What would you do?

Hi, 1st time posting here! My little girl is 6years old and last week we were told she was having absences seizures, we noticed from quite a young age that she would daydream for a very long time and it would be hard to bring her out of it! I have no idea these were classed as seizures. So her specialist has said they can try her on medication to try and eliminate them but warned me this may change her mood and make her feel tired. She is the happiest most loving child and the thought of something changing her worries me! (I should also add we are still waiting for diagnosis from the paediatrician whether she may have Aspergers/adhd…this has been going on for 3.5yrs!). So my dilemma is he’s told me she would have to do the treatment for 2.5yrs and may not make her feel nice (but could eliminate them completely afterwards) but then this could help her concentrate in school because at the minute she isn’t understanding the work set and I’m unsure if that’s because she is having a seizure or because of her additional needs!
I have requested a meeting with the teacher and headmaster to discuss if they can offer her maybe written instructions or 1 on 1 help as an alternative to medicating her (this is happening next week).
I would just like opinions on what you think you would do or opinions from anyone else who may suffer from these type of seizures? This is all very new to us so I am feeling completely lost!

1 Like

I am so sorry to hear your daughter is having absence seizures. It is no wonder you’re feeling lost - I often thought my parents were in a worse place than me during the time I had epilepsy.
I think you’re doing the absolute right thing in terms of speaking to her teacher and headteacher, it’s important that the school offers you and your daughter support, are also aware of how to manage your daughter’s seizures and can help to monitor how she is progressing - particularly if she does take medication.
In terms of taking medication, yes, it can have side effects which (from experience!) can be very difficult to manage. However, the positive impact they can also have is brilliant! It’s best to ask just as many questions as you can, learn all about the good and bad side effects, why she has to be on the tablets for 2.5 years, gain awareness of how to monitor progress and challenge whether it is the right medication to take. I so hope everything goes well and you do find a comforting path forward for you and your daughter. Katie

1 Like

Hi there sorry to read this did the teacher help in any way? Have you managed to get a dignosis yet? How frequent are her absent seizures and do they upset her jn anyway. I would start recording them ie how long they happen young epilepsy have a seizure app which i find good. Is your daughter on the sen register has she made progress etc the school may direct you in getting an ehcp or you can apply yourself as this might get her more support and more help too. With regards to medications maybe see if there are any particular triggers first ie with foods or tiredness, excitment or worries as it might help trying that for a bit to see as opposed to medications. Please do get in touch if you wanna chat some more.