Spasm or mini seizure ??

15 years ago

I'm hoping someone here will have a clue...

My almost 9 month old daughter is having these weird "spasms" seems to be the only way I can describe them. Randomly during the day, she opens her mouth as wide as it will go as if she were to scream. It lasts for about 3-4 seconds, then stops, then she does it 2 more times in a row. I'd say in one day it probably happens a total of 15 times? I don't think she has control over it (she is not doing it on purpose) it's like she is having a mini seizure or something? It's starting to really scare me. They don't seem to bother or upset her? And it doesn't seem like it's the rest of her body, just her mouth. When I hold her, I can feel her tense a little.

Being a baby, she has bumped her head on many things. Looking back I can't think of any that were serious enough to cause damage??

We have an appt with her doctor next week and I'm going to ask her, but in the meantime, has anyone else's child/grandchild done this? I'm hoping it's a weird baby thing that she'll grow out of? I think it must be just the last few weeks, because I would have said something at her 6 month appt, if she was doing it? She seems to be healthy in every other way (except she is a petite girl). She has hit all her developmental milestones on time if not early. She has 2 teeth right now and 2 more coming in, but I doubt this is a reaction to teething. My older daughter had a seizure when she was 1, but that was due to a fever spiking and not a family history.

I googled and found infantile spasms, but they seem to affect more of the body (arms, legs) and not just the head area. Someone suggested video taping it to show the doc, which might not be a bad idea, but they are real quick. I'm just hoping it's not something real serious!!

Teresa=Scared momma :(

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Comments (11)

houstonmom_gw
15 years ago
Teresa:

Start documenting the spasms/seizures. When, where, how long, etc...I agree with trying to catch it on a video. Her doctor will probably ask you when this started, so start thinking about it (go into that Dr's appointment as well prepared as possible).

Hugs, and let us all know how she is doing.

Melody
azzalea
15 years ago
Obviously, your best bet is to discuss with her dr.

But I was wondering--any problem with her ears or congestion? I do something like that when my ears start to plug up to pop them. Could she be doing that, maybe?
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sueque67
15 years ago
I am not saying this is what's wrong with her but my oldest son used to do that.
He would open his mouth very wide and wrinkle his nose up like he was going to scream. Found out he had the start of an ear infetion. My doctor said he did this to relieve the pain/pressure. Kind of like trying to "pop" your ears in high altitudes.
Susan
lydia1959
15 years ago
It's doesn't sound like this, but my DD (now 19) has had RAS (Reflex Anoxic Seizures) since she was about that age. The seizures come from a oversensitive vagus nerve... so a little bump to the head or leg, moving the child from a warm bath to a cold room, a sudden shock or scare.. all cause a mild seizure. Mild in that it doesn't cause any permanent damage and that it only lasts a few seconds. The child quits breathing, eyes sometimes roll back into the head, fists clench, sometimes the body becomes rigid and then relaxes. Very scary for the parent I can attest to.

If something is happening right before your child's seizures, she could have a mild form of this, although I hope it is just something as simple as her trying to pop her ears.

Let us know what you find out.
susan_on
15 years ago
You do need to discuss this with the doctor, as you plan to do. There are many different types of seizures...and these might not even be seizures. She might need testing to get to the bottom of it. Good luck to you.
nicole_ont
15 years ago
It sounds like just a bit of a funny little tic to me. Both of my kids did strange things similar to that, and that's what the doctor said both times. They both outgrew it.
nicole_ont
15 years ago
Ha. I said "both of my kids". I have 3 kids. :) I meant, Sophie and Benjamin... both of my older kids. LOL

Ben has had seizures, and it doesn't sound anything like that. His seizures wiped him out and left him with no energy for hours - he didn't just snap out of it.

But of course, mention it to your doctor. Just try not to worry in the meantime. I know, easier said than done.
teresava
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks for all your responses. I've looked on the internet for seizures, and they don't seem to match, but like someone said there are all diff types. They seem to come on randomly-nothing happens before-sometimes I'm holding her, sometimes she's crawling. It would seem like she's trying to pop her ears, but this is something that comes over her, like it's out of her control? I don't think she could stop it if she tried? She's never had an ear infection before, so hopefully her ears are okay? I know that babies systems are still immature, so maybe that's related? hopefully...
susan_on
15 years ago
There are so many different types of seizures. My daughter would just sort of freeze in position for up to 5 seconds, several times a week. She did not have any awareness at all that this had happened, and these epsiodes did not fatigue her. This did result in a car accident, when she had one while driving, and plowed right into the back of a car. This happened before she was diagnosed, and then it all made sense. The neurologist said that these small seizures, untreated, would spread-they would become more frequent and more severe in time. Medication controls them, so far, at least.

I'm hoping that your daughter is ok, and just is just being "quirky" or something. I really am glad you're bringing it to the doctor's attention though...he can rule out any problems, and give you peace of mind. Keep us posted.
Linda
15 years ago
This sounds serious enough to me that I wouldnt wait a week for an appointment. Im betting they will want you to see a neurologist. 15x a day is a lot and there is a rhythm to what you describe. One long one, then two more times in a row. I would definitely make the call to the doctor and see if they want you to wait until next week.
susan_on
15 years ago
The neurologist also said that Melissa's epilepsy was not congenital, but that it was caused by a brain injury. The brain injury could have been caused by a bump on the head, but could also have been caused by something like a virus that seemed inconsequential at the time. I guess I'm just saying that you could wrack your brain trying to sort it out, but you may not be able to come up with answers.

I think Linda is right. You should call and see if they think they should see her sooner.

Spasm or mini seizure ??

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Spasm or mini seizure ??

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