7 Year Old w/Undiagnosed Pain

[JJEALIT]

My 7 YEAR OLD SON (perfectly healthy other than the complaints I'm about to address) has complained of neck stiffness/pain for 1 year.  He started complaining of pain in a specific spot, just below his mid-back about 1 month ago.  Then, about 2 weeks ago he told me is legs felt like they were going to "fall out from under him".  We promptly visited our pediatrician who found a Babinski reflex in his right foot and some abnormal touch sensations on his back and right lower leg.  My son completed cervical and thoracic spine MRIs as well as a head MRI with normal results.  His Dr. recommends we treat his pain complaints with Motrin.
I'm having a hard time not having a explanation for his pain and especially the unilateral Babinski response.  My son complains of the pain daily.  He says he feels disabled and wants to feel normal again.  My son is very intellectual, reasonable and persistant.  He is not accepting that he has to feel like this all the time.  I believe him and want to help him. Even when he's not complaining, I observe him tilting his head back and rubbing his neck or holding his back or resting when other kids are running.
Should we pursue these complaints with another type of doctor?  Is a unilateral Babinski response ever "normal"?
Any guidance or advice given will be greatly appreciated.

[JJEALIT]

Thanks for the encouragement to seek another Drs. opinion regarding our son.  The neurosurgeon at the University of Chicago diagnosed him with a minor Chiari Malformation.  We have a lot to learn about the condition but were relieved to know it's nothing life threatening.   Thanks for your support!

[extremeburning]

I became so engulfed in my sons situation that I forgot to say your very welcome, I apoligize for that. I'm also glad that your taking him to a "Childrens Hospital". If they are anything like Childrens Hospital in Philadelphia, your in good hands. Best of luck to your family.

[extremeburning]

Without trying to bore you, my son at age 14 had a surgery on his ankle for a serious injury and for a whole year after the surgery my son continued to complain and all we heard for an entire year after the surgery was achilles tendon, tibial tendon, tenderness of the tendon only to find out there was nothing wrong with his tendons AT ALL. The doctor did not do an MRI after the surgery even though we requested one cause he said "it was not necessary". After all this the doctor told my wife that my son should go back to school (he was not sleeping at night due to the pain) and take his mind off of it. We sought another doctor in the area who immediately ordered an MRI which revealed the injury was exactly the same as before the surgery, he further advised us he would not attempt the surgery and that we should take our son to the Temple Foot and Ankle Institute in Philadelphia. We took his advise and after the second surgery his injury has improved drastically and they also had to address nerve issues from the FIRST surgery. A total of (4) surgeries and at age 17 now he is finally on the right track. No thanks to the first doctor. So you can see I DEFINITELY ENCOURAGE YOU to find another doctor. Sorry for rambling but maybe my story will convince you and others that you should not be afraid to speak your mind to doctors whether they like it or not. My son has been to hell and back and I truly believe its cause of the first doctors incompetence. Good luck to you and your child.

[JJEALIT]

Thank you, extremeburning.  My son is not a complainer and has no need to make up ailments to seek attention.  He is an adored, loved and valued member of our family and knows it.  We have decided to seek another opinion at the University of Chicago Comer Children's Hospital.

[extremeburning]

Find another doctor. A 7 year old does not make up things like that. I believe what he says he is feeling HE IS FEELING. Find another doctor. Good luck. Some adults may be attention seekers complaining of aches and pains but not a 7 year old.

[auntiezazz]

I have no particular expertise, but I would say Definitly See another doctor.
Trust your son and yourself.  Negative MRI is a good place to start,  but you are right to expect an explanation. your sons symptoms don't sound like any "growing pains" I have ever seen.
I'd start with another pediatrician or call child Neurological specialists. Your own Dr should be able to answer your question about the unilateral Babinsky reflex, although since he or she has already decided that it doesnt warrent further investigation, I imagine you would get a more satisfying answer elsewhere.
It is always your right to get a second oppinion. I would certainly encourage you to persue this until it is resolved to your satisfaction.
One thing comes to mind that I hate to mention but with which I am familiar.  It is not uncommon for a child who is being or has been abused to manifest physical symptoms. It is more common than you might think. I still think you should persue further medical diagnosis, but I just had to mention the other because It would be a tragedy if it were true and overlooked.