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Good news,he is sick!My ds is almost nine and your typical ill-adjusted Aspergers kid. He hasbig problems with anxiety and very poor social skills but he has never had any obvious stims. That changed this week. For the last week he has been stimming like crazy, lots of sterotyped movements,obsesssive retracing of steps and complaining about intrusive thoughts. We had an emergency IEP meeting because of his increase in outbursts and aggression and they asked us to sign consent for restraints (have not yet-might not -different topic). I took him back to the doc third time this week and they could not find anything other than the the tics and ocd and took another strep test just out of desperation - he had no sore throat,no redness, no swollen glands, no fever, no pain.... But he has strep. I was/am so relieved - it had felt like he was slipping through my fingers. I do hope that the ocd symptoms will go away with antibiotics and I clearly will bring up Pandas to the doc on our next appointment monday. Anyway -apparently kids on the spectrum, even verbal kids with a low pain tolerance, can show no symptoms of strep other than dramatic behavioral changes. I knew that in theory but seeing it in real life was a different experience entirely.Wiow, thank goodness they did the test! Can you imagine what might have gone on if you didn't know. I'm glad you found out... and I never thought I would say this but I am so happy your son is sick!  Boy, do I understand where you are coming from!! I am having the EXACT same problem this week. DS is stimming like crazy and almost never does. I was just (like 2 hours ago) discussing with his home therapist. I told her I really think he is sick again. My problem is the Pediatrician thinks I'm crazy, does not want to give strep test.My son had Scarlett Fever (with no fever - we found out from rash that developed) almost 2 years ago. He then developed PANDAS. Dx PANDAS by DAN dr. Other doctors "don't believe in it" (here we go again). All I know is he NEVER gets fevers, or even "don't feel well type symptoms" (he's non-verbal so its impossible to tell if he's sick). BUT, since the Scarlett Fever/PANDAS, it seems he stims his head off and then is sick. Now that I read your post - I'm bringing him to Dr. tomorrow and INSISTING on strep test if I have to do it myself! I know it in my gut/feel it in my heart and I'm sick of them telling me I'm just an overprotective mom - kids with autism stim, etc. I don't want it progressing to Scarlett Fever again - it could be dangerous. If only DAN Dr. was also a regular pediactrician. Sorry for the vent - but I do know how you feel. I am curious as to what YOUR Pediatrician says about PANDAS - can you write back and let us know? Glad you found out! My dd had Scarlet Fever at the end of the school year last year and had NO fever..eating doritos..but extremely whiney. I took her in for the rash thinking of an allergy. Unbelievable pain threshold! I had strep throat and couldnt swallow my own spit. Hope your son gets back to himself quickly and heals fast! LOTS of TLC!! Micki - that's amazing he was so symptomless. I'm glad you got to the bottom of it. What a scary experience. Casey107 - Maybe a place like Minute Clinic would be more willing to do a strep test for safety sake than your regular physician. Ferbiepom - Here's a little explanation of PANDAS for those who are wondering: From http://intramural.nimh.nih.gov/pdn/web.htm: "PANDAS, is an abbreviation for Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections. [...] The children usually have dramatic, "overnight" onset of symptoms, including motor or vocal tics, obsessions, and/or compulsions. In addition to these symptoms, children may also become moody, irritable or show concerns about separating from parents or loved ones. This abrupt onset is generally preceeded by a Strep. throat infection." I can add that isn't in the diagnostic manuals yet, so if a doctor was willing to diagnose it, they couldn't code it for insurance purposes etc. At this point it is just considered a "hypothesis". (Remember: there has also been a hypothesis that autism is an auto-immune disease, a hypothesis that first turned up in the 1950s and there's still no proof). Here's my collection of PANDAS resources for those who want to learn more. http://www.autism-pdd.net/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=24581&am p;KW=pandas+resources
My friends daughter as a carrier for strep and would have no symptoms, but everyone in the family kept getting sick. She had the infection in her body, but somehow had no symptoms. She had to have her tonsils out and be on antibiotics for a long time. It is weird how these things can affect our kids. Whew! Thank goodness he was sick! Hope by now he is feeling better! |
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