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3 year old with leg pain

My daughter has been complaining of leg pain on and off for about two weeks now.  Yesterday it brought her to tears and again today.  Everytime I ask her where it hurts, she points to either her thigh, knee or calf area.  The pain is intermittent, no swelling that I can see, no fall that I remember.  No other symptoms.  My first initial thought was growing pains, but wouldn't it be in both legs?  And would it bring her to tears?  Also, I thought growing pains were suppose to happen mainly at night.  I was researching on-line and found osteomyelitis.  She did have a severe ear infection about a month ago in which the dr told me she has a blister in her ear it was so bad...could this turn into osteomyelitis?  Any suggestions?
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18688908 tn?1466997234
My daughter is 3 years old. She has this pain for the past one week. I give her a massage and then she falls asleep. And in the morning there is no sign of the pain which she told she had the last night. Today we are planning to visit the doctor. I have browsed and came to know its growing pain. I will be happy and satisfied if the doctor confirms the same.
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Nutritional blood tests for vitamin D and vitamin B12
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My grandson broke his leg at daycare when he was under a yr. And the er she took him only put him in soft cast well after two weeks I made her take him to a children's hospital to get a second opinion and it was fractured so he was recast but I'm thinking that the damage was done to Hus growth plate by then but we have had him back and they keep telling her outs just growing pains.  I am like you only one lkeg and to make us massage out til they can fall back to sleep?  Also when he ius last our house playing during day. On the trampoline or just jumping  I notice it more at note. Something ius rotten in Denmark. We need answers I hate seeing him in pain.
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my 1yr niece have fluid on the knee she cant crawl and the only way she can crawl is like and ape please its been going on for months what should I do
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My son started complaining of leg pains when he was three he would wake at night screaming in pain and sometimes it would even happen during the day and in the morning when he woke he also suffered with night sweats, we took him to the doctors and she sent him for blood tests (she was thinking leukaemia) he did have slightly odd results in his kidney function It was working harder than it should for his age but she said it wasn't a problem. she then referred him to a pediatrition and he noticed he was flat footed and also tested him for hypermobility which he found that he also had this accounted for all of his aches and pains especially at night as the reason for the pain was the muscles tightening so the best thing to do is to massage them and give calpol. My son was then sent to a physio to get tested on how hypermobile he was on the beighton score, it turned out he was a 7/9 which means he is hyper mobile in most of his joints. This is not a bad thing it just means he is more flexible than other children and needs a lot more exercise than most as the more the sit and relax the more the muscles tighten which is what causes the pain. since his diagnosis he has been doing a lot better with the pain he does lots of physical activities such as swimming, gym, Horse riding, Ice skating soft play etc the more exercise he does the least pain he is in!! he is now 5 and has not had to go back to the doctors or physio. I have noticed lately that my daughter has also started complaining of leg pain saying they hurt inside although I am pretty sure it is because she is hypermobile too as it runs in families and the physio did check her and said she is more than likey to have it, I am going to get her checked by the doc's as well just to be sure that it is nothing else. Take a look at this link http://hypermobility.org/help-advice/kids-teens/ and see if it helps and get your doc's to check for HYPERMOBILITY    
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Avatar universal
My daughter is six and has the same problem. She wakes up screaming uncontrollably. Often takes me ten minutes just yo calm her enough to find out where the pain is coming from.    I massage/ elevate her feet and give her a pain reliever (sometimes).
Several doctors have told me there is no such thing as growing pains and told me to monitor the activity as that could be the reason she is in so much pain when in a relaxed state.  
Also, changed her shoes to ones that fit properly and offer support...we bought a decent pair of runners for school/home and now I notice she wakes up with foot pain only after a day of wearing uggs, crocs, or sandals.  
Try switching your child's shoes for a few weeks.  
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Avatar universal
hi my son was born at 39 weeks and weighed 4lb 10 oz and no i didnt smoke or drink during my pregnancy it was because i had a manchester repair and there was no where for my baby to stretch out, but now he is 6yrs i love him very dearly but is a very daring child at bedtimes if i do manage to get him to sleep great but most of the time its a disaster, he suffers with bad cramps in his knees for years, i took him everywhere and they say give him calpol, i know where i would love to stick that calpoll, he is waiting to be seen by physochologist to see has he adhd which im pretty sure he has and help with that would be great anyone getting similar circumstances???? would love to meet someone even simular to what im going through just for a message or two
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I was searching for the leg pain for my son and then i came across your comment and totally believe it can i connect with you if i want to know more about it. Pls email me at ***@****
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1920824 tn?1322616659
