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Child Got Absence Seizures. On Topamax. Feeling Tired, Headache And Bruise On Thigh. Leukemia?

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Posted on Fri, 8 Feb 2013
Question: I plan on taking her to Children's hospital in Chicago, however, I thought I would just put this to you as well. My 7 year old daughter had an abnormal eeg with spikes lasting up to two seconds. This issue came on suddenly about three months ago with an "absent seizure" episode, followed by major TICS. The neurologist put her on Topamax, one a day for a week, and now two a day. It seemed to work in the beginning but now the TICS have returned, and she is experiencing other, more disturbing symptoms. She is very irritable (this is from the beginning of all of this), tired, lethargic, pale, often complains of bone pain, e.g., her little toe, her finger, and yesterday she hit her leg (calf and thigh) when she did a hand stand. The bruises (2) from this is very bad and is causing her a lot of pain, and she never used to complain of a bruise. She also complains of "shooting pain" headaches that come and go. And she has a bad rash on her upper back, causing her to itch it, thus causing bleeding. I am very concerned for leukemia at this point, but can leukemia start with an absent seizure, leading to an abnormal eeg. Her other symptoms have come on very fast over the past few weeks as well. Please advise.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Samik Basu (20 minutes later)
Hi ,

Thank you for your query.

Do not panic. These are not signs of any malignancy as you suspect.

The bruises are due to the injury and should be ok with some paracetamol and thrombophob gel locally.
Irritability usually is a feature of children with seizure disorder but Topiramate make acute mood changes so keep an eye on her. Other features along with the rash maybe a feature of a viral infection or a prodrome of viral illness.

Leukaemia very rarely starts with seizure but I seriously doubt whether your child has that grave disease.

It is wise that you have decided to see a specialist. Certain blood tests may be required if the doctors prescribes them.

If you have further queries you are free to consult me further.

Hope this answers your query.
Wishing your child a speedy recovery.
Have a nice day.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Mohammed Kappan
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Samik Basu (45 hours later)
Did you get my follow up question?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Samik Basu (1 hour later)
Hi,
I am sorry but I haven't got your follow up question.Kindly resend it.I will be in a national conference for the next 2 days.
Have a nice day
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Aparna Kohli
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Follow up: Dr. Samik Basu (24 hours later)
Never mind; my computer was flipping out and I cannot possibly re-write all that I did. I had many questions answered by her general doctor yesterday, after we had seen the neurologist on Tuesday. It turns out that the neurologist is a joke, and both I and her general doctor agree that he will not treat my daughter any further. In the two visits and several phone calls with him, he did not listen, review his notes, or even remember what was going on with my daughter. He even went so far as to say: "Since she has not had any seizure activity, we will just treat her TICS." I almost slapped him upside the head!!! The EEG CLEARLY shows and states seizure activity, and I have witnessed at least three "absent" seizures here at home, which of course I told him about at the first visit. Her primary doctor also ordered a slew of blood work, she has her MRI scheduled for January 25th, and I am making an appointment today at Children's Hospital. I just hope the entire month that goofy was treating her did not cause her condition any further insult to injury. Lesson learned for all of you doctors: KNOW your patients!!!! Thank you.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Samik Basu (18 hours later)
Hi,

I am sorry that you had to go through all the trouble. I hope your problem evens out after the results of the tests arrive. Wishing your child a speedy recovery. Have a nice day.
Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E
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Dr. Samik Basu

Pediatrician

Practicing since :1999

Answered : 711 Questions

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Child Got Absence Seizures. On Topamax. Feeling Tired, Headache And Bruise On Thigh. Leukemia?

Hi ,

Thank you for your query.

Do not panic. These are not signs of any malignancy as you suspect.

The bruises are due to the injury and should be ok with some paracetamol and thrombophob gel locally.
Irritability usually is a feature of children with seizure disorder but Topiramate make acute mood changes so keep an eye on her. Other features along with the rash maybe a feature of a viral infection or a prodrome of viral illness.

Leukaemia very rarely starts with seizure but I seriously doubt whether your child has that grave disease.

It is wise that you have decided to see a specialist. Certain blood tests may be required if the doctors prescribes them.

If you have further queries you are free to consult me further.

Hope this answers your query.
Wishing your child a speedy recovery.
Have a nice day.