Guest guest Posted June 6, 2010 Report Share Posted June 6, 2010 : I really do not know, but this is not typical behavior. I am curious whether your boy has been sick lately or had a sore throat? Fever? Sometimes anxiety can loom in the form of PANDAS. The term “Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal infectionsâ€, or PANDAS, was coined in the late 1990s by Swedo and colleagues of the National Institute of Mental Health. The term refers to a subgroup of childhood obsessive-compulsive and tic disorders triggered or exacerbated by group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus (GABHS) infection. GABHS is believed to elicit production of antibodies that cross-react with neural tissues and thereby provoke the neurobehavioral symptoms associated with PANDAS. Similar anti-GABHS antibodies have been found in a subset of persons with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) giving rise to concerns that other streptococcal organisms, may be capable of provoking an autoimmune response. > Symptoms associated with exacerbations of PANDAS-- > > emotional lability 66% > change in school performance 60% > personality change 54% > bedtime fears/rituals 50% > fidgetiness 50% > separation anxiety 46% > irritability 40% > tactile/sensory defensiveness 40% > impulsivity/ distractibility 38% > deterioration in handwriting 36% > oppositional/defiant 32% > deterioration in math skills 26% > nightmares 18% > Gut pathogens and especially severe clostridia invasions can also cause irritability and unhappiness, but not usually manifesting as anxiety like this. Sorry I can't think of anything else, unless he has picked up some new strong toxin or been injured by someone in some way. Let us know what happens with your DAN! Dr. JM Subject: Anxiety Attack.... To: csb-autism-rx Date: Sunday, June 6, 2010, 8:09 AM  Hello, I have never posted before, but have read and researched many topics via this group site, and the information I have gained has been amazing. Thank you. Our son turned 6 years old last week, and was diagnosed with autism at 3 years old. As of today, he has had what appears to be anxiety or panic attacks. Three have occurred today. They have literally come out of nowhere, and begin with him begging for help...and sobbing. His breathing increases, his heart is pounding, and he is literally hysterically crying. He recognizes who we are, and told me " its time to sleep " so I put him in my bed, and laid down with him (want mommy lay down!)....but not 5 mins later he said " I want to go home " ....I tried to explain that he IS HOME. Then he said " wanna go see Daddy " , so we went to see Daddy.....and he's always exhausted afterwards. This is the playback of the most recent episode. He is verbal, but not really conversational. I ask if he's hurting, he continues with crying, babble and TV talk.... As I recall, a month or so ago, he awoke in the night equally upset. I attributed that occurrence to be a night terror. However, this is occurring while he is playing outside, or engaged in other normal activities. He has a history of the partial seizures (staring, drop, etc) however, he hasn't had one in a year. He is clearly terrified and he's a child who has a high tolerance for pain, and rarely ever cries. So when he does, we take it seriously! I will certainly be on the phone with his DAN! Doctor first thing in the morning, but thought I might glean some insight from all of you about this. Is this typical for autism? Could this be an indication of a heavy metal toxicity, yeast overgrowth, or something else? Could this be a form of a different type of seizure? He's completed several rounds of DMSA chelation, and will begin another round, once his blood and urine test results arrive.... I appreciate any information or input so very much. I searched the site in an attempt to find the answers myself, but couldn't find the information specific to my situation. Thanks for your time, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 7, 2010 Report Share Posted June 7, 2010 Dr. McCandless: What is the best test to run to check for the PANDAS? Thank you, Betsy Black Pinehurst, NC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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