However, what happens when you are the parent of a child who is suffering from PANDAS/PANS? Where do you go? What tests do you request? Unfortunately, you will become your child’s advocate and you may need to direct his or her treatment.
The first stop is your pediatrician and request a blood test looking for strep as well as the ASO titer. Then, find a PANDAS/PANS expert in your area who will prescribe antibiotics and help you manage the symptoms.
It’s also unfortunate that often times, your medical doctor will direct you to a psychologist or psychiatrist. Within our practice, we are all too aware of PANDAS/PANS or other underlying physiological reasons for a child’s behavior, such as hypo or hyper thyroids, diabetes, or Celiac’s to name a few.
Scary Mama shared this blog that clearly describes a mother’s experience and observations of her child’s behavior that just didn’t make sense, and we are passing it on. The more awareness we have, the better.