The Parent's Survival Guide to PANDAS/PANS: A Handbook to Manage Neuroimmune Disorders in Your Child Without Losing Your Mind

by Deborah Marcus, Melissa Nolan (Editor)

Has your child’s personality seemed to change overnight? Has he or she been exhibiting unusual symptoms like tics, obsessive-compulsive disorder, separation anxiety, oppositional defiance, aggression or rage? Have you seen other symptoms, which seem unrelated, like a decline in math and handwriting abilities, urinary issues, sensory issues or trouble sleeping? These are trademark symptoms of PANDAS/PANS.

PANDAS and PANS are becoming more common in children, yet many in the medical community are unaware of these illnesses and are unable to diagnose and treat them properly. Whether you are just beginning on this journey and attempting to get a proper diagnosis for your child or have been on this journey for a while and need help coping, The Parent’s Survival Guide to PANDAS/PANS will help you navigate the emotional, physical and financial challenges of these illnesses.

This parent-friendly handbook is designed to help “Deborah Marcus has put her heart and experience into a very comprehensive guide to help parents along a journey that is often riddled with questions and uncertainty. As a clinician who treats many PANDAS/PANS patients, I know this book will help families find answers for their children in a more efficient and educated way.” - Jana Roso, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner and owner/founder of Neuronutrition Associates

"This is an amazing firsthand-experience guide that will help other families that are dealing with this complicated and often misunderstood disorder." - Dr. Denis Bouboulis, Advanced Allergy, Immunology & Asthma P.C.

Genres: Health

156 pages, Paperback

Published October 5, 2021

Reviews

[Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent starter resource for grandparents who have a grandchild experiencing PANDAS/PANS including additional resources for follow up. Bravo to author Deborah Marcus for writing an easy to read survival guide. One needs to think “”outside the box” when dealing with this misunderstood disorder!

[Scott Marcus · Rating 5 out of 5]

While I'm biased (author's husband), this is the helpful guide we wish we had years ago. A pragmaic description, with real world examples, of life to help you assess, survive and thrive through the PANS journey. It's an easy initial read - and then continues to be useful as a reference ongoing.

[Emily Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent resource! I wish this book existed when our son first became ill. The author offered a nice balance between education and her own first hand knowledge. This is a true guide for PANS/PANDAS parents and families offering hope and knowledge all at the same time.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very validating and accurate to my experience, with some good tips for managing symptoms. It would be great if providers and family members would read it, as well.

[Kelly Oliver · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a practical, easy to read, guide for parents and family members of children newly diagnosed with PANDAS/PANS. It provides an overview of this poorly understood, often misdiagnosed, horrific disorder affecting children and teenagers. The book also suggests resources, coping strategies, and tips on managing school and medical care. As a parent whose child has PANDAS, this book is a keeper!

[Stacey Sandlee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wealth of information for families dealing with PANDAS/PANS including questions to ask, tips, ideas and feedback from those who have first hand experience. I learned a lot reading about the authors own experience with her children as well as impacts to her family dynamic. She clearly did a lot of research in trying to do what was best for her family and she is sharing that experience and knowledge in hopes of helping others.

[Jenna Libbares · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish this valuable resource was around when my son was first diagnosed 3 years ago!! It’s an easy and quick read with TONS of helpful information for those starting their journey and also those who have been on it. As a mother of multiple children with PANS/PANDAS I connected to this book so much. Great resource to have family/friends read to help gain perspective on what families truly go through.

[Robyn Herbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I had this book years ago! Written by a fellow PANDAS/PANS mom, this book offers a look into the life of families who deal with it every day. It is a quick read, which is perfect for those desperate for help and needing real immediate ideas. It offers support and guidance in a way I have never seen in any other book. It is so incredibly helpful for families newly diagnosed or exploring the diagnosis. Highly recommend!

[Jacinda Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish I had this book years ago! This book is a quick and easy read to gain knowledge of PANDAS/PANS. The author shares examples from her own experience and research making it easy to understand this challenging syndrome. There’s a lot of great info packed into this book and a good starting point for those new to the PANDAS/PANS journey.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent resource for parents

I purchased this book as part of my research on PANS. It was very helpful to have a parent’s perspective, and a parent who was learned the hard way no less. Even without the P/P diagnosis, I found that much of the insight could be applied to other complicated pediatric health journeys.