Night Terrors?

[403girl]

Last saturday my DS (17 months) was eating lunch and sitting in his new booster seat. He managed to push with his feet away from the table - His chair fell back with him buckled in the booster seat. He was, of course, very upset. He calmed down after nursing. There was no bump or bruise so I didn't take him to the doc. I put him down for his nap and he woke 45 minutes later crying in his sleep. The next 2 days when he woke from his nap he was hysterical. Nothing would console him. He is still nursing and he didn't even want that comfort. If I picked him up he would flail around and try to get on the floor. He basically had a temper tantrum. He gets on all fours and it seems like he is trying to stand up but can't. Both times after about 20-30 minutes he will finally nurse and calm down. Then last night he woke up at 12am and did this same thing in his crib for 30 minutes. The only 2 things I could think of was that it was related to bumping his head, or nightmares or night terrors. I went to the doctor today and she said he's fine, his head is a-o-k. She said it was probably just night terrors. She didn't offer me any advice.

So i'm just wondering if this sounds like night terrors. Has anyone else's LO had night terrors? Whats the best way to handle them? Does it sound like something else is wrong? Would like some opinions and advice. Thanks!

[speechie]

Wow- sounds like your little guy was pretty upset by his spill... I can't say for sure what is going on from your description, but I can share what my son's night terrors are like.  He's never had them during nap time... from the little research I've done, that would be highly unusual. 
Nick's night terrors started at 10 months old. He's never been a great sleeper, he's highly active/spirited and fights sleep- There's too much to learn and see   Typically, his night terrors start 2-4 hours after he falls asleep for the night. he usually has a horrific high pitched screaming cry- it is eerie sounding. 
When I go into him, he usually has been sleep walking/crawling in his crib. His eyes are open, but he doesn't respond to me or seem to recognize that I'm there.  He'll keep screaming for 2-5 mins no matter what I do.
In contrast, if he has a nightmare, Nick will cling to me and calm down with reassurance/comfort.  When he has a night terror, I just stroke his back and repeat "Mama's here, baby, It's okay". Until he's back asleep.  My little guy does sleep walk and seems to have major sleep disturbances, but both my DH and I were sleep walkers/talkers and it seems to be inherited.
I don't know if that helps clarify,... but I thought I'd share.
Does your little guy seem to recognize you when you go to him?

[lilmonkey]

I agree with night terrors being only in the first half of the night not during naps.  Usually what we do is be with dd while she goes thru it.  We don't wake her even if it seems she is fully awake.  What we do is just lay her back in bed and stay with her till it passes.  Sometimes it's hard to tell if it's a night terror or nightmare but after a while you kinda sense the difference, kwim?  It is recommended that you don't wake them if it is a night terror (like sleep waking) just makes sure they don't hurt themselves. 

Both of mine had nasty falls before and what I do is keep on eye on any change in behaviour.  if you find him to be more difficult or listless within a 24 hr period then definitely go see a doctor.  My nephew had a fall and his movements became very jerky later that day and thankfully sil took him to the emergency.  Everything is fine now.