Concerns About My Daughter’s Neck Pain and Lupus
A few months ago, my daughter, who is 13, received a diagnosis of lupus. Since then, we have been working through the challenges that come with it. Fortunately, her lab results from the appointment two weeks back were very encouraging. However, this morning she began to express discomfort, specifically complaining about pain in her neck when she turns her head. She had spent the previous day swimming and kayaking with her friends, which I initially thought might have caused the issue. After taking an Advil from my bag, she felt fine for most of the day. Yet, as the afternoon progressed, she mentioned that the pain had returned and was holding her neck quite rigidly. She seemed to be in considerable discomfort, and just before bedtime, she reported a sharp headache. This has raised my level of concern, as it feels beyond a mere muscle strain. I asked her if she wanted to visit the doctor, but she declined, stating she simply wanted to sleep. She went to bed not long ago, and I plan to check on her soon. Still, I'm left pondering whether this situation relates to her condition with lupus, if it’s due to muscle strain, or potentially something else. She hasn’t developed a fever, yet she was quite upset before heading to bed. Given her lupus diagnosis, should this be a concern we address in the morning? I suspect the pain may stem from muscle issues and recognize I might be overreacting as a mom, but I can’t shake the feeling that the lack of relief is worrisome.
Answers (1)
7/21/2025, 3:30:58 AM
OpenHealth AI
It’s understandable to be concerned when your daughter experiences new symptoms, especially given her recent lupus diagnosis. Neck pain in a young person can arise from various sources, including muscle strain, postural issues, or potentially flare-ups related to lupus.
Explanation: Lupus can affect the musculoskeletal system, leading to symptoms like joint and muscle pain or inflammation. The fact that your daughter was engaged in physical activities just before the onset of her neck pain could indicate a muscle strain. However, persistent or worsening pain, especially accompanied by a headache, should be monitored closely, as it could also point to inflammation or tension, which can sometimes occur in lupus patients.
Next Steps:
-
Monitor Symptoms: Keep an eye on her neck pain and headache over the next few hours. Note any changes or if the symptoms worsen, particularly if she develops a fever or has difficulty moving her neck.
-
Rest and Modify Activity: Encourage her to rest and avoid any strenuous activities until her symptoms improve. You might suggest gentle neck stretches if she feels comfortable, but only if there's no pain while doing them.
-
Pain Management: Continue using over-the-counter pain relievers like Advil, but follow dosing instructions carefully. If the pain persists despite these measures, it’s an indication for further evaluation.
-
Check for Other Symptoms: Note if she experiences any new symptoms such as weakness, numbness, or radiating pain, as these may warrant immediate attention.
-
Consult in the Morning: If her symptoms do not improve overnight or if you remain concerned, it would be best to consult with her healthcare provider in the morning. Given her lupus, it’s important to discuss new or worsening symptoms with her doctor.
Your proactive approach is critical, and you are not overreacting—staying vigilant about her health is important, especially with a chronic condition like lupus. Stay supportive and check on her regularly; ensuring she feels comfortable and secure will also help her emotional well-being.
Related Questions
Seeking Clarity on a Pediatric Surgical Experience
One of my earliest recollections involves surgical gauze wrapped around my genitals and being cautioned to exercise caution regarding my circumcision. This incident dates back to around 1972, when I was roughly three years old. My brother, who was eleven at the time, corroborates this memory and recalls that the bandage remained in place for "a few weeks." His recollection is a bit unclear, but he does remember seeing me running around without pants and with a gauze dressing. He believes the dressing wasn't overly bulky and doesn't recall any stent being used. However, I am aware that his memory may not be completely accurate based on other conversations we've had. He recalls being informed that I underwent surgery for an undescended testicle, yet was never made aware of a circumcision being involved. Later, a physician indirectly confirmed that I had undergone an early orchidopexy. This memory piques my curiosity, particularly since my parents have never brought it up with me. I have knowledge of having glanular/coronal hypospadias, and the details of my situation appear to align with images I’ve encountered depicting partial hypospadias corrections. This leads me to wonder if my circumcision might have actually been related to hypospadias surgery. Unfortunately, any tangible proof of these events was lost when I underwent gender confirmation surgery as a trans woman three decades ago. It's conceivable that the standard circumcision procedure typically performed at birth could have been postponed, given that I was born slightly premature and had significant Rh disease and hypoxia. But could it have been deferred until I reached the age of three? I have made attempts to obtain my medical records, but unfortunately, they have been destroyed over the years. While I understand that definitive answers may be elusive, I would greatly appreciate any insights or thoughts on this matter.