So my daughter is 3 years old and pretty small for her age. She's been getting these pains and at first it was on her foot, we thought it was because she had a flat foot. When we went to the doctors they said the flat foot would just go away. Then it started moving to her leg and it was always at night, my grandparents, aunts, uncles, parents they all said you get pains when you walk around barefoot especially when the floors are cold and my daughter always, always, always takes off her socks and shoes. I blamed it on that. But now we make sure that she, at the very least, has on socks. Yet still the pain won’t go away. Also she is really clumsy there is not one day that goes by where she won’t end up hurting herself. Plus she has been doing exercises with me like squats and running, the stuff that she can so you see she is a very active girl. Now she came home saying her thigh is hurting and she's been crying more I thought it was the exercises or just wanting to be a brat but I can see it's really hurting her. The only reason I haven't taken her to the doctor's yet is because right away I feel like they think it's abuse but I have an appt. next week. Please, I just want to have some type of reassurance so if there are any answers just let me know... or is this just one of the scares every parent has to go through?
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My 4yr old just starting having leg pain last night and it prompted my morning search. After reading all the post I would agree that from a physiological standpoint it may be iron-deficiecy along with having some growing pains. I don't know that for sure, however, with the talking in her sleep and saying "weird" things I want to say that there are people/children who are "super sensitive" to the spirit realm. It is real and some people are more sensitive than others. I had some experiences when I was a child that I didn't understand and didn't have adults around me that did either. As I grew older I began to do my own searching and studying and learned more and began to understand my gift/abilities and then also was able to connect with mentors and people who shared the same abilities. Depending on your spiritual understanding/affiliation you may be able to connect her with someone to help her, or you may not even know where to begin. I would suggest first and foremost that you monitor what she watches on TV and listens to as far as music because they are "gateways" to our spirit. Everything that's animated isn't sweet and good and some adult shows that seem like they're "not that bad" may not be good for her because of her heightened senses. The real reality whether people believe or not is that there are people who see and hear what others may not (prophets, seers, dreamers, psychics, witches, wizards, etc.) all of these are not "bad" but with any gift/talent it can be used to manipulate/exploit others for one's own gain (monetary or other gain).  Be sensitive, examine what I am saying, and do your own due diligence, but do realize that a medical doctor cannot diagnose a spiritual matter. I hope I haven't totally freaked you out, but have shed some light on something that you still had not gotten answers for. I am glad to answer any more specific questions for you if I can.
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Take your kids to the doctor...get off the internet and go to the doctors...really waking up to a crying child for months....listen to them...they are telling you somethings wrong!
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My niece is almost 3 and shes has been wakeing up at 3 and 4 in the morning screaming her head off and says her legs hurt i know they are growing pains and what to give her what i dont understand is why she says she wants milk? she wants milk when this happens is it normal for her to want milk with these pains and is it safe? Please help this has been going on for 3 months and we cant figure out what to do someone please tell me something
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5118997 tn?1363864191
Hello i have a 4 year old that has had continued leg pains now for almost 2 years,we have seen lots of doctors and he actually seen a sleep doctor and did a sleep study wondering why he was up cryimg at night and they discovered he has borderline limb movement disorder and he has low iron,so they have had him on iron liquid once a day and it has helped..maybe talk to your peditrician about these things..Hope this helps out!!!!!!!!
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My son (10 years old going on 11 in april)got a cold with a bit of throat infection around Sunday we took him to the doctor on Tuesday got coughing med and antibiotic, he took them tues wed and twice today, I stopped giving him the med tonite cause he's been complaint about not being able to move his right hand and right foot and was crying just now trying to fall asleep, it's so painful to see my little one in pain and I am not able to help him. I talked to the doctor he said to bring my son in in the morning... Anyone knows what might be the problem here? Thank you!
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I AM GOING TO THE DOCTOR TOMMORROW AND CHECKING IF SHE IS FLAT FOOTED IF SHE IS HOPEFULLY THAT WILL STOP HER PAINS,AND I WILL TEXT BACK TO LET YE ALL NO TO HELP ALL OF THE CHILDERN BY
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get a blood test fast.  This will show why the leg pain.  There are a few disgnosis out there but all of them are very serious and should not be taken as just growning pains.  There have been cases of rare blood disease lukemis.  I pray not for every child.  But every chenge and every hope is all we have and should also looked into.  Blood tests reval alot but be sure to include the rare blood cases reported.  Its becomming more common.
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I had a family members boy approximately 4 years old at the time and he was complaning of leg pain in one leg.  Doctors could really find a reason.  Upon seeing a really good local doctor he checked the boy over and said to immediately get him checked in to a hospital and have a specialists come check his blood levels.  Sure enough,  he had a rare blood disease (a lukemia or cancer in the blood. )  After many transfustions and long longs stays in the ICU he came home.  Some restrictions applied and had to take medication on time everyday he did come into remission,.  And is now age 11 and is doing very well.  Still in remission with no more pain.  We were told it was a good thing we did get the proper diagnosis before too much more time passed.  It is a diffucult sympton to disgnosis and because of the rare cases reported it sometimes is overlooked.  Hope is all we have and every bit of information shared is another piece of hope.  I send all my wishes and prayers for full recoveries of the children having pain.  Thank you.
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Avatar universal
Hello everyone,

