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Diabetes and fits
- Thread starter donnamum
- Start Date
We have seen lots of doctors. Initally they felt it was too coincidental to have two conditions present themselves at the same time, so felt there must be a link, but after several tests they couldn't find any link with BG levels. She is being seen in both epileptic clinic and diasbetic clinic. They are as confused as we are. BG levels are good so fingers crossed they will stop soon.
KimSuzanne
Well-Known Member
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- 151
- Location
- United Kingdom
Hi
I've been diabetic for 18 years I had my first fit 2 months after being diagnosed, mine started out as being caused by very low blood sugars had 6 ish I think. Recently had a couple that weren't linked got the same from the doctors - didn't know what it was they ended up telling me it was a viral thing, they've stopped of their own accord!
Kim
I've been diabetic for 18 years I had my first fit 2 months after being diagnosed, mine started out as being caused by very low blood sugars had 6 ish I think. Recently had a couple that weren't linked got the same from the doctors - didn't know what it was they ended up telling me it was a viral thing, they've stopped of their own accord!
Kim
Hello , Don,t panic mum. My daughater at the age of 5yrs ,who is know 23, had sever fits for a few weeks . Resalting in some very scarry trips into hospital. We had scans and tests for epilepsy over a few weeks. they were realy inconclusive .but they decided to put her on an anty convusion drug called eppilum. Now i dont want to scare you but ask lots of questions and always look for other test to confirm there diagnosis. I went along with what they said to quickly. My daughter was on medication for 5 yrs with know further unexplained fits. IT was not good she was very drosey a lot of the time and it did affect her school work. Keeping her behind every one else. Look this sounds a bit scarry, just make shore ,if they do put her on meds that you have regular reveiws, with the oppsion of comming off them. My daughters fits to this day i beleive were caused by yoyo readings . Highs and lows ajusted to quikley by a novice mum of a diabetic . take your time to learn how your chils diabetes affects her . Know 2 diabetics will ever ract the same way to the same insulin or food
She is on anti convulsion medication Carbamazapine and Clobazam. I have asked if we could take her of the Clobazam as I don’t think there has been any improvement. So they have agreed to repeat some of the tests that initially showed post seizure brain waves, which resulting in an epilepsy diagnosis.
Her fits have reduced in severity since the carbamazapine has had chance to work, but she still experiences the feeling associated with the onset of a fit 10-15 times a day. Today she couldn’t even walk unaided to school . Her BG has settled a lot between 4.5-7.5 in the morning, bit higher 11-13 at lunch, and 5-8 at tea time which considering it was 44 when she was diagnosed three months ago is a vast improvement. We have more tests booked for the end of May…… So fingers crossed.
Thanx for you reply.
Her fits have reduced in severity since the carbamazapine has had chance to work, but she still experiences the feeling associated with the onset of a fit 10-15 times a day. Today she couldn’t even walk unaided to school . Her BG has settled a lot between 4.5-7.5 in the morning, bit higher 11-13 at lunch, and 5-8 at tea time which considering it was 44 when she was diagnosed three months ago is a vast improvement. We have more tests booked for the end of May…… So fingers crossed.
Thanx for you reply.
hello donnamum, well done for not just going with the flow.But from what u,ve said she needs the meds at the moment It,s so easy to asume the medical profesion no every thing. Dont get me wrong , i am extreamly greatful for the care my daughter has been given, BUT , i,m a great belever in mum knows thire child better than any one . So always follow yor instinks. Even now i can tell befor my daughter, thats shes going hypo. It was chance that i looked at this sight today. I will pop in acsanaly ,so if you want to chat again. Its hard when you,re a mum to a newly diabetic child. I hope you have a good nurse to talk to. I helped start a group for parents in devon, But work moved me away. Try to contact other parents to talks to. Its a great to talk about simple day to day things that seam to triveal to raise in the short time you get with the nurse.
Hi Donnamum,
Like many others who have responded I too have experienced fits - but always associated with extremely low blood sugar levels. As your daughter has only been diagnosed 3 months ago you should ask the doctors whether your daughter may be having Hypos during the early hours, as the morning blood sugar levels between 4.5-7.5 seem almost too good. I hope it is all sorted out soon.
Like many others who have responded I too have experienced fits - but always associated with extremely low blood sugar levels. As your daughter has only been diagnosed 3 months ago you should ask the doctors whether your daughter may be having Hypos during the early hours, as the morning blood sugar levels between 4.5-7.5 seem almost too good. I hope it is all sorted out soon.
