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DD1 and painkillers

7 replies

NigellaTheUndomesticGoddess · 03/06/2008 11:31

DD1 is 12 and has Osgood-Schlatter disease. (painful lumpy knees) It has been getting increasingly bad and she is now taking paracetamol and ibuprofen at least 3 times a day - every day.
The GP we saw who confirmed the diagnosis said even if he did refer to orthopods they wouldn't be able to do anything and that she would eventually grow out of it when she stops growing. Now considering she is a bit of a shorty and hasn't had any sort of dramatic growth spurt yet i can only assume her knees will get worse while she grows fast.
She is also struggling with the fact that her knees will probably stop her dancing (something she is rather good at). she has already had to stop one lesson a week (still goes twice a week until an exam in 4 wks time then will drop to once a week). I should drive her to school (about 1.5 miles each way) but she won't because she wants to walk with her friends. She has had to stop PE lessons - but again will do it because she wants to.
She thinks that if she stops all her dancing and walking she will put on weight.

If you got through all that i would appreciate some advice -
Problem number 1 - taking a lot of pain killers every day
Problem number 2 - her having to accept that she has to give up dancing

OP posts:
WigWamBam · 03/06/2008 11:35

Firstly, I would still ask for a referral. Even if the GP thinks they won't be able to do anything, it would be better to hear that from the mouths of the experts rather than the GP. There may well be something they can do, or ways they can help her manage the pain better.

I think that eventually the pain will mean she will accept that she has to give up dancing, but it has to come from her not from you.

It sounds horrible for her, poor girl.

NigellaTheUndomesticGoddess · 03/06/2008 11:57

thanks - will ask for a referral.
anyone with any ideas about the painkillers?

OP posts:
Saggarmakersbottomknocker · 03/06/2008 12:01

Agree with getting a referral.

My dd takes quite a lot of painkillers - she has had ortho and other issues. Have you tried any combinations of different drugs? dd finds that Voltarol is best and has a quite longlasting effect. She also has co-codamol although this can have side effects and can be addictive.

Tiggiwinkle · 03/06/2008 12:02

I don't think it is generally a good idea to take ibuprofen for extended periods because of possible damage to the stomach. However, they will be helping reduce the inflammation as well as with the pain,so I doubt if she can do without them at the moment.
I would second the advice to ask for a referral-the specialists will also be able to advise about and prescribe the best pain relief.

Saggarmakersbottomknocker · 03/06/2008 12:03

And whilst it's not necessarily good to be taking a lot of painkillers dd has suffered from depression due to pain and TBH I prefer to avoid that if possible.

noddyholder · 03/06/2008 12:09

I don't know if its ant help but I am unable to take ibuprofen type drugs due to having a kidney transplant but I have a long standing inflammatory condition which only respeonds to them and I have found bromelain which is a pineapple extract brilliant.It takes a few weeks to work but is side effect free apart from bright yellow wee!

Solitaire · 03/06/2008 12:10

a couple of articles for you here and here may help. They advise that you at least see a sports injury professional to aid with knee supports and exercises. probaly available through the orthopods

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