A cure for our son, Anthony Jr.

Anthony Jr. has PANS. Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome. On Sept 12th, 2019, our lives drastically changed. Our healthy, thriving five year old little boy, began jerking his head uncontrollably. In the days that followed, he developed extreme neurological symptoms. He developed debilitating OCD, Intrusive thoughts of harming himself and others, he was afraid to eat, afraid to use the restroom, he had severe separation anxiety, sensory sensitivity to sounds and clothing and he suddenly began to rage and attack. He felt very ashamed and he begged us to help him. We were terrified. He was unable to attend school and I had to remove him a month into kindergarten. His teachers told me there was a rapid decline and he was unable to perform even the smallest tasks or he suddenly could not understand simple assignments. I took him to the hospital for testing and after 2 days, the tests performed showed no telling results. Our days were dark and terrifying. Anthony began having daytime and nighttime hallucinations that would make him unable to sleep and at times, he could not recognize us. His little brother Michael was at a loss also as he began missing his brother immensely. We all missed (and still miss) our Anthony. Our funny, confident, carefree boy. Our thriving son who loved science and math. Our breakdancer. He was “gone” and Anthony spent most of his days and nights crying and begging for help. Depressed and ashamed.

He was misdiagnosed with Tourettes and we were told to put him on psychiatric medication. I refused because I knew in my heart there was more to learn and a diagnosis that would help us fix him. I did what any mother would do and I googled the symptoms and desperately tried to find information on a sudden onset of these symptoms. That research brought me to PANS. I found a specialist in Dallas and we travelled there and Anthony was tested for infections and his immune response. He was officially diagnosed with PANS as he met every single criteria. It turns out Anthony’s immune system is severely damaged and he has an extremely high chronic viral load. This is an autoimmune disorder and his body is attacking itself. We all have viruses and bacteria in our bodies but Anthony’s system is unable to properly respond to them and his little body is fighting each and everything including every toxin in our environment. Our bodies can normally process dyes in food and soaps and cleaners and pesticides from fruits and vegetables etc. but in Anthony, those toxins travel directly to his brain and the immune system attacks those toxins and pathogens along with healthy cells in the brain, causing brain inflammation. This causes neurological symptoms.

Anthony is on the road to recovery. We are on the right track with treatment and he has slowly improved. We have a long way to go. Because this is rare, our insurance does not cover Dr. visits or follow ups. We have had to travel to see different specialists in Dallas, Austin, New Mexico and another soon in Arizona. Expenses are adding up.  I had planned on working full time but I now have to homeschool Anthony until he is recovered as school is overwhelming and there are days he is unable to function. There are procedures such a replacement of plasma or IVIG that can help tremendesly but they are expensive. Most if not all Dr.’s in our insurance network have never even heard of PANS. If we are able to test and find all infections, test and treat deficiencies and heal his immune system, we could be on the path to saving our little boy and in as little as a year or two, he may have little to no symptoms and possibly zero permanent damage. If we can not afford to treat him, this may be a permanent or long-term situation. This is where we need you friends and family. If you can help us with the treatment that is so important during early onset of symptoms by donating (we are still in the beginning stages), it could mean all the difference. If you cannot help us by donating, please be sure and pray for him and for our family. If we’ve been distant or if you haven’t heard from us much, I hope this gives you some insight. Please click on the link I’ve included to find out more about PANS. I know God is with us and we have faith God will heal our little boy.