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Children's health

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Original poster

Almost unbearable leg ache

27 replies

Laura101085 · 09/06/2019 14:02

My son has had leg ache for around 6 months now, at first assumed growing pains but now I'm not so sure as it affects him all through the day, pain usually sits at around 7-9 but from Fri it's been at a 9 or 10, he is also constantly tired but he goes to bed at a reasonable time. Doctor took bloods last week and they said they'd call if anything came back and they haven't so assuming all is ok there. Only other thing is he's had daily headaches from around the same time which the doctor knows about and he was seeing a paediatrician about (she said growing pains for legs and wasn't concerned) I thought maybe this could be related but paed said headaches must be migraines (although 2 medications haven't worked) and MRI has came back clear ( fear of brain tumour due to raised optic nerves) I'm at a loss, he is in pain daily, he's not putting it on as it's stopping him doing stuff he loves doing, he doesn't play any active sports so I doubt muscle strain. Pain is thigh area and Fri & yesterday hamstring area (again probably not strains as it's both legs (although one more than the other) and he doesn't play any active sports) anyone had this with their kids and know what I can do? Symptoms:

Daily leg pain above the knee both legs pain 8/9
Daily all day headaches pain 6-8
Constantly tired, rubbing eyes and lazing on sofa.

He is 11, 12 in September

Clear MRI and looks like clear bloods (unsure of what was being tested)

OP posts:

orangeshoebox · 09/06/2019 14:06

have a look at crmo (a kind of oseomyelitis)
is doesn't always show in bloods and the bone lesions can be very small and hard to spot

does he take a vit d3 supplement?

orangeshoebox · 09/06/2019 14:07

ask for a printout of the blood results.

DonPablo · 09/06/2019 14:07

I don't know, but your poor boy, that sounds miserable and must be hard to watch when there are no answers. Great news that the MRI was clear.

Does he have pain relief? And silly as it sounds, does a hot water bottle help?

Original poster

Laura101085 · 09/06/2019 14:11

Thanks for the replies, no he's not on any supplements, he takes Calpol but don't want him taking medication long term tbh. Never tried him with a hot water bottle, not sure I could trust him with one tbh

OP posts:

Original poster

Laura101085 · 09/06/2019 14:12

The MRI was only for his head, should I be asking for scans of his legs?

OP posts:

Ihopeyourcakeisshit · 09/06/2019 14:15

You say he doesn't play active sports? Perhaps he needs to be a bit more active, can you get him to do some hamstring stretches?
Sometimes when growing, the bones can grow a bit more quickly than the muscles so they are a bit behind so anything to stretch leg muscles might help with the pain whilst everything catches up.
Find out what his blood tests were so you can rule out anaemia for the tiredness.

Ihopeyourcakeisshit · 09/06/2019 14:16

Why did they not do a spine/leg mri ?

Original poster

Laura101085 · 09/06/2019 14:19

He plays bowls 3/4 days a week, what I meant is he doesn't play football etc, he's a very active boy.

I'm not sure, at the time his headaches were the biggest issue and the changes behind his eyes I guess they wanted to make sure he didn't have a brain tumour

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Toofaroutallmylife · 09/06/2019 14:20

Was the MRI full body or just the head? Have they checked his hips for Perthes? It wouldn’t explain the headaches but my son had really bad knee pain that ended up being transferred pain from his hip. Your DS is at the older end of the age range for Perthes but it might be worth ruling it out (if he had a full body MRI it would have shown up, but obviously not in a head MRI!). Hope you get some answers soon

didireallysaythat · 09/06/2019 14:28

My DS1 was diagnosed with Perthes because of unexplained leg pain.

Turns out he has really really tight hamstrings which the physio we saw (for reduced mobility after breaking his arm) diagnosed in about 5 seconds.

