Expert: Ronald Levy, M.D. - 8/1/2010

Question
My daughter has had 3 surgeries. All 3 she has had events (seizures) 1st time for Tonsils removed in recovery, lasting 3 days in hospital with Todd Syndrome. After they sent her home she still has ticks (shoulder shrugs and left arm moment)and left side weakness. When tired,sleeping or sick she still has them. 2nd surgery was for wisdom teeth. All 4 were suppose to come out. Only 1 did and seizures started. They rushed her to Hospital. This time 7 days in hospital with seizures and Todd Syndrome again. All left side weakness and numbness. 3rd time just last week. They took her gallbladder and cysts off of her ovaries. Polycystic disease. She went home and hours later she started having trouble breathing and her neck and collarbone hurt. Then she went into seizures again. Note all test normal. EEG,MRI. Air in a big bubble though in her neck area. Tests should that. They say its in her head! No one I talk to family or otherwise believe this. She is adopted and was a drug and alcohol addicted baby. Has always had medical issues. Strange stuff. And doesn't get over thing quickly. Has learning disabilities. On Social Security. They say stress. I thought off and on the she likes attention and I didn't believe a lot of stuff until she has proven me wrong (all) the time. I have learned the hard way that if she say something is wrong to believe her. Medically they find something wrong always. So I am total confused. I think Dr.s label when they can't find answers,or if they have no answers. What you see with my daughter is what you get. She has always marched to a different drummer. But she doesn't have the mental ability to cause herself to have false seizures. We will search out a doctor to see if this is really possible. Because I wouldn't want to neglect her if this could be. Any ideas. All anesthesia were different. She started this a 17 and she is 21.

Answer
Todd's syndrome (Alice in Wonderland Syndrome) has been described. It is generally difficult to fake seizures particularly grand mal seizures. Often, one way to tell is if they lose bladder control. Most fakers won't intentionally wet themselves. I don't think this is related to the anesthesia (in fact, most anesthesia is anti-seizure). I don't really have any other answers for you as I am an anesthesiologist but certainly a Neurologist should see her for a full evaluation.

Ronald Levy, MD
Professor of Anesthesiology
UTMB-Galveston