4 year old, growing pains??

[KateESJ]

Google is both a blessing and a curse sometimes.

I do it to myself EVERY time.

Thanks for the replies. I was thinking of seeing if I could get a telephone appointment with her GP, I think they're still doing most appointments that way anyway, I just was convinced they'd have to see her to get a proper opinion. Which I'm sure they probably will but it still should ease my fears a little to talk to him.

4 seemed young for growing pains, I always thought it was more of an 'older kid' thing but obviously not. She's already tall for her age, hopefully she doesn't grow too much

 

[Suzesnooze]

Hey @KateESJ did you hear from the gp?

Hope all OK as she hasn't logged on since she last posted on here?

 

[KateESJ]

My 4 year old has been complaining of pains in her legs and knees. Says she doesn't want to walk anywhere, we've been having daily walks and the past two days she's refused to go on them because her legs hurt. She usually enjoys the walks so this is concerning to me. She's woken up a few times in the night as well saying her legs are hurting and she can't 'be comfy'. She's ended up in my bed and she can't keep her legs still, I've been kicked more times than I can count.

Now my first thought was growing pains and despite my severe health anxiety I managed to draw that logical and normal conclusion. But then I did the bad thing and googled and saw the word cancer and in true 'me' form, now every time she complains I remember that my son experienced bone pain and joint pain in his legs while he was sick So now I'm worried that it's not growing pains and she's showing symptoms and I've suddenly convinced myself that leukaemia is hereditary and I've doomed all of my children to the same fate.

Worth a dr's appointment or should I just try to calm myself down? Because I know logically it's likely normal 4 year old growing pains but anxiety doesn't listen to my logical thoughts. If there wasn't a pandemic I would probably make one anyway but given that there is, I don't really want to make an appointment 'just for peace of mind' to calm myself down.

 

[PuddyTat]

My 9 year old daughter has had growing pains in her legs since around 3 years old. She gets them both randomly and after exercise. My other kids never experienced it so I was worried at first (she’s very tall for her age but not sure that has anything to do with it) but I’m pretty sure it is down to growing pains. It sometimes keeps her awake at night but I give her calpol and it seems to sort her out!

 

[Bitofthebubbly]

Honestly I don’t know! I’d like to know too because my 7yo complains of the same thing, usually in the evenings. I remember getting ‘growing pains’ around the same age often in my legs, so I know it’s a ‘thing’ and it definitely sucks!


A small part of me always worries that it’s something more, I darent google it. I gave my cat flea treatment the other day and was convinced he had poisoning from it after I googled why he was acting weird with me afterwards, but he’s still here and obviously not poisoned so

More than likely it’s nothing but it’s understandable you are worried, I see no harm in giving the gp a ring and maybe speaking to a doctor over the phone for reassurance.

 

[LittleMy]

Google is both a blessing and a curse sometimes.

 

[bubbletea123]

My 4 year old has been complaining of pains in her legs and knees. Says she doesn't want to walk anywhere, we've been having daily walks and the past two days she's refused to go on them because her legs hurt. She usually enjoys the walks so this is concerning to me. She's woken up a few times in the night as well saying her legs are hurting and she can't 'be comfy'. She's ended up in my bed and she can't keep her legs still, I've been kicked more times than I can count.

Now my first thought was growing pains and despite my severe health anxiety I managed to draw that logical and normal conclusion. But then I did the bad thing and googled and saw the word cancer and in true 'me' form, now every time she complains I remember that my son experienced bone pain and joint pain in his legs while he was sick So now I'm worried that it's not growing pains and she's showing symptoms and I've suddenly convinced myself that leukaemia is hereditary and I've doomed all of my children to the same fate.

Worth a dr's appointment or should I just try to calm myself down? Because I know logically it's likely normal 4 year old growing pains but anxiety doesn't listen to my logical thoughts. If there wasn't a pandemic I would probably make one anyway but given that there is, I don't really want to make an appointment 'just for peace of mind' to calm myself down.

If it would ease your mind, I would book a doctor's appointment. Your anxiety is understandable given your son. Heck, that is what I would jump to as well because of all the stories I have read online about childhood cancer, etc but I am also a hypochondriac.

 

[KateESJ]

Yes thank you! My Gp has an enquiry thing online and we put the details in and they’ll get back to us so I’ve put in a request, hopefully I’ll get a call tomorrow they’re usually really quick. I’m sure it is just growing pains but my anxiety will be more pleased if I hear the GP say that themselves

 

[KateESJ]

Has she got any other pains or concerns e.g. nausea/weight loss/bruising
I’m sure it isn’t just growing pains but good that you’ve booked an appointment even just for reassurance after experience with your son. Try some stretching and electric blanket before bedtimes. Hope she feels better soon xx

She was actually sick last week but was only physically sick maybe 2 or 3 times, can't remember. Could be related but I think it was just a general tummy upset as she was fine the next day.
She does claim to have a tummy ache almost every day because she likes the taste of calpol. It's like the boy who cried wolf though, I never know when she's telling the truth so I end up just believing her every time in case she is She's turning me grey.

