The Sound of Music

     The sound of music is something Teagan has been affected with, for as long as we can remember.  We first noticed it at age 2 when he was seemingly having seizure-like episodes every time he watched "The Wiggles".  Of course, for those parents who have been forced to watch hours upon hours of "The Wiggles" will know that their shows and movies are packed with musical numbers.  Which isn't a problem, we love them (or did, until they replaced Greg - that new guy sucks!).  But ever since, different types of music, or something in the music, affects Teagan.  Sad songs will make him so physically and emotionally upset that no amount of consoling will suffice.  Other songs, and this isn't restricted to specific types of music, it's a wide variety of music, so it must be something in the music, a tone, a beat, who knows!, that causes these seizure-like episodes. 
     Last year, I tried talking to him about these episodes, to see if he was aware that he is having them, or if he could explain how they feel, and he said, "The music is in my blood."  And that's probably exactly how it feels to him.  Because of his sensory issues, I feel this is probably the best description for how he feels when these things happen to him.  If someone feels like the music is in his or her blood, what else could they do but overstimulate and try to reset his or her system? 
     We have tried for nearly 7 years now to get these episodes diagnosed, but after EEG's, video EEG's, 24 hour video surveillance, MRI's, and various other tests, nobody can explain it.  I honestly believe it is a form of Epilepsy called Musicogenic Epilepsy.  My mother and I researched this, and it's the only thing we can come up with.  It only happens with music, and not all music, but most.
     You want to know what doctors have told us?  We explained that it happens a lot during movies and shows he likes, and always in the car when the radio is on.  They said, "Don't let him watch Thomas the Tank Engine" or "Don't let him listen to the radio."  Seriously?  Basically, they are asking us to take music away from Teagan, and he loves music.  We all do in this family, music is a big part of our lives.  We aren't musically inclined, but we do enjoy music with everything we do, and a wide range of musical genres, so taking music away from him is like taking away all of his toys because they might have small parts he can choke on.  Of course, he's too old for that, but seriously... take away music and movies he loves?  Not going to happen.  Unless of course, we get definitive proof that the music is causing him mental or physical pain or adversely affecting him, we will not take it away.  I really hate doctors.