PANDAS: A link between strep throat and OCD
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Biology 202
2003 First Web Paper
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PANDAS: A link between strep throat and OCD
Cordelia Stearns
Can an ordinary streptococcal infection (strep throat) lead to obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)? In a small subgroup of children, a seemingly normal bacterial strep infection can turn into a severe neuropsychiatric disorder. The disorder affecting this group is known as PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal infections), and was identified by Dr. Susan Swedo just twelve years ago (1). Though research on PANDAS is still very much a work in progress, it has already generated excitement that this disorder may lead to answers about the cause and nature of OCD (2). Similarities and differences between PANDAS patients and the majority of OCD patients, experimental treatments for PANDAS infections, and comorbidity of PANDAS with a variety of other psychiatric and neurological disorders are slowly leading to an understanding of exactly what OCD does to the brain (3).
It is not the streptococci themselves that cause OCD symptoms. Rather, strep infections seem to cause the body's immune system to build up antibodies that, for an unknown reason, begin to attack the basal ganglia in rare cases (1). The link between streptococcal infections and neurological disorders has been known about for half of a century. Rheumatic fever was identified in the 1950s as being an autoimmune disorder correlated with strep; Sydenham chorea, a disorder of the central nervous system involving hyperactivity, loss of motor control, and occasionally psychosis, was recognized as another strep-linked disorder that could be a symptom of Rheumatic fever or could stand on its own. PANDAS seems to be a milder form of Sydenham chorea (4).
Dr. Swedo observed, tested, and interviewed fifty children with a sudden onset of OCD or tic disorders who had recently (within the past several months) been diagnosed with a group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal (GABHS) infection. These children tested negative for Sydenham chorea. Swedo discovered that the children had episodic patterns of OCD and tic symptoms. She tested the presence of antistreptococcal antibodies in their blood and found that symptom exacerbations were twice as likely to occur with the presence of antistreptococcal antibodies (1). Brain imaging studies found that the caudate nucleus, frequently linked with OCD, became inflamed in PANDAS patients when antibody presence was high (2).
OCD symptoms are generally very similar between children with PANDAS and other OCD patients (5). However, the onset of symptoms can be quite different. While OCD is usually first identified in adolescence, PANDAS patients are always prepubescent. This is likely to be because of the rarity of GABHS infections in teens and adults. Also, though OCD usually manifests itself gradually, in PANDAS patients it can set in overnight. Swedo and colleagues report frequently seeing children whose parents could recall the day their child became obsessive-compulsive (2). Though it is not known why, PANDAS patients overwhelmingly obsess about urination, which is not an especially dominant obsession in other OCD cases (5). The episodic pattern of symptoms is unique to PANDAS patients. While other OCD patients can go through periods where symptoms are slightly more or less exacerbated, PANDAS patients often experience complete disappearance of symptoms between episodes (1). It is unknown whether a genetic marker on B cells of the immune system known as D8/17 is specific to PANDAS patients, or common in all OCD patients (6). The structure and function of this marker is currently being identified, and may provide some clues about the heredity of PANDAS or OCD in general (2).
Thus far, studies in which penicillin was given to PANDAS infected children as a preventative measure against strep and OCD have been inconclusive (3). However, many PANDAS patients have shown significant reduction of OCD symptoms when given plasmaphoresis, a type of plasma transfusion, to remove the antibodies (2). Current studies are further investigating prophylactic antibiotics, plasma exchange, and steroids as possible treatments to go along with SSRIs in treating both PANDAS and ordinary OCD.
As in
most cases of OCD, other neuropsychiatric disorders are often present
in PANDAS patients. Swedo and colleagues found that 40% of PANDAS
patients suffered from ADHD, 42% from affective disorders, and 32% from
anxiety disorders (1).
There are several points of interest in discussing the comorbidity of
these illnesses with PANDAS. It was found that non-OCD psychiatric
symptoms in most cases followed the same cycles as OCD symptoms, and
set in suddenly when antibody levels were high (1).
This brings up the question of whether any additional psychiatric
disorders can be triggered by strep throat or other bacterial
infections. Though there is no evidence to date linking post-strep
autoimmune dysfunction with any illnesses other than tic disorders,
OCD, and possibly late-onset ADHD, researchers are looking into
possible ties with disorders like autism, anorexia, and depression (2).
The comorbidity statistics also suggest that particular areas of the
brain which we know are involved in other psychiatric disorders are
attacked by the post-strep antibodies, and could help lead to
identifying the exact cells or proteins that are targeted.
