wizard
Member
The main reason for this post is that I haven't been on IAP for a while and just wanted say Hello and that I've missed you all! 
Doc
This is a long post and you really don't have to read it. If anyone is interested, I wanted to share what I've been up to..... It may be boring..I just started typing and really didn't feel like editing...it's just what I was thinking to say this morning because I had the time...
Doc
This is a long post and you really don't have to read it. If anyone is interested, I wanted to share what I've been up to..... It may be boring..I just started typing and really didn't feel like editing...it's just what I was thinking to say this morning because I had the time...
Over the past several months, my medical practice patient load has almost tripled.
It all started about 15 years ago when I started treating a small group of patients with a condition that very few doctors knew about and are many still do not. It was, and still is, commonly misdiagnosed and, as a result, many children and adults suffer. Many patients go undiagnosed. Many are diagnosed incorrectly with conditions such as psychosis, schizophrenia, major depression, bipolar disorder, and conduct disorders. Without proper treatment, these patients may gradually lose the ability to go to school or work. Some patients are placed in mental hospitals or, in some cases, institutionalized if untreated over an extended period. The illness is caused by streptococcal bacteria, with abrupt onset of psychiatric symptoms usually following a week or two following an episode of strep throat. The condition is known as PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated with Group A Streptococcal Infection). Initially, it was thought that it only occurred in children; however, it is now known to also occur in adults. In most patients, simple strep throat is treated with antibiotics and the symptoms subside and disappear. However, in genetically predisposed individuals, the antibodies made by the body to destroy strep bacteria mistakenly recognize the proteins on the surface of brain cells as being Strep. As a result, certain parts of brain are attacked, become inflamed, swollen, and eventually the brain cells or neurons die if the condition is left untreated for an extended period of time. Another way of putting it is that the brain gets caught up in what you could term "Friendly Fire". It is now known that this illness can also occur in adults.
I have attached a link in the event anyone is interested:
NIMH Pediatrics Developmental Neuroscience Branch
[FONT="]http://m.wmctv.com/autojuice?targetUrl=http%3a%2f%2fwww.wmctv.com%2fstory%2f22297818%2fkids-catch-ocd-from-form-of-strep[/FONT]
Recently, parents of children and many of the families including those who have I have treated over the years have started a movement consisting of support groups to increase awareness of the disorder. As a result, organizations have been founded; a social media presence on Facebook has been introduced. Multiple websites including one at the National Institutes of Health on the disorder were created. About two months ago, I testified before a U.S.Congressional committee regarding three pieces of legislation to support education for medical students, residents and physicians in multiple specialties, to increase awareness, institute a mandate to insurance companies to cover treatment for PANDAS, and to pay for a treatment called IVIG . Two of the pieces of legislation have been approved by the U.S. Senate.
I now have patients that are coming from different states and countries. As a result, for the past several months, I have been working 6, and at times 7 days of the week with ungodly hours …..Leaving work usually between 9 to 11 PM.
I want to tell you a story….about the attached pictures to this post. The patient in this story gave her permission to tell her story and show off her work
I initially saw her in early March, a few months away from graduation from high school. She had already been accepted to Texas A&M University to pursue aeronautical engineering. She had been in a locked psychiatric facility for a month diagnosed with major depression and psychotic features. She was experiencing auditory hallucinations and was delusional. She was hospitalized for suicidal gestures. Her brother, Chris, is a close friend of my older son, David, (Old Reg on IAP), both of whom go to Texas A&M University and are both are majoring in Engineering. During lunch one day, Chris relayed the symptoms that his sister was suffering from..my son told Chris that she may have PANDAS. That night, my son called me and asked if II would treat Chris's sister. I agreed to.
When I saw and evaluated lab tests revealed the presence of antibodies to her brain tissue and to streptococcal bacteria was positive. A MRI of the brain and EEG was ordered. The EEG was abnormal showing slowing of her brain activity and increased pressure in her spinal fluid and ventricles of the brain. Upon physical exam, her tonsils and adenoids appeared were red, inflamed and appeared to be infected, Following taking her clinical history a diagnostic interview, blood tests, EEG and Imaging of her brain, the diagnosis was confirmed. Within hours of receiving the lab results, I started on her on massive doses of antibiotics and once the infection was controlled, she was referred for a tonsillectomy to remove the source of the infection.
