friend323

Is chlorine a trigger for OCD/Pandas....or is that something that more common with tourette's? My friend's son has Pandas/OCD and is preparing to leave for summer camp, is chlorine something that my be a problematic for him?

As far as I know he is on zithromax and zoloft, though it is possible that they may have moved on to other things. I know they took him to see his pediatrician, and a neurologist at NYU. He had a series of blood tests that concluded it was PANDAS. Once they received the diagnosis, they went around and met with several different neurologists and cognitive behavioral therapists and then settled on the two that they felt the most comfortable with.

Thank you both for the information and the subsequent warning. I will pass both along to my friend. I really appreciate the advice and information.

Thanks so much for the suggestion, I will definitely pass that along. Anything that might help is worth exploring. I have another question. My friend's son doesn't have Tourettes, dealing with Pandas/OCD. Do you or anyone else know if chlorine might cause an increase in symptoms dealing with that? I know he is still planning on attending summer camp and didnt' know if that is something I should pass along to watch out for. Thanks for your kind words, but I assure you that I am no greater friend to her than she has always been to me.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to contain the angry and frustrated outbursts that occur as a result of the Pandas/OCD? My friend's 9 year old son was diagnosed with PANDAS/OCD a few months ago and he is really struggling with anger and frustration. He is usually such a sweet, sensitive kid but is now prone to such explosive outbursts: hitting, cursing, screaming, crying. He is seeing a neurologist and the family is working with a qualified CBT but I thought that maybe you guys might have some advice from 'the trenches'. I am so limited on how to try to help my friend, so any advice you can offer would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

sorry to hear that you and your family are going through this. you might want to re-post this question in the Tourettes section of this board, that's where most of the activity is, and there are many PANDAS moms exchanging info there. Good luck

Thank you for the advice. I've been doing a lot of online reading and passing on some of the things I've come across to my friend. I am just trying to walk the tightrope a little bit, I don't want to inundate her with too much, and yet I don't want to leave her to being the left alone with this. The book I found, Freeing Your Child From Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, was really so enlightening about the condition and filled with strategies for dealing with the rituals and behaviors that result. Once I finished reading it I gave it to her, and she so far she seems to be finding it useful I've also passed along some things I've found on this message board too. I gave her the link to the board, but I don't know if she's checked it out yet. They have been basically making the rounds "interviewing" doctors to find the neurologist that seems to be the best fit for them. I think they are close to choosing one, and then will be repeating the process to find the right CBT. I know that my friend will do whatever is necessary and best for her son and that she will not stop until she gets him the very best care. I'm just really worried about the strain, emotional overload and toll this process is taking, and will continue to take, from her. She's not someone that is 'easy' to help, so I kind of feel like I'm doing a delicate dance here. I'm very concerned and want to know what's happening, but don't want to push her to talk about it when she isn't up to it. I kind of feel like respecting her normal boundaries and the way she usually handles things might not be the right way to go here though, because this is a tough battle, and one that may require 'long haul' fortitude. I'm just trying to take it slow, learn as much as I can, and figure it out as I go. I really appreciate the advice from all of you. And trust me, I am no better friend to her than she has always been to me. I will keep a good thought for all of you and your families in your own battles with this insidious disorder.

Thanks, I appreciate the advice. I've done a lot of reading up on it and I found a very helpful book written as a guide for parents that working through the virtual ###### that is childhood OCD, which was very enlightening. I'd just like to do whatever I can to help her stay strong for her son.

A close friend's son was recently diagnosed with Pandas, and while he has not been diagnosed with Tourettes I was advised to post my question in this forum as many of you are also dealing with Pandas. From conversations I've had with her, I can see here that many of you are experiencing the same difficulties and challenges in dealing with this. My question is what do YOU as the primary caregiver need, in terms of support, to get through this? I realize everyone is different, but was hoping to get some insight on what might be the best way to help offset the obvious stress and difficulties my friend is encountering. I want to be there for her, but am really not sure how I can best help. Any advice greatly appreciated.

Thanks for the suggestion, I will definitely do that.

A close friend's son was recently diagnosed with Pandas. From conversations I've had with her, I can see here that many of you are experiencing the same difficulties and challenges in dealing with this. My question is what do YOU as the primary caregiver need, in terms of support, to get through this? I realize everyone is different, but was hoping to get some insight on what might be the best way to help offset the obvious stress and difficulties my friend is encountering. Any advice greatly appreciated.