The immune system normally can distinguish between the
body’s own cells and foreign cells, such as strep or other infections. When these
foreign cells are recognized, the immune system attacks them. But sometimes the
immune system makes a mistake and attacks the body’s own cells or tissues
instead (U.S. Department of Health, 2007).
We do not know exactly what infection Adam had because there
are not tests for those things (besides strep, and his initial tests didn’t show
strep but we are waiting for more tests to come back which will show if he’s
had it in the last several months). It looks like whatever infection he had
targeted his brain. While that sounds terrible, the good news is that the
neurologist said that when this happens, no brain cells are damaged. The
communication in the brain gets mixed up, which causes the tics and
obsessive-compulsive behaviors.
A friend sent an email from one of her friends in Texas that
has been through something similar. We spoke on the phone today, and she gave
me some things to check in to. While the neurologist said that antibiotics
wouldn’t help, this parent said that was their answer…and it took them years to
find that out. The wonderful pediatrician we’ve been working with gave me her
cell phone number and we’ve communicated via text today. I am leaving now to
pick up the antibiotic she called in for Adam.
He has been calmer today, but has had lots of tics all day long. Yesterday he was extremely hyperactive and not himself at all. We are praying this will all be over soon, and our sweet boy will be back to himself.
I will keep you posted. Thank all of you for your love and
concern, and thank you, Kristi Dina for
sending that email.
Resources:
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2007). Understanding
the immune system: How it works. Brochure retrieved January 11, 2013 from http://www.niaid.nih.gov/topics/immunesystem/documents/theimmunesystem.pdf
8 comments :
I am continuing to pray for your sweet boy!
Hope the antibiotics help. Continuing with prayers.
Continued prayers and I hope the antibiotics are the answer.
It's been just about a year since my son's tics started. His was pretty prominant for a long time. One day a lady in Walmart walked up to me asked me what was wrong with him. It made me mad at the time, but I laugh now. He's had one tic or another for most of the past year. He's had vocal tics and motor tics. We haven't noticed any in the last couple of months, so we're thinking they are gone for now. In the reading I've done, they can come and go as quick as that. I had tics as a kid (still do), and tics are shown to be genetic many times. My older brother had tics as a kid too. He was also diagnosed with ADHD, and they are commonly linked. But even if that's not the case, tics are very common in kids in general. I'm glad it sounds like it's nothing serious, and hopefully they will go away soon, whether from the antibiotic or on their own. Best wishes.
Still praying for you guys!!! I hope the antibiotics are the answer! Hugs mama!!!
I am hopeful, too! :)
Hang in there! :)
Praying Adam is doing better. Keep us posted!
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