Interestingly, the putamen and globus pallidus, neighbors of the
caudate nucleus, are linked to tic disorders and hyperactivity (2). This could explain the frequency of occurrence of these symptoms alongside OCD in PANDAS.
The frequency of PANDAS in the general population is unknown, but it is definitely a rare disorder. By contrast, OCD is present in one to two percent of the population (7). This may make PANDAS research appear useless in relation to research on "normal" OCD. On the contrary, the small size of the subgroup of PANDAS sufferers and the link to a disease as widely studied as strep throat could provide the key to discovering the cause of OCD and identifying exactly what genes and brain structures are involved (2). For example, if the nature of the antibody attack on the basal ganglia in PANDAS were identified, researchers could possibly target similar degradation in the basal ganglia of other OCD patients and potentially begin to look at ways to prevent this degradation. Also, research and public knowledge about PANDAS might make more people aware of the medical aspects and biological causes of mental illnesses. Perhaps this would lessen societal discrimination against the mentally ill and lead more people to understand why pharmaceuticals are often helpful or necessary in treating mental illnesses (7).
There is strong evidence of a link between streptococcal infections and obsessive-compulsive disorder in some children. Though it is not known exactly how the immune system turns against itself and causes behavioral symptoms, there is hope within the scientific community that answering questions about PANDAS will in turn lead to answers about OCD and mental illness in general. This disorder provides evidence for medical models of psychiatric illnesses, and for the idea that the brain = behavior. It is amazing and frightening that an illness that seems like a mere nuisance can lead to a severe behavioral change almost overnight. However, research and possible treatments appear promising, and this tiny disorder may contribute more to the body of neuropsychiatric knowledge than any other illness in the past.
References
1) American Journal of Psychiatry Website, First Susan Swedo article about PANDAS, defines symptoms and criteria
2) The Scientist Website , Harvey Black article discussing research and several points of view on PANDAS
3) Science Direct Website , Pilot study on use of prophylactic penicillin in treating PANDAS
4) Medscape Website, Register for Medscape, then go to Richard Barthel article "Pandas in Children - Current Approaches", overview of knowledge on PANDAS
5) JAMA Website , Joan Stephenson article discussing antibiotic treatment
6) Psychiatric News Website , Article discussing biological marker associated with OCD
7) University of Florida News , Current research being done on PANDAS and OCD
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01/18/2006, from a Reader on the Web MY PATIENT AND I THANK YOU FOR A VERY HELPFUL PAPER. DR. VTS |
Additional comments made prior to 2007
I found all this very interesting. I am 24 years old, and at the age of
17 I was labled with OCD. As a child I had Strep Throat all the time. I
would get at least twice a year. Often it was so awful I would end up
in the hospital. When I came across this study, I was amazed! ...
Melissia Eachus, 22 April 2006
My daughter Sacha, aged 6, developed OCD related symptons around the age of 4, two weeks after a strep throat infection. The symptons were brief and melted away over a period of 4 weeks. She had a second strep throat approx. 3 months ago which, unfortunately, was not attended to quickly enough, developing a rash over her body. No evidence of Scarlet Fever. Check for Rheumatic Fever was requested as she complained of sore knees, (negative). Since then she had three more suspected strep throats back to back (no cultures taken). She now has suddenly developed severe symptons of Tourettes. Awaiting diagnosis from specialists ... Belinda Allen, 26 July 2006
My son's doctor just told me about this correlation between strep and OCD today. We have started on an antibiotic to see if it relieves some of the symptoms. This was a great, easy to understand article. Thank you ... Robin Maupin, 25 October 2006
I read your article on PANDAS, after researching OCD. I was researching OCD because I beleive I have OCD. Even though I have not been clinically diagnosed, I am 100% sure i do. I have every symptom that is listed. Anyway, I had read a small paragraph that strep throat at a young age could lead to OCD. I was repeatedly infected with strep throat, when I was younger. Almost every year consecutively for a long time. This all seems to make sense now. I beleive that I got OCD from strep throat. One reason is because of getting strep throat every year, and now I [know] I have OCD. But another is because since I was younger I would have different episodes of having to say something over and over again, to feel right. And this wasnt present until I was say, 8-10 years of age. And everytime, I would have an episode, then be free of symptoms for a stretch of time, and feel normal. Then something else would takeover. Now I need this constant reassurance on one paticular issue. The funny thing is, is that I was free of symptoms for 6 months, and it has resurfaced in the past 3. There has been speculation that many people with OCD are unaccounted for clinically, I believe this to be true with PANDAS as well. While it is rare that the brain would have an