What happens after Improvements on ABX

[Santi]

What happens after a child is treated with antibiotics successfully (behaviors improve, and ASO levels come down to normal). As I am understanding its not a cure (its like a treatment one would give for anxiety or adhd w/o serious side effects right?). Then when the strep returns the treatment starts all over again? Is this for life? Can it go away on its own in adulthood or sooner? Or is Ivig more promising (in some cases) for a cure? Is this what we have right now for treatment? Just trying to put all my facts to gether because I think we are definetely onto something with my son. Andrea

[EAMom]

What happens after a child is treated with antibiotics successfully (behaviors improve, and ASO levels come down to normal). As I am understanding its not a cure (its like a treatment one would give for anxiety or adhd w/o serious side effects right?). Then when the strep returns the treatment starts all over again? Is this for life? Can it go away on its own in adulthood or sooner? Or is Ivig more promising (in some cases) for a cure? Is this what we have right now for treatment? Just trying to put all my facts to gether because I think we are definetely onto something with my son. Andrea

 

A single course of antibiotics is not a cure for PANDAS (or it would be very unusual for that to happen). Another strep infection (or any other infection--virus or bacteria) will cause another exacerbation. Most of the kids in this forum find long term abs (to prevent fulture strep infections) helpful. Sometimes even that is not enough to control symptoms, so the next step is to consider IVIG, plasmapheresis, and/or a course of steroids. Some kids (not all) will "outgrow" PANDAS when they hit adulthood.

 

Very helpful...list of FAQ http://www.latitudes.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=6266 If you scroll down, there is a section on antibiotics. Many other topics are covered as well.

Edited March 19, 2010 by EAMom

[Santi]

What happens after a child is treated with antibiotics successfully (behaviors improve, and ASO levels come down to normal). As I am understanding its not a cure (its like a treatment one would give for anxiety or adhd w/o serious side effects right?). Then when the strep returns the treatment starts all over again? Is this for life? Can it go away on its own in adulthood or sooner? Or is Ivig more promising (in some cases) for a cure? Is this what we have right now for treatment? Just trying to put all my facts to gether because I think we are definetely onto something with my son. Andrea

 

A single course of antibiotics is not a cure for PANDAS (or it would be very unusual for that to happen). Another strep infection (or any other infection--virus or bacteria) will cause another exacerbation. Most of the kids in this forum find long term abs (to prevent fulture strep infections) helpful. Sometimes even that is not enough to control symptoms, so the next step is to consider IVIG, plasmapheresis, and/or a course of steroids. Some kids (not all) will "outgrow" PANDAS when they hit adulthood.

 

Very helpful...list of FAQ http://www.latitudes.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=6266 If you scroll down, there is a section on antibiotics. Many other topics are covered as well.

Thanks for posting this its very helpful! Andrea