She was of my more recent patients who saw one of my pen displays/collection at my office and stated was interested in pen turning. Since both parents were in town during her treatment and her psychiatric symptoms were much better within a few days ….I asked her and her parents to come over to the house to show her how to make a pen. So I taught her and she was
Since I wasn't turning and had stuff sitting around, I sent her home with lots of pen kits and blanks. Within a week of my medically clearing her for a return to school and home, she and her dad went to Woodcraft, bought a Jet 1221VS lathe and every tool she needed. I've attached pictures that she has been sending of the pens she has made. She is now a pen maker.
She went back to school, caught up on her work and last week graduated from high school with high honors. She is leaving for NASA's summer space camp for the summer and then starts at Texas A & M University in the fall. She is free from any symptoms.
My PANDAS patients, even years after I treated them, will send me text messages and e-mails of what is happening in their lives , invitations to graduations, weddings or birth announcement and now LOL…even pictures of pens.
This semester… I have a patient with PANDAS, a beautiful model that graduated two weeks ago from University of Oklahoma's law school. I vividly remember having to leave in the middle of my wedding 14 years ago to get a SWAT team to back down as she was screaming in her front of her house brandishing a butcher knife and threatening her family. Needless to say…that did not go over well with my now in-laws, my parents and about 80 guests. :redface:
Another young lady graduated two weeks ago from Texas A&M University with a Ph.D. in Psychology, while another young man finished a M.D. from Baylor Medical School and will be starting a residency in Surgery. My first patient with PANDAS that I treated is now the owner/CEO of the largest roofing company in Houston, is married to an awesome young lady, and is the father of two beautiful little girls. I first saw him after his parents bailed him out of jail where he was incarcerated for assaulting three police officers.
My 80 hour weeks are hard… I don't get enough sleep and exercise, get a chance to play with my youngest son or spend any time with my wife. I'm tired most of the time. Between my wife, Karen, and a dear friend and princess named Dawn, both advising me to slow down… I stopped taking new patients for the next three months to get back to making pens and recharge my batteries. As soon as I finish this post…..I'm headed to put up another shop light, order more pen stuff, and work on a kitless sitting on my shop bench for about 5 months. Tonight, I'm playing X-Box 360 NASCAR and shoot some hoops with my son, watch a movie with Karen.
Despite all of the complaining above, during quiet moments in the early morning hours... a time when I used to make pens, I have a cup of coffee and feel like I made a difference in someone's life.
I have missed you all.
Doc
It all started about 15 years ago when I started treating a small group of patients with a condition that very few doctors knew about and are many still do not. It was, and still is, commonly misdiagnosed and, as a result, many children and adults suffer. Many patients go undiagnosed. Many are diagnosed incorrectly with conditions such as psychosis, schizophrenia, major depression, bipolar disorder, and conduct disorders. Without proper treatment, these patients may gradually lose the ability to go to school or work. Some patients are placed in mental hospitals or, in some cases, institutionalized if untreated over an extended period. The illness is caused by streptococcal bacteria, with abrupt onset of psychiatric symptoms usually following a week or two following an episode of strep throat. The condition is known as PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated with Group A Streptococcal Infection). Initially, it was thought that it only occurred in children; however, it is now known to also occur in adults. In most patients, simple strep throat is treated with antibiotics and the symptoms subside and disappear. However, in genetically predisposed individuals, the antibodies made by the body to destroy strep bacteria mistakenly recognize the proteins on the surface of brain cells as being Strep. As a result, certain parts of brain are attacked, become inflamed, swollen, and eventually the brain cells or neurons die if the condition is left untreated for an extended period of time. Another way of putting it is that the brain gets caught up in what you could term "Friendly Fire". It is now known that this illness can also occur in adults.
I have attached a link in the event anyone is interested:
NIMH Pediatrics Developmental Neuroscience Branch
[FONT="]http://m.wmctv.com/autojuice?targetUrl=http%3a%2f%2fwww.wmctv.com%2fstory%2f22297818%2fkids-catch-ocd-from-form-of-strep[/FONT]
Recently, parents of children and many of the families including those who have I have treated over the years have started a movement consisting of support groups to increase awareness of the disorder. As a result, organizations have been founded; a social media presence on Facebook has been introduced. Multiple websites including one at the National Institutes of Health on the disorder were created. About two months ago, I testified before a U.S.Congressional committee regarding three pieces of legislation to support education for medical students, residents and physicians in multiple specialties, to increase awareness, institute a mandate to insurance companies to cover treatment for PANDAS, and to pay for a treatment called IVIG . Two of the pieces of legislation have been approved by the U.S. Senate.
