These are sometimes very difficult to diagnose, often a diagnosis is not reached. I remember when I was 6, I was standing in the kitchen and the next thing I knew, I was in my Mothers arms and then vomited. Doctors ran every test you can think of, but no diagnosis. It never happened again and I'm now 52. My Brothers wife has just started to have the occasional seizure, probably two a year and again they have no idea what's causing it. They've recommended diet changes and all kinds of things, but nothing works.
A couple of years ago, I woke up from a nap and realised that I couldn't work my lungs for some reason. I honestly thought I was going to die. Nothing I did made me breathe, even walking around. Suddenly after a minute, I took a deep breath. I was taken to hospital and had tests, and they diagnosed sleep apnea. Again, never had it before, and hasn't happened since. Sleep apnea can be tested for, and there are some meds, such as those which lower the blood PH, to encourage breathing.
That's more than a "breath-holding spell," for sure. A person can't hold her breath long enough to be unconscious for an hour and a half. As ed34 mentions, these things can be very hard to diagnose, and oftentimes a diagnosis is never reached, especially if the problem does not recur. And really, that's what you're hoping for, that it will never recur. It might well not.
As far as feeling like the doctors didn't give you any answers, that's because they didn't. It seems they didn't have any answers to give. They kept her in the hospital long enough to make sure she was out of the crisis, they did some basic tests, and then when she seemed okay, they didn't have any more reason to keep her. An appointment for an EEG and to be seen at a clinic sounds about right to me. There's more testing to be done, but she doesn't have to be in the hospital for the tests.
I'm not sure if the clinic doctor you are going to see is a neurologist, a general pediatrician, or another type of specialist, but whoever you see should spend some time explaining to you what is known and not known about the situation. You can expect recommendations for the future and a list of the possible causes. If you don't get the information you want, ask specific questions.
Thankyou very much for your feedback :) I don't mean to sound like an over reacting parent but it certainly scared the life out of me! She is my baby of 7 children so I have had my fair share of dealings, my second eldest had epilepsy at a young age but outgrew it but I had never experienced anything like this before. Thanks again much appreciated.
Thankyou for your feedback, I hear what your saying and will just pray for the best outcome and hopefully it never happens again, although tonight she was fine running the house as she does then out of no where complained of her head hurting and came sat on my lap, covered her head in her hands and became quite faint and literally passed out sitting up I had to wake her and then she started vomiting while sleeping almost, probably nothing and her appointment is tomorrow thank goodness but was twitching all over for sometime after and is laying next to me now as I don't dare leave her.
I'm glad the appointment is tomorrow, because it sounds like she just had a second episode. I would present it that way at the appointment, that she has had two episodes. The sibling history of seizures is significant, so be sure you mention that also. Let us know how things go. I will be watching this thread, and I'm sure ed34 will also.
Absolutely. It's a shame you don't have a blood pressure monitor at home.
Thanks again, had her appointment today and her paediatrician was quite taken back that no further tests had been taken, was very thorough and we have her going in as soon as tomorrow for an MRI so fingers crossed. he was especially causious after last nights episode as each time she has been perfectly happy and healthy previous to the incident and isn't willing to wait for a third,also the fact she is very tiny and petite for her age although extremely advanced.
thankyou, and no I don't but fingers crossed will have a little more insight after tomorrow
I'm glad you are taking her in for further evaluation. Please do take skydnsr's advice about telling the doc about the apparent number of seizures and the family history. Those are important facts.
Good luck tomorrow.
Sounds like you have a good pediatrician.