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Original poster

Night sweats and leg pains

35 replies

Chucklecheeks · 19/10/2013 12:56

My nearly three year old has been complaining of intermittent leg pain for a few months now. He has also started having night sweats. Rather stupidly I googled night sweats, leg pain and toddler together and most responses came back regarding cancer.

He has a doctors appointment on Monday but has anyone experienced this when it wasn't cancer?I know that it's highly unlikely so I'm looking for other explanations. I think I'm also looking for truthful answers as I'd like to know how much of a pushy mother I should be if I'm fobbed off.

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Catmint · 19/10/2013 22:23

Hi, my DD used to have leg pain at night that made her cry. I don't remember if she had sweats.

We used to sit with her and rub her legs, for hours.

She is v healthy, long legged, tallest in her year. I did wonder about growing pains, don't know if they are real.

Good luck with you GP.

highlystrung · 20/10/2013 18:02

Just in case it helps - when my now six year old was three he went through a phase of walking up with really painful legs in the middle of the night, and he had a limp for a few days as well. I think it was growing pains. He also was very hot and sweaty at night - still is - his pillow is regularly drenched. I remember asking around and lots of my friends had very hot boys too. Hope that reassures you a bit - but don't be fobbed off if you're worried.

highlystrung · 20/10/2013 18:06

Forgot to mention that I googled at the time too and came up with the same terrifying answers. Docs said he would be really ill if he had cancer and he didn't look ill to them (was prob charging round the room at the time). They said when a child has something really wrong there's no debate, they are obviously very ill. But that said I'm not a doctor and you should push for help if you think they are being dismissive.

lisad123everybodydancenow · 21/10/2013 22:28

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Tuhlulah · 22/10/2013 14:22

I have had similar problems -please check out thread '7 year old DS ill every weekend'.

My DS has had pains in his legs since he was very small. I was told recently that what we thought of as growing pains may actually be vitamin D deficiency (some recent research).

However you do it, you must get your GP to take you seriously. It is unlikely to be something as serious as cancer. There are other explanations.

Good luck

Original poster
Chucklecheeks · 22/10/2013 23:39

The doctor was great, she listened to the symptoms I mentioned and said we have should get him checked by the paediatrician at the hospital. She has referred him. Rather stupidly that has made me more worried that if she had said it was growing pains. Poor woman couldn't win Blush with what ever she said I suppose. Just waiting for a date now. Thanks for your replies x

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lisad123everybodydancenow · 23/10/2013 07:33

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somersetsoul · 25/10/2013 19:04

My 5yo dd is the same. I'm taking her to the doctors next week. Her friend at school had a scan on her leg at her paediatric appointment and all was fine. I think it's very common but worth getting checked Smile

Original poster
Chucklecheeks · 26/10/2013 11:25

Ok his morning he is very lethargic, has vomited once and has had a nose bleed. Would you get checked by the out of hours or should I just wait for the referral. I just have a strange feeling this is serious and I don't know if it's an over reaction or I should trust my gut.
What could they do at out of hours?

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LittleNoona · 26/10/2013 11:28

Definitely, absolutely ooh

lisad123everybodydancenow · 26/10/2013 11:33

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LittleNoona · 26/10/2013 11:34

Please trust your instincts.

extracrunchy · 26/10/2013 11:39

I remember having really painful legs at night when I was little. Mum and dad used to rub them for me. Just growing pains!

As far as I'm aware, sweatiness at night is very common and unlikely to be linked to the leg pain.

Stay away from Dr Google - but if you're worried, see your GP!

extracrunchy · 26/10/2013 11:40

Oh just seen your subsequent post. Again may be unrelated but do see your GP!

hazlinh · 26/10/2013 13:26

Chucklecheeks, have you taken him to ooh?

DD 9 who was first diagnosed with leukaemia in 2009 had night sweats, leg pains, vomiting, lethargy (she was anaemic), amongst other things. Bleeding could also be a symptom, she had bleeding gums when she developed a secondary leukaemia in May this year but no night sweats or lethargy.

I am really hoping your ds just has some virus of some sort like lisad suggests, plus you say it has been several months now?? Does he look pale?

but it is probably best to rule out other things...a blood test can tell you if it is likely he has leukaemia or not, as the case may be...
x

Original poster
Chucklecheeks · 26/10/2013 14:05

I'm going to see if he vomits again tomorrow, if he does I'm going to A&E. I have convinced myself that that's better than panicking again today.
Vomiting only happened this morning and his nose bleed has stopped.
I have been looking up symptoms and if he does it again in the morning we are off to hospital.

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lisad123everybodydancenow · 26/10/2013 17:42

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minmooch · 26/10/2013 18:33

I'm another one for mother's instincts. Hate to panic you but gut instinct made be take my DS to A&E with a few symptoms which lead that day to a diagnosis of a brain tumour. Hopefully there will be nothing seriously wrong but worrying is horrible.

LittleNoona · 27/10/2013 08:40

How is he this morning chuckles?

Original poster
Chucklecheeks · 27/10/2013 17:55

The seems better today. Original symptoms of leg pain and night sweats still there but I think he has a tummy bug as I seem to have caught it. I going to chase his referal tomorrow and if the appointment isn't within the next couple of weeks we are going to assess what to do. I still have a feeling there is something underlying that we don't know about. I hope I'm wrong. Thank you for asking. I don't know if I'm sticking my head in the sand or being realistic Confused

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TabithaMcKitten · 28/10/2013 09:47

chucklecheeks I don't want to frighten you, but I really think you should take him back to the doctor today. Night sweats and leg pain over a period of time raise red flags to me, and especially now you have mentioned lethargy and nosebleeds. If your instincts are niggling at you then listen to them, no matter how scary the outcome may be.

The chances are there is nothing wrong, but all of those symptoms (especially combined) mean that they really need to do a blood test to rule out leukaemia. My son was diagnosed with it last year after presenting with a pin prick rash and bruising - I was told that he looked too well for it to be anything serious :-/

If it does turn out to be something then at least you are getting it sorted and getting him better sooner. If it's nothing then you have bought yourself some peace of mind x

Original poster
Chucklecheeks · 28/10/2013 17:12

So annoyed. I phoned the doctors today to chase his referral. The receptionists answer was oh she hasn't done it yet! No apology just a snide comment that she would get round to it when she can.We saw her a week ago.

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lisad123everybodydancenow · 28/10/2013 21:34

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WorkingItOutAsIGo · 29/10/2013 12:01

Were I you I would trust my instincts and take him to a and e.

justmuddlingalongsomehow · 29/10/2013 15:35

Another one for a sit in at A&E until you're seen. Angry for you and ds.