My son recently started waking up in the middle of the night in tears. He says his leg hurts...is this growing pains or what? I've heard some say it's due to lack of calcium in the diet??? I think he's likely just growing but I'm wondering what some of your views are. Thanks.

By Kate on Tuesday, February 17, 2004 - 08:46 am:

How old is your son?

By Kittycat_26 on Tuesday, February 17, 2004 - 09:30 am:

I've heard of leg cramps being caused by a lack of potassium but I'd never heard of the lack of calcium causing this.

By Momaroze on Tuesday, February 17, 2004 - 10:11 am:

My son is 7 yrs. and a very picky eater....

By Mommyathome on Tuesday, February 17, 2004 - 10:16 am:

Oh goodness, I've BTDT! I rememeber when I was young my mom would sit up with my for hours rubbing my legs until I fell asleep. I went to several doctors, all of which said it was growing pains. It hurt so bad.

By Fionadeassis on Tuesday, February 17, 2004 - 11:34 am:

My ds had that last summer when he turned 3. He would wake up crying. My mom said it was growing pains...but I also wondered if it could be from all the running and jumping that he always did. I knew it wasn't calcium because he has tons of that. But he is also a very picky eater. I can kind of remember that same pain when I was little(about 5 or so). My sons went away after a night or two....but it does resurface occasionally.

fiona

By Momaroze on Tuesday, February 17, 2004 - 11:38 am:

Yep, that is likely it allright, growing pains. Massage and warmth seems to do the trick! Yes, he was crying in pain last night but is fine and off to school this morning. Like he said "I'm just growin mom".

By Kaye on Tuesday, February 17, 2004 - 11:50 am:

I might would consider keeping a log of how often this happens. The reason is my son has juvenille rhumatoid arthritis, he was diagnosed at age 7. Basically for a bout a year before he was very achy, I too wrote it off to growing pains, then one day he came home from school with his right knee huge. Anyway, JRA is an auto immune disease, typically before diagnosis children get sick often, are stiff and achy, etc. Good luck.

By Momaroze on Tuesday, February 17, 2004 - 12:30 pm:

Thanks Kaye, I will definately keep track. Actually.... you've got me thinking about something else now that could be related. Thanks.

By Trisa on Tuesday, February 17, 2004 - 01:05 pm:

My son is 10 and gets them BAD.
I dont know what age they outgrow this.

By Karen~moderator on Tuesday, February 17, 2004 - 02:18 pm:

My kids went through that and I did take them to doctors, and it was, in fact, growing pains. However, as Kaye said above, it could possibly be something else. If it continues I'd take him in for a checkup.

By Jtsmom on Tuesday, February 17, 2004 - 03:06 pm:

My son is 3 now and for about a year he has had this problem. He will wake up about 2 to 3 times a week with either his knee or his ankles hurting him. I have taken him to the doctor a few times about this and they say that it is just growing pains, but I just dont feel comfortable with that. He cries tears and it happens so often. I had to take him to a Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon because he was and still is a tip toe walker.. They thought maybe the tendon in the back of his legs were not long enough and might would require surgery. But when I took him, the doctor said that it didn't seem too tight, just a little and wait until he turns 4 to see if he still wakes up with pain or if he still walks on his toes. So I really don't know what the problem is either. If anyone has any suggestions. I am open to them.

By Leeree on Tuesday, February 17, 2004 - 05:49 pm:

My 13 son has this too. He's had it on and off for the last 3 years. He's always been tall for his age he is now 5'10 and he just turn 13.
I give him Advil and use the electric massager, or have him have a bath with epsom salts. It seems to help.

By Babysitbarb on Tuesday, February 17, 2004 - 10:25 pm:

My DD went through this at about 11 off and on for a few years. She went through a major growth spurt around this time.I probably would have been concerned but, I remember a lady I use to work for had asked me a couple times if I had ever had this growning up because her little girl would complain a lot about her legs hurting and the doctor had said it was growing pains.

By Ginny~moderator on Wednesday, February 18, 2004 - 06:04 am:

I don't believe in "growing pains". If it were me I'd definitely mention it to the doctor. Any pain bad enough to wake a child up needs investigation. And I agree with Kaye, keep a log.

My oldest, at about age 7 or 8, had pains in his leg and hip. Turned out to be something (I can't remember the name) with the hip socket, and he was put on a no-walking, no weight bearing on that side regime for about 3 months. It went away and he was fine after that, but if we hadn't checked it out there could have been permanent damage to the hip socket.

Even if it is just leg cramps from lack of potassium, a change in diet might be indicated. I urge you to check it out.

By Kim on Wednesday, February 18, 2004 - 08:14 pm:

My 10 son also has this and has had it on and off since he was three. He is tall and skinny, eats everything so I know his diet is good. He just happens to grow HUGE amounts of inches at a time. I aoso give pain reliever while it lasts and I am a big supporter of infant/toddler/child massage and I would massage his legs out every night also.