Homeopathy for PANDAS and PANS

Homeopathy for PANDAS and PANS

I have been working with children and teens with PANS / PANDAS for several years. I always use a combination of healthy diet (as much as possible with these highly food-averse kids), anti-microbial herbal regimes, special testing, and specific nutrient supplements to keep flares under control and get kids back to their usual selves.

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So...what about homeopathic remedies for PANDAS and PANS?
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I see many different conditions in my practice. I work with children with everything from allergies to OCD. And while I don’t use homeopathy with every child I work with, I would estimate that I use it for 85-90% of my PANS / PANDAS kids. Why? Because I have seen it make huge changes in these kids' health and behavior time and time again.

How Do You Pick a Remedy?

There are thousands of homeopathic remedies. Each has a unique quality and function. In order to have success with a homeopathic remedy, the qualities of the remedy have to match the unique expression of symptoms in each child. Learning to identify these thousands of homeopathic remedies, how to dose them, when to repeat them, and when to change remedies takes many years of study, either through a homeopathic college or via special medical training.

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Examples of Remedies

While there are thousands of homeopathic remedies to choose from, there are a handful that come up more frequently than any others with kids that have PANS and PANDAS. Here are a few of the remedies I use most frequently in my practice. Please note: these are just brief overviews of remedies and only offered as examples, rather than suggestions for your child! 

Arsenicum album: for kids that are very anxious and particular, often with some OCD  symptoms (fear of contamination being especially common). They can also have major separation anxiety and want to either be with a parent or sibling at all times , or at least know exactly where their parents are in the house, just in case they needed them.

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Tuberculinum: Kids that need this remedy often have extreme meltdowns that can include kicking, throwing things, screaming, and even self-harm. When they come-to after a meltdown they are often shocked by their own behavior and feel terrible about what they’ve done. Between meltdowns they tend to be fun, affectionate, and high energy (sometimes bouncing-off-the-walls high energy).

Ignatia: I’ll use this remedy in kids and teens that are extremely sensitive to criticism but happy to criticize others. They always seem to be angry at someone or something. They can be gloomy and sad and tend to be more introverted when they are upset, preferring to be alone rather than being held or comforted by a parent.

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Hyoscyamus: This is a remedy used for more serious cases of PANS and PANDAS. It can be helpful for kids whose meltdowns are more frightening and can even be dangerous. Their aggression is often directed toward younger siblings, even infants and toddlers. Often parents will say that they are afraid to leave their children alone together, for fear that the older child will harm the younger. This is also a common remedy for PANS with tics, seizures, Tourettes, or chorea (writhing motions, usually of the arms or neck).

Getting Help

Homeopathy is just one of so many types of therapy that can help kids with PANS and PANDAS. Treating this devastating condition requires guidance and support! Regular medical care from an ND, MD, or DO trained in PANS / PANDAS support is a must, in addition to any complementary support you receive. 

I’m happy to offer online visits available from any location. Click here to book an appointment for a visit or free 15 minute phone consult.

Additional Resources

There are so many excellent resources and organizations online, in addition to books and online support groups. Here are just a few to get you started. 

PANDAS Network
PANDAS Network Facebook Group
The Foundation for Children with Neuroimmune Disorders
​PANS/PANDAS Parent Support Facebook Group