autoimmune response because of this infection, I dont think it is too unlikely, especially after repeated exposure. Most people with OCD keep it to them themselves. And I think its because they know its obsurd, their actions and thoughts I mean. But they just cant help it. To feel right, they must have this reassurance with things. To constantly go over something, no matter how many other times they have thought about it, and have settled it in their mind. And even though people with OCD know that what they are feeling is because of a disorder, it doesnt matter. It doesnt help. Right now I take 5 htp supplements, I have read many studies that these help OCD and other related mental illnesses, by increasing the amount of serotonin. Also psilocybin has been succesfully used to treat OCD, which also by a twist of fate has to do with serotonin, specifically 5ht b and c, I beleive [could be wrong]. Anyway, thank you for your time. Your articles are greatly appreciated ... Conor, 11 April 2007
I am interested in learning more about P.A.N.D.A.S. (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal infections; specifically, whether there are any reports of this syndrome progressing into adulthood, as well as any current treatment recommendations and any specific bio markers. As far as I understand, the link is made presumptively based on history combined with the presence of immunologic markers for strep (which are very common). My questions are: Are you aware of any tests that are highly specific for PANDAS and if so, what are they? Are you aware of any reporta of adult cases (unreckognized in childhood, but diagnosed in adulthood as ongoing/chronic PANDAS)? What are the current treatment recommendations for this condition in adults? Thank you very much for any help that you are able to offer ... Bryan Conkling, 15 November 2007
My 17 year old son seemed to develop OCD out of the blue and it is now progressed very rapidly. He is currently awaiting bloodwork and evaluation for PANDAS. This paper was very helpful and informative. Thank you ... Lisa, 29 November 2007
pandas
My son, who is now 9, developed PANDAS at age 7. As stated in the article, he was perfectly fine and then suddenly, out of the blue, began washing his hands incessantly. He was afraid to swallow his saliva and would spit it out. This lasted for about 4 weeks. I immediately researched this and discovered PANDAS,which I had not heard of before. My son had two bouts of Strep that year prior to the symptoms. I took him to his pediatrician who thought it might be PANDAS. He received antibiotics for the strep. Since that time, he is generally symptom free. He had one break out of OCD behaviors about 3 months ago. He received anti-biotics for 7 days and symptoms diminished. Yesterday my son got sick again. Vomiting and then fever. He just woke up in the middle of the night and expressed irrational fears. He also claimed to hear people whispering. I am very concerned that this may be the beginning of another round or symptoms being expressed. I'm also concerned because as someone else mentioned, people often conceal their irrational thoughts, so I don't know if he is experiencing more symptoms than he is revealing to me. I'll take him to the pediatrician in the morning, but they often don't know how to treat this. I would appreciate any thoughts or feedback.
PANDAS
My daughter at the age of 6 (2002) had a severe OCD episode out of the blue. Her behavior changed overnight and we were devastated. She had strep throat at the time. Luckily our doctor said to us "it might be the strep". One of our relatives googled "strep and ocd" and we found the info on Pandas. We were shocked to learn of this disease. We contacted doctors all over the country including the CDC to find out that there was really not much known about Pandas. In fact it seemed many doctors did not believe the link between strep and OCD existed. I'm here to tell you it does. We got some national attention for this as we were invited to appear on the Jane Pauly Show in NYC to tell our story. We gladly accepted the invite as we felt it was necessary to get the word out to others about Pandas. We were also featured on Good Morning America and in a New York Times magazine article.
My daughter has been taking an antibiotic since 2002 as a preventative measure. I am uncertain and concerned as to the long term effects of the antibiotic but feel it is necessary to prevent a recurrance.
My daughter is a happy normal 6th grader with no sign of the ocd that gripped her so severley.
If you have a child that exhibits a rapid onset of OCD have them checked for strep antibodies in the blood and seek out a doctor that has some knowledge of Pandas.
PANDAS
My daughter, now 10, was diagosed with PANDAS at age 5 after repeated strep infections and a sudden and severe onset of OCD/bizarre behaviors. We had her tonsils and aednoids removed about 2 yrs later, and for the last 1 1/2, she has been amazingly well. Just two weeks ago, I saw the behaviors begin, and she was diagnosed with strep this week. It came out in another part of her body, not her throat. I have been reading about dental work triggering this, and was wondering if anyone else has read about this. Kayley had dental work done right before her strep infection (she needed crowns due to a bacterial meningitis infection at 10 weeks old that eliminated her enamel). Has anyone heard about this or read anything? Kayley will need alot of dental work due to this enamel problem, and now I am concerned.