I'm a mom of a 4 year old boy who also had this happening - I hope your kids all get some relief from their pain.

Well, in my son's case and likely in your children's as well - it's a combination of growing pains (natural at those ages) and since their bodies ARE growing, it is extremely likely to also be iron/folic acid/magnesium deficiencies, other vitamins, etc.

Some foods, like dairy products, INHIBIT the absorption of iron and other vitamins. Unfortunately, you'll need a blood test which if you prep your child properly, will only hurt for about 10 seconds when they draw the blood sample. They can run an iron and TIBC, serum ferritin test and other vitamin test for deficiency. But according to several pediatrician's I've spoken to, it's totally natural for kids to be low on iron because their bodies use up so much. By extension, it's also very natural for them to be vitamin deficient because they simply are not going to get all their nutritional needs from food.

Your little teaspoon or child's vitamin pill just does not have enough vitamins in it. If you REALLY start reading the labels on your kids vitamins, you'll see how little there are in there. Please check the label on the bottle and read up on exactly what you are giving or not giving them. Don't be fooled by "KID Vitamin Brands", check around.

Although there is no true recommended daily allowance, just guides, I have increased my son's vitamin levels during periods of obvious growth, like more sleep, more appetite, leg pains. Remember the bone marrow is where the red blood cells come from, which fuels the whole body. When the body is not getting enough iron, it starts "squeezing" it out of the bones.

I give him 3 doses with each meal for up to a week or 2 weeks at a time, then I go back down to 2 doses. After doing this, he really started feeling better. Honestly, I'd rather give him more vitamins than pain pills.

It's also important to give the vitamins at the right time and not with certain foods, etc, that can block absorption.

Caution about iron though, it's possible to overload, so make sure to get separate iron vitamins and not the multi-vitamins with iron. Also, make sure to get screened for THALASSEMIA - too many people have this blood disorder and don't know about it and don't get the kids checked.

Good luck to all and last but not least - I'M NOT A DOCTOR, Please see your child's doctor and bring up your concerns. But do insist on getting a blood test or vitamin PANEL test to see what your child's deficiencies are, if any. Sometimes, IT IS MORE THAN JUST GROWING PAINS.

