Hello,
Here is our story. Our daughter is now 9. About a year ago she started two tics. One is a low moan and one is a nose crinkle. They were very mild and not very often. We would notice them maybe once a week or so. No one outside of our family ever even noticed.
However, last week, she literally woke up one day with two brand new tics. An eye opening one where she opens here eyes super wide and holds them open for a few seconds, and another where she abruptly turns her head to one side, looks up and then rolls her eyes. These tics are very often. She does them many times per minute at times. And other people have noticed right away.
She hasn't had strep that I've noticed recently. However, she did have a rough time around a year ago where she had strep about 4 or 5 times within a four month span, and one time she had it, and then finished the antibiotics and a few days it came back. I also noticed in the fall November and December that her tonsils seemed really big to me and she had a few episodes of choking. When she went for her checkup in January though, I mentioned the tonsils, but by then her tonsils seemed to be smaller, and the doctor didn't think anything of it.
My husband took her to the doctor today about the tics as I am travelling and the doctor didn't think it was PANDAS, but likely related to stress, but is referring us to a pediatric neurologist. However... in Canada... who knows how long that will take.
The sudden, dramatic change in tics really makes me think it is PANDAS, as opposed to stress or tourettes or something. And I am worried that if we wait too long without treatment she will just get worse.
What should be our next steps?
Should I push for some tests? What tests?