A relative of mine whom I am
A relative of mine whom I am very close to and who is also a student in my class is 4 years old and has recently changed his behavior dramatically, prior to Christmas he was very sweet, he would get along well with other children, write his name, participate in activities and be very helpful. He has had strep throat three times since Christmas and now he gets very angry, has uncontrollable crying and is distant. He can no longer sit still in his chair or write his name or color or anything. He doesn't play with the other children and will get obsessed with a toy or object such as keys and will not do anything else. He yells out random things and growls. I don't know what happened to him and had never heard of PANDAS before but we want to do something to get him back before it is too late. Any help would be greatly appreciated. This is so heartbreaking.
pandas
I am free to talk to anyone about pandas. My son is 11 and was diagnosed 8 months ago. It has been horrible!! Contact me anytime
pandas
I have two sons with pandas. Both started with symptoms at age 10. It has also been horrible, especially with the second one being diagnosed. Both boys ages now of 15 and 13 still have problems.
PANDAS
I need guidance. . .last year my son, now age 7, had strep 9 times. Despite my questioning the Doctors, and the research I did regarding his ADHD and tic disorders, I never heard of PANDAS. I just received a call from his Dr confirming he has strep again, but he has absolutely no symptoms. the test was done as a routine check at the E.N.T
is it possible that this disorder has caused my sons Tic disorder? Could it have been prevented by removing his tonsils last year? is the damage permanent? should I remove his tonsils? And lastly, what kind of doctor should we be seing about this? we have a neurologist, E.N.T, and a regular pediatrician.
thank you!!!
anne
PANDAS and OCD
I have a 15 year old son with OCD. We, too, have been plagued with Strep. It has been suggested that my son, daughter, and I are strep carriers. If someone in your family is a carrier, that might explain the frequency of the infections. My children have tested positive for strep with no symptoms. I have mentioned PANDAS to two of my son's previous psychologists both had no knowledge of it. Our current psychologist is the first person I've met who has lent any credence to the PANDAS theory, siting that one of her patients was cured from it. She says there is a practitioner is here in town and hopefully today she will have more information about that. In the mean time, I believe that having the tonsils removed may be the answer for us. Everyone I know who has had them removed has never had another strep infection. I have long considered having mine removed though for someone my age it would be a difficult recovery.
questions
Hi, my daughter is nine and on 7/3/08 she has been dx with possible pandas, like you, no signs of strep, no sore throat no fever, playing, eating, acting normal. she started a tic with jerking of the head around 1130 7/2/08. she went from totaly fine to on three medications in one day. have you recieved any answers to your questions?? if so could you please write back and let me know what they are because they are the same questions i have. will the tics stop after the antibiotic are completed, are will she have to remain on her medications? thank you.
Daughter with sudden onset of OCD and anxiety
Hi! I am hoping this could be the explanation of why my fourth daughter at the age of 5 suddenly became obssessed with her stomach hurting or feeling funny and became anxiety ridden. I can name the time of day this happened as we were on a family trip and she just all of a sudden started crying that her stomach hurt and she did not want to be touched. She would not even let us touch the hotel bed she was laying on. Her pediatrician thought she might have a strept infection in her intestines due to her complaining. But nothing was ever really done at that point. She was put on antibiotics and we just dealt with the ocd and anxiety as a separate issue. We have watched her over the years gain weight to a healthy level and then the obsessing comes back and she drops the weight again and can't function normally. We were a family that was plague with strept all the time. She is now almost fifteen and we will think we have this thing kicked and then out of nowhere it will come back with a vengenence. She has currently had to withdraw from High School and has lost fifteen pounds and was under weight already. We have tried medicine which helps but never makes her better completely. We have also tried natural supplements too. I have noticed that everytime it comes on, her glands in her neck area are very swollen. She has had strept infections and has had mono twice over the years. If anyone can tell me what to do to determine if pandas is what we are dealing with and what kind of testing needs to be done, I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks you for writing this article so the normal parent can understand pandas and be able to help their child. It is hard to watch a beautiful teenager be a prisoner to this health issue and miss out on so many good years.
panda's
I have an 18 year old who has regressed in age but we are not sure why...could he be a candidate for PANDAS or is he too young?
Sincerely,
Ellyn
PANDAS
I have 2 children with OCD symptoms that come and go. I notice that whenever they get any virus the OCD symptoms and tics seem to increase dramatically. It doesn't have to be strep. Has anyone else had any of these experiences?
