Hayden update: This has been the longest week ever! Hayden is still in pain, and his symptoms are getting more and more noticeable. He is not eating well, and has no appetite. He is not sleeping well at all, and waking up in pain. He can't be in a car seat for more than 10min without crying in pain. He is super sensitive to light and sounds. He is talking like a baby, and acting more like a 1 1/2 year old than a boy is is almost 4. His teachers say he is emotional, and that his fine and gross motor skills are getting worse. We have been trying so hard to bring him to any doctor that will listen, and not just label him as another kid with a tic disorder. So many people have been praying, and we thank you!! Today God gave us the answer!!!
Through a prayer request, a women contacted me this past weekend to tell me her son had a similar story as Hayden. Her son was also being treated for a "tic disorder" but had other issues, and extreme pain. It took this mother over a year to find a doctor to solve the puzzle and tell her he had a rare disorder called P.A.N.D.A.S. Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated with Streptococcal infection. Basically, once a child with this is exposed to strep (even if they show zero signs of a strep infection) the child's own anti-bodies used to fight the strep, attack the brain instead. This disorder was only discovered about 12 years ago and most doctors misdiagnose it as ODC or Tourettes. Her son has permanent nerve damage from not being treated right away.
As I researched this disorder, there was no doubt in our minds that Hayden also has this. Finding a doctor that believes you or that can see you in less than two weeks is impossible. Today, with the help of a open minded pediatrician and Dr Zapodeanu (the eye doctor I work for), Hayden was tested, and found positive for Strep, even though he had no outward signs of it. The pediatrician's office was shocked!!!! Scott and I were so excited to find an answer, so our little guy can get the medicine to stop it. We are just learning about this, and I know this is the start to a long journey. Please continue to pray for Hayden, and the doctors that will treat him for this through his childhood. His MRI is scheduled for Thursday, and we expect it to be normal. Who can doubt the power of prayer?.... and who can doubt what an awesome God we have? Not this momma!!!! Glory to God!!!