Katy began experiencing PANDAS symptoms when she was 7 years old. Thanks to a school nurse, she was referred to a specialist who was able to get her the treatment she needed to start down the path to recovery. Today she is a recent high school graduate on the way to a bright future starting… Continue reading Katy’s PANDAS Journey
Category: Cat 1
We See You, Dad!
By: Stacie Manna The father’s role in a PANDAS Family is one that can make him feel alone and invisible, some days more than others. This Father’s Day, I am here to remind you, dads, how important you are. We see you, feel you, and have not forgotten about you. PANDAS is a family illness… Continue reading We See You, Dad!
PANDAS Treatment Options
Starting treatment for PANDAS early on is one of the most effective ways to manage symptoms and put the disease into remission. Below we outline some of the main PANDAS treatment options that are currently available. Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS) and Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS) occur after an infection,… Continue reading PANDAS Treatment Options
How to Get 504 Accommodations for Children With PANDAS
If your child’s PANDAS symptoms are impacting their ability to succeed in school, a 504 accommodations plan may help. We break down everything you need to know to set up accommodations with your child’s school. One of the chief challenges of PANDAS is how it affects children’s ability to manage during the school day. That… Continue reading How to Get 504 Accommodations for Children With PANDAS
Kai and Brielle’s Story: How a Family Coped With Nearly a Decade of PANDAS
Micaela Widman’s children Kai and Brielle both suffered for years from undiagnosed autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Learn how they finally received life changing diagnoses and treatment. Micaela Widman and her husband Jerad live in Overland Park, Kansas. They have six children: Kai (22), Jace (20), Kale (18), Sterling (16), Brielle (14), and Brenna (10). From 2011 to… Continue reading Kai and Brielle’s Story: How a Family Coped With Nearly a Decade of PANDAS
Families With PANDAS: 5 Ways to Cope and Practice Self-Care
Dealing with PANDAS affects the whole family. Focusing on mental health and wellness for caregivers, parents and siblings may not be easy. But it is a necessary step to overcoming the long-term effects of this disease. A child experiencing PANDAS may feel confused, overwhelmed and scared. We certainly want to support our children through these… Continue reading Families With PANDAS: 5 Ways to Cope and Practice Self-Care
Is PANDAS Hereditary or Genetic?
Research and studies show a strong link between PANDAS/PANS and genetic or hereditary factors. While researchers haven’t found any one specific gene directly linked to the diseases, there are several family factors that may provide insight into an affected child’s symptoms and reactions. PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated with Streptococcal infections) and PANS (Pediatric… Continue reading Is PANDAS Hereditary or Genetic?
A Mother’s Thoughts
By Stacie Manna “PANDAS mom” is a title I would not wish on anyone. PANDAS, standing for Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections, is a disorder estimated to affect 1 in 200 children. It is common for a child to go to sleep one night and wake up the next day as if… Continue reading A Mother’s Thoughts
A Father’s Thoughts
The entire family system is affected by PANDAS. I have identified some of the key issues and symptoms from the histories provided by the parents, as well as, from those that my wife and I observed with our own child, son – age 8. First, the affect of these behaviors exhibited by our children shows… Continue reading A Father’s Thoughts
Amanda’s PANDAS Journey: From Misdiagnosis to Recovery
Amanda was diagnosed with PANDAS when she was 14 after six months of seeing multiple specialists who either misdiagnosed her or dismissed her symptoms. Her symptoms largely resolved when she was a junior in high school. She is now in her early 20’s, a junior in college on the pre-med track interested in pediatric primary… Continue reading Amanda’s PANDAS Journey: From Misdiagnosis to Recovery