ok mamas, probably a stupid question :( and i hate asking this because it always seems there are "not unless you're dying" moms, and there are "absolutely, take him NOW" moms (seem to be a lot more of those on here, honestly lol), so i really think everyone is different. but what the heck. it's sunday so i have all day to make this decision.
my son started kindergarten last week, so he has had a really stressful week. i posted not long ago about my 5 year old getting headaches, and enough of you replied that i was reassured that yes, it happens, no biggie. (he doesn't get them often, but this is just to give a little background.) so a big part of me thinks what is happening is his body reacting to stress.
yesterday we took a nature walk and out of NOWHERE he doubles over in pain, clutching the back of his neck with both hands. it was pretty scary. i ended up having to carry him much of the way back. i had no idea at the time - except i knew we were broke (getting over my husband's hours being cut over the summer) and don't get paid until tomorrow (Monday). within about 15 minutes it seemed better, although he kept gripping his neck. and being it was his neck, i just knew they'd want to do x-rays, maybe an mri, who else knows what. BUT also - my son is VERY dramatic. so often it's not as bad as he acts like it is. i hate saying that but he does tend to be that way.
the thing is if he had a crick in his neck from sleeping funny or something, wouldn't he have felt it before that? is it possible he just happened to turn his head just right? popped his neck maybe? not sure :(
so we got him home and he was already acting a little better, but still in pain and would not hold his head up. (yes, i realize that as i write this it sounds like a 911 call...i made the choice that i made...) i gave him some ibuprofen (he was alternating between talking about swallowing, to a headache, to a pain in his bones, so it was difficult to figure out what exactly was going on.) i called my mom who calmed me down (she is a "not unless you're dying" type). once we got him home and on the couch he acted almost normal, no pain at all while he was laying on the couch watching tv. so then i'm thinking i was freaking over nothing. i decided to give it until today and see.
well today he wakes up, feels better, but still in some pain. he's holding his head upright for the most part, although sometimes i catch him cocking it to the side. he is acting like his normal self. but then his dad points out there is a small knot-like thing on the side of his neck. it's barely there, but it's there. not really hard or defined, more like a bruise. except he never had anything happen.
so now my husband is worried because his little brother was diagnosed with cancer at age 4. we have pretty much decided to take him in tomorrow. i hate it though, he's only had 2 days of kindergarten, not to mention i'd have to call in to work and things are crazy there right now as well...but i kind of think we have to at this point, don't you think?
ugh. :(
whatever you do please don't try to freak me out more ok? thanks!
thanks ladies, you're always so helpful. he does not have a fever of any kind, so that reassures me. i think what i'll do is call the Dr. right at 8:00 and see what they think - either get him in right after school, or if they think it's warranted, go ahead and take him in. he's actually outside playing now and seems to be feeling better. i have a feeling it's nothing, but i still think we should take him in just to rule out anything else. UGH - the things these kids put their mamas through...!
Could be a muscle spasm and/or a swollen gland.
Try putting a heating pad or a heat patch on it for awhile and see how he feels.
A warm bath can be very good for sore muscles.
School will send him home if he develops a fever.
Monitor for developing symptoms.
I would not take him to the doctor unless he develops a high (> 103) fever.
I would call the doctor about the lump if it is still there. Also, do NOT worry about missing Kindergarten. First of all-its Kindergarten. S.-In my experience the entire first couple weeks of K are devoted to learning colors/shapes etc. plus the 'rules' of school. They have to do this for kids whose parents have not taught them.
Please sweep the other things on your plate aside and take your child in to see a doctor. You will feel so much better knowing the doctor thinks 'it's nothing' (or not) than wondering if you are doing the right thing.
A sore neck or jaw could indicate grinding teeth in his sleep. So if the doctor rules out everything, get him to a dentist. He may need a mouth guard, it will protect his teeth from damage and stop the cramping in his neck.
For years I didn't understand why my neck and shoulder always hurt (I mean 24/7), turns out I would grind my teeth so hard and clench my jaw so tight in my sleep I was hurting the musles in my neck and shoulder.
If he has a fever or any flu like symptoms I would take him to the ER. I have had trouble with knotted muscles and muscle spasms and they can just happen without warning and can be extremely painful. I have had spasms in my back muscles that had me on the floor in pain (I have a high tolerance for pain, the only meds I took after my C-section was Tylenol).
I would have him checked by his doctor and maybe look into chiropractic care. He could just be out of alignment and having problems from subluxations. This could cause knotted muscles and/or spasms.
Also, I only go to the ER for bleeding, broken bones extreme rashes or extremly high fevers. Thankfully we have never had any of those things happen. You know your son best so use your best judgement.
I'd take him in to an urgent care today. The you would not have to call into work and copay should not be much more $. Get some answers today to know how to proceed. It could be serious. And if he cannot put his chin to his chest...get him in now. It could be meningitis.
I have dealt with weird neck pains for years . . . sometimes it will strike out of the blue if I turn my head or shoulders a certain way.
That being said, with the bruise/bump showing up in the same general area, I'd probably get him seen by a doctor.
I wouldn't panic about it but I'd get it checked out.
Good luck!!
