Stiff necks in toddlers...(kinda long)

amylynn3 · #1 12-01-2008, 12:37 PM

I have a question for any medical people out there or people with experience in toddlers and stiff necks. My daughter has been sick for the last two weeks. Started as a usual cold which led into a double ear infection with high fevers. She went on antibiotics which she had an allergic reaction to (hives), so her antibiotic was switched. She contined with fevers for about 7 days even while on the antibiotics. The fever finally broke the day after Thanksgiving. With the antibiotics she also has an intense diaper rash...the skin literally peeled off (sorry if TMI). During diaper changes she was very tense and screamed bloody murder. We have the rash under control, but now she appears to have a very stiff neck. She pulls at the back of her head during the day and then every time she wakes up, she is very stiff and cries when she has to turn her head to the right. We are giving her Motrin for the pain and the stiffness does wear off during the day, but then starts all over in the morning.

So, my question, would you bring her to the doctor for the neck stiffness? Is this common in toddlers? My daugher is 20 months. Any suggestions on how to help her? She looks miserable when she wakes up (in the morning and from naptime). Thoughts on what could be causing this? Could it be from all the tension over the diaper rash? Any help would be appreciated.

djhuebner · #2 12-01-2008, 01:01 PM

I am not in the medical field, but IMHO,I would definitely talk to your doctor and most likely try to get an appointment. There can be a variety of reasons for a stiff neck. But a stiff neck with fever can be sign of Meningitis.

akasohappy · #3 12-01-2008, 01:03 PM

I would take her to the doctor....a stiff neck can be a sign of a more serious illness. Please let us know how she is doing.

Saya · #4 12-01-2008, 01:17 PM

I'm sure this could be a whole bunch of non-serious things - but just to be on the safe side, I would definitely want to take her to the doctor to have more serious stuff ruled out. JMHO.

KarynB · #5 12-01-2008, 01:33 PM

Hello - I really don't want to scare you - but I recently had a very stiff neck and ended up doing research one of the main symptoms of meningitis is stiff neck. Mine is just a more regular infection....

Most likely this is not it at all - but if it is, it needs to be treated early.

Please don't panic, again - most likely it is not - but you do need to get it checked asap.

Please let us know how she is doing...

Karyn

KarynB · #6 12-01-2008, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djhuebner

I am not in the medical field, but IMHO,I would definitely talk to your doctor and most likely try to get an appointment. There can be a variety of reasons for a stiff neck. But a stiff neck with fever can be sign of Meningitis.

Oops - you already said that! Oh well - now you have two opinions (-:

kerriv · #7 12-01-2008, 01:45 PM

Meningitis was my first thought too. I'd definitely get her in.

amylynn3 · #8 12-01-2008, 01:58 PM

I read about Meningitis on-line too (tried not to panic), but she does not have a fever anymore. Her fever broke the day after Thanksgiving. Other than the stiff neck, she is back to normal in all other respects.

amylynn3 · #9 12-01-2008, 04:17 PM

Well, of course, Layna woke up from her nap with NO stiffness in her neck. So, I am going to see how she is in the morning and make my decision then. If she is stiff...we are going to the doctor.

luv2teach2 · #10 12-01-2008, 04:20 PM

Stiff neck could be a sign of menigitis along with the fever. I wouldn't hesitate to get her checked out

EZ2Luv · #11 12-01-2008, 06:42 PM

As others have said this could be very serious. Please don't hesitate to have her checked out. I am the type that would rather feel like an idiot for taking my child to the doctor when it is nothing than to ignore something that is possibly dangerous. My brother had menengitis when he was a baby and the poor kid had a horrible stiff neck.

EZ

amylynn3 · #12 12-02-2008, 08:11 AM

So, she woke up with a stiff neck again this morning. So, I called the doctor's office. They can't get her in until tomorrow morning. I am kinda annoyed by that because the receptionist does not know the history, nor would she probably be willing to listen to it.

Would any of you persist...or should I just wait until tomorrow morning? I was thinking of calling back and asking to leave a message for the doctor to call back...maybe then the doctor would determine if she needs to be seen right away. What do you all think?

Ms.Judi · #13 12-02-2008, 08:48 AM

I would call back and ask to talk to the Doctor. Poor Layna. Give her extra hugs. Keep us posted.

catsnkids · #14 12-02-2008, 08:50 AM

Personally, I would leave a message for a call back from the doctor. Since it comes and goes and there is no fever, it may just be stiff muscles or slight dehydration from being sick. However, I would want to talk to the doctor.

JosieWales · #15 12-02-2008, 08:59 AM

I would push the doctor to let her in. It's probably not menengitis, but if it is, you need to get her in ASAP!

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Welcome to the Forums.	Register
If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ. You may have to register before you can post or search: click here to proceed. To start viewing messages, select a forum below that you would like to view or click View All of Todays Posts.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)