Third Day of Neck Ache for My Toddler

I would take him to the ER as well, but the ER in a children's hospital. I'd be very concerned. Toddlers are extremely flexible/resilient, especially when asleep and shouldn't have been able to inflict that much damage on himself. I'd like to see an x-ray or something done on his neck.

My thought is meningitis as well and as far as I know that is diagnosed through spinal tap...but I also know one of the presenting symptoms is pain when looking down which is probably why it was ruled out? Still, they are developing so rapidly if it is something like a muscle tear or he whacked something out of place it's still disconcerting and I think he needs to be diagnosed in a hospital setting.

I would take him to the ER.

The Advil, initially, just masked his symptoms. That is why, he started to run around after you gave it to him. It alleviated discomfort.
But he was still sick. And still felt warm.
Being he had been given Advil, it is possible... that when you took him to the Doctor, he did not display his initial symptoms. ie: the neck ache and fever. Because, the Advil, masked those symptoms. Hence maybe the Doc could not assess him, accurately. Being he was on Advil, before you had taken him to the Doctor.

I would take him to the ER or an Urgent Care, prior to waiting for Monday.
And no, not Chiropractor.
Because, STILL... you do not know... a medical diagnosis, for your son.
The Pediatrician did not tell you what was wrong.
And he had a fever and now cannot look up.
Do not just willy nilly, take him to the Chiropractor or any other place until you get a DEFINITIVE and formal medical DIAGNOSIS for your son.

Since Saturday.. he has had trouble looking up etc.
I would have taken him, THAT day, to the ER.

Ice and chiropractor! My kids have been adjusted since birth..

If he hit his head on the wall then and he threw up... yes it could have been from being upset or it could have been a concussion. It doesn't always have to be a hard hit.. but if hit right right it can happen.

I would suggest taking him to a chiropractor.. with my experience our drs wont tell us to go to a chiropractor but our chiropractor will ALWAYS tell us if he thinks its something more serious to see a dr and will not touch anyone if that's the case.

Good luck, I hope you find some answers soon.

take him to the doctor

Hi A. ~

Before reading other responses I was also thinking meningitis.

ETA: With doubt especially since you are posting here we're not doctors but w/him having fever, stiff hard to move neck & now vomiting that is alarming for me as a mom. If I were you I wouldn't wait until the morning. As S.H. posted the Advil was masking his symptoms. Meningitis is very serious please take him to the ER. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001700/

Neck pain without an injury to explain it is uncommon in a toddler, and while I don't want to be an alarmist, either, even before I read Patricia G's answer I was thinking meningitis. Please don't mess around with this yourself, and mention it to your pediatrician. Children this young do get it, I know of two personally.

I hope it is nothing this severe, and that your little one is better soon.
God bless.
_________________________________________

ADDED after your update...if he vomited after a head injury you should be in the ER NOW!

I know you said the ped did a test for meningitis, but what kind of test? A spinal tap I hope. This is the only test to confirm this disease. Test results are not immediate, so I'm suspecting she didn't test for it if she told you during the visit that he's fine. All of the symptoms you are sharing sound like meningitis. There are two forms. The bacterial version can be fatal if left untreated and if so, death can be sudden (within days and hours of contracting it and symptoms can seem mild).

Children are particularly susceptible and it is highly contagious. Sometimes families and patients must be quarantined. This disease is more rampant during the early spring months.

I say go to the ER instead of relying on your pediatrician. Unfortunately, even the best pediatrician can make mistakes. At least at the ER, they will do a full spectrum of the appropriate tests. If he has it, he will be put on antibiotics right away. Do not wait any longer. These symptoms are not normal.

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/961497-overview

Please update -- it's Monday 3/19. This is a very worrying post. I also thought meningitis and then, with the addition you wrote, wondered about a head injury (which can cause vomiting). Either can be gravely serious if untreated and a chiropractor isn't appropriate for these. Please update us once you see a doctor. I hope you didn't wait for an appointment but went right to an ER. Hope your son's got a good diagnosis by now.

Have they tested for Lyme Disease?

My son has gone to the chiro every week since birth. I would absolutely take him to the chiro for a sore neck. His symptoms actually sound a lot like what I've had for a week and have gone to the chiro for relieve/treatment. You may want to avoid using heat, as that will swell things and cause more discomfort if it's a pinched nerve or sore muscles. I would do ice on for 20 off for 20 as often as possible. Good luck!

Are there any other symptoms besides the fever and neck ache? I googled and found this link. http://www.ehow.com/about_###-###-####_neck-pain-toddlers...

I don't want to be a freak-out queen, but it might be worth calling your pediatrician to ask about menengitis, JUST to be safe.