I knew at some point it would happen and tonight it did

[Bombero1956]

My wife and I went out to dinner with our 2 daughters, our son-in-law and our grandchildren and some friends. Midway through the meal my grandson Noah who is autistic got very quiet and stopped eating. My daughter got up right away and went to him, right then and there he had a seizure. It was over in a minute but I can't get the sight and sound out of my head. I have seen many upsetting things in my life but this is so upsetting that it brings tears to my eyes. I feel so very sorry for my grandson that it's painful.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. I am so sorry, my dear Bombero1956...

Our grandchildren are so precious. They are the future...

I hope he can get help for the seizures.

[Bombero1956]

3. the sounds he made are still echoing in my head

It's all I can do to completely breakdown Peggy. They are trying to help him but that means an MRI and he won't lay still for it and sedating him would defeat the purpose of the test. They need him awake.

[ReRe]

10. My experience...

... My asthma became pronounced about the same time carpal tunnel in both hands took my sleep away, and I learned that I had two herniated discs in my 5th and 6th cervicals. They rolled me to the MRI lab and I could NOT lay down and be still. Couldn't breathe flat on my back and had panic attacks. We canceled that day and re-scheduled it at the big hospital, where they put me out for the procedure. Tell your son-in-law that he might want to get a second opinion, i.e. a consult, on whether your grandson can be sedated for the MRI. Granted, mine was a skeletal issue. Since it has to do with seizures, that might be the reason he has to be awake for the MRI? Also, how old is he? (I can't remember if you mentioned his age in your OP.. sorry.) There are drugs for seizures, even in children. I have a nephew who had seizures when he was an infant. They started treating him with phenobarbital (sp?) at that time and he took it for several years. They did EEGs on him and a blood test from time to time to regulate the meds. They eventually weaned him off of it and he's not had a problem since, to my knowledge.

I know it was hard to witness this happening to him. But sounds like your daughter knew what to do and he got through it okay. My heart goes out to you and your family. But, in the end, I think your grandson will come through this difficult time and grow into a fine young man.

[aggiesal]

12. I read an article within the last 2 weeks . . .

about another family in Colorado (I think) where their child was having
seizures all the time.
They were able to get medical marijuana with the chemical that makes you
high genetically removed for their child. The dramatic drop in seizures
allowed the child to start living a more normal life.
If I find the article I'll post the link for you.

[aggiesal]

13. Here is the article . . .

http://www.cnn.com/2013/08/07/health/charlotte-child-medical-marijuana/

I hope this helps.

[F4lconF16]

25. A little late but...

I'd like to offer my condolences as well. I understand what it's like to watch your loved ones in pain through seizures. My girlfriend has had seizures since she was a small child, and it's hard on her. I wish the best for your grandson and I hope he can find a treatment that works for him.

I wanted to completely agree with aggiesal, as well. Your grandson may be young, but what marijuana does for seizures is incredible. In my experience, it's what kept my girlfriend alive, many times over. Her other medications help some, but when she smokes almost all of her numerous health issues are gone. I encourage his family to try what the young boy in Colorado did, if you can.

Best wishes.

[siligut]

2. It's tough when the people we love have troubles that we can't fix for them.

You love that kid and that means a whole lot. There is research being done and new therapies being developed, there is hope.

[hopemountain]

4. love him up and love him some more

and his parents and siblings, too. there is hope. some promising remedies being tested at this time. i am very sorry. i know for myself it would be very, very challenging to deal with, too.

[sheshe2]

5. (((hug)))

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family, Bombero.

[vanlassie]

6. Hugs!! I wonder if it was worse for you than it was for him?

[Bombero1956]

7. I feel like he knows what happened because he told our friends he was sorry

they of course said there was nothing to be sorry about. I feel like it was bad enough that he's autistic but then to have seizures added to that makes me question the existence of God. Noah is such a sweet boy and it's not fair. My wife and almost everyone in my household had seen him have one but I guess tonight was Opa's turn.

[mdbl]

8. besides medical help, lots of love is the answer

and making sure he doesn't accidentally hurt himself. Our thoughts are with you. Have family members dealing with it too.

