[lilith_382]

My son woke up in the middle of the night screaming. It took hours to figure out exactly what was wrong and calm him down. He has an extremely sore neck. He can''t look up, but can turn his neck from side to side. He has no fever or other symptoms. I have been carrying him around all day, and if you move him even slightly the wrong way he screams. I tried to get him to relax a bit in the bath with me but he just panicked. He is finally sleeping. He did not fall out of the bed. His neck was fine before he went to bed. I couldn't see his position when I woke up, but I think his head MAY have been hanging over the edge for some reason. My dad says he had a similar experience, and the pain went away in a few days. There is no bruising or swelling. No outward visible signs. Any ideas or suggestons? I hope this is coherent. Rough day. Thanks.

 

[Nora'sMama]

I would rule out meningitis...that sounds very scary to me...

but take my post with a grain of salt as I am currently experiencing severe pain (toothache) myself and cannot think straight...

 

[Metasequoia]

That's scary mama. Having had menengitis myself 3 yrs ago, I'd say his symptoms (or lack thereof) don't fit. Not to say it's not possible, kids are totally different than us wimpy adults when it comes to illnesses.

Ask him if he has a headache or if it hurts to move his eyes. I also had a very, very sore throat for a day or two prior to the menengitis & I later read that that is a common first symptom - it was visibly VERY red. I didn't realize that I had a fever until they took my temp in the ER, plus the ibuprofn I had been taking was probably masking it.

The headache is so unbelievably severe, I couldn't stand up. The paramedics actually had a stretcher for me. So, I'd say if he doesn't have a headache, he's *probably* okay as far as menengitis. Also, I was vomiting non-stop.

I'd take him to a chiro, it's very gentle for children to get adjusted. That's what I'd do if it were my child.

 

[lilith_382]

Thanks. I was so close to taking him to the ER. Afraid that it was an early sign of meningitis, but he woke from his nap feeling a little better. Today he's still sort of stiff, but I think I'll just take him to the chiro. I'll have to find one though since I'm on vacation.

 

[jassyp101]

Sounds like a classic stiff neck or torticollis. Those can be excruciatingly painful. Warm baths, light massage, heat applied to the tight muscles will all help.

Make sure he is not sleeping right under an AC vent or has any wind (fan or window) blowing on him directly because this will cause a stiff neck in children and adults.

I hope he's feeling better soon.