pain and perseveration

Henry has always had unusual reactions to pain. Part of this, of course, can be attributed to his verbal difficulties. Throughout all his many ear infections, he has never been able to say that his "ear hurt". I have had to read the body language- uncontrollable shivers in the middle of the night- to surmise what was going on.

But beyond the language issue, I think something else is going on here- something neurological? His reactions to pain are usually inappropriate. Often an under-reaction, but sometimes an over-reaction. And it's hard to say which one frightens me more.

We have had to call the emergency squad twice for Henry. Both times he had fallen, hit his head, and appeared to lose consciousness. Both times he regained consciousness while the medics were at our home, and they determined that he was fine. There have been other similar instances when we did not call 911. Not only did he lose consciousness briefly in all these cases, but he appeared to be having a seizure- his eyes rolled back and his body became stiff. It was as if he would cry, hold his breath, and then have this seizure.

As you're reading this, you are probably thinking "my God- why didn't you have some tests run?!" I'm actually wondering that myself. But, you know, we had him examined by the pediatrician after the instances, and were told that this is a common "fainting" type reaction.

I actually have had similar experiences myself- the most recent one being when I was in labor with Tommy and they tipped the examining table back too far and I passed out. I forget the term my OB used, I think it started with a V. Someone with medical knowledge help me out...
**UPDATE: Thanks to the anonymous comment, I found this on the Mayo Clinic site about Vasovagal Syncope (fainting). So it seems like this is just the medical term for random fainting that occurs from fright and various other simulii!**

It has been a few years since the last time this happened to Henry, so perhaps it was something his nervous system "grew out of."

But yesterday, he had a different type of reaction to pain. He and Tommy were fighting/wresting- whatever you call it that brothers do. (It's fighting, but they both kind of like it.) I walked into the room just in time to see Henry bapping Thomas in the face with his paperback book, and I broke up the fight. Henry stood there and looked at me for a minute, then started to cry and SCREAMED the loudest, angriest scream I have ever heard from him.

Well, I have heard the same scream and seen the same look once before: this summer at mom and dad's house when Henry pulled their dog's tail. The dog nipped at him, Henry pulled back his hand and looked surprised, but didn't cry out. (So I didn't think he was hurt.) I started to scold him for pulling the dog's tail, and that's when he gave me this same hurt, angry scream. The dog had actually nipped his finger.

So yesterday when it happened, I knew immediately Henry must have been hurt. I tried to ask him what happened, but he was so angry he just hit at me and yelled. But I saw a wet spot on his sleeve and knew that Thomas must have bitten his arm.

It wasn't until hours later that Henry would let me look at his arm and, sure enough, there was a bruise and bit of broken skin in the form of tooth marks.

We wonder if, because he does have such a seemingly high pain tolerance, when something really does hurt it shocks him so much that he has this extreme reaction.
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Yesterday (the last day of winter break) we went shopping to spend the money and gift cards the kids had received for Christmas. We went to Toys R Us and Target. After wandering all the toy aisles, and much deliberation, do you know what Henry picked out to buy?

Star Wars, episodes IV, V, and VI, on DVD.

We already have those movies at home.

But I guess, if you REALLY love something, what could be better than having TWO of that something?

He ate dinner with the DVDs and took them to bed with him.

Can the rest of us say that we are THAT content with our Christmas gifts?