Growing Pains :(

[the_queen]

a) Are growing pains real?

b) How can they be relieved?

c) Can they be prevented?


My 6 yr old started crying tonight, saying her legs were hurting, and the crying progressed quickly to screaming, and about 10 minutes ago the pain woke her up and she was screaming, that high-pitched pain cry I ended up giving her some paracetamol, I gave her some brauer's Calm before she went to bed earlier, and it did help her get to sleep but I thought the waking-up-screaming was enough to warrant the "big guns" of paracetamol. She's back in bed now and the drugs seem to be helping, she's at least relaxed enough to go back to sleep. Poor little thing.



She got told off just before she started the crying, so initially I dismissed her complaint as just being tired and in-trouble. But pain that wakes you up - that's bad pain And she is a "zonker" - she sleeps through anything. I feel bad for not believing her at first - and now I am frustrated because I don't know how to help her. Plus the screams/wailing frustrates me because if she wakes up The Boy... well then I'll have two screaming kids on my hands.... I can't do anything to help her, I hate feeling useless

I tried massaging/rubbing her legs and she said that made it worse. Would something like ibuprofen be better for muscular pain? I usually would not give that to children, so am loathe to use it. Heat packs? Deep Heat? Massage with lavender oil?

Anyone got any suggestions???

[forbetoel]

Growing pains are very real. Boys in general suffer from them more often and more severe. It happens during periods of rapid growth. I don't think there is much you can do for them. If you google 'growing pains' you will get heaps of info. Give her some childrens Nurafen if you have any, or panadol.

[Myztik]

They definately are real! My brother got them when he was little according to my mum, she used to use heat packs and panadol (dont think nurofen was around then).. I would probably give the nurofen if she is in that much pain. I hope it stops soon, poor little thing

[the_queen]

Thanks I guess I worded it wrong - it's not that I disbelieve her (I did at first, only because I told her off for yelling at her brother and then immediately she says "my legs hurt" and she's a bit of a drama queen (dunno where she gets that...... ))

What I mean is - is it really pain from bones/muscles stretching and growing?? Or is it just muscle soreness/fatigue? And if it is stretching/growing pains, then how can the pain be relieved - ie, is it possible to actually treat it, or just relieve the pain enough for her to sleep??

She's gone back to sleep now, I did give her some paracetamol and hopefully she sleeps through until morning now. I'll get some heat packs tomorrow I think.

[Veritas]

I had them very very badly throughout childhood and the pain is absolutely excruciating....

We tried massaging with oils etc but that really didn't help much....

Prob made worse by years of playing lots of netball I had a couple of years there around 10-11 were I was just constantly in pain....

Hope you can find a relief for her cos I know how horrible it can be....

The pain was mainly in my shins and knees, and a little in my thighs....

[DivinelySophistimicated]

My 3 year old daughter gets sore knees and shins so i guess she has growing pains too

[~Alicia]

I've got no advice Queenie, just wanted to send her some hugs Poor darlin.

[BlueGin]

The poor kid! Yeah they're real, and horrible
My Mum used to rub my feet and knees for over an hour some nights. I found that heat packs help, and even though the massage hurts more at first (be firm but not rough) it does help after a bit.

Also, the heat from wheat packs seemed better than hot water bottles for me.

As for paracetamol and stuff, just remember to keep it for the worst nights, as if it is growing pains she may have them quite a bit for a while. (Though I sincerely hope not )

[chook07]

growing pains are so real. i hate it whenkids go through it. there n so much pain tey do have them

[punkbaby]

When i had them i was around 7 but it was a shocking ache in my calf muscles. No one believed me at first though it felt like an ache in my muscle, like a stitch i guess, dd9 got them about12 months ago, the only relief was either nurofen or the nurofen gel (you cant use them at the same time) Thankfully it actually helped her but i remember watchin her crying and seeing myself 25 years ago

I hope that they dont last to long i had spurts i would be ok for a week then i would be sore again...poor kid hugs for her