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Is this just a crick neck or something to worry about? (5-year-old)

16 replies

imaginaryfriend · 27/02/2008 22:19

Probably worrying over nothing but ...

Dd was playing with her friend on the way home from school and they were watching a man with a kite. I was chatting to dd's friend's mum when dd walked up screaming and clutching the side of her neck. She sat on the floor, refused to walk, screamed all the way home (I carried her) (literally shrieking - I've only heard her in pain like this once before when she had horrible chickenpox on her genitals). I lay her on the bed, gave her Nurofen and put a hot water bottle under her neck. She stayed really still, not speaking and every time she moved she screeched in pain.

Anyhow when the Nurofen began to work I moved her to the sofa and she did manage to get up and wander round a bit when dp got home from work but she ended the day flat on her back on the bed again, screaming with each movement.

She has no idea if she did something like move strangely or suddenly when the pain started. She didn't get hit on the head or anything. She says it just started.

My gut instinct says she's pulled or twisted a muscle in her neck but the fact she says the pain also goes up over her ear and into her head makes me wonder.

She was literally fine before it happened, not even a sniffle.

I called the GP (he's a crumbly old git) who said that basically unless she's lying on the sofa completely unable to move for 5 hours in a row I shouldn't worry!

OP posts:
hatwoman · 27/02/2008 22:25

poor thing - try NHS direct to get a second opinion on whether/how quickly she needs to see someone.

Piffle · 27/02/2008 22:27

I get this a lot. You need to use ice too and sod the doctor. Pop along to osteo or rehab physio.

imaginaryfriend · 27/02/2008 22:31

hatwoman I loathe NHS direct. (hello btw )

Piffle, can you describe how it happens, how it feels and how long it lasts?

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PotPourri · 27/02/2008 22:34

Get her checked. My first thought when I saw your tite was - could it be meningitis? Doesn't sound like there are any other symptoms. If she is still awake, take her down to casualty. If she is sleeping, phone NHS direct and get an appointment for first thing tomorrow (insist)

imaginaryfriend · 27/02/2008 23:00

She's fast asleep. No symptoms whatsoever of anything like meningitis - she was happy and running around shortly before it happened. And she's got no fever, sickness or anything, although she was quite sleepy all evening (most likely due to all her weeping and her fear at the pain I think)

NHS direct don't do appointments do they? I thought they just read out questions from their screen then tell you to either phone GP or go to A&E.

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nancy75 · 27/02/2008 23:07

i once tore a muscle in my neck while i was asleep, its sounds like the same thing, its very painfull if you move at all, from what i remember the pain was right up into my head and down across my shoulders. doctor gave me strong pain killers (i was an adult when it happened so not suitable for your dd i wouldnt have thought) and told me just to lie still in bed. it took about a week to get better. Def worth seeing a doctor if no better tomorrow.

imaginaryfriend · 27/02/2008 23:23

Thanks nancy, yes, I'm going to see how she does tomorrow and possibly take her to the GP. she seems to be sleeping very soundly at the moment though, I keep checking up on her.

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nancy75 · 27/02/2008 23:27

poor little thing. hope she feels better in the morning x

imaginaryfriend · 27/02/2008 23:37

Thanks. It's horrible to see your little one in pain like that and be unable to help.

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nancy75 · 28/02/2008 11:06

hows your dds neck today, hope she is ok.

imaginaryfriend · 28/02/2008 11:32

She woke up still in lots of pain although she was better after Nurofen. I took her to the GP just in case and he did a full run of neurological / spinal tests and then when he examined her neck he said it was really clear that her 'trapezoid' muscle was in complete spasm. So we've got to do regular Nurofen, rest, gradually resume movement over the week.

Phew ...

OP posts:
nancy75 · 28/02/2008 11:50

things like that are so frightening, you always think the worst. oh well a week of cbeebies for you then, glad to hear she's going to be ok

imaginaryfriend · 28/02/2008 13:05

Yes, we're already a bit stirr crazy!

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hatwoman · 28/02/2008 20:16

glad it's just muscular - hope it gets fully better as quick as possible

imaginaryfriend · 28/02/2008 22:02

It's already a lot better hatwoman. She's still got her head tilted to one side and can't do any sudden movements but she was a lot more fluid by bedtime tonight.

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Piffle · 29/02/2008 11:41

hope she is better
Yes this is what I get IF, Mine is caused by 1st and 2nd rib displacement, a physio gives me exercises to rehab and they work well, but carrying baby and carseats and a low mobility 5 yr old dd...
It goes a lot
I alternate ice and heat about 3-4 x a day
Really helps

Also ibuprofen as well as paracetamol at times
A good pillow under the neck and encourage her not to sleep on her tummy but on her side while it is mending
HTH

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