Question about Lila--nurses esp need your opinion!

**Jenn** · #1 July 29th, 2010, 05:54 AM

Last night was the third time in the last month that I have noticed this. She was sleeping in our bed, all the lights were off except the tv. I went downstairs to get a drink and when I came back up she was sideways in the bed. I figured she woke up and scooted herself around and since she was still and not making any noise I assumed she was asleep. I went to her and her eyes were wide open, just staring, she was not moving, not blinking, not making any sounds. I patted her butt, rubbed her back, no reaction at all. I layed down in front of her face and nothing. Then all of a sudden she seemed to see me again and blinked hard and rubbed her face in the sheet and gave me a big smile. She could not keep her eyes open and quickly went back to sleep. The first time I saw this my heart lept into my throat because I thought she was dead at first--that's exactly how she looked (except she was breathing upon closer look). The second time I picked her right up after she didn't respond the first time and her whole body jolted and she started screaming--like I scared the crap out of her. This is why I didn't pick her up last night and last night was the first time Ian saw it too. It really is freaking us out. Of course I've been looking online all morning (I know, bad idea) and everything points to absence seizures (perhaps triggered by the flashing and light of the tv in the dark room) which scares the hell out of me. But could she just be sleeping with her eyes open? Could it be something else? I'm getting worried.

soImarriedAnerd · #2 July 29th, 2010, 06:25 AM

Does she do it any other time (stare off into space with no movement)? If she does it during the day is she tired after it? I would look for this to help ease your mind. And its worth mentioning to the dr next time you see them.
london does this also at night...its almost like he is sleep "walking". He will be in bed and his eyes will be open and he just stares. Usually he does this for a bit then blinks some and goes back to bed...the first time I saw this it freaked me out and I thought seizure for sure! LOL But I have talked with other moms and this seems to be a normal thing.

**Jenn** · #3 July 29th, 2010, 07:12 AM

I haven't noticed it during the day but I will take closer note. She does do these repeated tongue thrusts too but I know that doesn't necessarily mean anything. I actually went to school to be an EEG tech but stopped about 3/4 of the way through because I really didn't like it. My first rotation was at DuPont Childrens Hospital so I've done a ton on infants and children as well as adults. I'm just thinking back to all that stuff and its a bit scary. The 3 times I've seen it happen has been in a dark room with just the tv on so thats what is making me think the flashing lights are setting it off. Needless to say, we won't be doing that anymore! It definitely helps to know London has done it too and it can be normal, so thank you for that! I will mention it to her dr. next time we go.

midnight_starr · #4 July 29th, 2010, 07:23 AM

I have no idea what it could be, but I hope its nothing!

soImarriedAnerd · #5 July 29th, 2010, 07:36 AM

London does tongue thrust also.... it kind of sucks to be honest so many things CAN be normal or CAN be an issue....and there is really no way to tell! UGH!

alicenwonderland · #6 July 29th, 2010, 09:50 AM

its really hard to say. I'm clueless when it comes to pediatrics. Children are just so different. So many bizarre things are normal. If it makes you feel better, i know many children who sleep with their eyes open.

*krista* · #7 July 29th, 2010, 10:01 AM

I know nothing about it, just wanted to share some hugs. I bet it is nothing serious though, she's probably just sleeping with her eyes open. If it was some sort of seizure, would picking her up really snap her out of it like it did? I wouldn't think so hm?

~*sierra*~ · #8 July 29th, 2010, 10:40 AM

i hope its nothing serious!!

*kyle* · #9 July 29th, 2010, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by *krista*

I know nothing about it, just wanted to share some hugs. I bet it is nothing serious though, she's probably just sleeping with her eyes open. If it was some sort of seizure, would picking her up really snap her out of it like it did? I wouldn't think so hm?

That is a really good point Krista made. Doubtful it's a seizure but mention it anyway to doc just to make them aware. Kids have less distinction between their conscious and unconscious states. This is why sleep walking and night terrors are so much more predominant in children and almost always go away in adults. Something to do with the brain not shutting off all of its parts all at the same time. Sleeping with eyes open could be another way this shows up. Hopefully you'll find it's absolutely nothing to worry about. It has to be terrifying when you're seeing it for the first time though.

**Jenn** · #10 July 29th, 2010, 11:43 AM

Thanks everyone. Lochy has night terrors, inherited from dh, so maybe its just a sleep thing along those lines--thanks for pointing that out krista and kyle! You guys have helped put my mind at ease!

Mjp121212 · #11 July 29th, 2010, 01:46 PM

My first thought was a seizure too, but it could be something completely normal too. Does she twitch any at night when she goes to sleep. When I discussed this with the neuro for Brayden she said it was a look you'd know if you saw and you'd not forget it----I had asked her what to look for. She suspected he was having seizures but never caught them on eeg so I never treated. He would fall asleep with his eyes open though until he was around 3m or so old. I would just mention it. An eeg isn't so bad on them and would be easier to do now than later, kwim? You'd just get her to sleep on your own and they'd hook up the electrodes and a bit later you're going home. But I'd be 75-80% confident in saying it's nothing. 20-25% in saying it could be something minor only because it runs to much in my family and I automatically think of that lol.

~*Bethy*~ · #12 July 29th, 2010, 02:05 PM

Bella has done this a few times, but not recently. more so when she was first born. It is VERY scary!!!

niknok · #13 July 29th, 2010, 04:31 PM

Well, Jenn, I'm gonna tell you what you don't want to hear. But I'm a CRNA who always assumes the worst, until the best shows up. It does sound a lot like seizures. With that said, it does sound a lot like numerous other things. I'd recommend to first call your doctor, and second to try and record it. You are right that a sleep deprived EEG would be pretty easy to get at her age. Call your ped, and just see what they say. Worst case, they get an MRI. Keep us updated! (((Big Hugs!!!)))

Mars · #14 July 29th, 2010, 07:14 PM

The crap was scared out of e as I was reading. I can't offer any advice but I hope you get an answer really, really fast. That's so scary.

~* Helen *~ · #15 July 30th, 2010, 01:53 AM

I can't offer any more advice than the other ladies but wanted to offer

I hope you get some answers!!!

**Jenn** · #16 July 30th, 2010, 05:03 AM

Thanks everyone. I'm going to call the dr. today to make appointments for both Lila and Lochy (he needs his 3 year soon). I know the EEG would be easy on her, like I said before, I've done a ton of them so I know they don't hurt and they don't even really take that long. It's just that going down this road is scary. I don't want there to be anything wrong with her.