My point is that you might be able to get a self referral to a physio just to have muscular things rules out quite quickly. It's amazing how a muscular tightness can give rise to all sorts of issues, and sometimes a few good stretches can really help (I don't mean to diminish the pain your child is in, but I wouldn't have deprived my DS1 of running, bouncy castles etc and made him have x-rays every 6 months for 3 years, along with blood tests etc if we'd seen the physio earlier).

Original poster

Laura101085 · 09/06/2019 14:29

Just head, to rule out a brain tumour, headaches are still there but not as bad and it's the leg pain that seems to be worse, I know he's not faking it as he's complaining during competitions and a couple of weeks ago I had to leave to get him medication as he was about in tears. With the tiredness, aches and headaches I was fearing the worst but I'm sure blood tests would have ruled anything sinister out

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Original poster

Laura101085 · 09/06/2019 14:31

I'll go back to the doctor's and see what they say, thanks. Surely they can't just leave it and say they don't know?

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lovekew · 09/06/2019 14:35

It must be terrible for your son and worrying for you too. Both my children boy and girl have leg pain - my son especially and always when he then had a growth spurt, the paid would keep him awake and I would need to massage and give painkillers. My daughter has leg pains but hip and joint pains as well , she is now in mid teens and just recently been diagnosed as hyper mobile- she has seen a physiotherapist regularly and has lots of exercises to do and strategies to alleviate the discomfort. It might be an idea to book an appointment to see a physiotherapist for your son just to cover another base.

Ihopeyourcakeisshit · 09/06/2019 14:37

Sorry, reading my post back it might sound like I'm suggesting he's a lazy bugger, not what I meant
I just thought maybe some muscles weren't as flexible as they could be.Hamstrings can be notoriously tight.

iknowenoughthankyouygritte · 09/06/2019 14:38

Ask for a leg X-ray.
It could be anything but if the pain in his legs has been going on awhile he needs to have this checked.

Original poster

Laura101085 · 09/06/2019 14:43

It's been going on around 6 months but most severe around the past month

OP posts:

Original poster

Laura101085 · 09/06/2019 14:46

Could well be tight hamstrings, will get him back and mention this and all the above too. Thanks everyone

OP posts:

orangeshoebox · 09/06/2019 14:59

would be good to see a physio.

Original poster

Laura101085 · 09/06/2019 15:02

I think he would need to be referred to a physio where I am, unless I could find one privately

OP posts:

NeverSayFreelance · 09/06/2019 15:14

I think I would be asking for a scan of the leg or at least more investigation of it.

Ihopeyourcakeisshit · 09/06/2019 15:28

If you end up having another mri make sure they do his spine not just his legs.
Might be worth paying for a private physio if you can, it may be quicker than an NHS referral (takes ages here) so might put your mind at rest.

Original poster

Laura101085 · 09/06/2019 19:26

Ok thanks, I'll see how he goes through the week

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Lougle · 09/06/2019 21:20

DD1 had terrible leg pain at that age (to the point that we took a wheelchair with us when we went abroad, because she couldn't walk mid/long distances). Her Paediatrician was considering referring her for surgery. In the end, she had lots of physio treatment for her hamstrings, and was prescribed a course of stretching and strengthening exercises at home. After about 6 months, she suddenly improved and didn't need any of it at all.

Sooverthemill · 09/06/2019 21:54

Ask for new referral to paediatrician. Are you near a big city? If so google the hospital and the interests of the paediatricians and ask for one that might be interested. Don't give up

SolitudeAtAltitude · 09/06/2019 22:01

My 13 year old had bad leg pain for a few months, so much so that he often limped. It affected both legs, but one was worse.

The GP sent us to a podiatrist who assessed his gait, said kids can griw unevenly, eg the bones can grow before the muscles catch up, and that can cause these type of growing pains. He also has very tight hamstrings (DH and I do too, it's a tall people-issue, is your DS tall?)

DS got insoles and ham string stretch exercises,and after a few weeks it was gone.

Not saying your DS has the same, but apparently leg pain is common in growing kids.

That does not explain your DS headaches though...

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