Best,

GS
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Avatar universal
My 3 year old has woke up twice in the past month saying his leg hurts and limping when he walks.  Everytime he takes a steph he says it hurts. At first we thought it was just asleep but it didn't go away. I don't know wether to take him to the doctor or wait it out. Reading the other stories, its odd that it mainly happens in 3 year olds. I wonder if it really is growing pains since it's so common? OR do I need to take him to the doctor?
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I have a 3 year old that since he was able to talk he had leg pains (calf) especially when he plays a lot like running and jumping...He also limps a  little especially when his barefooted..I read a lot of your postings and I was concerned. I took him to see our family doctor (she is awesome) she ask me if he had any fever (no fever) and she also asked me when does the pain happen and what kind of activities is he doing..Well the pain is always at night sometimes during the day...It gets bad when he runs a lot...Our Doctor examined him and did some range of motion on his hips, legs, ankles and feet. Then she made him walk around the room barefooted. She said he has flat feet and needs to wear shoes with an arched and good insole.  She told me to blame it on one of my relatives..I did notice that this only happens when he wears his flat shoes (Vans)...I hope it helps someone..Don't ever hesitate to take your kids to the doctor...If he gets worst I would go again and ask to get xrays, MRI etc...
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My 3 year old great grand son conplains of leg pain almost every day.  He is frequetly asking to be carried because f it .. Does anyone know what is going on?
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535822 tn?1443976780
Go for a second opinion then tell them what you have told us here and insist they do more tests, A mother's gut tells you all is not well with your child so you have to persist till you get answers to this pain she is having ,good luck
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Avatar universal
My daughter is now 11years old, she has been suffering from pains in her legs & knees since she was 8years old, i've had her to 3 different hospitals & 6 different doctors, the pain is so bad sometimes she wakes up screaming, she walks in a weird way now & sometimes complains that the pain is in her lower back...she has been for MRI Scans, Xrays & CT Scans, Blood tests...one doctor told me her ligaments were too loose (he said stop all exercise for a year), the physiotherapist said her ligaments were too tight (she said not enough exercise), then im told its something to do with her feet, her feet look flat but she does have an arch which you cant see because her ankles are not lined up with her feet, they gave her hospital made insoles for her shoes in which it isnt making any difference, i'm at my wits end, i've been told it could be growing pains & i also got asked if i think it could be in her head, does she seek attention...that remark made me really angry!! When she is ill, sickness & there is no fever she starts sleep walking & having conversations with me in her sleep that she doesnt remember a thing the next day...example, she came to me one night telling me to come see the thing on the screen, i replied to her what thing & she got very frantic & made me go to her bedroom to look, the whole time she is sleeping, this went on for 20mins, very random & weird conversations i had with her...when i talk to the doctor about it they dont seem to want to take me seriously, they look at me like im nuts! I dont know what else to do for her...at this moment in time, she isnt well, no fever, just complaining about  sore head & throat, she's in my bed sleeping but has been up 6 times already, i went to get her cause i heard her crying in the hallway, when i went out she told me to go away as she was walking into her bedroom, i spoke to her gently & told her she needed to go back to bed & she replied with but i had switch off the phone or it was going to get me....these episodes have been happening since she was 6yrs old and i dont know if its linked with the pain in her legs, i need some serious help here....i dont know what else to do for her, i feel so useless when she is like this!! I dont want her walking about in pain any longer & this sleep problem she has, i dont know if you would call it sleep walking, night terrors or hullcinations but it has to stop & she needs help badly.
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973741 tn?1342342773
I was just curious.  My boy has sensory integration disorder so . . . he is a seriously picky eater.  We do a multi vitamin and I sneak things into his diet but I always wonder if he is getting enough of the right things.  I'm guessing probably not.  I really hadn't thought about iron until your posts.  I'll have to look at what the symptoms of anemia are and the leg pain is interesting too.  My son does get pains but the two things that make him hard are that he is a sensory seeker so he is constant motion/ does wacky tihngs that SHOULD hurt and then he is also over sensitive to some pain.  So, it is really hard for me to get a handle on what is going on sometimes.  He doesn't have night time leg pain though (whew!) but I'm going to watch things with him more closely.  I guess I had never really considered how iron deficiency could play a role.  Interesting.  

and I was inquiring about how you dose it because I think that is one that you watch for overdose if they take too many vit. with iron.  I just don't know what is the right amount and what would be too  much.  

Thanks for the info!!
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