My 6yo ds developed a severe pain in his neck today at school. He had no obvious trauma. The school were very worried because he cried whenever he tried to move his neck.
I examined him and found him to be fine in himself - no other obvious symptoms. He can move his neck in one direction, but not to the other side, or up or down. And on gentle coercion he flinched and cried in pain.
I thought he has cricked his neck, and trapped a nerve or pulled a muscle, so took him to a local chiropractor. He did a thorough examination. He was very surpised at what he described as the extensive scoliosis of his spine (it is usually fine) and the obvious pain he was in on trying to move the neck (ds has an incredibly high pain threshold due to severe and ongoing surgical problems since he was born). And on standing, one of his shoulders was at least 2 inches lower than the other side (again, his posture is usually fine.)
My worry is that the chiropractor could not diagnose a trapped nerve/strained muscle. He said his symptoms indicated a 'deeper' problem. His fear was that it could be a nervous system problem or a viral/bacterical infection brewing. The word meningitis was used by him and the school, but I am not letting my mind go down that line. He said he had never seen such a case like his before - ie in one so young (apparently children dont get strained muscles like adutls do).
He is sleeping now, although moving about more than normal. He went to bed dosed up with arnica. He has not taken paracetamol in over 2 years (he had such high doses of paracetamol and morphine as a baby and younger child that we were advised to restrict it, and we have got out of the habit of giving it now, and use homeopathic remedies if necessary). He cannot take ibuprofen due to his bowel problems.
I just feel so helpless. I didnt take him to the GP because I know there is nothing he could have done, other than tell me to monitor him and take him to A&E if anything changes.
Has anyone else had this sort of thing with their child?
Sorry for the long post, but I am desperately worried and dont know what to do, or where to turn. DH is now home from work and is just as worried, but thankfully agreed with my course of action earlier. I just feel that I dont know how to help him. He has suffered too much already in his life without this as well. I just hope so much that he can sleep all night, wake with no pain and no other symptoms and we can forget about this. I dont know how I am going to be able to sleep though
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Children's health
severe neck pain in 6yo - very worried
43 replies
naswm · 24/11/2008 22:58
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