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Children's health

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Original poster

6 yr old pain in one leg -please talk me down

25 replies

Chocwocdoodah · 18/11/2020 22:52

Firstly, I have health anxiety when it comes to my DC so please forgive me if you think I'm overacting.

DS has been complaining of pain in one leg for a few days. It's usually at bedtime (I do believe him, I don't think it's a delaying BT tactic!) although he has then said it's hurt at school a couple of times. When I ask where it hurts, he points to his thigh and all down the front of his leg from the knee. He's otherwise well and the pain seems fairly mild.

Could it just be growing pains, even though it's just the one leg? DD used to get leg pains all the time when she was younger which turned out just to be growing pain. The main reason I'm worried is that when I Google (I know, I know!) it gives a list of reasons why you should see a GP for a child's leg pain and one is if it's in one leg only and it says growing pain is usually in the muscles so I would expect him to feel it in the calf, not the front of his leg?

I'm sorry to be so OTT - I just can't bear it when my DC even have the most simple symptom and I can't explain it. My imagination goes into overdrive.

OP posts:

candle18 · 19/11/2020 22:59

I have health anxiety as well and totally understand how you feel. The chances are it’s growing pains or he’s just strained it. My ds has had pain in one thigh when he’s been playing football. Try to tell yourself you’ll give it one week then decide whether it’s something he needs to see the GP about. Chances are it will be fine by then.

lindauk5 · 19/11/2020 23:08

My daughter gets pains in her legs (she is also 6), mostly at bed time but sometimes during the day. I believe they are growing pains, if she has them for a few nights in a row and they stop her sleeping she'll as for me to massage them or for Calpol. They generally only last a few days but do come and go. I know it's hard but I'd try not to worry.

Original poster

Chocwocdoodah · 20/11/2020 00:40

Thank you for your kind replies.
The pain is definitely not bad enough to stop him sleeping. And he says it comes and goes. It's just the fact that it's in one leg that makes me paranoid.

I'll do as suggested and wait to see how he goes. Out of interest, what would prompt you to talk to your GP about it? If it stopped him doing his normal activities?

OP posts:

lindauk5 · 20/11/2020 13:04

I think I'd be worried if my daughter wasn't able to do things or wasn't her normal self. Saying that if you are worried doctors are still mainly telephone appointments and doing phone consultations it might be worth a call.
To make you feel better I had a panicked call to the doctor's a few weeks ago as my daughter had a lot of stomach pain and couldn't do the walk to school (she was crying) had a phone consultation, turned out she needed to fart not my finest parenting moment.

Original poster

Chocwocdoodah · 20/11/2020 21:30

Thanks @lindauk5 that's really made me laugh😆

OP posts:

kk66 · 20/11/2020 21:41

All 3 of my kids have had this. I absolutely went down the anxiety rabbit hole with firstborn. Since then (big gaps between them) I've discovered magnesium - initially for my restless legs in 2nd pregnancy and now a dose of this whenever they complain of pain (at times it's been waking in the night crying) and it is gone within 10/15 minutes. There are a couple of brands I use - floridex (spelling?) has a liquid one which kids love.

YesPleaseMary · 20/11/2020 21:45

Oh my kids get this, I used to get it as well and still do if I’ve been on my feet a lot. They get it more in the summer because they will insist on running about the garden all day with no shoes on even when it’s not a hot day. I stick a hot water bottle on the painful area and maybe give it a bit of a rub.

Original poster

Chocwocdoodah · 20/11/2020 23:54

Thank you both - that's very reassuring.

OP posts:

Rugbymumof2 · 21/11/2020 16:45

Low vit D can cause muscle aches and bone pain, my DD started saying her legs hurt when she was 3yrs.
As I had spent time in hospital as a child due to juvenile arthritis she was referred to Paediatrics, has x-rays and bloods but the only thing that came up was low vit D.
We started a kids multi vit with the right dose as advised by the doctor and after month or so it improved a lot and I can't now remember the last time she had any pain.

A lot of the kids multi vits don't have a high enough level, most are 5 micrograms, we were told to get one that was 10.
Boots own brand was the only one I could fine and she loves the orange bears.

FeelingForced · 21/11/2020 16:51

My DD used to complain about really bad pain in one leg when she was six. Her paediatrician finally sent her for a blood test that showed that her Vitamin D levels were extremely low. After a few months of the supplement he prescribed, she was fine.

