How long should child be on antibiotic?

[StillHopeful]

Hi -

 

I am looking for some advice for my DS11. He has what I would call mild/moderate PANS or PANDAS. I I have a call in to the dr but want to ask for a longer duration of amox. Any advice? Also, what natural and safe thing can I give him to boost his immune system and reduce inflammationon. Thank you very much.

Edited October 21, 2012 by Ngold24

[LindaMW]

I have been wondering the same thing for my son also. He has been on Keflex since March 15th, 2012 and just last week we saw that the rages and anxiety have come way down. He has not been in school for the last two months and decided last week he wanted to go back. Today is his thrid day back and he said it has been fine.

 

The OCD syptoms are still been there. We see the pedi that has him on the Keflex this Thursday. I was wondering if he will continue him on it or what. I still want him checked for Lyme. We found a tick on him the end of last year, so it is not unlikely.

 

Does this confirm that he has PANDAS/PANS or what? And if the antibiotics are helping what have they done for everyone else. Like Ngold24 said, that after so many days the symptoms came back.

 

Ngold24, how long was your son on antibiotics before you saw a change?

 

Thanks,

Linda

[StillHopeful]

Hi Linda --

 

I saw some very minor changes in the first 3-4 doses. There was a slight improvement in his mood and he was a little more cooperative. I was looking for it. It was not obvious. After about a week I saw an improvement in the ticking and OCD. I think I got a quick response because I got him on the antibiotics right away, as soon as I saw the OCD, moodiness and anxiety. He never stopped ticking though. I am wondering if he had continued on the amox, would he have continued to improve? Right now he is sleeping a lot and is very cranky and says I am making him tic.

 

I am glad things are improving for your son and I hope he continues to do well.

 

Just curious, was your son able to do school work at home or was it too difficult for him?

 

Thanks and good luck!

[LindaMW]

He has fought me with doing the school work. We would do a little at a time and he would have to rest or sleep. His concentration was horrible. Then last week he worked with the tutor and did fine and the next day he went back to school. I don't understand. Is this the antibiotics really working? I am afraid to think it is because I don't want to be let down. We have been living with this for five months now, but the school refusal and rages have been since the end of January.

 

Have you seen any problems with his writing? I am now keeping track once a week. I have him write some stuff and comparing it to the last couple of months. His writing looked like a preschooler, not a third grader.

 

 

Thanks

Good luck to you also.

 

Linda

[nicklemama]

I think this question varies w/ the child and/or the physician. For reference, my DS8 has been on antibiotics continuosly since diagnosis in Oct 2010. That is nearly 18 months now.

[StillHopeful]

My boys' handwriting changes when they are not well. It is absolutely a symptom of PANDAS. Here is the link:

 

My link

 

In addition, when things get too complicated like in math, the younger one (6th grad/11 yrs old) can not deal at all. He skips homework and everything becomes "too hard". Since he is only in 6th grade and normally is very diligent I do not make a big deal out of it. He is in honors math this year. Not sure if he will be in it next year. It is very stressful.

 

I think you may be seeing the result of the antibiotics. Also, the tutor may be helping him with his stress level and confidence. For my child, stress is a major trigger,especially school work. I got him a 504 plan and asked that he have text books at home and he gets 1 extra day to do his homework for every day he is absent. This has really helped him feel calmer about his work load.

 

The school behavior specialist told me to try to get him to school whenever possible even if it is only for 1 period so that he doesn't become a school refusal case. I bribe and motivate as best as I can. I pick him up early or drive him to school.

 

Nicklemama -- Just wondering what antibiotic your child is on and what the dosage is? Thanks!

[nicklemama]

He is currently on a prophylactic dose of 250mg augmentin sid. When he has a flair, he takes 500mgs bid.