Nancy
PANDAS and OCD
I have a 15 year old son with OCD. Finally, our third psychologist has put credence to the PANDAS theory siting that one of her patients was cured from OCD by way of PANDAS. My son, daughter, and I are strep carriers. If there is a strep carrier in your family that might explain the frequency of infections. I am seriously considering having my kid's and my tonsils removed. My thoughts are that if we remove the tonsils, we remove the strep and hopefully the OCD with it.
PANDAS, OCD, ADHD
My son has been having PANDAS episodes for five years off and on from exposure to strep and after he had immunizations. He gets tics, obsessions, compulsions, attention issues, emotional liability, and fears. His fine and gross motor skills are delayed. We are in occupational therapy for hndwriting and body strengthing. We are currently treating him with daily antibiotic therapy Omnicef, and Abilify for the emotional mood swings. This is helping him. He has not gotten an episode in several months. His tics are much improved as is his attention and emotional behavior issues. He still is scared of things and gets stuck on ideas but he is easier to get over things that don't go his way. I think he is on the road to recovery. It has taken alot of Dr's and time but he is slowly improving. Has anyone found a permanant cure? What is it? I wonder if he will need these medicines forever? He is only six. I wonder what his long term prognosis will be? How will these meds affect him in the long run?
PANDAS AND TIC/TREMORS/OCD
I'm a single mom of 2 and my youngest, who is nine years old has had PANDAS since last fall, and it has been a nightmare for all of us. My daughter had a sore throat last fall, and when I called her pediatrician, the nurses refused to have her tested for strep. It turns out she did have a strep infection. Within weeks, my previously healthy daughter was displaying signs of OCD, tics, tremors, and seizures. Emergency room docs declined to help, because she was not a trauma case. Her pediatrician was clueless, so I insisted that she be referred to a pediatric neurologist at Hershey Medical Center. The first neurologist, some old dinosaur who was weeks from retiring, accused me of poisoning my daughter, then accused my daughter of faking her symptoms. After he retired, another neurologist at the same practice dragged his feet. I found out more info on her illness via the WEb than I did from him. All of her ASO titers since November came back positive for strep, but the docs refused to give her antibiotics, claiming they were false positives.
In January, she had to be hospitalized due to the seizures, and she was finally given an antibiotic. Her condition did show improvement, but she kept having reoccurrences of strep plus a UTI (urinary tract infection). Again, she received antibiotics, and she improved and was virtually symptom free for about 6-7 weeks.
A few weeks ago, she had a nasty stomach virus, and now the seizures/tics/tremors are back with a vengeance. Her neurologist, pediatrician, and psychologist are all playing pass the buck, and now I'm looking for a pediatric neuropsychiatrist that believes that PANDAS exists, and is willing to help my daughter. I live in Pennsylvania, but I'm willing to travel to Hell itself if it means getting help for my child. If anyone out there knows of a physician who specializes in PANDAS, please let me know. Thank you.
Hi....I also live in
Hi....I also live in Pennsylvania and am dealing with PANDAS in my two boys. What part of PA do you live in?
Pandas
Hi,
I just started with an MD on Long Island (he may have an office in NYC also) Dr. Chris Calapai for my son who is 6 with extreme anxiety and fears almost OCD. I am just figuring this Pandas thing out. Anyway he treats homeopathically and we just started on the treatment. If you want I can let you know how it is going. He made the strep connection not his pediatrician. Very frustrating. My name is Sue. If you email me back I can let you know how it is going. Sue
Pandas
Hi Sue,
I read your email & I live in Long Island and have been for two years trying to figure out what is going on with my now 6 year old son. I would like to know what your son is being treated with. My son was diagnoised with ADHD & OCD and we just started treating him with meds about 3 months ago. I am still so nervous that I'm not doing the right thing. Last year when we went to the neurologist he had blood work done and his ASO titers were 478. No body was concerned and said that he was a carrier for strep throat. I had done my own research and found PANDAS and my son showed all of the signs but the doctors didn't know about this and said this was not it. We did not use medication for the ADHD & OCD because I just felt he was to young. Until, three months ago when the symtoms got worse & i can never figure out why some weeks are great and others are just so bad. He was unable to focus at school and I just felt maybe we should try the medications. So that is what I did. He started having headaches and frequent urination. I couldn't believe how much he kept going and he said he kept feeling like he had to go. I took him to the peditrican to make sure he didn't have an infection and also mentioned the headaches. She said no infections and to mention to the neurologist about the headaches. Anyway, I went back to the neurologist to go over how the last three months were on the medications and we did see a change but not a huge one. The anxiety was a little better but still had weird behaviors. She did some bloodwork and I told her about PANDAS again and she said we would retest the ASO Titers. Well, I received a phone call yesterday that the ASO Titers were now at 1178. I'm not sure what to do. They do not know anything about PANDAS and I feel that this is what my son has and I'm not sure if I'm giving him the right medications. He has not been on any antibodotic and should he be? I've been struggling with this for two years and it is very frustrating. I would love to try a new approach and I saw that you lived in Long Island and knew of a doctor. I also live in LI. If you have any advise, I would love to hear it. Thanks for listening.
