Does Anyone Have Experience With A Dck Who May Have Seizures? Questions/Rant..

[melilley]

I have a 2 yo dcb who was in the hospital for 3 days last week because he had a few seizures in one day. He's never had one before this. He now has medicine called Diastat just in case he has one here and I have to put it in his bottom with a syringe. I am really not comfortable with this. Has anyone had any experience taking care of a child that may have a seizure at your house? I am really nervous that he will have one here. How big of a deal is this? And dcm also said that they said to let dcb sleep as much as he wants, that's kind of hard here. Plus, what if he has a seizure in his sleep?! Also, dcb is always staring into space and dcm said that he may be having Grand mal seizures when he does this, but from my research, you shake violently during these types (is that right?) and he doesn't do that (this particular dcm likes to self diagnose her children and does it often). Dcb has to to to a children's hospital to get more testing done, but this makes me so nervous. I have a few light days until I fill a spot, but on most days I will have 4-5 other young children here with just myself here.

Here's my rant about this situation: I'm a little concerned because yesterday, dcm called me in the afternoon to explain to me what the doctor's said and to explain what to do with the medicine. As she's talking to me, she's also talking to someone in the background, which she always does when she calls me. Then while she's explaining things, she rushes and tells me she has to go because they have to rehome their dog and they are at the prospective "parents'" house. I asked her a question and she frantically answered and then let me go. Apparently she couldn't take 5 more minutes to talk about her child's health! I was in shock! Don't you think that your child's health is more important than a dog? I just don't get some parents.

I did talk to dcd this morning and he explained a little more, but I'm still super nervous. Should I be?

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I would be really, really nervous as well. Hopefully someone has some good advice.

[DaveA]

Never had a child in my care with a seizure disorder, so no help there. If I remember right, not all Grand Mal seizures involve trashing/ muscle contractions. Some can be appear to be "zoning out" or (for lack of a better term) "lights are on but no one's home". There may be a Epilepsy/ Seizure disorder group in your area- check with them. Some of them offer resources for schools/ providers/ families and could give you some information.

I would schedule a conference with the parents ASAP. Tell them that you want to make sure you have the procedures right, especially since you are dealing with an injectable med. Make sure you get it all down in writing so there isn't confusion between the 2 of you as to what is expected of you.

Good luck

[nannyde]

I can't keep children with seizures unless they come with an aide. They have to have an adult with their eyes in them every second.

[NeedaVaca]

http://diastat.com/hcps/about/dosing-administration

I would be concerned too!

The following bothers me because you don't have the experience in differentiating different types of seizures nor have you been properly instructed on how to give the meds:

DIASTAT AcuDial should only be administered by caregivers who, in the opinion of the prescribing physician:

Can distinguish between a cluster of seizures and the patient's ordinary seizure pattern
Have been instructed on how to administer DIASTAT AcuDial and judged competent to do so
Understand explicitly which seizures may or may not be treated with DIASTAT AcuDial
Are able to monitor clinical response and recognize when the response mandates immediate professional medical evaluation.

[Blackcat31]

I would need training AND a written plan of action from the Doctor before I'd provide care for the child.

I would seriously consider letting him go if you are concerned about his well being in your care. Also because he requires the space and ability to sleep as long and whenever he wants which you said will not work with your program.

That^^^ would be enough for me to bow out.

[melilley]

http://diastat.com/hcps/about/dosing-administration

I would be concerned too!

The following bothers me because you don't have the experience in differentiating different types of seizures nor have you been properly instructed on how to give the meds:

DIASTAT AcuDial should only be administered by caregivers who, in the opinion of the prescribing physician:

Can distinguish between a cluster of seizures and the patient's ordinary seizure pattern
Have been instructed on how to administer DIASTAT AcuDial and judged competent to do so
Understand explicitly which seizures may or may not be treated with DIASTAT AcuDial
Are able to monitor clinical response and recognize when the response mandates immediate professional medical evaluation.

I just read this in the medication brochure. I am definitely contacting dcm, I'm so not comfortable.

[melilley]

I would need training AND a written plan of action from the Doctor before I'd provide care for the child.

I would seriously consider letting him go if you are concerned about his well being in your care. Also because he requires the space and ability to sleep as long and whenever he wants which you said will not work with your program.

That^^^ would be enough for me to bow out.

I'm thinking the same thing. I've been anxious all morning and am contacting dcm.

[melilley]

I would need training AND a written plan of action from the Doctor before I'd provide care for the child.

I would seriously consider letting him go if you are concerned about his well being in your care. Also because he requires the space and ability to sleep as long and whenever he wants which you said will not work with your program.

That^^^ would be enough for me to bow out.

This isn't considered discrimination if I term because of a medical condition is it?

[KiddieCahoots]

Agree with the advice given.
I took a training on how to administer this medication about 6 months ago.
The instructor was a registered nurse and we were told that we could not administer this type of medication without prior training.

And just for the record, when you administer this medication, the child usually looses all control of bowl function.

[melilley]

Agree with the advice given.
I took a training on how to administer this medication about 6 months ago.
The instructor was a registered nurse and we were told that we could not administer this type of medication without prior training.

I just texted her to call me when she gets a chance. I think I'm going to term. My sis is a RN and could probably train me, but I'm still not comfortable. Plus, it's just me here with other children too. I don't know what I would do with them if he did have one here.

[melilley]

And just for the record, when you administer this medication, the child usually looses all control of bowl function.

Another reason I wouldn't be able to do this when I'm here by myself!

[melilley]

I can't keep children with seizures unless they come with an aide. They have to have an adult with their eyes in them every second.

This is my thinking. He has never had one before this, but you never know when he will again.

[melilley]

Never had a child in my care with a seizure disorder, so no help there. If I remember right, not all Grand Mal seizures involve trashing/ muscle contractions. Some can be appear to be "zoning out" or (for lack of a better term) "lights are on but no one's home". There may be a Epilepsy/ Seizure disorder group in your area- check with them. Some of them offer resources for schools/ providers/ families and could give you some information.

I would schedule a conference with the parents ASAP. Tell them that you want to make sure you have the procedures right, especially since you are dealing with an injectable med. Make sure you get it all down in writing so there isn't confusion between the 2 of you as to what is expected of you.

Good luck

Thank you DaveArmour! I'm definitely going to talk to them and probably term. I feel bad, but it's just me here and too much to handle if he does have one here!

[KiddieCahoots]

Oops! That was suppose to be bowel

Melilley, you probably already thought of this, if you are thinking on the lines of terming, then not having the training would give you the legit reason to term. kwim.