They are really scary. I understand why they happen and when they happen and that the baby isn't effected its like they've been asleep and are just tired when they come around and I also know that it is scarier for parents then it is for the baby. (so the above is covered it's the below I need help with)

But here's the thing, my two year old has had three this year (he didn't have any last year) and I was just wondering if there was anyway of getting on top of it? Any parents out there who have or have had babies (maybe they've grown out of them(as they tell me he will stop having them by 6)) who suffer from this? I sleep with one eye open and dread the next one... its awful and I would really appreciate some ideas... perhaps medical equipment/ I don't know clothing that acts like a thermometer that warns you when temp is changing? (that might sound mad) But every time he has one I swear I loose like 10 years off my life expectancy, then we have to call ambulance, my other children get very worried about their brother (the eldest is very sensitive).Prevention is better then cure!
Many many thanks
Kiki :eek:

You have excellent socialized medicine in the UK, same as we do in Canada, surely there are pediatricians/social workers who can help you with this. Does your baby have seizures at night, or nocturnal as they are called. A baby monitor from your room to the baby would help, but why haven't you got professional assistance with this if your child is in danger ?

Okay, so you understand WHY febrile seizures happen right? It is due to a rapid increase in temperature. By rapid I mean from normal to 102 to 104 within a few minutes to an hour. (my son just had his first last night, he is 5).

Here is some really good info. I would type what I know in, but I am studying for an exam and this is what I would have said anyway, just less typing. LOL


Most of the time, a febrile seizure occurs the first day of an illness. Often, a febrile seizure occurs before parents realize that their child is ill.

Giving your child acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) at the first indication of fever will help reduce the fever, but won't necessarily prevent a seizure. You can also help control fever by making sure your child drinks plenty of fluids and not bundling him or her up too tightly at night.

Don't give aspirin to a child. Aspirin may trigger a rare but potentially fatal disorder known as Reye's syndrome.

Rarely, prescription medications are used to prevent febrile seizures. Anticonvulsant medications such as phenobarbital, valproic acid (Depakene) and divalproex sodium (Depakote) can prevent febrile seizures when taken daily. Oral or rectal diazepam (Valium, Diastat) also can reduce the risk of febrile seizures if taken at the time of a fever. But these medications all have drawbacks. They carry a definite risk of serious side effects in young children. Doctors rarely prescribe these prevention medications because most febrile seizures are harmless and most children outgrow them without any problems.

Febrile seizure: Prevention - MayoClinic.com (http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/febrile-seizure/DS00346/DSECTION=9)

Ok, well the convulsions he has are tempreture related, when his temp changes quickly his brain can't handle it and it switches off. The convulsions are not dangerous to his health, or so I'm told by the doctors we've seen. They just told me it is very common, happens to 1/3 babies and he'll grow out of it. I wasn't aware that I needed professional assistance, no one has ever discussed that with me. And social worker is a dirty word in the UK, he doesn't have a pediatrician, as they say this is very common.

Okay, so you understand WHY febrile seizures happen right? It is due to a rapid increase in temperature. By rapid I mean from normal to 102 to 104 within a few minutes to an hour. (my son just had his first last night, he is 5).

Here is some really good info. I would type what I know in, but I am studying for an exam and this is what I would have said anyway, just less typing. LOL



Febrile seizure: Prevention - MayoClinic.com (http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/febrile-seizure/DS00346/DSECTION=9) How convinient J_9 hmmm(",) lol
Yes it's a rapid change but not just increase it can be a downwards change also!! You seem more together about it, did you have other children suffer with them?

You don't need professional assistance, what you were told was correct, completely.

These are not uncommon, you just need to monitor his temp closely and treat the temp if you see it beginning to rise. Here in the states we use Tylenol, I think in the UK you call it Panadol.

Yes, it's very common, don't let Tickle's response scare you.

Children are NOT in danger from febrile seizures, in all actuality, the temp can be a good thing for our children in developing immunities.

Okay, I realize why 'social worker' is a dirty word there, but still, kiki, you need to have a pediatrician.

My son, now 25, has nocturnal seizures because he had a stroke at birth (we found out much later when he was l8 through an MRI and a very good neurologist). This is a long story. He is in excellent health now but with complicatiions.

I am just saying, get a pediatrician through your socialized medicine NOW and get good help while your child is still very young.

did you have other children suffer with them?

No, this was my first (I have 4 kids ages 21 through 5), and last night was his first. As a nursing student currently in my maternal health and pediatrics rotation, I recognized it for what it was, took his temp, and gave him tylenol. Nothing more can really be done.

If his fever is not resolved by tomorrow without the aids of meds, we will be in the doctor to see if there is an infection (I suspect strep throat).

J-9, I know this too and went through it with my son when very young. But how can you say a good pediatrician is not necessary ? I am not trying to scare this lady, so how can you say that ?

My son, now 25, has nocturnal seizures

With all due respect Tickle, nocturnal seizures and FEBRILE seizures are two totally different things.

FEBRILE seizures are associated with fever, usually an infection.

Yes that's what I do do, check temp and give paracetamol and if he is ill then I give that and ibuprofen also (which is safe,to mix).Well he had one because he was getting flu, we all had it but his seemed to just literally be a temp for a couple of days and that's it! He's just my special boy, and I'm sure you know what its like when they go blue, start frothing at the mouth, their bodies jolting and then stop breathing... that always scares the s__t out of me... even though I have been taught at the hospital to expect these things and how to resuscitate him if needs be. Anyway J_9, thanks for your time and good luck with your exam!!

May the force be with you!

But how can you say a good pediatrician is not necessary ?

Please quote exactly where I said a good pediatrician is not necessary. I don't believe I mentioned that, did I? :rolleyes:

J-9, i know this too and went through it with my son when very young. But how can you say a good pediatrician is not necessary ? I am not trying to scare this lady, so how can you say that ?

So are you saying that they misdiagnosed your son with febrile convulsions as a child?When really it was something else? Because over 10 doctors have concurred it is febrile convulsions and every time the ambulance comes they tell me not to worry about the convulsions also.