strange behavior in toddler following illness

[stephanie75]

my 3 yr old son was quite sick for a week with a stomach virus. he had a high fever (range 102-104), was lethargic, had awful diarrhea. after about 4 days, he developed a rash. after a few more days, the rash started to change and looked quite scary. my husband and i took him to the e.r. and he was diagnosed with erythema multiforme. it is now a few days later, the rash has all but faded completely, but he is acting like a maniac. he has been unbearable for the last few days. everything and anything sends him flying into a tantrum. at first i thought that maybe a week of my husband and i (mostly me, as i'm home with him) waiting on him hand and foot had gotten into his head and we basically created a monster. but we're starting to wonder if the illness could have created a chemical imbalance. he spent the majority of yesterday either crying, whining, or screaming, one of the three. he's doing things like biting, which he has never done before. he's throwing things at me. i can't take him out in public, his tantrums are so loud and extreme. after being home for a week due to the illness, i now feel like i'm imprisoned here forever due to his behavior. my husband and i both cried last night, asking each other, "what happened to our sweet little boy?" he has always been spirited and high-maintenance, but never aggressive or unhappy. he just seems utterly miserable.

[ZKbird]

My now 21 months old is going through the same situation after more than 10 days of flu, fever, cough etc. He has been acting like a maniac with extreme tantrum that we usually almost never see in him when he is well. However, this is not the 1st time that happened to him. Around his 18 months, he got sick just like right now, he was sick for 10 days or more and after recovering, he had started to show huge tantrum. We were so worried, but slowly this behavior went away and he became him old self. We are hoping that this time also his behavior will get better just like last time.

[Ponywonka]

My first thought was a medication reaction

[Ckirby111]

My lo is currently experiencing this was sick a week ago had a tummy bug then I caught it. Been very grumpy and tantruming for no reason.  Has no fever now and it's a very hard time. Just wondering everyone's outcome?

[Sweetheart777]

Did they treat him with prednisone for the rash? Look into the medications he was given sounds like a side effect, once out of his system he'll be fine.

[Krissyjohn]

Look into PANS/PANDAS. It sounds like it might be this. My daughter was diagnosed last year. I hope you find the help you need

[Sandman2]

    Hang in there.   Kids can't just turn things  off and on.   He remembers being really sick and that is scary.   Each day should get a little better.

[DDallas]

I am going through the same thing right now. My 3 yr old was super sick all last week with a high fever and now he is feeling better but very mean and demanding. He keeps making me think something is still wrong with him with all the crying, but once he gets his way he seems to turn it off. I am out of my mind. I can't even go to the kitchen without him freaking out and saying he needs me. I need time to do things! I am at my wits end.

[Shinyshiny054]

We are experiencing the same symptoms and still can't find anywhere anyone that experienced this came back with an update?!?? Please someone tell me the outcome, is the LO better, how long did it take, what did they do?!?!

[Angiefolsom]

I have this same issue with my daughter after she gets sick each time. Same thing after having a fever or a virus. I am having the issue right now and finally taking her to the doctor tomorrow. Her manic attacks are so bad last night I was in tears. She gets so angry for a little 3 year old its horrible. I have never seen anything like it. She is fine normally and will have a occasional tantrum but not like this. I cant remember how long they last I want to say at least a week or maybe two but the tantrums themselves are like 15-20 mins long each night and she is fine allday long at school she only does this while at home. I cannot believe there is nothing about this online because it has to be linked to something thats for sure.

[Cdrainorshine]

Google PANDAS - same thing happened with my 2 year old and it turns out he has this treatable autoimmune disorder.

[Mmarkey19695]

My kids are a lot older now but I went through the same thing when my son was two! There wasn't anything wrong with him. His behavior went on for about a month and I had had enough I was at my wits end, I started punishing him for the behavior. He quit and was his old self within days. Turns out he liked being  catered to and didn't want it to stop.

[Coggers]

JenJen - infact anyone on this thread - please reply and tell me how you got on after your toddler started behaving strangely following illness. My (nearly 2 year old) daughter has been going absolutely nuts for 10 days and 10 long nights now following a 40c fever nearly 2 weeks ago. Wife and I are exhausted and doctors seem to be giving us no help or advice!
Please tell me if your kids returned to "what used to be" normal !

[Biancaalexia]

We are going through the same issue with our toddler having a high fever and now manic behavior. Did this resolve? Plz help

[JenJen1977]

Stephanie75 i'm just wondering how your situation was resolved in the end? I noticed you posted not so long ago. We're just going through a similar thing with my daughter (23 months old) and i'm physically and mentally drained ;o(

[STNYC]

My daughter is currently experiencing same symptoms - how did this get resolved? Was it just a side effect of the high fever and eventually went away (which is what our pediatrician is saying)? Thanks!

[cazmum24]

my 2 year old did exactly the same, keep an i out for frequent urinating and thirst. my son was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. please dont let this scare you just maybe be aware of diabetes. carly. hope he is well soon.x

[rilbrianne]

I agree, speak to his pediatrician about it.  Maybe his tummy is still bothering him.  Maybe he has been stuck in the house being sick all this time that a trip to the park would be a good way to get out some energy and have a little fun.  

[RockRose]

Stephanie,  this comes up pretty regularly on this board.  It seems sort of common - I tried to google "tantrums after illness" and "personality change after ilness" but didn't come up with anything worthwhile.

Have you talked to his doctor about this?