Take him to the Dr. If he has a fever, Run to the Dr. That could be symptoms of Meningitis and not something to fool around with at all.
I understand all to well the predictament of should you or shouldn't you. My husband almost always votes against taking him, I always want to. I come from a medical family, so that always is the choice for me. My son can be dramatic at times as well, but, with a new kind of symptom or pain that doesn't go away, I would definetly want to check it out.
Good luck!
I'd take him in to be on the safe side. I'd explain everything and as well tell them you don't have much money and don't want anything not truly nessary.
Do know that at this age it's very normal and common for children to act this way though. Kindergarten is much more stressful on children than most adults realize even when it's a good teacher and all. A lot of kids around 5 to 7 will get a lot of tummy aches or say their legs hurt or head hurts or what have you. It's the norm and just need a some TLC. But by what you've said, I'd take him in to the docs as soon as you can, like tomorrow, unless something tremendous happens in the meantime.
Sending the very best for your little boy and for you. BE CALM
A sore neck does NOT equal meningitis. Here's the list of symptoms from the Mayo Clinic: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/meningitis/ds00118/dsect...
Unless he develops more symptoms, I would put heat on it, massage it, and watch him.
If he has a fever over 102 - I would take him into urgent care...neck pain and fever are (ETA CAN BE) signs/symptoms of meningitis.
Now, my son, age 10 - has been having "eye aches" - some to the point where they are debilitating for him...we've been to many doctors, ophthalmologists and Johns Hopkins...and most recently Children's National...where they want to do another MRI with him anesthetized.
My son ALSO gets knots on the side of his neck - almost like Frankenstein knobs - which freaked me out - my other two haven't had those...any way - took him to the doctor and they say - that's a lymph node - all is well - his body is fighting an infection or even a new anti-body in his system.
So. If the knot is on the side of the neck like Frankenstein - it's a lymph node. IF he is running a fever over 102 and his has neck pain? I say Urgent Care.
Good luck!! Hope it's just a virus and nothing serious!!
Get him checked out. Make sure they do a CT scan or just an MRI if possible. MRI will show things better than a CT scan.
I'm going through something similar myself. I'm very grateful I listened to my body and went to the ER on Thursday night for my migraine. The scan did show something.
Isn't it better to be safe than sorry? Most places allow you to make payment plans if money is really the issue.
When in doubt take him to the pediatrician. Don't mull over your actions yesterday, that will get you nowhere, guilt is a useless emotion. I think the fact that you catch him with his head cocked to the side and he doesn't realize you are watching him shows he has some true discomfort. Could be something as simple as a pinched nerve, ouch. When my oldest was about 5 he was combing his hair to the side and pulled his neck and couldn't straighten it. He was in a lot of pain and this kid takes pain really well. So I took him to the ped who said he must have strained something but would be fine. When I was in grade school I would be sitting at my desk when out of nowhere my neck would get a sharp pain that would shoot from my ear down my neck and then it would get really hot. This happened for years and i never told anyone. Doesn't happen anymore and I still don't know what caused it. I'm telling you these stories to ease your mind and let you know our bodies give us all kinds of odd cricks and creaks without being cancer. I'm sorry your husband went through that with his little brother and can understand his thinking. The small knot like thing could be a gland (I found out at one ped appt just how many we have all over our bodies!) For now, have positive thoughts and take him to the ped. tomorrow just to rule anything else out. Is there any way you can schedule his appt around school?
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I am not one to bring my kids in but the bruise like thing on his neck and cancer with the brother makes me think you should. What type of cancer does his brother have? Did it present in a similar way?
I am one of those take them now moms (or at least call the on-call nurse/doctor).
However what you describe sounds a lot like something called tortucollis (sp?) It is getting a charlie horse type cramp in the neck. My son and I have both had it. In my son's case he acted very similar to how your son acted and it can come on at any time of day. My son had just gotten a new bed and pillow and when he plays on the iPad he hunches over. We think all of these factors contributed to his muscles tightening up in his neck. The doctor said to give him ibuprofen and warm packs and ice could help relieve the area. He was better within a day or so. It can cause headaches. I have had massages to help relieve mine. Also if he is a stomach sleeper this can cause the neck area to get stiff. Call the doctor at least to rule out anything else. Good luck!
HTH,
A.
You should be able to call today and talk to a nurse too and might be able to go ahead and get the appointment scheduled. It could be nothing, but neck pain can be caused by lots of things. I do agree it is so hard when you can't tell exactly what is going on and how bad it is. Glad he seems to be feeling better today. :)
One of our sons, when a 2 year old did something like this and he couldn't hold his head up and wouldn't even sit up for a bit. It happened a couple of times so I took him to the doctor and they did a test at Children's hospital and he has a disk issue in his neck. Nothing had to be done but he has to be careful when looking up, etc. and it is there still. It could be something to do with disks or vertebrae. Or if a knot there it could be from stress, I'd say if he injured it it would have a knot there like I had after I had whip lash. I would take him to a good doctor and have it checked out soon. Keep an eye on him in the mean time as to when he seems to have the most problem, what is he doing then, and how he's holding his head, etc. I know neck issues are not something to mess with and very painful. I would really guess stress due to being only the 2nd day of kindergarten but maybe not.
