OCDmom

Sorry it has taken me so long to get back. Our situation began in August after our daughter came down with Fifths Disease. She's always had high anxiety, but nothing unremarkable. Two weeks after contracting Fifths, she out of the blue began hand washing, then thoughts popped in her head and caused a verbal tic reaction, then tongue flicking in and out of her mouth. All these things came out of the blue. Her strep tider was normal, but her antibodies were very high... this being done in December, months after beginning the tics and OCD. Our doctor (psychiatrist) said that our local hospital (we're in an area with cutting edge hospitals) would entertain a plasma exchange only after SRI treatments have proven to fail - i.e. her antibodies are dying off adequately to stop the tics and obsessive compulsive tendencies. We began Prozac 2 weeks before Christmas. Our daughter reported feeling "a little better", but ended up being a placebo effect as her symptoms worsened. It hasn't helped that at that same time her brother came down with strep! So we've upped her dose and will do so again in two weeks if things don't improve. I feel lucky to have these doctors (one being a psychologist who will help her cope and manage her OCD once th meds are working). Thanks for your positive thoughts. What is your story around PANDA/PITANDS?

Thanks for your encouragement. I am learning more and more each day. According to the doctor, my daughter most likily be a PITANDS - as her Fifths Disease started this intense OCD stint. From the reserach on PANDAS and PITANDS, it is the strep antibody that is interfering in the basil ganglia. So, where do we go from here as her antibody is over 570 (normal is 0-170)? Our doctor is consulting the experts who are in the forefront of these two recently discovered disorders. I've read that plasma exchange is a possibility as well - to elliminate the antibodies... I really am not wanting the SSRI medications... I'll keep you updated and our doctors is waiting to hear back from a dozen or more calls out.

As I posted on the PANDA section, my daughter's pediatrician called today. The specific step test she ran on her blood came back very high for strep (anti dnase-b antibody). So my daughter's recent flare of OCD is due to PANDA. I am somewhat relieved to have a specific answer. The psychiatrist we went to last week was going to perscribe Prozac to us on Thursday - this may stop that. I am not sure of what happens next, but am glad to have a medical answer.....

Well, the doctor just called and the specific strep test she ran on my daughter last week (anti dnase-b anitbody) was off the chart. So my daughter's OCD is resulting from PANDA. I am not sure what happens from here, but I am overjoyed to have a specific answer. We were days away from Prozac being perscribed. Thought I'd share with you all - anyone knows what we are in store for next!!!

Thanks for your encouragement, Carolyn. I am a bit overwhelmed with all that I am reading in regards to diet. I have my first appointment with a pediatric psychiatrist today (just me w/o my daughter). I'll ask about all this and get her view. What is your take on the PANDA and PITANDS? The blood test was horrific. She has given blood before without issue - this time it took 3 of us to hold her down.... ugh.... I'll find out today the results.

I am new to this site, OCD and everything this entails. I could use some advice from those who have been there. History -- my 10 year old daughter began having anxiety induced headaches since first grade (waking her up at night). She always has jiggled her feet up and down upon sitting since she was old enough to sit in a high chair. Almost a year ago to the day, we notice a tic develop - uneven eye blinking, rolling her eyes. After consulting her neurologist, he sent her to a child psychologist to address her anxiety. That went well from January to July. At the end of July, she contracted Fifths Disease. Within 2-3 weeks, she became obsessive over germs, and developed hand washing rituals. Again, we addressed these in therapy. Her eye blinking stopped. Then about 4 weeks ago, she developed thoughts about Satan and began praying continually. Now, she has begun low muttering sounds. We are off to the medical doctor today to be tested for PITANDAS. She had step in first grade.... Anyone know of a correlation that takes that long? Or if Fifths and be a part of PITANDAS? This is the most helpless I've felt as a parent since she was born prematurely. Thanks for any advice you can give.

I am new to this site, OCD and everything this entails. I could use some advice from those who have been there. History -- my 10 year old daughter began having anxiety induced headaches since first grade (waking her up at night). She always has jiggled her feet up and down upon sitting since she was old enough to sit in a high chair. Almost a year ago to the day, we notice a tic develop - uneven eye blinking, rolling her eyes. After consulting her neurologist, he sent her to a child psychologist to address her anxiety. That went well from January to July. At the end of July, she contracted Fifths Disease. Within 2-3 weeks, she became obsessive over germs, and developed hand washing rituals. Again, we addressed these in therapy. Her eye blinking stopped. Then about 4 weeks ago, she developed thoughts about Satan and began praying continually. Now, she has begun low muttering sounds. We are off to the medical doctor today to be tested for PITANDAS. She had step in first grade.... Anyone know of a correlation that takes that long? Or if Fifths and be a part of PITANDAS? This is the most helpless I've felt as a parent since she was born prematurely. Thanks for any advice you can give.