PANDAS/PANS A Controversial Diagnosis

I had tested my daughter for strep, mycoplasma antibodies, and anti-strep DNA to rule out the presence of an infection at the base of the brain. These infections are believed to cause the acute behavioral changes across multiple neuropsychiatric domains. My daughter's test results showed high levels of mycoplasma. Treatment is tricky since the diagnosis is somewhat controversial, and many pediatricians aren't familiar with it. They will routinely suggest psychotropic medication to treat the presenting psychiatric issues. However, this approach does not treat the infection-it just treats the secondary characteristics.

Under the care of both a homeopathic pediatric neurologist, and a pediatrician (one of the few), I incorporated a treatment consisting of antibiotics, fish oil, and probiotics for mood. Cognitive behavioral therapy is also recommended, although I did not go that route.

• probiotics
• Fish Oil
• Antibiotics

The change seemed to happen over night. My typically cheerful, outgoing, and dynamic child was plagued with fear, panic, anxiety, aggression, and OCD behaviors. She was a completely different child. After trying several different parenting techniques to help her to return back to herself, I knew that I needed professional help. I just didn't' know where to turn. Finally, I called a friend who was a pediatric homeopathic neurologist to explain the sudden changes in my daughter. "Do not talk to me until you test her for strep and mycoplasma antibodies, anti-strep DNA, and do the mycoplasma antibody panel." I followed through with the recommendation, and the results came back positive for high levels of mycoplasma.

My daughter had PANS which presents as a high level of mycoplasma (or PANDAS-usually associated with high levels of strep antibodies). According to the Pandas network website, PANS/PANDAS can be defined as the sudden, acute onset in multiple neuropsychiatric domains. The trigger is derived from a misdirected autoimmune response to streptococcus, or other bacterial, viral, environmental, or immune dysfunction. The suggested treatment is a course of antibiotics and cognitive behavioral therapy. Treatment can be tricky since the diagnosis is still somewhat controversial, and many pediatricians do not know much about it. Most pediatricians suggest seeing a psychiatrist to prescribe anti-anxiety medication. However, that approach does not take the root of the problem into consideration. The cause of the problem is an inflammation of the part of the brain that affects behavior. It's important to find the right specialist. Currently, we are under the care of both a neurologist, and one of the few pediatricians who happens to specialize in the treatment of this disorder.

After incorporating a treatment consisting of antibiotics, fish oil, and probiotics for mood, I saw my daughter return to herself. I still continue to monitor her strep and mycoplasma levels, but I am happy to say that I have begun to see the light at the end of the tunnel, and I have my daughter back.

~Super Mom