Hi Donnamum
This is my first posting. I have been a type 1 diabetic for 43 years. I also have epilepsy, had fits since starting with diabetes at 18 months old. I am sure you will see that your daughter gets regular updates on both medication but do not just stop any anticonvulsant drugs without medical advice.
Deb
This is my first posting. I have been a type 1 diabetic for 43 years. I also have epilepsy, had fits since starting with diabetes at 18 months old. I am sure you will see that your daughter gets regular updates on both medication but do not just stop any anticonvulsant drugs without medical advice.
Deb
aussieonline
Member
- Messages
- 5
Hi,
My daughter is 9 years old, diagnosed diabetic two years ago, had her first fit ?? 19 months ago, she was unable to talk for 8 hours, was tongue thrusting and lip smacking at the time of her first episode, could recognise anything, or any one not even me as her mum! was very scary... well it happened again today 27th April. I am English but i live in Queensland Australia and as i type i am sat in the hopsital ward of the childrens hospital in Brisbane... I am not sure whether it of interest to you but of consultant here has suggested further test tomorrow( as its night now) 19 months ago one EEG showed a slight slowing in her brain but no epileptic behaviour and her BSL had been great the whole time at 5.4. but today when i rushed her into the hospital they did her blood gas which indicated her Ph at 7.4 so she was acidotic, indicating starvation to the brain for a period of time, her consultant seems to thin that although her blood sugar level reads as normal ! what has happened is that she has had a hypo, as a result of the hypo in her sleep she has had a seizure and her body has reacted to the seizure and released hormones that would increase her bsl but has not brought her out of what he called a post seizure state... this makes so much sense to me as both times i was convinced she was hypoglycaemic but the level read ok and both times this has happened has been first thing in the morning. It is extremely scary as you don't know whether they are going to pull out of it all ok, she explains it as being able to see, hear but can't talk. bit like many of the dreams we have as children... ( how scary this is for the children) this is actually happening to them. Perhaps through this we can get some kind of answer from either side of the world!! my thoughts are with you all......
My daughter is 9 years old, diagnosed diabetic two years ago, had her first fit ?? 19 months ago, she was unable to talk for 8 hours, was tongue thrusting and lip smacking at the time of her first episode, could recognise anything, or any one not even me as her mum! was very scary... well it happened again today 27th April. I am English but i live in Queensland Australia and as i type i am sat in the hopsital ward of the childrens hospital in Brisbane... I am not sure whether it of interest to you but of consultant here has suggested further test tomorrow( as its night now) 19 months ago one EEG showed a slight slowing in her brain but no epileptic behaviour and her BSL had been great the whole time at 5.4. but today when i rushed her into the hospital they did her blood gas which indicated her Ph at 7.4 so she was acidotic, indicating starvation to the brain for a period of time, her consultant seems to thin that although her blood sugar level reads as normal ! what has happened is that she has had a hypo, as a result of the hypo in her sleep she has had a seizure and her body has reacted to the seizure and released hormones that would increase her bsl but has not brought her out of what he called a post seizure state... this makes so much sense to me as both times i was convinced she was hypoglycaemic but the level read ok and both times this has happened has been first thing in the morning. It is extremely scary as you don't know whether they are going to pull out of it all ok, she explains it as being able to see, hear but can't talk. bit like many of the dreams we have as children... ( how scary this is for the children) this is actually happening to them. Perhaps through this we can get some kind of answer from either side of the world!! my thoughts are with you all......
martinbuchan
Well-Known Member
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- 354
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- United Kingdom
My duaghter started have seizures last year (mixture of complex partials and some grand mal). Much better but has now increased to the maximum dosage of Lamotrigine. (Very abnormal EEG and will be life long in nature).
Anything that affects the brain can change the electrical activity. Classically, in kids, minor infections can lower the siezure threshold. I will ask our paediatric neurologist next time we see her about the effects of hypos.
Interestingly, there is a growing body of opinion that low carb diets can help siezure prone children. The kids have to be ketogenic to be helped. I am sure that this would be very difficult in dealing with a type 1 diabetic child...............
Anything that affects the brain can change the electrical activity. Classically, in kids, minor infections can lower the siezure threshold. I will ask our paediatric neurologist next time we see her about the effects of hypos.
Interestingly, there is a growing body of opinion that low carb diets can help siezure prone children. The kids have to be ketogenic to be helped. I am sure that this would be very difficult in dealing with a type 1 diabetic child...............
