Growing pains?

[tigwig]

Last night my 4yr old woke up at about 9pm screaming and writhing about on the bed in agony saying her legs hurt her. It took me a good 10-15 mins to quieten her and she was still twitching alot and wincing even though she had almost gone back to sleep. I was really worried and ready to take her to hospital but my hubby said its just growing pains I used to get it. What do you think? Do growing pains really exist and do they hurt that much? It was awful seeing the pain in her little face.

[unhappychick]

My sisters son used to get that when he was little, hes 14 now and doesnt get it anymore, not sure wether its growing pains or not...take her to the doctors for piece of mind, although im sure its nothing

[beanebabe]

I suffer with aching legs, generally when I am tired and it was probably referred to as growing pains when I was younger. Over the weekend I had, what I can only think was a strange virus, where the whole of my legs ached and then on Sunday I had the most awful back ache over the whole of my back, in my hips and the tops of my legs (I also had a temperature). Paracetamol did help. Your daughter may have something similar, there are some funny things about. Hope she feels better soon.

[cazzz1975]

my daughter still gets it she is 11, she mainly gets pains when she has been swimming, had PE or when she plays out.

if she was in a lot of pain maybe she pulled a muscle?

[ccfluff]

My son started with this at her age, it is growing pains, something to do with the muscles relaxing. After an attack, you coud either give her calpol or just keep her legs warm. My sons now 7 and his attacks have significantly reduced.

[Psychick]

My 7 year old still gets them in her legs occassionally. I normally just massage her leg to help ease it and, luckily, shes at the age now where she realises its growing pains and so no longer gets so worked up and upset.

[~max~]

Maybe they were cramps, and she didn't know how to explain? If it goes on, I'd have her checked out for peace of mind anyway.

[lilacben]

My granddaughter who is 5 gets it a lot. The doctor says its growing pains and they cannot find anything else wrong.I know it is horrible to see them in agony and it really is hurting them. just calpol and massage them. bless her xxx

[Goodsoulette]

I had awful growing pains but that was when I was about 10 or 11 as I went from 5'4 to just under 5'9 in just over a year. I used to feel it in my hips and legs mostly and I got very clumsy as I didn't know what to do with the extra length on the limbs.

Its worth taking her to the doctors if it happens again, just in case there is a more sinister cause.

[Le Chat]

My eldest son had this exact thing from about the age of 4, on and off until he was 7. I put it down to deferred pain, as he had broken his leg when he was 2 but it probably wasn't. He is now 11 and completely ok in the leg department, you'll be glad to hear!

[anywhen]

My daughter suffered with "growing pains" from the age of 4, she was tall for her age and the doctor diagnosed her just by looking at her. I took her to the doctors every time she had the pains and eventually at the age of ten he sent her for tests. She was anaemic, allergic to citrus, nickel (found in tomatoes) and chocolate. After a course of iron and change of diet the leg pain went. I used to soak a towel in warm water and put it on her legs and that eased the pain. If it happens again take her to the docs, my daughter is 30 now and very healthy but still remembers the pain.

[myselfness]

a good way to establish if its growing pains is asking how it feels... if its more of an ache (like a bruise maybe) then its jut growing pains, but if it feels like its being pulled it could be cramp or something more serious.

If you use words she understands to try and get her to describe it its easier to establish whats up

[mimie]

Both my children have had growing pains at times over the years. Calpol can help - but also make sure she has plenty of fluids throughout the day because dehydration makes it much worse in the night. Also there are now those icepac/warmpac pads you can buy in boots.

[tigwig]

thanks for all your answers I will be keeping a keen eye on her

[zzxxee]

it could be a condition called restless leg syndrome talk to your g.p