PANDAS and PANS Care at Vital AZ
Some children struggle with behaviors that feel sudden, intense, and out of proportion to their age. Families often describe daily life as walking on eggshells, frequent meltdowns over small things, severe anxiety, sleep struggles, tics, or obsessive behaviors that seem to come out of nowhere.
At Vital AZ, we specialize in identifying and treating PANDAS and PANS using a thoughtful, step by step approach that supports both the child and the entire family.
When We Suspect PANDAS or PANS
We evaluate children who show combinations of the following:
Motor or vocal tics
Rage episodes or emotional outbursts
Obsessive thoughts or compulsive behaviors
Anxiety or separation anxiety
Sleep difficulties
Highly restricted or selective eating
Regression in emotional maturity
Marked behavioral differences compared to siblings
Many of these children do very well in school or sports but struggle significantly at home.
How We Diagnose
There is no single test for PANDAS or PANS. Diagnosis is based on a child’s symptoms combined with laboratory data.
We offer two testing pathways:
Standard blood testing to evaluate acute and chronic strep exposure
Functional finger stick testing that evaluates inflammation and immune triggers
When appropriate, we also assess gut health and mold exposure, as these are common contributors to ongoing inflammation.
If strep testing is negative but symptoms remain highly compatible, we treat this as PANS and focus on other immune triggers.
Our Treatment Approach
Treatment is not rushed and is highly individualized.
Most children begin with antibiotic therapy, which often leads to noticeable improvement within the first two weeks. We reassess frequently to ensure we are seeing progress, even in subtle ways such as smoother mornings, fewer meltdowns, or improved sleep.
As inflammation improves, we gradually add supportive therapies including nervous system support, immune modulation, gut support, and detoxification when appropriate.
Detox and Recovery
As children improve, we focus on reducing inflammatory triggers and supporting the body’s natural detox pathways. This is done carefully and only when the body is ready.
Most families see significant improvement within three to four months, with many children reaching full remission within four to six months.
Flares and Long Term Support
Flares can occur, especially during illness or immune stress. We provide individualized flare plans and ongoing support to help families navigate setbacks without losing progress.
Our Philosophy
This journey requires patience and partnership.
Our goal is to help families see what is possible for their child, then work together to maintain that progress long term.
With the right support, children can recover and families can regain stability and peace.
