ssri's any effect?

[thereishope]

Did you ever go back for a throat swab? Remind me, what blood tests were done and what antibiotics has your child recently been on (type, dose, and length)?

 

As a reminder to everyone, sometimes PANDAS kids find temp relief of their symptoms with Ibuprofen. It is not used as a diagnostic tool by doctors, but it is something to try, if they can take it.

 

 

 

 

I am also considering putting my dd on a low dose of Zoloft. Everyone in the area is saying it couldn't be PANDAS, and I don't have the funds to fly her to a doc who does! Truly, I wish I did, but a psychiatrist who treats kids w/PANDAS is saying she just doesn't fit the mold. She needs some relief from her symptoms, so I'm not sure what else to do.

[reneegavin]

Did you ever go back for a throat swab? Remind me, what blood tests were done and what antibiotics has your child recently been on (type, dose, and length)?

 

As a reminder to everyone, sometimes PANDAS kids find temp relief of their symptoms with Ibuprofen. It is not used as a diagnostic tool by doctors, but it is something to try, if they can take it.

 

 

 

 

I am also considering putting my dd on a low dose of Zoloft. Everyone in the area is saying it couldn't be PANDAS, and I don't have the funds to fly her to a doc who does! Truly, I wish I did, but a psychiatrist who treats kids w/PANDAS is saying she just doesn't fit the mold. She needs some relief from her symptoms, so I'm not sure what else to do.

I could not find a doc who would even consider antibiotics! The psychiatrist she saw said that she just didn't fit the PANDAS diagnosis. Do you just give the ibuprofen during a flare up?

[thereishope]

Let me try to explain Ibuprofen. It works for some kids, but not all. If Ibuprofen does not ease symptoms, it does NOT rule out PANDAS. However, if it does ease symptoms, that's a sign the something (like strep antibodies) may be causing inflammation on the basal ganglia. It's just a band aid. It may give some light into what the causee my be if it works, but it also does not replace the need for antibiotics.

 

For my son, during the beginning of a strep exacerbation, Ibuprofen did not work. However, when I revisted Ibuprofen during a viral flare it did work. So, if it doesn't work one time, don't rule out trying it again.

 

Did you ever go back for that throat swab for your child? if not, I still say take her in for one. If you have nurse visits w/o seeing a dr, you can just call and say you want a strep test. Some stores even have minute clinics. Some say their CVS has this and my Kroger now has one.

 

If you haven't done a throat swab, do it. Strep can also hide in other places like the vagina, anal strep, etc. It doesn't hurt to "inspect' those areas since if a child has issues they may be embarassed to tell you.

 

Also, make sure family members get tested for strep. Some PANDAS kids will react even to exposure only.

 

Don't feel like you hit a road block. It's just time for you to "play doctor" in trying to fgure out the puzzle and rule things out.

 

Forgive me, if you've done these things. Sometimes I can't keep everyone straight.

[MichaelTampa]

L's Mum,

 

I took liquid prozac as an adult for what was being looked at as depression/anxiety at the time. I have since been diagnosed with TS and then PANDAS. The prozac made me what I would call bipolar, with incredibly quick mood swings caused by the smallest thing, which much more time spent on the down side than the up side. The fact that it was liquid may have contributed to this, as it was probably assimilated very quickly rather than through time release. It also caused about 20 negative side effects, including headaches, and generally was a pretty negative experience. This was with as little as 5 milligrams per day, even splitting the dose into twice per day.

 

Michael

[Kayanne]

This is a good thread about alternatives to SSRI's:

 

http://www.latitudes.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=6566

 

I think a decision to use any medication/treatment is obviously predicated on the severity of the situation.

 

My husband has used SSRI's and evey time he asked if there was an alternative or supplement to take instead, he was always told no.

 

He has been having a hard time with a job change and longer commute. His reluctance to go back on an SSRI, caused me to search for alternatives.

 

I just think that it is good info to know, even if you decide to give the SSRI a try.

 

~Karen

[michele]

We do the social group with the psychologist and it has worked well. It is every other Sat for an hour. The Dr. groups the kids togeher by age and likeness. Most kids in my sons group are younger then 9 and mild on the spectrum. They have good verbal skills but poor communication skills if you will. They talk ablut issues that are relevant to these kids, bullying, not getting along with siblings or friends, sharing and taking turns. The Dr. Jay Berk travels the country discussing the importance of social skills to spectrum kids. I really like him. There is a paper we fill in every session. We rate him 1-10 and he rates himself as to how well he is doing. Then there is a space for concerns and things we'd like him to discuss. Finding the right Dr. is crucial. We have not been as lucky with an individual therapist for our family. I have been through 4 and had no success. I think one specialized in kids and OCD or ODD may be the key. I is hard to find on our insurance. http://www.jayberkphd.com/index.html

Without the medicines or when they run out of his system, my son starts saying bad things. Like he talks about privates or doing something inappropriate. He gets loud and makes noises. This is the tourettes. The meds seem to ease the tics. Because of the meds, Andrew can go to school and blend in and nobody would ever know he has he tics or anxiey or inappropriate behaviors. I have to beg the school to do the social skills or communication with him because they see no issues. I guess that is a blessing.

 

 

This is a good thread about alternatives to SSRI's:

 

http://www.latitudes.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=6566

 

I think a decision to use any medication/treatment is obviously predicated on the severity of the situation.

 

My husband has used SSRI's and evey time he asked if there was an alternative or supplement to take instead, he was always told no.

 

He has been having a hard time with a job change and longer commute. His reluctance to go back on an SSRI, caused me to search for alternatives.

 

I just think that it is good info to know, even if you decide to give the SSRI a try.

 

~Karen