What's wrong with my 3 yr.old???

[abcsoup]

My 3 1/2 yr.old son has been having strange symptoms for the past few weeks.  When he wakes up and sits up, he puts his hand up to the left side of his head...sometimes on his left ear, sometimes on his left temple. While these episodes usually last for 30 seconds or so, he sometimes pinches the area between his eyes and then rubs his eyes afterwards.  I'm wondering if he's having visual disturbances with this. He has also been crying and whining in his sleep since all this started..but when he wakes up enough and I ask him if anything hurts he says no. During the day if he gets a "spell" he will tilt his head to the left, so his left ear is almost touching his shoulder.  Or sometimes he will put his left arm up to the left side of his head. At his dr. visit today, his dr. did a thorough exam, said there was no ear infection, just a very slight amount of fluid in his left ear, but nothing that could be causing him pain.   His blood pressure and neuro exam was normal.   He wants to do a sedated MRI scan first to rule out any major problems, if that is normal, then an EEG to check for seizures.  His dental exam by our pediatric dentist revealed no problems. I am a complete basket case...have you seen any of these types of symptoms before?  He is otherwise a healthy, normally developed little boy.  Thank you very much.

[CCF-Neuro-M.D.-CS]

I cannot come up with a specific diagnosis. I agree with the MRI to exclude a structural lesion and an EEG is also reasonable. These movements due not sound like a tic disorder or a movement disorder. Good luck.

[lmroswell]

Our little girl had ear problems.  Fluid in her left ear was constant, and when she was exposed to a cold, it usually developed into an ear infection.  In your case, even though the doc said no infection was present, the fluid can affect the way the child hears and, due to pressure changes, the ear may feel different than the other ear. Maybe go to a pediatric ENT for further evaluation.  Even though the fluid is not causing an infection at this time, I don't believe it is normal. With our little one, she tossed and turned in her sleep, had numerous sinus and ear infections.  She has had tubes put in twice, along with adenoids (adenoids) and tonsils removed.  She is a happy camper now.  Good luck with your little one.

[my2boys]

I HAVE A FIVE YR.OLD AND WE SUFFER EAR INFECTIONS AT LEAST 1 A MONTH OR EVERY OTHER MONTH BUT JUST THIS PAST WEEK I NOTICED HIM TALKING AND CRYING IN HIS SLEEP HE ALSO TILTS HIS HEAD      

WHEN WE WENT TO THE DR. ON THURS. HE HAD AN EAR INFECTION
ASK ABOUT APPLING HEAT