Is this PANDAS or Tourette's or other?

[ANRmom]

Hi all,

 

I need your input to figure out if my son has PANDAS or Tourettes or tics or other? (I posted this on the PANDAS/PITANDs forum as well)

 

My DS 5y9mo was diagnosed with strep throat (via throat culture) and scarlet fever on 6.26.2011. He was put on a 10 day course of Amoxicillin. His strep and fever symptoms improved, but when I took him back for a followup visit on the 11th day, his strep test was still positive. So he was put on Keflex for 10 days. After that his strep test rapid and culture were negative on 7/16/2011. Somewhere along the way he started doing this vocal/coughing tic that was completely new. He has had tics in the past: eye blinking started when he was 2.5 yo; throat clearing started when he was 5 yo. This boy has been sick a lot in his childhood. Chronic ear infections (almost always treated with ABx), upper respiratory illnesses, constant congestion, etc. His eye blink tics very often coincided with him falling sick with something. In fact over the years, if he started blinking, my husband and I would remark to each other that "looks like he is fighting something". Usually his tics would last 2-3 weeks, at the most 4 weeks and then gradually disappear. This time, this new tic is still going strong. In fact it has gotten worse over the past 1.5 - 2 months. I have taken him back to get strep tests done and they have been negative (rapid and strep) on 8/15/2011 and 8/18/2011. Also, since last week, his muscles and body have been twitching and jerking in his sleep, thus not sleeping well either (he was never a good sleeper, but that could all be related to having chronic URI and otitis, too; also he grinds his teeth a lot at night). He is also more hyper and moodier than normal, high maintenance and can be difficult to manage at times. His sense of smell is also quite heightened and has a good ear for music. His writing is nothing to write home about. I am guessing this is all related.

 

My husband googled strep and tics and found that this could be PANDAS. We are to see Dr. Latimer next tuesday, but just wanted to throw this profile out to you guys and see what you all think. His pediatrician has refused to put him on another round of ABx because of the negative strep tests and is not completely on board about the PANDAS diagnosis.

 

Please, I would love to hear your views and experiences relating to these symptoms. Please advise.

 

thanks

ANRmom

[Ozimum]

Hi,

 

The history of ear infections rings PANDAS bells for me...and that the symptoms come and go and appear to be linked with an infection. My DS has PANDAS. Good luck with your appointment on Tuesday. Sounds like you're on the right track.