Good point, Marty.
There was an excellent article in The Guardian a couple of weeks back on the subject of ketogenic diets as a treatment for epilepsy. A specialist in London is having remarkable success in treating the condition with a low carbohydrate diet. He now treats all his patients in this way.
I'll try and look the article out if you're interested?
All the best,
fergus
There was an excellent article in The Guardian a couple of weeks back on the subject of ketogenic diets as a treatment for epilepsy. A specialist in London is having remarkable success in treating the condition with a low carbohydrate diet. He now treats all his patients in this way.
I'll try and look the article out if you're interested?
All the best,
fergus
martinbuchan
Well-Known Member
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- United Kingdom
Fergus, that was one of the articles i saw come to think of it. My daughter has my body type. As I thinnk I might be a MODY, i will try to convince her to go low carb (she is only 11 at the moment). Once she has stopped growing it will be important for her to try and avoid diabetes as much as possible. I think it is a bit unfair of her just now (unless we get more fits again).
Hi Marty,
I checked it out and the article was in The Guardian on 15.04.08. The journalist was Sarah Spendiff.
The kids following the low carb diet were having as many as 100 seizures a week beforehand and taking lots of medications to no effect. Post-diet, their seizures reduced by up to 90%. Wow!
I have 4 kids, so I know all about their food issues! I'm the only diabetic in my family, so there's quite a low risk that they will inherit it from me. All the same, every aspect of their health will improve through eating less carbohydrate. They all avoid the pasta these days!
All the best,
fergus
I checked it out and the article was in The Guardian on 15.04.08. The journalist was Sarah Spendiff.
The kids following the low carb diet were having as many as 100 seizures a week beforehand and taking lots of medications to no effect. Post-diet, their seizures reduced by up to 90%. Wow!
I have 4 kids, so I know all about their food issues! I'm the only diabetic in my family, so there's quite a low risk that they will inherit it from me. All the same, every aspect of their health will improve through eating less carbohydrate. They all avoid the pasta these days!
All the best,
fergus
aussieonline
Member
- Messages
- 5
hi all,
Thanks for the reply, any article that can be helpful would be greatfully received. We are now home and my daughter has a continuous BG monitor attached to her at all times until friday, this will down load the information for the endocronologist and the neuro team, they are then going to change her night insulin to Levamir, this is a softer insulin on the body than protophane for nights.
They will be doing a sleep deprived EEG and some speach test, but when i left the hospital yesterday they are pretty sure it is diabetic related. Type 1 Diabetes still has so many little throw offs that are still so unknow to many doctors.
I think the main reason they believe its diabetic related is the fact we have only had two seizures in 19 months and the last run of test although showed the slowing in a wave on the initial EEG the sleep deprived one that they did after was completely normal.
Although its very frightening it is also reassuring to know that others are experiencing the same problems and maybe between us we can get some answers... Keep me posted guys. we have to return to the hospital friday for further bloods, will keep you up dated.
pom in oz!
Thanks for the reply, any article that can be helpful would be greatfully received. We are now home and my daughter has a continuous BG monitor attached to her at all times until friday, this will down load the information for the endocronologist and the neuro team, they are then going to change her night insulin to Levamir, this is a softer insulin on the body than protophane for nights.
They will be doing a sleep deprived EEG and some speach test, but when i left the hospital yesterday they are pretty sure it is diabetic related. Type 1 Diabetes still has so many little throw offs that are still so unknow to many doctors.
I think the main reason they believe its diabetic related is the fact we have only had two seizures in 19 months and the last run of test although showed the slowing in a wave on the initial EEG the sleep deprived one that they did after was completely normal.
Although its very frightening it is also reassuring to know that others are experiencing the same problems and maybe between us we can get some answers... Keep me posted guys. we have to return to the hospital friday for further bloods, will keep you up dated.
pom in oz!
blueboy1875
Newbie
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- 2
Hi all
new to this site and finding the thread here really interesting, my 8 year old daughter was diagnosed in Nov 2007 with type 1 diabetes, she has kept an average of 11 bm's which we are happy with because the consultant wanted her to be 10bm's , i think she/we have done quite well over the last 6 months with monitoring her diabetes and keeping it under control, we have had our ups and downs but its only to be expected !!
on thursday evening she went off to be as normal around 9.30 pm with her usual blood sugar test her results were 8.6... nothing to worry about.. as such !!
we were woken around 5am by a grunting sound from her bedroom my wife got there first to find her violently shaking and foaming at the mouth , we dialled 999 and put her on her side in the recovery position.
we didnt check her blood until the paramedics came because we had never heard of diabetic fits, we thought she was having an epeletic fit.
