Some Suffer From More Serious Type Of Strep Throat Reaction

Soccer is more than a game for Gabriel Shuck.

His parents said that the fact that he is playing is a sign of recovery.

"He's focusing much better in school," said his mother, Andrea Shuck.  "All the dark thoughts are gone."

The dark thoughts started after Gabriel had a tonsillectomy, 10TV's Tracy Townsend reported.

According to Andrea Shuck, her son suddenly lost the ability to sit still or concentrate and had obsessive thoughts.  Lab tests would lead a doctor to diagnose Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated With Streptococcal Infection, or PANDAS.

The body's immune cells attack a part of the brain instead of the strep.

Researchers say children who are genetically predisposed to obsessive compulsive disorder or tics are most at risk.

"He literally woke up one morning (and I thought) this isn't my child," Andrea Shuck said.  "The fears -- just the dark thoughts, just his inability -- it was kind of like he was crawling out of his own skin."

Integrative pediatrician Allen Lewis tested and diagnosed Gabriel with PANDAS.  The child improved with antibiotics, Townsend reported.

"We're debulking the infection, so by giving the antibiotic, we're trying to get rid of the bacteria and get the strep out of the system so the immune system doesn't see it so it calms down," Lewis said.

Lewis often prescribes steroids too.   He said that it is important to examine a PANDAS patient's body chemistry; to look for nutrition deficiencies, food allergies or anything else that triggers the immune system and supplement them, especially when patients are taking antibiotics or steroids.

"Steroids have a lot of side effects, so I use curcumin products," Lewis said.  "That's an extract of turmeric.  It's called Enhanza and I use it to help calm down the immune system."

Immune supporting supplements and antibiotics have made the difference for Gabe, Townsend reported.  His parents had concerns about the constant antibiotic use but have not seen any side effect.

"Right now he's focusing much better in school," Andrea Shuck said.  "All the dark thoughts are gone.  He's pleasant.  He's happy which is the most important thing to us.  He's just Gabe again."

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