Cheryl
my daughter
My daughter has had ocd since she was 6 years old,we went for counselling and meds,in about a year all better no more meds nor counselling.This last march she came down with strep.....all went haywire...total obsessing over her toys could not play,crying ....a nightmare to say the least i never dreamed of this happening,back on meds,geodon,fluxotine,working so so some meds.really causing total backfire.now i wonder has anybody gone through this??? how long does it take to recover its been almost 3 months now?? or is this the way it will be?? God i hope she will recover,thanks for all replies.
My 9 yr old daughter
I am a pediatric RN, I work with kids premautre babies all day long, I have been thrown a curve ball on 7/2/08 about 1130 p.m. my daughter and I was about to go to bed, she started shaking her head several times and I told her to stop so I could fall asleep, several min. went by and she cont. to do this I told her to stop again and she yelled at me "I CANT", I started watching her with out her knowing it and realized she was not doing this on her own. I started talkin to her and having her go to her room to get a book thinking if I got her mind off of it that it would stop, but it did not. this lasted for about 45 min. I had her do some breathing tech. and she fell asleep, I thought it was over. She awoke on 7/3/08 and she told me she felt better and I went to work. I called several times that morning and she said she was okay, but by the afternoon, she was calling me saying she could not get her head to stop shaking and all she wanted to do was play! I felt like my world was coming to an end, as a nurse all kinds of stuff runs through your head about what it could be and of course its always the worst stuff! She was able to see her peds in the afternoon and after all the assessments they finaly tested her for strep, it came back positive! The peds consulted with the neuro. and my daughter was given an antibiotics, Clonidine, and Diazepam. within 12 hours of starting the medications I have seen a huge change in her tic, less movement and she is resting. Does anyone have any advise for me, I realy just want to know if the tics will stop once we clear up the strep. I cant believe that one min. she was fine and the next min. she was not!!!!
My 11yo son
Just like the previous posts- I too believe in PANDAS as a valid clinical diagnosis- I am a pediatric nurse practitioner and my son changed overnight the night of june 27th 2008. He had never had any issues with OCD or any psychiatric diagnosis-- he awoke at his friends house , vomited and called us- stayed the night but the next day came home vomited and c/o a sore throat. His brand new obsessions have been chemical related thus making medication administration impossible-- he also fears contaminants like soap or toothpaste ( not easy to live with) this has been the worst month of our lives-
We can't get a strep culture or blood to test( too traumatic) causes full blown panic-
I need to find a neurologist in the boston area ( or anywhere in the northeast) -- Has anyone found an immunologist with experience in this area??
Please help
PANDAS
We're in your area. My daughter has full blown case of PANDAS. Trying to get help through Children's Hospital in Boston. Feel free to email me and I'll let you know what I know.
Delaney
she prob has Pandas. Get
she prob has Pandas. Get her Titters checked to confirm.
Will it go away
My son was 6 when he had a series of strep infections. OCD symptoms did not start until 3-4 months after the last infection. The OCD comes and goes seemingly depending on stress levels. (We've dealt with this with therapy.) Last year he was doing well and then he woke up one morning with sudden fears again and so had him tested and put on antibiotics. (He had no active case of strep.) He did better after the antibiotics and his titer level went down which seemed to prove that he has Pandas. He hasn't had an active case of strep in 2.5 years. My question is will the OCD go away?
I have to say, it is about
I have to say, it is about time that the public is being made aware of this. I am 24 years of age. I went and tested for this disorder when I 13, about 11 years ago. I was also diagnosed with "trich" at the age of 11.
I had and still do suffer from Strep Throat atleast 2 times a year, and I can tell you that I notice the difference in my behaviors. The key is start the antibiotics right away, DO NOT WAIT! Also, I take them longer than the amount of time required to sure the strep throat so that I can be sure.
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