I now have patients that are coming from different states and countries. As a result, for the past several months, I have been working 6, and at times 7 days of the week with ungodly hours …..Leaving work usually between 9 to 11 PM.
I want to tell you a story….about the attached pictures to this post. The patient in this story gave her permission to tell her story and show off her work
I initially saw her in early March, a few months away from graduation from high school. She had already been accepted to Texas A&M University to pursue aeronautical engineering. She had been in a locked psychiatric facility for a month diagnosed with major depression and psychotic features. She was experiencing auditory hallucinations and was delusional. She was hospitalized for suicidal gestures. Her brother, Chris, is a close friend of my older son, David, (Old Reg on IAP), both of whom go to Texas A&M University and are both are majoring in Engineering. During lunch one day, Chris relayed the symptoms that his sister was suffering from..my son told Chris that she may have PANDAS. That night, my son called me and asked if II would treat Chris's sister. I agreed to.
When I saw and evaluated lab tests revealed the presence of antibodies to her brain tissue and to streptococcal bacteria was positive. A MRI of the brain and EEG was ordered. The EEG was abnormal showing slowing of her brain activity and increased pressure in her spinal fluid and ventricles of the brain. Upon physical exam, her tonsils and adenoids appeared were red, inflamed and appeared to be infected, Following taking her clinical history a diagnostic interview, blood tests, EEG and Imaging of her brain, the diagnosis was confirmed. Within hours of receiving the lab results, I started on her on massive doses of antibiotics and once the infection was controlled, she was referred for a tonsillectomy to remove the source of the infection.
She was of my more recent patients who saw one of my pen displays/collection at my office and stated was interested in pen turning. Since both parents were in town during her treatment and her psychiatric symptoms were much better within a few days ….I asked her and her parents to come over to the house to show her how to make a pen. So I taught her and she was
Since I wasn't turning and had stuff sitting around, I sent her home with lots of pen kits and blanks. Within a week of my medically clearing her for a return to school and home, she and her dad went to Woodcraft, bought a Jet 1221VS lathe and every tool she needed. I've attached pictures that she has been sending of the pens she has made. She is now a pen maker.
She went back to school, caught up on her work and last week graduated from high school with high honors. She is leaving for NASA's summer space camp for the summer and then starts at Texas A & M University in the fall. She is free from any symptoms.
My PANDAS patients, even years after I treated them, will send me text messages and e-mails of what is happening in their lives , invitations to graduations, weddings or birth announcement and now LOL…even pictures of pens.
This semester… I have a patient with PANDAS, a beautiful model that graduated two weeks ago from University of Oklahoma's law school. I vividly remember having to leave in the middle of my wedding 14 years ago to get a SWAT team to back down as she was screaming in her front of her house brandishing a butcher knife and threatening her family. Needless to say…that did not go over well with my now in-laws, my parents and about 80 guests. :redface:
Another young lady graduated two weeks ago from Texas A&M University with a Ph.D. in Psychology, while another young man finished a M.D. from Baylor Medical School and will be starting a residency in Surgery. My first patient with PANDAS that I treated is now the owner/CEO of the largest roofing company in Houston, is married to an awesome young lady, and is the father of two beautiful little girls. I first saw him after his parents bailed him out of jail where he was incarcerated for assaulting three police officers.
My 80 hour weeks are hard… I don't get enough sleep and exercise, get a chance to play with my youngest son or spend any time with my wife. I'm tired most of the time. Between my wife, Karen, and a dear friend and princess named Dawn, both advising me to slow down… I stopped taking new patients for the next three months to get back to making pens and recharge my batteries. As soon as I finish this post…..I'm headed to put up another shop light, order more pen stuff, and work on a kitless sitting on my shop bench for about 5 months. Tonight, I'm playing X-Box 360 NASCAR and shoot some hoops with my son, watch a movie with Karen.
Despite all of the complaining above, during quiet moments in the early morning hours... a time when I used to make pens, I have a cup of coffee and feel like I made a difference in someone's life.
I have missed you all.
Doc
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