Any experience of Growing Pains?

[SESthebrave]

My 7yo DS has had 2 nights in the last week where he has been half awake and crying out in his sleep with pains in his legs and feeling sweaty. It's quite a loud distressed cry although he doesn't fully wake up.

The only thing I can think of is that this is growing pains. I gave him a dose of paracetamol last night but it didn't seem to make much difference. I tried stroking / massaging his legs but in his half awake state he didn't like it.

After about 15mins he did settle and then was fine for the rest of the night.

Has anyone else experienced similar or got any suggestions ?

My DS has this sometimes and firm massage to the legs plus lots of reassurance is all we have found that helps in any way :(

Thank you. Maybe I need to try firm massaging rather than tentative massaging!

It seems to be really painful, I hope it gets better soon. My little boy goes through phases of them and gets really distressed.

I've had this with dc2, 3 and 4.

The only thing we've found is to give paracetamol as soon as they wake crying and comfort until they go off to sleep again - which is usually the 20-30mins it takes for the paracetamol to kick in.

Dc2 is 13 and hasn't complained about it for ages but he is getting ready to do that teenage boy grow 30cm overnight thing so I expect it may be about to return.

Dc3 is 9 and last had this about a year ago.

Dc4 is 7 and had it last night!

sorry to say, growing pains are a bit of a cop out.
if his legs hurt without obvious reasons (more excercise than usual, injury,cramps), esp one side more than the other and they don't go away after a couple of days then go see the gp.

in the meantime things that can help

• plenty to drink in case it's cramps
• warm water bottle
• paraceramol or ibuprofen

I can actually remember having those pains when I was around 7! It was a really strong ache on my shins. It was really quite painful. My gran always said they were just growing pains. No idea if that's true!
I don't remember if I was ever given paracetamol but a vigorous massage and cuddles helped me!

Apparently boys suffer more with this than girls. I always gave ds3 a hot water bottle and either calpol or neurofen for children

Dd suffered from growing pains quite a bit a few years ago. She's now 11 and has legs like lamp-posts

Massaging and distraction was really all that worked. And I'd give paracetamol too if that wasn't enough.

You are wrong BluePitchFork- 'growing pains' may be an unsophisticated name, but this is a real medical concept.

NHS

DS suffers badly with this. We give calpol and neurofen as soon as he wakes up. Then we try to keep him walking and if he can't walk just keep him warm and offer massage until the pain killers kick in. He is absolutely beside himself until the drugs work.

Going to link to a thread you should read OP. (but I'm awful with links)

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/childrens_health/2637700-has-your-child-ever-been-misdiagnosed-with-growing-pains

Just to be aware.

yes, but gps can be a bit 'lazy'. often 'growing pains' are an injury or strain.
pain, especially one sided should always be taken seriously and should be investigated if there is no obvious reason.

I used to use one of those infrared heat lamps on myself when I was younger, my son used one too, helped a lot. Good if you would rather not go down painkiller route.