p.a.n.d.a. syndrome | ADHD Information

My SIL had her son evaluated for PANDAS a couple years ago. They live in another state from me, so I didn't get to see everything firsthand, but I'll tell you what I know. He had developed these strange movements that were repetitive, but didn't really look like tics. They looked like they could have been some type of seizure. So she had all kinds of specialists look at him. She even had a leading PANDAS expert evaluate him. Seizures were ruled out. According to SIL, strep exacerbated the movements. It so happened that when he didn't have strep, but his sister did (and she went through a period where she had it for almost 3 months straight), his strange movements would worsen. They never did get a PANDAS diagnosis, though. According to SIL, he still has the movements. I've not seen them, though. I believe where they stand now is that the movements are considered tics after all. He also has allergies and asthma, which he takes meds for, and ADHD symptoms(but not diagnosed). Well the whole thing does sound really confusing to me. I am not sure wheither or not I think this could be a possiblily. He has has strep alot but really not to much more then my other kids maybe 2 to 3 times in a winter. But he would get it for long periods and would have high fever. Looking back it did seem as if the ocd part has gotten worse over the last few years but I am not sure. Please keep me updated on any new findings.

[QUOTE=cutieheather24]Well the whole thing does sound really confusing to me. I am not sure wheither or not I think this could be a possiblily. He has has strep alot but really not to much more then my other kids maybe 2 to 3 times in a winter. But he would get it for long periods and would have high fever. Looking back it did seem as if the ocd part has gotten worse over the last few years but I am not sure. Please keep me updated on any new findings.[/QUOTE]

Did his symptoms improve though when the strep was gone? My impression from what I was reading is that the symptoms slowly get better and better when the strep is gone. Then it hits again and they get worse very quickly.

NO, they do not get better. I am just afraid that they are going to say its this and send him on his way like put him on antibotics and say thats all they can do for him. Its just really hard we have explored so much on him. I think they are really lost and have no other choice so they are thinking outside the box. Well if you figure anything else out let me know. ThanksAnyone ever heard of this before. The doctors just called me in and said they think this is what my son may have. I do not know to much about it and can not find much research.

I've heard of it. I don't know what it is though. It's not particularly a common dx. in the US. You can find out more about it on the Conduct Disorders board. Others know about it.

www.conductdisorders.com

I had never heard of this before, but from the sounds of it, there has to be a strong correlation between symptoms and having strep. Does your child have frequent strep infections that result in an increase of OCD or tic symptoms?

The diagnostic criteria seems fairly clear with this. This disorder doesn't seem to be so much just based on symptoms, as it is having symptoms WITH strep. Strep clears, symptoms improve, strep comes back, symptoms get dramatically worse.

Does any of that seem to fit? Do the symptoms come and go along with strep infection? If not, then I would question the doctors on why they think this is the problem.

Good luck!

You may also find info at the NORD (national organization of rare diseases) website..IMac38944.5305555556Thank You. I had been to that website and checked that out. They are thinking that my son has this but I am unsure. For all of you that have been on here for a while I am the mother of the son that the docters wanted me to consider sending my son to a long term facility because they were so confused. Well neuro psych now says he think he may have this. I do not know if anyone has had any experience with this first hand please let me know.

If strep really is a major component of this, I'd also do major allergy testing (if you haven't already). Both of my sons were classifed as strep "carriers", but once I took my ADD son off dairy, he didn't get strep any more, and neither did my other son (although I assume it still lives in both of them, it just doesn't rear it's ugly head because it was a general low resistance thing). Getting strep twice or 3 times in a winter is a lot, IMO.

Good luck figuring this all out.