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Growing pains - too young?

5 replies

User415373 · 08/10/2025 11:05

Hi everyone,
So last week, for 3 nights in a row my 2yo son (3 in Nov) woke during the night, crying and seemingly in pain. He was kicking his legs, sitting up and bouncing his legs, rocking back and forth. It was also like he was still asleep though, and wasn't able to answer me when I asked what was hurting etc. It lasted maybe an hour each night and he was absolutely fine in the morning.
Last night, he woke at 10.30pm and this crying and kicking/restlessness lasted until 5am this morning. He didn't sleep in this time. I asked if his legs hurt and he said yes. He has had a cough for 2 days and had a slightly raised temp before bed so had Calpol at around 7pm. I later gave Ibuprofen and more Calpol. I can't settle him at all when it's happening, he doesn't want to be touched really like it hurts. If he ever started to drift off, he'd wake crying and in pain again. It was horrible.
Does this sound like growing pains? I'm wondering if his cough was waking him up and therefore making him feel the pain more (whereas last week he just fell asleep after a while?)
I'm thinking about calling the GP or maybe the health visitor. No rash, he can walk. The pain has carried into this morning though he's now finally asleep.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
INeedNewShoes · 09/10/2025 08:04

How are you getting on OP?

My DD has experienced this with severe pain in her legs suddenly waking her up but it has never lasted longer than half an hour. We would massage her lower legs, give ibuprofen and the pain would wear off enough for her to sleep. I know another child who experiences this as well. I'm trying to think when it was happening - I think around age 4 or 5.

I think because it's lasting so long in the night I would want to see the GP. Did you call them yesterday?

User415373 · 09/10/2025 08:08

Hi @INeedNewShoes , thanks for that. He was with my MIL yesterday. She told me when I picked him up that he'd had the pains several times during the day - I wish she'd told me earlier as I would have called the Dr but the last I heard from her he was fine. Not bashing her at all by the way, she's wonderful.
I might call the HV today for advice. He slept all night last thankfully. I wonder if having a virus has made it worse somehow.

OP posts:
Treeleaf11 · 09/10/2025 08:13

When my ds had a temp virus he often had night terrors - distressed, not really awake, thrashing about.

INeedNewShoes · 09/10/2025 08:14

If he is generally unwell as well as having the leg pains you really do need to have him seen asap. If he gets a very high temperature at any point as well as the leg pain you need to go to A&E.

saltlakewitty · 09/10/2025 08:58

My daughter started with these around age 3 & my son is only 2 but very tall for his age & he gets them also.

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