Toddler claiming he can't walk

[sheilatakeabow]

Morning. I may be falling for the oldest toddler trick in the world, but DS, 2.10yr, got out of bed this morning and promplty fell to the floor. Every time he tries to stand or walk, his legs seem to give way. The only reason I haven't called a doctor or paramedic yet is that, in all other respects, he's fine. He can still 'bunny hop' on his hands and knees, when I squeeze all over his legs, not a whimper, he's been waving his legs in the air merrily, he doesn't actually seem to be in pain... it's just he claims not be able to put weight through them.
Anyone else had this? Is he playing up, or could it be a sign of something more serious?

not sure, but bumping for you.

Could he have twisted his knee or ankle?

Thanks Pure. I don't know. He's not the best talker anyway, so when I'm asking him what hurts, he just says it's his knees, but that's it. No reaction to squeezing. But even when I tried to trick him by provoking a tantrum he attempted to run and then went straight down.

I don't think a toddler would have the presence of mind to keep something like this up. Five minutes, yes, longer than that, no. They would forget they were pulling something, and start walking again. I would go to the GP, tbh.

Fwiw, my DS1 had weird 'paralysis' problems, twice, when he was 1 (an arm) and 1.5 (a leg). We never found out what the problem was, and he's 8 now, and perfectly fine.

That.s what I thought, it seems a bit involved now for a con. Hmm. Now to try and get us dressed....
Did you take yours to the docs? They didn't laugh you out the surgery did they? Mine are quite rude....

No - they didn't laugh me out, they sent me of to Children's A+E. Same as you, I was sure they would just shrug and say 'dunno' and send us away.

And then there were xrays etc etc, everyone could see he was paralysed. Nobody ever came up with an explanation, and it went away on its own.

It only lasted a few days, each time. Well, the leg one was a bit more complicated, because it messed up his gait for a few weeks? Months?

Whatever the hell it was, he's fine now.

I found this which was interesting.

Has he had a virus recently?

DS woke one morning last year an could not walk. Granted he was older and able to tell us what was wrong but it was very frightening.

We took him to A & E and it turns out he had fluid in his hips caused by the virus. It's fairly common apparently.

And the pain transfers from hips to the knees/ankles.

We had this with DS 2 who was just 2 at the time. We got sent to A and E (whilst on holiday!) but it cleared up on it's own. Took about 6 - 8 hours though.

I don't know if anyone who replied is still about, but just wanted to thank you. We went to the GP, who sent us to hospital, and they kept us there for five hours, checking this, that and the other. And the upshot is, they haven't a clue. He;s started bearing more weight on it now, but only for a few steps at a time. They asked about viruses, and he's had a bit of a runny nose for a few days, but no fever. So, looks like one of those unexplained injuries.
Thanks for replying though, especially Pure for making me realise I wasn't just a paranoid mother with PFB

oh, you're welcome! glad it's easing.

not PFB at all! if he was older he might have been having you on, but I think even a school-age child would have trouble keeping on with this kind of thing.

Glad you took him to the GP. Make sure you take him back though if he doesn't improve... and don't worry about looking daft x

Have a good weekend

Does he have asthma?
My husband and I both do, DH chronic, mine less so.
We get pains in our leg muscles if we have been wheezing in the night, something to do with blood oxygenation I think - don't know, don't care for the explanation - just know it is caused by my asthma and it goes away if I take my inhaler.
It is worse in chronic, long term asthma sufferers I believe.

Just 1 possible explanation - there are probably 1000 other explanations.

DH's ex-girlfriend used to get paralysis while sleeping and wake up unable to move, its normal and quite common I believe, something to do with a slow brain switch waking up and turning on the muscle power. Another possible explanation, although if he bunny hops I would say probably not the one!

other possibilities are low blood sugar. Is there a chance your DS is diabetic? (sorry to worry)

Glad to hear it's all ok, or at least on the mend. I told you they would just send you to the hospital, GPs aren't geared up to deal with 'weird stuff', which this sort of thing definately is!