Don't know yet if it's PANDAS - I have questions!

[ChildoftheKing]

My 8 year old daughter has had tics since she was 4 - she stopped sucking her thumb and suddenly was a chronic sniffer. That went away, then she started clearing her throat constantly. This has gone on for the past 4 years, her tics changing but recently getting worse (opening her mouth over and over, puffing her cheeks, sqeaking noise, finger flicking, kicking her legs). She does not have any emotional/behavior changes, however, but her doctor found swollen lymph nodes throughout her body on her regular check up this week. He ordered a chest xray, urine culture and blood work. All came back normal. My question is, if it is PANDAS, what specific tests need to be ordered? He ordered a Anti-Streptolysin Screen, which came back negative. He did not do a throat swab. He knows of PANDAS, but I don't believe he knows much about it's diagnosis or treament. I think he will want to refer her to a pedatric neurologist, which I'm okay with but want someone who knows enough about PANDAS to either diagnose and treat her or totally rule it out. If anyone knows of any qualified docs in the Portland, OR area I would really appreciate it!

Thank you!

[EAMom]

Definitely, definitely, do a throat culture ASAP. Do a 72 hour culture if the rapid is negative. I would also recommend culturing all household contacts (kids and adults) to make sure there aren't any strep carriers in the family.

[colleenrn]

Hi. Agree with EaMom. Do 72 hour culture asap and culture family.

Colleen