

I would also get her in the the pedi ASAP, and I would call the on call person to see how urgent they think it is. If nothing else, it's piece of mind if they tell you to wait.

carlinlp

What you are describing sounds very similar to what a mild seizure can look like.  Lots of kids have mild seizures that are not even recognized. DS's tics and eye rolling were enough to justify an in office EEG and he also did one MRI and one failed MRI. And an inpatient video EEG at dell. If you go any of these routes please feel free to reach out and I can give you some tips that might help you get through it. If an MRI is ordered definitely ask whether it will be ordered with or without contrast. I would personally see pedi on Monday ask ask for a neuro referral. We had a horrible experience with 2 docs at specially for children. I would recommend them at all. Definite try and get it on film, that helped us immensely. If she falls, it starts to last longer or spikes a fever, I'd have her seen right away. 

 

Until Monday, I'd avoid foods that cause inflammation and I'd increase magnesium rich foods in abundance. Do you use homeopathics? 

Sinafey

Thanks so much for all of the responses. I got kind of a crappy video of what hd consider a light episode, and will continue to stalk her with my phone all weekend. I didn't even consider a potential vaccine issue... They did start around her 18 month appt, but I don't remember if it was before or after. I would have noticed if she had a change immediately after, but it may have only been a few days. Ugh.  

Sinafey

carlinlp:

What you are describing sounds very similar to what a mild seizure can look like.  Lots of kids have mild seizures that are not even recognized. DS's tics and eye rolling were enough to justify an in office EEG and he also did one MRI and one failed MRI. And an inpatient video EEG at dell. If you go any of these routes please feel free to reach out and I can give you some tips that might help you get through it. If an MRI is ordered definitely ask whether it will be ordered with or without contrast. I would personally see pedi on Monday ask ask for a neuro referral. We had a horrible experience with 2 docs at specially for children. I would recommend them at all. Definite try and get it on film, that helped us immensely. If she falls, it starts to last longer or spikes a fever, I'd have her seen right away. 

 

Until Monday, I'd avoid foods that cause inflammation and I'd increase magnesium rich foods in abundance. Do you use homeopathics? 

We don't use Homeopathics, but I'll definitely up her magnesium and adjust her diet.  Mind if I ask what neurologist you would recommend? Thanks! 

carlinlp

After our two bad experiences (including a horrible hospital stay) with specially for children, I looked for a different pedi neurologist and they are limited in Austin.  We saw a client of mine that is a neurologist, but she's not peds and saw him as a favor and genuine concern.  She even went head to head with the two neuros that really dropped the ball with DS from SFC.  After that we moved on to alternative treatments that really worked.  Had they not, our next step was going to be Texas Childrens Blue Bird Clinic in Houston.  We were in their system with an appointment just in case but thankfully we didn't need to go that route.  If one of my children ever has a neurological issue in the future that is not cured by alternative treatments, I wouldn't see a neuro in Austin, we'd go straight to Blue Birds.  From my research they are much more competent, compassionate and knowledgable vs. SFC.  Sorry I'm not more help with a great local rec....I can tell you who NOT to see though.

carlinlp

Sinafey:

Thanks so much for all of the responses. I got kind of a crappy video of what hd consider a light episode, and will continue to stalk her with my phone all weekend. I didn't even consider a potential vaccine issue... They did start around her 18 month appt, but I don't remember if it was before or after. I would have noticed if she had a change immediately after, but it may have only been a few days. Ugh.  

DS didn't show any signs until around 10 days maybe, and then it slowly progressed in severity.  What vaccines did she receive?

eta:  feel free to email me off the boards if you are more comfortable.  lstradtner at mac dot com