Unexplained Left Chest Pain, Electric-Like Jabs in Lower Back, and Unusual Headaches
Hi there, I’m a 15-year-old experiencing some peculiar health issues lately. A visit to my doctor led to a diagnosis of anxiety and poor posture after I complained about headaches and strange, electric sensations rising through my head. However, after that appointment, I became aware of pain in my heart and strange discomfort in my left chest accompanied by difficulty breathing. Initially, I thought these symptoms aligned with anxiety, but they persisted long enough to cause concern. To rule out any serious conditions, I underwent a blood test, which fortunately came back normal. Despite the positive results, I continued to feel unusual pains in my heart region and a peculiar ache in my lower abdomen. The doctor had previously mentioned my poor posture and identified an issue with my occipital nerve, which I’ve somewhat addressed. Now, though, I find myself having intermittent back pain and brief discomfort just beneath my left lung. These pains are indeed strange; they don’t always last long, sometimes just fading after five seconds or they might stick around for several minutes. I tend to spend a lot of time in bed and don’t often leave the house, yet when I do, these pains still occur. Thankfully, they aren’t debilitating, but I can't help but feel anxious thinking something might be significantly wrong with my health. It’s unsettling and I’d prefer not to dwell on such thoughts. To summarize: I experience chest pain in my lower left quadrant, specifically near my lung, alongside a mild but uncomfortable sensation that waxes and wanes. Additionally, I suffer from headaches located on the upper left side of my head. I apologize for any grammatical errors as I used voice-to-text for this message. Another detail that might be relevant is that I have recently quit vaping, now almost 22 days ago, and I wonder if this could be part of the recovery process.
Persistent Shin Discomfort
For the past year, I have been grappling with ongoing discomfort in my shins. Despite consulting multiple physiotherapists and doctors, I have yet to find a solution to my problem. My routine has included extensive strength training targeting my hips, glutes, calves, and lower leg muscles. I've also taken steps to improve my running form and have experimented with various recovery techniques, such as foam rolling and using massage devices. No matter what I try, the pain persists, specifically on the inner side of my lower legs. Initially, I suspected that I was suffering from shin splints. However, given my varied attempts at treatment and the lack of improvement, I am starting to believe that the issue might be something different. Even mundane activities, like walking around at home, have become increasingly uncomfortable, not to mention my inability to ride a stationary bike without experiencing pain. If anyone has any insights or recommendations that could assist me in alleviating this issue, I would be extremely grateful. Thank you for your help! I'm a 20-year-old male, standing at 5 feet 8 inches and weighing 70 kilograms.
Seeking Guidance on Ice Treatment Post-Surgery
I’m a 34-year-old male, weighing 158 pounds and standing 5 feet 6 inches tall. I lead a non-smoking lifestyle, consume three alcoholic drinks weekly, and do not have any known allergies. I'm currently recovering from right hand and wrist surgery, which took place five weeks ago. I need some advice regarding the use of ice for my treatment, as my wrist remains quite swollen. While I understand the advantages of icing, I find the experience quite intolerable. I attempt to immerse my hand and wrist in ice water completely, but the pain is so intense that I can barely last more than 15 seconds. Is this a challenge of mental resilience where I need to push through the discomfort for the sake of a proper 10-minute soak? In the past, I worked with racehorses, and we would apply ice to their legs for 30-minute sessions, significantly accelerating their recovery. I recognize the effectiveness of this method, yet the pain from the cold is unbearable. Should I endure this discomfort for longer periods?
Rash on My Arm: Should I Be Concerned?
Hi there! I’m a 65-year-old female, and for the past four days, I’ve been dealing with a strange rash on my arm. Unfortunately, I can’t visit a healthcare professional until Monday, so I’m hoping to get some clarity in the meantime. I’ll share some images. If they don’t upload here, I’ll post them in the comments instead. The first image, taken last night, is a bit out of focus, but this morning, the rash has appeared even redder. Although it doesn’t itch now, I did experience some itching during the initial two days. As for my health history, I generally don’t have major health concerns apart from elevated cholesterol levels and a recent A1C reading of 5.9, but I do not have diabetes. I keep fairly active for my age group. During the first couple of days, there was some pus, and I managed to clean it with an alcohol wipe, which helped remove it. Could this be related to a spider bite? I noticed some small spiders (specifically daddy long legs) in my bedroom, especially near the balcony door, and I eliminated a few of them today, so that could be a possibility. Should I be wary of any serious complications from this rash? Any advice would be immensely appreciated! My ER co-payment is quite steep, and there’s no urgent care facility nearby. My only option is to request an appointment with my primary care physician next week, but I’m uncertain if it’s something that warrants immediate attention.