Original poster

Chocwocdoodah · 22/11/2020 00:27

That's really interesting re the vit D. I assumed his multivitamins would contain enough of it but perhaps not - I will check.

OP posts:

Misty9 · 22/11/2020 22:48

My dd, also 6, also complains of random pains in her legs. I remember awful pain as a child so have put it down to growing pains, but she's also got really sore looking peeling skin round her nails - could this be vit d deficiency? I'll have to get some orange bears...

NoisyBrain · 04/01/2021 20:13

Sorry to resurrect a (reasonably) old thread, but OP if you're still around and don't mind saying, did you get to the bottom of this?

My DS (7) said he had pain in one leg on Saturday, which went away and I didn't think much of it. He the said it hurt again this evening, but he said it also hurt for a while earlier today. When I ask where it hurts, he points to just below his knee, at the top of the bone. I have also made the mistake of Googling .
I'll be calling the GP tomorrow.

Original poster

Chocwocdoodah · 04/01/2021 21:56

That's ok, I know what it's like when you're worrying.
I wish I could tell you something more definitive but the truth is it just went away. I put it down to growing pains/achey legs from running around. Try not to worry, I'm sure it's likely to be something harmless like that but of course, if you are worried, chat to your GP.

OP posts:

frustrationcentral · 04/01/2021 22:03

@NoisyBrain

Sorry to resurrect a (reasonably) old thread, but OP if you're still around and don't mind saying, did you get to the bottom of this?

Is he sporty @NoisyBrain ? There is a condition that has escaped my mind (even though DS had it!) that causes pain just below the knee. I'll go and try and find out what it's called

frustrationcentral · 04/01/2021 22:05

It's called Osgood schlaters! He may be on the young side though, but worth a consideration of he plays sports x

AHPforthe123 · 04/01/2021 22:07

Hey @Chocwocdoodah. I’m a physio and a mum and if I were in any doubt I would speak to your GP. They can assess or refer to a physio who can do a thorough assessment and hopefully put your mind at ease and help with DS’s pain.

Rubytinsleslippers · 04/01/2021 22:08

My son had severe pain, in one leg / hip. X-rays and really thorough checks and it was viral. Really common in boys until early teens. He couldn't weight bare and was really worried but rest and plenty fluids and it took a few weeks to properly go. Hospital were fantastic but I'd never heard of it and then about 6 months later his friend had it!

Laquila · 04/01/2021 22:13

My eldest (7) has complained of leg pain on and off at night for years. It generally comes on about every other night for a couple of weeks, then seems to disappears. He gets absolutely hysterical with it (he's not great at dealing with anything during the night 😳) but Calpol seems to help. FWIW he's not sporty although is v active and unbelievably restful/fidgety.

NoisyBrain · 04/01/2021 22:46

Thanks for the replies.

@frustrationcentral no he's not especially sporty, unless you count swimming (in 'normal times') and energetic scootering, which he's done quite a bit of lately.

He's had occasional groin pain too over the last 6 months, only ever one side at a time. It was so severe on the right side in September that we ended up in A&E, where they couldn't find anything wrong and it went on its own eventually.

The current leg pain is on the left and DS says it's the top of his shin bone that hurts, though I appreciate it could in fact be the growth plate. If it was both legs and definitely muscular I'd be feeling a lot more chilled about it. The NHS website has rather scared me.

Fannydango · 04/01/2021 23:02

I really can't believe this but half way through replying to this thread, my DS came downstairs complaining of knee pain. I've been in his room for half an hour rubbing it. He's had no problems at all since I originally started this thread!!!

Fannydango · 04/01/2021 23:04

originally read not started

ThatWorthyBlueLeader · 14/04/2025 01:38

Hi everyone. What was the outcome with this thread? Wishing everyone the best. My 4 year old is now suffering of the same thing, pain in 1 leg at night and very upset and occasional aching during the day. Hoping to get him seen at GP tomorrow. My anxiety is through the roof! X

Original poster

Chocwocdoodah · 14/04/2025 17:36

Hi @ThatWorthyBlueLeader it just went away for my DS. I can only assume it was some kind of strain/ growing pains.
If it goes on for a while don’t feel silly about contacting your GP - they’ll likely put your mind at rest.

OP posts:

ThatWorthyBlueLeader · 14/04/2025 18:29

So glad it all cleared up for him. Managed to get to the Dr's today and they have sent off bloods so fingers crossed for some good results and a peace of mind! X

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