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What could make middle school even worse for a 12-year-old girl? How about suddenly becoming afflicted with a case of unstoppable sneezing?After getting over a cold last month, seventh-grader Lauren Johnson started sneezing about eight times a minute, and she has continued to do so pretty much nonstop. The only time she gets any relief from sneezing is during REM sleep (which doesn't really count as relief, since she's sleeping through it). Doctors think it might be intractable psychogenic sneezing, a very rare disorder with fewer than 40 documented cases in the world with no surefire method of treatment.
Although life probably sucks more for Lauren than the average middle school student, there's still a bright side -- at least she isn't constantly on the brink of orgasm, laughing uncontrollably like a madwoman, or plagued with Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome. Those almost make constant sneezing seem charming.
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Tuesday 17 November
By anonymous
This story has the signs of PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal infections) or its PITANDS variant (triggered by microbs other than strep) that invariably manifests in the symptoms of tics, OCD, among a range of other physical/behavioral problems.
With the media attention on the issue, hopefully this can bring awareness to many parents whose children are afflicted with similar symptoms. Above all, hopefully this would help to educate and change the hearts and minds of those in the medical profession who still have doubts about this delibitating condition.
Suggest to take a throat culture for sign of active strep (throat culture is more accurate than the rapid strep test) . Also a blood work to test for recent strep infection (ASO titer) if no active strep is present.
Once an infection is confirmed, consult with Dr. for immediate antibiotic treatment, the soon the better. Residual and lingering symptoms need to be consulted with behavioral therapists, immunologists/infectious disease, neurologist, and pediatrician.
Government site on PANDAS
http://intramural.nimh.nih.gov/pdn/web.htm
Forum discussion on PANDAS
http://www.latitudes.org/forums/index.php?showforum=17
Grass roots website from parents of PANDAS children
http://www.pandasnetwork.org/
Chicago based clinic with extensive experience on treating PANDAS. Also a wealth of information.
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