I'll dig out our electric blanket for her. GP hasn't called yet but I did note it as unurgent so that doesn't surprise me.

 

[Suzesnooze]

I can remember the pains in my legs and my sister rubbing them for me! I’m petite so not sure why they’re called growing pains as I barely grew! Both my sons also got them but my daughter didn’t.

One of my sons was diagnosed with Junior Arthritis age 6. He kept complaining his leg hurt but with that, it’s hot to the touch and swells up.

I would contact your GP for some reassurance because of what happened with your son but I’m sure all will be well x

 

[Onemajorheadache]

My 4 year old gets them in his legs and he screams, I took him to the doctors and was told they were growing pains and to give him a hot water bottle and place it under his legs at night and to also give him calpol, he’s very tall for his age and has rapid growth spurts (this is when he suffers the most) hope your little girl gets some relief

 

[LittleMy]

My 4 year old has been complaining of pains in her legs and knees. Says she doesn't want to walk anywhere, we've been having daily walks and the past two days she's refused to go on them because her legs hurt. She usually enjoys the walks so this is concerning to me. She's woken up a few times in the night as well saying her legs are hurting and she can't 'be comfy'. She's ended up in my bed and she can't keep her legs still, I've been kicked more times than I can count.

Now my first thought was growing pains and despite my severe health anxiety I managed to draw that logical and normal conclusion. But then I did the bad thing and googled and saw the word cancer and in true 'me' form, now every time she complains I remember that my son experienced bone pain and joint pain in his legs while he was sick So now I'm worried that it's not growing pains and she's showing symptoms and I've suddenly convinced myself that leukaemia is hereditary and I've doomed all of my children to the same fate.

Worth a dr's appointment or should I just try to calm myself down? Because I know logically it's likely normal 4 year old growing pains but anxiety doesn't listen to my logical thoughts. If there wasn't a pandemic I would probably make one anyway but given that there is, I don't really want to make an appointment 'just for peace of mind' to calm myself down.

My 4 year old gets them too. He’ll wake in the night crying and won’t settle when it happens. I, like you, made the mistake of Googling (he’s my firstborn), and went into panic mode when I saw the C word; of course, I can understand you will probably have a lot more anxiety than me around that from the loss of your son. I was told by various sources that it was most likely just growing pains as he had no other unusual symptoms. It also makes sense because my little boy is very active. He literally cannot sit still and climbs/jumps/runs around all day long, so has probably exerted his muscles during the day and so when he’s resting he can feel the aches. If it really is worrying you, there’s no harm in maybe speaking to your GP, if just to rule out anything sinister and put your mind at ease.

 

[Mrs Cucumber]

Hey @KateESJ did you hear from the gp?

 

[Mrs Cucumber]

It it reassures you there's no harm in ringing the g.p for a chat, our surgery keeps texting to remind us they are still there for us despite the pandemic!
My son has restless leg syndrome and complains of pain at night, we've found a warm bath, no caffeine 6 hours before bed and a light massage helps settle him. Might be worth a try?

 

[kat.becs]

Does sound like growing pains but your anxiety is also completely understandable! My 4 year old hasn't had any yet but my 10 year old has had them on and off for years, usually at night too, he would wake up crying.

My GP is doing telephone consultations so maybe just a call with a GP if that's an option will be enough to calm your fears a little x

 

[Suzesnooze]

She was actually sick last week but was only physically sick maybe 2 or 3 times, can't remember. Could be related but I think it was just a general tummy upset as she was fine the next day.
She does claim to have a tummy ache almost every day because she likes the taste of calpol. It's like the boy who cried wolf though, I never know when she's telling the truth so I end up just believing her every time in case she is She's turning me grey.

I'll dig out our electric blanket for her. GP hasn't called yet but I did note it as unurgent so that doesn't surprise me.

Are her joints swollen? If she had a virus with the sickness and stomach pain she may have reactive arthritis?

 

[Lumpfish]

Yes thank you! My Gp has an enquiry thing online and we put the details in and they’ll get back to us so I’ve put in a request, hopefully I’ll get a call tomorrow they’re usually really quick. I’m sure it is just growing pains but my anxiety will be more pleased if I hear the GP say that themselves

Has she got any other pains or concerns e.g. nausea/weight loss/bruising
I’m sure it isn’t just growing pains but good that you’ve booked an appointment even just for reassurance after experience with your son. Try some stretching and electric blanket before bedtimes. Hope she feels better soon xx

 

[tialin]

My 5 year old ALWAYS gets growing pains in her legs - mainly at night! I give her a hot water bottle, Calpol and a leg rub and she’s fine after 10 mins. I suffered the same when I was younger so I’m sure it’s completely normal. Hope your little one is ok x

 

[ChampagneBox]

If it was just at night could be restless leg syndrome? Not sure if children can get that, might just be adults but that can make you feel really uncomfortable at nighttime, like you can’t get comfy

 

[orangelolly]

I can empathise with your little one. I suffered terribly with growing pains. My parents took me to the GP a few times but he just said they'll pass. Hopefully GP's have more to help these days