Her reading was 4.0 (not too low in our opinion) she finished shaking and was taken to the local hospital, whilst in A&E she developed stomach pains she was doubled up in pain screaming out constantly they dosed her full of morphine to ease the pain, roll forward a few hours, she was on the ward unable to talk sense and doped up, he consultant arrived and then told us she had had a "diabetic fit" which was news to us as we had never heard of them (we are still learning)
at least it wasnt epilepsy as we first thought , she then slept for around 18 hours and does not recall a thing about the fit or any of the day .
i have read with interest all of the topics on this subject and it seems in keeping with what happened to our litle girl as we were worried it may have been something else so at the moment our fears have been reduced somewhat
we popped back to the diabetes clinic today as she had to give another urine sample because she had too many wite cells in her blood ?? ive searched and cannot find any info on this but we were told not to worry as its an infection of some sort !!
we get the results back next monday so fingers crossed
sorry for the long winded story but just wanted to add to the thread and help anyone else coming on here or if anyone can help us out with any thoughts ???
mark andrea & emilly (aged 8 )
new to this site and finding the thread here really interesting, my 8 year old daughter was diagnosed in Nov 2007 with type 1 diabetes, she has kept an average of 11 bm's which we are happy with because the consultant wanted her to be 10bm's , i think she/we have done quite well over the last 6 months with monitoring her diabetes and keeping it under control, we have had our ups and downs but its only to be expected !!
on thursday evening she went off to be as normal around 9.30 pm with her usual blood sugar test her results were 8.6... nothing to worry about.. as such !!
we were woken around 5am by a grunting sound from her bedroom my wife got there first to find her violently shaking and foaming at the mouth , we dialled 999 and put her on her side in the recovery position.
we didnt check her blood until the paramedics came because we had never heard of diabetic fits, we thought she was having an epeletic fit.
Her reading was 4.0 (not too low in our opinion) she finished shaking and was taken to the local hospital, whilst in A&E she developed stomach pains she was doubled up in pain screaming out constantly they dosed her full of morphine to ease the pain, roll forward a few hours, she was on the ward unable to talk sense and doped up, he consultant arrived and then told us she had had a "diabetic fit" which was news to us as we had never heard of them (we are still learning)
at least it wasnt epilepsy as we first thought , she then slept for around 18 hours and does not recall a thing about the fit or any of the day .
i have read with interest all of the topics on this subject and it seems in keeping with what happened to our litle girl as we were worried it may have been something else so at the moment our fears have been reduced somewhat
we popped back to the diabetes clinic today as she had to give another urine sample because she had too many wite cells in her blood ?? ive searched and cannot find any info on this but we were told not to worry as its an infection of some sort !!
we get the results back next monday so fingers crossed
sorry for the long winded story but just wanted to add to the thread and help anyone else coming on here or if anyone can help us out with any thoughts ???
mark andrea & emilly (aged 8 )
My daughter still has very mild episodes daily, if she didn't say she was having them you wouldn't know. She gets the same painful feelings as she did just before fit without going it full seizure . Since diagnosis in Jan 08 she has only had 4 days without any episodes. At first doc felt it was linked to diabetes, then not so sure. Now I am coming around to believing they are linked. When hypo she doesn't tremble until 2.8. She has now started having hypo sensation without low BG which last upto an hour.All a great medical mystery.
Thanks for reply.
Good luck. Keep positive and
Thanks for reply.
Good luck. Keep positive and
blueboy1875
Newbie
- Messages
- 2
hiya !
your daughter has episodes daily ? i am presuming they are in the day time not of a night time ?
my daughter up to now has been fine in the day but gets herself to the school office if she is getting low well before anything happens she is pretty good at detecting a low.
you say your daughter gets painfull feelings ? what are they exactly do you know ? sorry to ask questions but trying to get to the bottom of it !
great medical mysteries indeed :?
bb1875
your daughter has episodes daily ? i am presuming they are in the day time not of a night time ?
my daughter up to now has been fine in the day but gets herself to the school office if she is getting low well before anything happens she is pretty good at detecting a low.
you say your daughter gets painfull feelings ? what are they exactly do you know ? sorry to ask questions but trying to get to the bottom of it !
great medical mysteries indeed :?
bb1875
