I am naturally a very positive person. Definitely glass-half-full rather than glass-half-empty. And one of the things I refuse to do is worry needlessly about things that may or may not happen in the future. I might think about them, I might try to do some contingency planning just in case, but I flat out refuse to sit around moping about things that may not come to pass.
I have a lot of confidence in my ability to remain calm in a crisis, and cope with whatever life throws at me. A career in IT technical support will do that to you. I am logical, and you can throw me into an unknown situation and I’ll sort it out somehow. I’ve done it since I was a kid. Once when I was in my early teens, my Mum managed to cut her hand open with a kitchen knife when I was the only other person in the house. We both remained calm, she sent me to find something to stem the bleeding and then had me phone her best friend to drive her to the hospital. I very politely made the call, opening with “are you busy?”, and then being somewhat taken aback by the reply of “actually we’re just having dinner!”. Something in the way I paused must have made my Mum’s friend realise there was a problem, as she asked me what was wrong. Before the words “Mum’s cut her hand” had left my mouth she was in the car heading to us.
I digress. Anyway my point is – me, good in a crisis. Not a worrier.
The geekdaughter’s been suffering with what I am about 90% sure are just growing pains. An average of maybe once a week she wakes up crying in the middle of the night, complaining of pain. Mostly in her knees, but a couple of times in her feet or hands. It doesn’t happen in any kind of pattern – one week we’ll have 2 or 3 nights of it, then she’ll be fine for a couple of weeks, then it will start again. Her knees are never swollen, and Calpol sorts it out and gets her back off to sleep again. I’ve been relaxed about it. Well, 90% relaxed anyway.
You see, whilst I am 90% sure that it’s growing pains, there’s that 10%. That 10% that thinks it might be something more serious. The trouble is that on the geekdaddy’s side of the family is a history of Rheumatoid Arthritis. His Mum, his sister, his uncle, one of his cousins… Quite a strong family history, which particularly seems to affect the females. So every time the geekdaughter complains of joint pain, that 10% sits in the back of my head saying “what if it’s arthritis?”. And I know that it’s on the geekdaddy’s mind permanently.
So yesterday we took the first step in trying to find out more about what’s going on. We went to see our local GP. We are fortunate to live in the same town as my sister-in-law, and we purposefully went to see her doctor so that we had the advantage of someone who knows the family history. And I must say I was half expecting him to say “it’s growing pains, go away and stop worrying”. But he didn’t. He had a very quick feel of her knees and then said that given the family history, and the fact it had been going on for in excess of six months, he would refer us to a paediatrician… I sense we’re starting down the road that will lead to my gorgeous, beautiful little girl having blood tests for Rheumatoid Arthritis. At just 4 she seems far too young for this.
I am glad that there are blood tests that can help to diagnose RA. The GP did warn us that, particularly with young children, they can give false negatives, so even an “all clear” result now may not mean she’ll never get the disease. I do believe that it’s important to get as much information as possible. I am confident in my ability to cope, whether we get the diagnosis we fear or not.
But when I think about it too much, it scares me.
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
Massive hugs to all of you. Life throws these horrible things at us and the only thing we can do is stay positive for the children. Whatever the result youll know you did the right thing by taking her to see the GP, in the meantime we’ll all pray for her to get the all clear. Stay strong, we’ll be thinking of you xx
Hugs to you. I wish you luck and strength. It seems totally normal to me that you are scared. It does not mean you’re obsessing over it.
Bless you, I would be scared to. Worrying shows we care. My son often complains of ‘fizzy legs’ but I just thought he was sleeping on them funny. Perhaps, like you have, I should listen to him. I will ask him for sure now x
I had the same as a child, and my mum didn’t get me assessed until one day my kneecap dislocated when I was about 7 – I don’t think she discounted the pain but she didn’t believe it was a bad as I said and she called it ‘growing pains’. Turns out I have EDS. So it’s definitely worth getting checked out and knowing one way or the other, just so you know how best to deal with it whatever the outcome. And I hope that for you and your little one it really is just growing pains and she feels better soon x
We went through this with my son when he was aged 8, though more severe as at times he could not even straighten his leg.
Strangely it turned out to be sort of growing pains, that his long bones were growing quicker than his short bones hence causing the pain. He still get’s pain sometimes but not like it was and he has physio exercises if he does. Which help massively.
Hope your little ones get’s on okay and it is totally normal to worry but try not to too much, easier said than done.
Oscar loved having the blood test, they give magic cream for children which numbs the area so she shouldn’t feel anything. xxxx
I always thought growing pains were one of those myth things until I asked friends about my 4yo waking complaining of sore legs probably 10 times over 2 years. It seems it is quite common.
As you said there is no pattern, just wakes sobbing his knees hurt, and it is real pain.
But I totally get why you are concerned for the 10% of what ifs in your mind. Really hoping it is ‘just’ growing pains x
I’m so sorry you have this worry with your child. That’s the hardest part of being a parent for me. My son had the same complaint, around 4 to 6 – would wake up crying with pain. Very frightening, but the dr. was never concerned when I mentioned it. I hope it turns out to be nothing more worrisome than growing pains for your daughter.
It’s probably nothing and is just strengthened by the family history. I hope it all comes back clear for your little one.
My son is 2 and has complained about pain in his knees on and off for 6 months or so. I was going to leave it for another few months and see how things go before taking him as touch wood we have had less occurances lately
I hope there’s positive news from the paediatrician, but either way it’s always better to know what you are dealing with.
Zack still wakes with sore legs to the point of tears at times.
There was one time, about a year ago, when he was so sore he literally couldn’t put any weight on them.
Keeping my fingers crossed that it’s just bad growing pains.
However, your gut is usually right about these things… mother’s instinct and all that.
You will manage, whatever the outcome.
*hugs* and lots of love xxx
Have you got a referal yet? Am sure it’s nothing serious
Like I said, Abby is a similar case and she was given correction insoles to help her legs grow the right way.
I remember reading somewhere that appearantly growing pain was an old term the doctors used as they used to believe that the pain has got something to do with their growth. But some criticised that if it’s related to growth, it shouldn’t only affect the front of the knees. Later there is a theory saying that it’s got to do with the joint design, and jumping and extreme exercise on the legs (trampolines, etc) should be avoided. Like I can stop her from jumping about lol.
Trust your instincts – and if the paed doesn’t give you answers, get another opinion. Many hugs to you and let us know how you get on x
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