[vanlassie]

9. Aww. Poor baby. Poor Grandpa, too.

[awoke_in_2003]

24. Yeah, he knows what happened...

I suffered with seizures from the age of 17 to about 26. My grandfather had the same problem during roughly the same ages. I knew when they were coming, and I knew what happened afterwards. If he can feel them coming, get him used to getting himself in a safe situation. I always had about a minute, and I would usually lie on a bed or on the floor. I got three stitches in the eyebrow the one time I didn't due to falling.

[mulsh]

11. I am so sorry. The best thing you can do is understand the conditions your grandson is dealing with.

My twin brother has had epilepsy since infancy. His condition has changed over the years, now in our 50's he hasn't had a seizure in about 20 years. Between the ages of 9 -15 he could have as many as 25 seizures per day, mostly petite mal. Either I or my parents or all of us were normally present during these seizures. They are frightening for every one. I am very adept at dealing with people in seizure but I've never gotten used to it. My brother was able to continue going to our grammar school and participate in normal activities like little league and trying to snag a girl friend while dealing with his epilepsy thanks in large part to understanding and informative doctors, teachers and our family. I hope your grandson will have some of the same advantages.

I don't know much about autism and epilepsy but I found this site that gives excellent info on epilepsy.

[link:http://www.autismspeaks.org/family-services/epilepsy|

I suggest you discuss your grandson with his parents and doctors and try to find out as much as you can about both conditions and how to help him with both of them.

[davidthegnome]

14. It's hard.

I have known many children - and adults, with autism. What is going to make a difference, most of all, is having good people in their lives that love them. People like you, Bombero, who have deep empathy and compassion. I know it's hard, but just remember that you are one of those people that will make a difference. Having a grandparent with a big heart is going to make his life better, for it could not do otherwise.

Hang in there, know that you're not alone - and that you DO make a difference. We can't always do everything we want for the people we love, but we can be there - and by loving them, we make the world a better place.

[AtheistCrusader]

15. Being powerless like that is the worst...

I know what that feels like.




Edit: Just posted to the videos forum.

[roguevalley]

16. hug your baby for me. My nieces and nephew had them young too.

I wish all of you so much good I could explode

[DeSwiss]

17. K&R

[Scuba]

18. Heartbreaking, isn't it? I've held my daughter through hundreds of seizures ....

... some just mild fluttering of the eyes, some full-blown grand mal. Good luck to you and your family.

[DFW]

19. Your daughter must be some strong woman.

I have nothing but admiration to those who adjust to this as a permanent part of their lives.

[rug]

20. If you haven't seen this already, here some good info.

http://www.autismspeaks.org/family-services/tool-kits/family-support-tool-kits

I had a daughter born with schizencepaly. One result was her brain could not properly control her body temperature and she often cycled between verly low temperatures and fevers. It is a helpless feeling to see a child suffer. Noah is in good hands.

[magical thyme]

21. (((hugs))) to you Bombero,

and to your family and most of all, of course, to your grandson.

Sometimes looking on helplessly is worse than the actual experience of things.

There are good treatments for seizures these days, as others have noted. Hopefully they'll find the best one for your grandson sooner, rather than later.

[CFLDem]

22. Hugs

[Adrahil]

23. I can identify with the feeling.

My wife is epileptic and we had been going out for over a year before I first saw her have a seizure. It tore me up to see that happen to her. Fortunately, her treatment is successful and she's seizure free now. And this year, I took my daughter (11) to the doc for some injections. She's always been afraid of shots, but she handled these well, but while checking out, she told she wasn't feeling so well, and if turned around just in time to see her faint and fall, cracking her head on the floor. When she came to, she was extremely confused and frightened. There is nothing worse than seeing a loved one suffer such a thing a feeling helpless to do anything about it.

[sellitman]

26. My oldest had Grand Mal Seizures for years

Before two Brain Tumors were successfully removed.

We never got use to seeing it happen. There is nothing scarier.

Rob is a miracle child. He's been without Tumors or seizures for over two years.

I hope your grandson can find his cure soon.

Hugs.

[Bombero1956]

27. I thank you all for your words of comfort and your compassion

I thank you for all the advise you've offered.