severe neck pain in 6yo - very worried

[naswm]

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

You must be so worried - I know I would be.

Please will you just call NHS direct and get advice from a medical professional who can ask you questions about his history. It's so hard when they're asleep and you can't check for symptoms, I know.

And I also think you need a new GP. I totally understand that you may have lost trust in your current one, but there are lots of lovely GPs out there who could support you.

I know lovelydear, same goes here

am trying to reassure now, as it does seem as if, going off how he was in himself earlier in the evening, that he is ok from a serious illness pov

I know lovelydear, same goes here

am trying to reassure now, as it does seem as if, going off how he was in himself earlier in the evening, that he is ok from a serious illness pov

oops, double post

okay, went in, put main light on, moved him and spoke to him 'DS, it's mummy here, just checking how your neck is?'

He woke and groaned at me (in still of child woken from nice dream at night, not in an ill fashion).

I turned him back and forth, checked his beautifully peachy skin, moved his arms about, gently carressed his neck and back - and he didnt flinch at all.

I think he is fine (from a serious illness pov).

I woke dh and aasked if he thought I shoudl go to A&E, and he said no. I told him about the advice on the net. He said 'ds does not have SEVERE neck pain, he had a stiff neck when he moved it'.

So maybe I have been over reacting all along.

Shit now I am feeling all emotional and confused

Thanks everyone for talking and helping me. I thought I didnt need mn any more, but maybe I do

that sounds good to me (no expert, of course). i'll want an update in the morning please!

Oh that sounds very normal then. Good - i'll go to bed now as well. Sorry to be bossy and scary. Like anyfucker I work in a hospital (not a nurse or doctor) and I think it does make you a bit jumpy sometimes

sounds ok naswm

so sorry if you have been un-necessarily frightened (I know that feeling)

try to get some sleep (hope us doom-and-gloomers haven't put the mockers on that!)

I think you should check him again a couple of hours to be safe

update us in the morning

I am totally fine with bossy and scary where children are concerned.

I will try to go to bed now. Maybe check ds one more time. (I have considered sleeping in the bed with him in his room, but I dont think it woudl be good for him). His door is wide opne and mine too, and I will be listening for any little sound

I will come on here first thing tomorrow and update.

Thansk for supporting me. Sometimes it helps just to bounce ideas and thoughts around.

I will not be sleeping deeply, so will check him regularly.

Thansk everyone.

I hope to report a bright eyed and bushy tailed ds in the morning.

and then perhaps I'll seek advice on what to do about the bushy tail

Update:

I checked on DS throughout the night. No syptoms at all.

He woke after a usual amount of sleep at 7am. He says his neck is still sore, but otherswise he is totally 'normal'.

I think he has more movement in his neck today - ie, he can twist it more without flinching or saying 'oww'. And certainly no severe pain to make him cry out.

THANK YOU all very much for being with me last night. I feel wretched this morning after very little sleep - but am very relieved now that ds is up and about and asking for breakfast this morning.

Now, what to do about that bushy tail?

So glad to read he is ok this morning. Didn't spot this last night so only reading now.

I remember you! Welcome back!

Bushy tail - vet??

good morning naswm, and glad dh is feeling better

scare over

Again, apologies if we made it worse for you

in the cold light of day, sometimes an over-reaction is evident

but I would rather over-react than leave a serious illness too late

bushy tail? I recommend a "Hollywood"

oh thank goodness

Just got back from seeing doc at paed health clinic. Diagnosis - torticolis (otherwise known as wry neck).

Feel reassured I have been doing the right things. Treatment would normally be ibuprofen, and anti inflamitaries if it doesnt go in a week, but neither are recommended for his bowel/stomach problems. So, she said to keep on with the natural remedies. She also advocated the chiropractor - which I was surprised about!

Said it was important to rest, to allow the muscles to relax and stop being in spasm, but not to let them stiffen up, by lying in front of the tv all day (which is what I feel like doing after being awake most of the night!)

So now we are going to make some Christmas cards. And anyone who knows me, will know how much I LOVE that sort of thing, almost as much as baking.....

Damn - I forgot to show her his bushy tail

Thanks again for being there last night. I WAS doing okay, but as I got tired and the evening wore on, I did start to wonder if I was doing the right thing or not.

am late to catch up with this happy outcome. v pleased for you all. you can ride out the tiredness on a wave of relief!