On Sunday, my son lost his happy-go-lucky self that he always is. I was worried that his ear infection had lingered even after one round of antibiotics. So when nothing would console him, not even Tylenol we though maybe he needed a nap. When he woke up even more grumpy, I was beside myself. I didn’t know what to do.
It was lunch time, so I offered him chocolate milk thinking that would cheer him up at least, he screamed at me. It wasn’t until I served him lunch that I noticed he refused to use his left arm. I wasn’t positive, and didn’t think about it too much because I was doing a lot of other things at once. In all honestly, I thought he was just finding something to be stubborn about.
When we were both done with lunch, he was back to screaming and being upset. So I sat down with him in my chair and put on his favorite movie. Every time I moved in the slightest, he cried out in pain. My husband came down and he had lunch, and then gave the kids a snack. I pointed out to Andrew that Miles was not using his left hand at all.
He watched him for a while, sorta checked him out and said he can use his hand, and he’s in pain but he didn’t think it was worth taking him to the ER and exposing him to more germs. (my kids get sick every time we go out) So, I decided he knew best and we stayed home. He was being a baby when I was around and toughing it out when daddy was around so I started to think he was just taking advantage of mommy. There was never any doubt that he had pain, I just felt like he was making me the victim of his pain.
When we got up this morning and he still wasn’t using his arm I knew I was going straight to the Doctor’s office. I called them as soon as I thought they would start taking appointments and we were there before nine. We waited our turn and then he was examined, No ear infection. That was good news, but she wasn’t sure what was wrong with his arm and sent me downstairs to the X-ray Lab. Because I had Zoe with me, they had to take him away from me to do the X-rays. Everyone in that Lab could hear my son screaming and the lady that was after him said she would have been scared to go get an X-ray if she didn’t know why he was screaming.
He calmed down when he saw me, but I was a complete mess. My son was in pain and I couldn’t be there for him. I was practically in tears. We waited for the print outs and marched back upstairs. The X-rays were clear (no breaks, more good news). The doctor started telling me that he will probably be better in a few days and I was terrified to leave the room (knowing I would be held hostage to a two year old). Something was wrong with my child or me. But as I was about to put his shirt back on, she decided she wanted to try something. She re-examined his arm and then pushed his hand up into his shoulder holding his elbow very tightly, and the screaming got really bad again and then it was over.
She said she felt a tendon pop back into place. She said to give him some IB and that he would be in a little pain still but that it should get better within a few days and if not to bring him back. He was better by the time we got to the van. Oh my heart lifted and there is joy in the house again. My son is happy and back to his silly little self.
Ouch! I am glad he is feeling better. How heartbreaking as a mom to not be able to be there when they need us.
I’m so glad the doctor tried that one more thing. Praying he feel better.
Sounds like nurse maids elbow. My oldest (who is 11) and my soon to be 5 yr old would have this happen to them often when they were toddlers. Just be careful because they are prone to have it have it happen again. If it does have someone teach you how to pop it back in. It will save you a lot of time later and they won’t have to stay in pain.
Poor little guy! I dislocated my shoulder this summer and I know it’s some terrible pain! Luckily it mostly goes away right after it’s popped back into place. Glad he is doing better. And you too. I know it’s so hard to watch your child in pain.
awww poor baby, im so glad he is ok. That must have been so hard to watch him be in pain and not be able to do anything.
OH my Gosh,…poor little guy! It is so hard to leave your baby even for a minute when they need you at a doc or hospital. They just dont understand what is going on! I am so glad they figured it out! JOY JOY JOY!!! the hardest thing in life is seeing your kids in pain…any kind of pain, I think!
I am glad your little one is better. It is tough with the younger children. They can’t talk or express what the problem is. Many more bumps and bruises to come I am afraid.
I agree, sounds like nurses maids elbow. My son who is now 6 had it. I did learn to pop my son’s back in place, but I swear, everytime I thought I would faint. My son’s continued to pop out till he was 5. the doctor said it usually stops by that age because the bone in the arm is now grown enough to become very difficult to pop out. No yanking at that arm, not even other siblings yanking at that arm. No hanging either. Well, mines couldn’t. If he tried to do the monkey bars, it would pop out.
i totally agree that it sounds like Nurse maids elbow. My three year old daughter has had this happen many times. Hers will usually resolve it’s self on it’s own within an hour. Like others mentioned, once it happens he will be prone to it happening again. Poor little guy. Glad they were able to figure it out.
awwww poor little guy. I am glad he is ok.
What a brave little boy you have. Heart breaking for mom to go through though. Glad he is better.
You poor thing. I know your pain and even to know what’s going on still makes you want to cry. My daughter went through this. And recently my baby had to have his popped back in too. Fortunately as they get older they get stronger, I think 4 is the age you won’t have to worry about it anymore. It can happen from trying to keep them from getting into the street as they try to snatch away! Well here’s to hoping that won’t happen to him again and he’ll grow stronger sooner than 4. Take care.
Ouchie! I’m glad he’s better! Always trust your instincts.
My daughter broke her foot last month and we didn’t realize until 2 days later that she was limping. She was afraid to tell us that she hurt her foot when jumping off her bunk onto her bean bag-LOL.
Oh no! That is one of my least favorite things. Two of my four have loose joints as toddlers and had multiple dislocated elbows and shoulders. You can easily relocate the joints by yourself. Have your doctor or a nurse show you how.
I have a son that was pron to getting dislocated joints. It started when he was around two years old. The doctor recognized it immediately and showed us how to put it back in. I never could do that. Once we took him to the emergency room to have them put it back in but they insisted it was a broken arm. I tried to explain it to them what it was but the doctor was a pill. Finally another Doctor said let me try something. My son finally got his arm put back into place. If it happens once, look for it again. My doctor said that it usually happens with blue eyed blonds. But not always! Good luck
So glad it’s in place now. Poor little guy.
Oh My God. I am sooooo glad he is doing better. I can only imagine the pain he felt (and you) Give him a big hug from me!!!
Sarah
That would be so hard and heartbreaking as a mom! I can’t even imagine how hard it might have been for you. Moms always know best about your little ones. I am glad he is back to himself!
Ouchies! Glad he’s feeling better. Poor guy.
awww poor baby!!! as a mom I can feel your pain for your baby. I remember when Sarah was 6 months old she had to have chest x-rays because she had bronchitis that wouldn’t go away, they later diagnosed her with Asthma. But she was screaming during the x-ray and there was nothing I could do but hold her arms above her head. I am so glad he is OK and back to himself!
Poor thing!! They couldn’t see any of that on the x-ray? So glad he’s all better now!
Oh, my! I hope all is well now!
this happened to my sister! poor little man
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