Does my child have PANDAS?

[frank560]

My child has a history of Scarlet fever inteh last year and had OCD symptoms for about two to three weeks about a year and a hald ago.  He had pulled a small patch of hair out.  It came and went though.  Since he has had periods of tics and OCD type behavior that is out of the norm.  Currently he was on antibotics for a sinus infection (7 days) and still has a stomach (three days).  His behavior has completely changed as he is clingy, rolls his eyes, makes clicking noises with his mouth and can't sit still at all. It is constant movement. It seems like he is being taken over.  What do I do and can a sinus infection be linked to PANDAS?

[Robin9394]

I have two kids. One was diagnosed with PANDAS when he was four and a half years old. I believe that my 10 year old daughter also has PANDAS, but she has not been given the diagnosis. Her history seems similar to that our your son. About three years ago she had Scarlet Fever and was treated with antibiotics. Within a few months she had symptoms of anxiety and a two week period of eye blinking. A couple of years later she had a bad upper respiratory infection that was not treated. Within weeks she started developing symptoms that looked very similar to what I had seen with our son. One symptom they both had was hand movements. My daughter waved her fingers almost like playing the piano. My son flexed and straightened his fingers. My daughter's most intense symptom at first was eye rolling. I'm not a doctor, but I've done a lot of research on PANDAS and Rheumatic Fever. I strongly believe that there is an autoimmune aspect to the symptoms my kids have had. Both have had Tics and OCD symptems. My son has been on a low dose of Penicilin for several years. It took about a year and a half for his symptoms to resolve. Occasionally when he gets sick he has a minor "flare up" that does not last nearly as long and is not anywhere near as severe as the first episode. My daughter is 9 months out from her onset of PANDAS symptoms. They are much less frequent, and also less severe. She is taking Clonidine, which has helped. The drug is primarily used to lower blood pressure, but it's been found to reduce tics and hyperactivity. My children both have significant allergies. They are caused by an over-active response to allergens by the auto-immune system. My thought is that PANDAS works in much the same way. From my observation, I think that my son's flare ups have been triggered by subsequent bacterial infections, such as sinus infection, and also by viruses. My speculation is that once the body is primed for a PANDAS type response, it can be triggered by something other than the Strep/Scarlet Fever. The good news is that my son is almost 13 years old and his PANDAS symptoms are essentially gone. He does have the occasional flare up, but these are minor. Usually my husband does not even notice a flare up.  

[amyc13004]

I am just curious.  Is it possible for a child to have PANDAS for many years without a dignosis, therefor, never really getting better?  I have a son who was very ill as a child, well, the first 3 years of his life, he was in and out of the hospital for blood infections, and strep.  He had his tonsils took out when he was 4.  He has had scarlett fever 3-4 times.  Since he was 4 years old, he had behavior, major behavior problems which has resulted in diagnosis after dignosis.  He has been diagnosed with Tourrette's, depression, ADHD (of course), PTSD, and some attachment disorder (cannot remember what they called it).  He has been on all kinds of psychiatric meds. and nothing other than clonidine, which he is allergic to, helped.  He is now getting ready to turn 14, and this has all spiraled out of control.  It is like he is not in control of his own brain.  He claims he cannot control any of his behavior, whether it be tics, or being defiant, or aggressive, which he is majorly!  So, what i want to know, is it possible this could be my son's problem?  And why, after all these years is this not been noticed?  I just heard about it yesterday, and it has been on my mind since.  

[lollymom]

I have a son that is almost 10 years old.  He has all of the symptoms of PANDAS (OCD, tics, ADHD, mild tourettes).  He was sick all the time as a young child.  He has numerous food allergies and environmental allergies.  We have been treating him with numerous supplements and B12 shots.  We have tried some attention medicine but not found a good fit yet.  I have just found out about PANDAS and he seems to have all of the symptoms.  I am not sure what kind of doctor to see to help find a diagnosis for his condition.  My pediatrician is very good but has discouraged us from seeking diagnosis (labeling him) and treat him as well as we can.  He had a list of psychiatrists but didn't really have one that he really liked.  He has had most of these issues since he was 4.  The OCD, tics and tourettes symptoms really kicked at the start of 2nd grade.  He went through a very rough 2 month period but got better (not well).  He has struggled with eye blinking, mouth noises, putting his mouth on things, bad habits that come for a while and then change, putting his mouth on things, tapping and counting and other.  He is a sweet and smart kid but can not always show that.  He goes to a great school that has worked with him well - I am thankful for that.  Do you think the low dose antibiotics might help?  I live in the Portland Oregon area.  If you happen to live close, maybe you could recommend a psychiatrist or doctor.  I know that is very unlikely but just in case.