Pacifier.........yup........age 8......

[marylandmom]

dd8, diagnosed PANDAS this past fall, still has a pacifier. Yes, I know, I know, we are terrible parents........call the cops......

 

Does anyone have any advice on how to get rid of this darn thing? It has just always been the ONE thing that calmed her down. No doubt this is a sensory soothing thing for her. And that has provided A LOT of sanity in our household. Thus far we are not at any major orthodontic issues with it but I am sure that will change if this continues.

 

We are day 11 post T&A so I have seen it a lot lately and I am just sick of it.

 

Any advice?

[Priscilla]

funny you post this, it has reminded me of a liking I took to pacifiers in the 4th grade, not sure why, but I did have one for a little while, then it passed. I wouldn't too fear too much that it will last forever. Does she do it only when others are not around? would she use it in front of her friends?

[PhillyPA]

I would not worry about this at all. Just tell you daughter that it is only for the house.

 

There are bigger things to worry about than a silly pacifier. Big deal. Let her get herself off of it when she is ready.

 

People who have rules for pacifiers, bottles, sippy cups, etc. don't have enough problems in their lives.

[thereishope]

There is probably so much surrounding that pacifier...more than you think. Not only is it something she's a attached to since she was a baby but it may have now morphed into a OCD thing and, like you said sensory. As for the attachment as a result of having it since she was a baby, my SIL cut off the suckie part, took her child to Build A Bear and put the pacifier in the bear so her child could always have the paci with them. As for the OCD and sensory part, it may not be the time to try to overcome it. You may have to wean her off of it or start with trying to replace it with something else. I think you'll have to try to talk to her about it to get a feel of what's going on....is it attachment, OCD, sensory and then go from there.

[Bio and adopt]

My advice would be let her have it at home. My 20 YO PANDAS daughter had a pacifier until 2.5 years no big deal right? But now I have a 20YO who sucks her thumb all the time. When we took pacifier away she began sucking her thumb and never stopped(we tried everything). It is definitely a coping mechanism for her and she says "She feels sick to her stomach if she cant suck her thumb." If I had only not taken her pacifier away.

To make matters worse she holds a piece of an old rubber doll up to her nose while She sucks her thumb. The doll is no longer a doll it is just a leg, an arm or split open mid section. She prefers the leg but any part will do if the leg cant be found. DISGUSTING! Luckily she only does this around family.

 

Otherwise she is a normal, successful, independent adult. Just an adult who sucks her thumb and hold onto rubber baby parts.

 

So, a pacifier is no big deal You can take a pacifier away, but I cant figure out a way to take my daughters thumb away. LOL1

[Familyof5]

My advice would be let her have it at home. My 20 YO PANDAS daughter had a pacifier until 2.5 years no big deal right? But now I have a 20YO who sucks her thumb all the time. When we took pacifier away she began sucking her thumb and never stopped(we tried everything). It is definitely a coping mechanism for her and she says "She feels sick to her stomach if she cant suck her thumb." If I had only not taken her pacifier away.

To make matters worse she holds a piece of an old rubber doll up to her nose while She sucks her thumb. The doll is no longer a doll it is just a leg, an arm or split open mid section. She prefers the leg but any part will do if the leg cant be found. DISGUSTING! Luckily she only does this around family.

 

Otherwise she is a normal, successful, independent adult. Just an adult who sucks her thumb and hold onto rubber baby parts.

 

So, a pacifier is no big deal You can take a pacifier away, but I cant figure out a way to take my daughters thumb away. LOL1

 

 

My six year old sucks her thumb and "sniffs" the tag on a blanket she has had since she was an infant. That is so eerily similar to what you describe with your 20 year old. I do notice when my daughter's symptoms flare she wants it all the time, will bring it to the dinner table, in the car, on the couch, just walking around the house. But if not waxing then she barely remembers it exists. BIZARRE.

[dut]

Sorry I can't offer any advice just my experience. I had a pacifier until I was 5 ish. When it was taken away, I started to suck my thumb and was sucking uintil about 35 years old when I was started on thyroid replacment meds for low thyroid. I couldn't get to sleep at night unless I sucked and at times of stress or fatigue it was a huge comfort and would instantly transport me to a place of peace! I sort of miss it in fact. I still find myself sucking out of habit sometimes but it doesn't seem to hold the same power to calm me. My front teeth did suffer somewhat, I do have an overbite.

 

It never felt compulsive but I guess it must have been. I also used to be an avid nail biter (in same category as trichotillamania and skin picking, I've been told). The biting and urge to bite also stopped when the thryoid meds started. I know that thyroid problems can cause OCD, so maybe it is an OCD thing but I wouldn't worry about it too much, you've got bigger fish to fry. Perhaps limit it to certain times if you feel the teeth are suffereing.. I just know I got immense peace from sucking and I was only experiencing normal/average levels of stress. I imagine a PANDAS child, with all that they have to deal with, might find it very soothing.. good luck..

[thenmama]

xx

Edited March 26, 2013 by thenmama