My son woke up this morning crying that his neck, ear and head hurt. He couldn't lift his head. I gave him pain reliver, decongestant and ear numbing drops (he has a sinus infection so he's on antibiotic). He had no fever, thankfuly, or I would have had him out the door to the emergency room.

Anyway, I'm sure it's just a stiff neck. I'm doing the Motrin and Mineral Ice, but it's not really helping. Any tried and true remedies?

This has been the double whammy, my 14 month old spent most of last night vomiting, but seems fine today.

Any help would be appreciated.
Ame

By Ilovetom on Tuesday, December 13, 2005 - 03:46 pm:

Well, my son had a stiff neck as a little boy and it ended up being meningitis.

It's probably not, but I would call the doctor. Not scaring you, but I never take a chance with a stiff neck.

By Heaventree on Tuesday, December 13, 2005 - 03:52 pm:

Ditto the above, call the doctor.

Has he had his meningitis vaccination?

By Vicki on Tuesday, December 13, 2005 - 03:53 pm:

I wouldn't mess with a stiff neck either. (and that sounds like a pretty serious one to boot) A reason he may not have a fever is because he is alreay on an antibiotic and that could be fighting the fever too... I would definately be calling your doctor.

By Amecmom on Tuesday, December 13, 2005 - 03:55 pm:

I thought about that right off, but there's no fever, and he's not sensitive to light - so I don't think it's meningitis. I did call the doctor and was going to take him in, but if it really is just a stiff neck, there's nothing he can do.
I made an appointment for tomorrow, just in case it doesn't go away by then, or he develops a fever.
Thanks for the warning, though. I appreciate it.
Ame

By Amecmom on Tuesday, December 13, 2005 - 04:03 pm:

I didn't think the antibiotic would affect the fever, but that makes sense doesn't it? If he does have it, the symptoms might be less severe because he's been on antibiotic for 11 days (of 30) for a sinus infection.

I just didn't want them poking him for something that is probably just a sore muscle. It is cold around here, these days.

Now I'm a little nervous though, the motrin I'm giving him to help the pain will also hide any fever if it comes on ...

I'll just keep watch. I f my mommy radar starts going off, I'll take him to the ER.

Any advice for a sore neck, btw?
Ame

By Karen~moderator on Tuesday, December 13, 2005 - 04:23 pm:

Heating pad might help.......but my first thought would be to rule out meningitis as well. If your mommy radar goes off, do not put off taking him to the ER.

By Dawnk777 on Tuesday, December 13, 2005 - 04:33 pm:

Meningitis was my first thought, too. I would get it checked out, if it was my kid.

By Amecmom on Tuesday, December 13, 2005 - 04:41 pm:

I will get it checked out. I have an appointment with the doctor tomorrow. I do not want them taking blood or giving him a spinal when it's probably unwarranted. There are 5 major symptoms of meningits and 3 of the 5 are always present.
His only symptom right now is the neck pain.

Thanks for the helpful suggestion, Karen. I will try one, if he'll let me.

Ame

By Karen~moderator on Tuesday, December 13, 2005 - 04:56 pm:

You're welcome. If it's muscular, if you can get him to stretch his neck, that would help as well. And, sometimes ice packs work as well as or better than heat, depending on the person......I prefer to use ice on my neck and back.

By Karen~moderator on Tuesday, December 13, 2005 - 04:57 pm:

BTW, hope your DD is feeling better!!!!!

By Amecmom on Tuesday, December 13, 2005 - 05:09 pm:

Ice? I didn't even think of ice! Thank you! And yes, Helen seems to be better. She's kept everything down today - cheerios, crackers, pedialyte - that sort of thing. Randy's feeling better, too. He's still holding his neck kind of funy, but he's moving around and playing which is a big improvement from lying on the couch.
Thank you for asking about her and for your good wishes that they feel better.

Ame

By Nicki on Tuesday, December 13, 2005 - 05:57 pm:

Ame, I hope they are both feeling better. You must be exhausted as well. I imagine you were up all night with Helen.
Bless your heart, you need a break. Wish I could help somehow!
Take care.
Nicki

By Jodes on Tuesday, December 13, 2005 - 07:16 pm:

If he can touch his chin down to his chest, then most likely it's not meningitis, that is one "test" I know about for meninigitis. A soke in a really warm bath could help with his pain.

By Breann on Tuesday, December 13, 2005 - 07:49 pm:

My daughter was hospitalized last spring because of a stiff neck and high fever. We resorted to doing a spinal tap to rule out meningitis. The doctors at the hospital were horrible about it. Her blood count was all out of whack, we couldn't get the 104+ fever to break (even while staying in the hospital) and she couldn't move her neck. The doctors through a fit over us wanting to do the spinal. They didn't want to do it because she was so young, yada yada. (5 yrs old) We did it, and it came back negative. They gave her a sedative, and she barely remembers it. She remembers all of the blood draws more than the spinal tap. It was worth millions knowing that it wasn't meningitis.
Everything ended up clearing up on its own after about 3 days. We still don't know what was wrong.
I hope that both of your kids are feeling MUCH better very soon

By Wife2jason on Tuesday, December 13, 2005 - 09:05 pm:

I rushed my son to the Dr a few years ago for a stiff neck, ended up being a neckache! He was crying that it hurt, which isn't his personalitly, so I assumed it was bad, but it was nothing. If he can touch his chin to his chest, it's probably NOT meningitis.

Just my $.02

By Luvn29 on Wednesday, December 14, 2005 - 10:00 am:

Hey there! Just wondering how your son is feeling today....

By Amecmom on Wednesday, December 14, 2005 - 10:41 am:

Thanks for the good wishes. He woke up screaming, "My neck feels better!" at about 6:45. Happy news, at not the best time of the morning . He has a full range of motion and no pain.
Thanks for asking, Adena!
Jodi, I will remember that one for next time.
Jacqueline, I had him do that, and of course it hurt - but it was the side of his neck, not really the back. I also had him lie on the floor and bring his knees to his chest. If it's meningitis, that should be very painful in the lower back. Didn't bother him in the least - so I knew it wasn't meningitis.
Breann, that must have been so scary for you! I'm so glad it cleared up with no ill after effects. It's amazing how much doctors can't figure out after all.
Nicki, your post made me smile. Thanks for the boost.
Thanks for all the advice and encouragement!

Oh, and for Helen the bright side is that after two days of Pedialyte, she'l have forgotten what her fromula tasts like and her transition to milk will be a little easier. We'll do milk tomorrow if she does okay with a turkey and cheese sandwich today.
Thanks again for the support and concern all of you!
Ame

By Karen~moderator on Wednesday, December 14, 2005 - 10:43 am:

Sounds like good news all around then!