What is P.A.N.D.A.S?

PANDAS, is an abbreviation for Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections. The term is used to describe a subset of children who have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and/or tic disorders such as Tourette's Syndrome, and in whom symptoms worsen following strep. Infections such as "Strep throat" and Scarlet Fever.

The children usually have dramatic, "overnight" onset of symptoms, including motor or vocal tics, obsessions, and/or compulsions. In addition to these symptoms, children may also become moody, irritable or show concerns about separating from parents or loved ones. This abrupt onset is generally preceded by a Strep. Throat infection.

In PANDAS, it is believed that something very similar to Sydenham's chorea occurs. One part of the brain that is affected in PANDAS is the Basal Ganglia, which is believed to be responsible for movement and behavior. Thus, the antibodies interact with the brain to cause tics and/or OCD, instead of Sydenham Chorea.

My name is Tobi Martin and this blog is about my beautiful son, Colin who was diagnosed with P.A.N.D.A.S in 2005

Colin is a very bright intelligent creative child who continues to amaze me on a daily basis. He is very smart and articulate. He is so full of energy but also very laid back and happy. Then in July of 2005 just days before his 6 th birthday Colin got strep throat. I took him to the Dr. and he was put on antibiotics. 10 days later my bright happy child woke up and suddenly life changed.

Colin was suddenly terrified, the air conditioner would turn on and he would be terrified that poison was coming up through the vents, he had to get dressed and then undressed 8 times, not 1 time like he would also do but 8 because anything less than 8 means he will die. He had to turn around three times because if he didn't he would die. I had to cook his food and place it on different plates and before he would eat it I had to taste it to prove it was not poison. He suddenly began have accidents and was not making it to the bathroom in time, he had to wash his hands constantly, he would grunt and say excuse me every couple of minutes and adjust his pants all the time. Colin was suddenly OCD, had extreme irrational fears, adhd, depressed and anxious.

In one day my son's world changed. In ONE day the happy little boy who loved to colour and sing and play was terrified of everything and could not control his impulses. What happened?

I was lucky because I happen to be a member of a site where I would meet the person who would answer that question for me. I was a member of an Infertility site because Colin was my miracle baby and so I posted on the parenting board of this site what was going on and another Mom posted back and said “your son has P.A.N.D.A.S”

“P.A.N.D.A.S What is that?” “How does a perfectly healthy child get this?”

She told me everything her son has and I thought she was just reading back to me what I wrote about my son. So I did my homework, I read articles and I was saddened that a lot of professionals still after 20 years plus still are undecided about if P.A.N.D.A.S is real?

I took my son to the Dr and she refused to test him for strep because he was “fine”. I took him again and again and again. Finally she told me to see a Psychiatrist and refused again to test him for Strep. During this time Colin's symptoms were getting worse and he was struggling to function in school and at home. The psychiatrist wanted to put him on lithium and anti-psychotic drugs. I said no, I just need him tested for Strep. I was told I was just a parent in denial but they didn't know my son and I knew it was P.A.N.D.A.S so I said no. So I found a new Dr. She just finished her internship and when I took my son to her she knew what P.A.N.D.A.S was and she listened. She tested him that day and within 2 minutes the strep test was positive. 5 MONTHS after the first strep, 5 months after begging Dr's to just test him please, he was positive. I was never so happy in my life to see a positive strep test. She placed him on a course of antibiotics and it was like watching a miracle. In 24 hours the extreme fears were gone, the need to turn around or get dressed and then undressed was gone, accidents were gone, and he was able to sleep. In 48 hours the only thing left was the verbal and motor tics and anxiety and ADHD and with the right course of medications the tics are gone and the anxiety and ADHD is managed.

People listened to me after that. The difference was night and day and there was no denying that he had strep. He went to a Neurologist they wanted to make sure his heart was OK because P.A.N.D.A.S will attack the heart and or Kidneys. His heart was fine.

With the diagnosis finally confirmed we now were on our way down the long road of medications, tests, trials and adjusting to the news because the little boy I knew for 5 years was now different and we both needed to understand learn who he was.

Return to:
[ P.A.N.D.A.S. Information ]

If interested in writing a blog
contact: blog@k12academics.com

*Disclaimer- The thoughts expressed do not necessarily reflect those of K12 Academics*

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------