Third Day of Neck Ache for My Toddler

Updated on March 20, 2012
A.G. asks from Pittsburgh, PA
12 answers

Hi Moms,

My 3 yr old son woke up on Friday with neck ache and fever. At first I gave him Advil and monitored any issue - he felt better and started running around but was feeling warm after about 5-6 hours. I then took him to his pediatrician. She checked for bunch of things and then was concerned that it might be strep (fast strep results came -ve). She suggested continuing Advil 3 times a day over the weekend and see her again on Monday if he doesnt get better.

Since Saturday he doesnt have fever but has trouble looking up (no issues with turning the next to look left, right, or down). I have massaged and used hot towel frequently on Saturday (he had no fever since Saturday morning but neck ache existed). After reading bunch of concerns (on Internet) about massage causing more damage if not done correctly or burns because of hot towel or uselessness of Advil without fever I stopped everything today (Sunday).

Now, I am waiting to see the ped tomorrow (Monday) but I am concerned on what is (and should have been) the right strategy. Should I see Chiropractor (as many people have suggested), continue massage, use hot and cold packs, continue Advil, other suggestions?

I did find some suggestions at: http://www.mamapedia.com/article/5-year-old-woke-up-with-... but with no substatial/successful outcome.

Your thoughts and advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks & God Bless.

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UPDATE 1: 3/19 1:30AM EST
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Hi GrammaRocks, Patricia & All,

Thanks for your response and information. The pediatricial did negate the possibility of a neural issue or meningitis on Friday (I think that was the first thing she tested).

Another update is that my son woke up in the middle of night (about an hour ago) crying and vomited while I was trying to pacify him. He then told me that he hit his head on the wall on one side of the bed. He does move a lot while sleeping - do you think its possible that he might have hit his head on the wall on Thursday night to actually cause this issue in the first place?

Also, I noticed that he is able to turn is neck to look up while lying down on his sides but has a hard time when he is sitting or standing straight. Does this mean anything?

I will be seeing the pediatrician in the morning (or as soon as they can get us in).

Thanks again.
A.
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UPDATE 2: 3/19 8:30AM EST
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Thanks All. I really appreciate your comments and suggestions.

My son is feeling better (thanks for your blessings) and the pediatrician said that he probably has tortacollis and we need to give him Advil/Mortrin and use warm washcloth on his neck every 3-4 hours. Also, she mentioned that the vomiting in the night could be because of being very upset and crying caused by pain in the neck aggrevated by a pillow or wall causing the neck to bend in the painful direction.

Waiting to get a second opinion today; I will keep you all updated.

Thanks,
A.
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UPDATE 3: 3/19 4:00PM EST
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Hi All,

I saw a third pediatrician this afternoon and she said that it is related to muscle pull - all I need to do is use hot towel and gentle massage. She mentioned that if things dont get better by Thursday then she would prescribe CT scan and X-Ray on Friday.

We also talked to an ER pediatric and she said that in case of meningitis the condition gets worse each day and does not get better (as it seems to be the case). Also, she mentioned that bacterial mg is very rare because of vaccines and viral mg doesn't seem to be the case. They all tend to say that stiff neck alone is not a good enough symptom to do a CTScan or Spinal Tap. Vomiting once after crying or first day of fever could be unrelated - its because of those two short duration symptoms I should keep watching my kid and report if anyhing changes.

From what I learned from all 4 pediatricians, the main point is that in mg condition worsens and any pressure on spine will worsen the pain in the neck. Also, in mg the pain will not go away. In this case the pain comes if we force him to turn the neck upwards (the only existing symptom).

That said, I will be watching him closely until he is perfect. Will keep you all posted.

Thanks.
A.
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UPDATE4: 3/19 8:00PM EST
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Hi All,

I took my son to see another pediatrician (in urgent care) who gave him Mortrin and asked to rest and apply mild heat to the right shoulder/neck joint area. She ruled out torta... and other stuff and said its just a muscle pull. Thank god!

Now just waiting for next 2-3 days for the injury/sprain to heal and have him back dancing on rock songs. :)

Thanks again for all your support and as always I will keep you all posted.
A.
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So What Happened?

Thanks all for your advice and support.

All, from this experience I realized neck pain should not be taken lightly and meningitis is a very serious concern. Vaccines should be used to avoid bacterial mg and being excessively concerned about viral mg is ok.

Nancy, thanks for the idea about Lyme disease; -ve for bug bites.

So what we did and what happened: we used hot towel 3-4 times a day and gently massaged the area 2-3 times a day. My son is now well.

Once again thanks for your suggestions and thoughts; I really appreciate it.

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.G.

answers from Minneapolis on

I would take him to the ER as well, but the ER in a children's hospital. I'd be very concerned. Toddlers are extremely flexible/resilient, especially when asleep and shouldn't have been able to inflict that much damage on himself. I'd like to see an x-ray or something done on his neck.

