In this week’s incredibly honest and profound episode, we sit down with Jeff Loving, a husband, proud NICU dad, and the author of Holding Onto the Light: A Father’s Journey Through Loss and Healing. Jeff shares the deeply personal, often unspoken, side of grief: the...
269: From Anxiety to Answers: a journey to a PANDAS diagnosis- Camryn’s Story
Podcast Show Notes
When Camryn noticed a sudden personality shift and debilitating anxiety in her fearless, fun-loving daughter, she trusted her gut—even when early providers said “she’s fine.” In this powerful episode, Camryn shares how persistent advocacy led to a diagnosis of autoimmune encephalitis under the PANS/PANDAS umbrella, the village that rallied around her family, and the healing strategies that are helping her daughter reclaim childhood.
What You’ll Hear
- The first red flags: from fearless to anxious—why a sustained personality change matters.
- How one pediatrician became a true partner and accelerated specialty care.
- PANS/PANDAS in plain language: immune misfires, brain inflammation, and common symptoms.
- Caring for the whole family: supporting siblings, school partnerships, and protecting privacy.
- Mom-care that works: trauma therapy, nervous-system regulation, and saying yes to fun again.
Resources Mentioned
- MomBrain – an anonymous, expert-supported community for moms: mombrain.com. mombrain.com
- ASPIRE – national nonprofit for PANS/PANDAS education, support, and providers: aspire.care. Aspire+1GuideStar
- PANDAS Parents (Facebook Group) – peer connection for families navigating PANS/PANDAS: facebook.com/groups/pandasparents. Facebook
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The Child Life On Call Podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. The content shared in each episode, including stories, discussions, and interviews, is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you heard on this podcast. The views and opinions expressed by guests on the Child Life On Call Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Child Life On Call. Child Life On Call does not endorse any specific medical treatments, procedures, or opinions shared in the podcast. If you or your child are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or seek immediate medical attention. By listening to this podcast, you acknowledge that Child Life On Call and its affiliates are not responsible for any decisions made based on the information provided.
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