just wanted to say hi

[Guest ronna scott]

Hi there! I am just trying to see if my post works?

Ronna

[Chemar]

Hi Ronna

 

Nice to see you here where things are a LOT more peaceful and focussed than in some other places!

[Guest ronna]

Thanks Chemar!

I think you are a kindered spirit! You and your struggle with your son are very inspirational to me. I look forward to corresponding with everyone and I hope I can contribute in a positive and helpful way.

All the best!

Ronna

[Claire]

Hi Ronnas!

 

It is nice to see you there! It is quieter there in terms of the number of people discussing, but if you look at the number of views, it is quite high, so I feel like lots of people are interested in/benefitting from the conversations, even if they don't join in. Never any debates there either--since the board is composed of people actively looking for alternative methods.

 

Are you the one with PANDAS expertise? If so, someone on Latitudes is asking, but that part of the board gets very little activity--maybe you could post one of your links? Poor woman, her daughter is getting the strep reaction right now.

 

http://www.latitudes.org/forums/index.php?...st=0entry1307

 

It breaks my heart re the lack of awareness of Pediatrician on PANDAS.

[Guest Guest]

Ronnas and Chemar

 

What is the difference between sore throat and strep throat? Strep throat may induce tics but are the tendencies the same with regard to Sore throat too? Strep throat generally is accompanied with fever , right??

I just read the link

http://neuro-mancer.mgh.harvard.edu/ubb/Fo...TML/005611.html and hence this doubt.

thanks in advance for your clarifications.

[Chemar]

Hi

 

As I have never had to deal with either strep throat or PANDAS in my TS son, I am truly ignorant from a personal standpoint on this.

 

Just do remember that PANDAS related tics do NOT necessarily have to be related to the strep virus that causes strep throat...there are other strep viruses that can be involved, and also other viruses unrelated to strep that may also be implicated.

 

The only way to truly distinguish between a strep throat and a regular sore throat is by a swab test done at the doctor's office.

The only way to identify the PANDAS associated strep etc viruses is by blood culture done at a lab.

 

 

It is however, my experience and that of many others, that an increase in tics is FREQUENTLY associated with any and all kinds of illness, infection etc.

 

So even a regular sore throat with no strep or fever etc CAN cause a dramatic increase in tics until the illness is over (and sometimes even lingering a while after health returns)

 

This is one of the good things re supplements and healthy diet in that I have found it has strengthened my son's immune system so that he is less susceptible to the various illnesses that always seems to be doing the rounds at schools.

[Guest ronna]

Hi all!

 

I am so wiped out from our family (and me) having the flu that I havn't had the opportunity to post as much as I usually do.

 

Jeepers, I just don't know where to start when talking about strep. I mean serioiusly I could go on forever!

 

People with strep throat infections have a red and painful sore throat with white patches on their tonsils (you don't necessarily need to see white patches, though). A person may also have swollen lymph nodes in the neck, run a fever, and have a headache. nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain can occur but are more common in children than in adults.

 

Once people become infected, they pass the infection to others for up to 2 to 3 weeks if they don't have symptoms. After 24 hours of antibiotic treatment, a person will not longer spread the bacteria to others.

 

 

For more information about strep:

 

http://www.niaid.nih.gov/factsheets/strep.htm

 

I will say that the throat swab will not always pick up a strep throat. The procedure for the swab is to do a "vigorous" swab of the back of the throat and oropharnyx and we all know that many docs will just do a quick in and out. I know it is uncomfortable but I always tell the doctor to do a very thorough swab.

 

When we realized our son was a PANDAS kid we had the whole family swabbed and to our amazement everyone came back negative except my one year old daughter who only had a bit of a runny nose.

 

Another time my younger son (not my PANDAS child) had ALL of the symptoms of strep throat but his swab came back negative. He was having some mild PANDAS symtoms which also disappeared with antibiotics. I watch my younger son very closely for strep throat and have him treated immediately if I suspect it.

 

As well I should say that my son with PANDAS (Kurt) never had any classic strep throat infections rather we suspect he had a chronic sinus infections instead. I have heard many other parents describe their PANDAS child as having chronic sinus infections as well.

 

All I can say is that if you think your child's tics, OCD etc appear in relation to a recent upper respiratory infection it is good to do a trial of antibiotics to see if the tics, OCD etc improve.

 

It is true that many children with PANDAS (and I think with TS in general) will have a worsening of symptoms with all viruses and illnesses. I have read that once the immune system is primed to overreact it will. For example, my son had a complete relapse of his tics, OCD etc with the chicken pox last January.

 

 

Hope this helps!

Ronna

[Chemar]

Hi Ronna

 

I do hope that you are taking care of yourself!

So often when the whole family is ill, mom cares for everyone else tirelessly, but neglects herself...!!

 

Hopefully the nasty bug will depart from your home soon and you will all be immune to any more onslaughts.

 

I am copying and pasting your comments above to a new thread as I feel many people looking for the info wouldnt necessarily find it here.

Hope you dont mind.

 

Love and prayers for a speecy return to health

Cheri