My thought is meningitis as well and as far as I know that is diagnosed through spinal tap...but I also know one of the presenting symptoms is pain when looking down which is probably why it was ruled out? Still, they are developing so rapidly if it is something like a muscle tear or he whacked something out of place it's still disconcerting and I think he needs to be diagnosed in a hospital setting.

2 moms found this helpful

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Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

I would take him to the ER.

The Advil, initially, just masked his symptoms. That is why, he started to run around after you gave it to him. It alleviated discomfort.
But he was still sick. And still felt warm.
Being he had been given Advil, it is possible... that when you took him to the Doctor, he did not display his initial symptoms. ie: the neck ache and fever. Because, the Advil, masked those symptoms. Hence maybe the Doc could not assess him, accurately. Being he was on Advil, before you had taken him to the Doctor.

I would take him to the ER or an Urgent Care, prior to waiting for Monday.
And no, not Chiropractor.
Because, STILL... you do not know... a medical diagnosis, for your son.
The Pediatrician did not tell you what was wrong.
And he had a fever and now cannot look up.
Do not just willy nilly, take him to the Chiropractor or any other place until you get a DEFINITIVE and formal medical DIAGNOSIS for your son.

Since Saturday.. he has had trouble looking up etc.
I would have taken him, THAT day, to the ER.

2 moms found this helpful
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T.A.

answers from Seattle on

Ice and chiropractor! My kids have been adjusted since birth..

1 mom found this helpful

R.B.

answers from La Crosse on

If he hit his head on the wall then and he threw up... yes it could have been from being upset or it could have been a concussion. It doesn't always have to be a hard hit.. but if hit right right it can happen.

I would suggest taking him to a chiropractor.. with my experience our drs wont tell us to go to a chiropractor but our chiropractor will ALWAYS tell us if he thinks its something more serious to see a dr and will not touch anyone if that's the case.

Good luck, I hope you find some answers soon.

1 mom found this helpful
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J.C.

answers from Anchorage on

take him to the doctor

1 mom found this helpful

M.Q.

answers from Detroit on

Hi A. ~

Before reading other responses I was also thinking meningitis.

ETA: With doubt especially since you are posting here we're not doctors but w/him having fever, stiff hard to move neck & now vomiting that is alarming for me as a mom. If I were you I wouldn't wait until the morning. As S.H. posted the Advil was masking his symptoms. Meningitis is very serious please take him to the ER. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001700/

1 mom found this helpful

R.R.

answers from Los Angeles on

Neck pain without an injury to explain it is uncommon in a toddler, and while I don't want to be an alarmist, either, even before I read Patricia G's answer I was thinking meningitis. Please don't mess around with this yourself, and mention it to your pediatrician. Children this young do get it, I know of two personally.

I hope it is nothing this severe, and that your little one is better soon.
God bless.
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ADDED after your update...if he vomited after a head injury you should be in the ER NOW!

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J.L.

answers from Minneapolis on

I know you said the ped did a test for meningitis, but what kind of test? A spinal tap I hope. This is the only test to confirm this disease. Test results are not immediate, so I'm suspecting she didn't test for it if she told you during the visit that he's fine. All of the symptoms you are sharing sound like meningitis. There are two forms. The bacterial version can be fatal if left untreated and if so, death can be sudden (within days and hours of contracting it and symptoms can seem mild).

Children are particularly susceptible and it is highly contagious. Sometimes families and patients must be quarantined. This disease is more rampant during the early spring months.

I say go to the ER instead of relying on your pediatrician. Unfortunately, even the best pediatrician can make mistakes. At least at the ER, they will do a full spectrum of the appropriate tests. If he has it, he will be put on antibiotics right away. Do not wait any longer. These symptoms are not normal.

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/961497-overview

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.R.

answers from Washington DC on

Please update -- it's Monday 3/19. This is a very worrying post. I also thought meningitis and then, with the addition you wrote, wondered about a head injury (which can cause vomiting). Either can be gravely serious if untreated and a chiropractor isn't appropriate for these. Please update us once you see a doctor. I hope you didn't wait for an appointment but went right to an ER. Hope your son's got a good diagnosis by now.

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N.F.

answers from Philadelphia on

Have they tested for Lyme Disease?

M.S.

answers from Pittsburgh on

My son has gone to the chiro every week since birth. I would absolutely take him to the chiro for a sore neck. His symptoms actually sound a lot like what I've had for a week and have gone to the chiro for relieve/treatment. You may want to avoid using heat, as that will swell things and cause more discomfort if it's a pinched nerve or sore muscles. I would do ice on for 20 off for 20 as often as possible. Good luck!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

P.G.

answers from Dallas on

Are there any other symptoms besides the fever and neck ache? I googled and found this link. http://www.ehow.com/about_###-###-####_neck-pain-toddlers...

I don't want to be a freak-out queen, but it might be worth calling your pediatrician to ask about menengitis, JUST to be safe.

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