Does My Son Have Epilepsy?

The teacher noticed my son staring a lot in class, for most parents that might not be a big deal in my family with my biological mother's lifelong history with epilepsy and now mine a trip to the pediatric neurologist was immediately in order.

Did my son genetically inherit epilepsy from me?

*Most children of people with epilepsy do not develop seizures or epilepsy. However, since genes are passed down through families, it is possible. Here are a few general points to remember.

• Less than 2 people out of every 100 develop epilepsy at some point during their lifetime.
• The risk for children whose father has epilepsy is only slightly higher.
• If the mother has epilepsy and the father does not, the risk is still less than 5 in 100.
• If both parents have epilepsy, the risk is a bit higher. Most children will not inherit epilepsy from a parent, but the chance of inheriting some types of epilepsy is higher

*http://www.epilepsy.com/learn/epilepsy-101/epilepsy-inherited  Epilepsy Foundation website

My son is almost 9 years old. He passed the first EEG but continued to exhibit staring spells, a facial tic and then headaches started, the ones that needed darkness, sleep and sometimes made him feel like vomiting began. So an EMU was ordered. Bragging mom moment because my 8 year old didn't flinch once while he was hooked up to the electrodes and 'plugged in' as he called it. The pediatric unit of the hospital had him under observation in their section so he had access to an xbox, Wii, numerous dvd's that could play on the flat screen in his private room, not to mention the two lego sets, planet blanket, superhero pillow case and other treats that were in the room awaiting his arrival. His favorite thing in the room though was the video monitoring camera that followed him on the rare occasion he left the bed to use the bathroom. He had to stay in bed so he missed watching Disney's Frozen in the Children's Miracle Network Garden with the other children but was given a stuffed glow pet (which he clung to both nights he was in the hospital, thank you to the non-profit company who donated the item) popcorn and candy. Plus we were able to watch the film in his room! My son spent his time doing school work, playing video games, doing art projects, reading and unfortunately keeping a few headaches under control. He had a I will/will not eat that tolerance with the food that was only a phone call away and in the end he did well, my mommy bragging moment came from his understanding that other kids in the section of the hospital he was in were actually sick while he was just being 'observed'. 

The answer though is NO, my son does not have epilepsy. I am a lucky mom, willing to battle my own purple war and hopefully it will not reach my kids other than to teach them compassion, how to respond and to raise awareness. All for one and one for all!