Conference moira::parenting

I used to get these if I did a lot more exercise than usual
or if I ran primarily on my toes instead of rolling from heel
to toe.  Maybe calf stretches before and after would help?

    Our oldest, Bram, has suffered from growing pains. Usually it is
    at night and in the knee joints and calf muscles. It hurts him like
    hell but there is not really a lot you can do. Infra-red lamp treatment
    seems to alleviate some of the discomfort. I wouldn't worry too much
    as, in my experience, it dosn't last too long, a coupla days each time
    at the most.
    
    Dave       

    I talked to our doctor about this recently, since my son
    has growing pains quite often.  He said it is nothing to
    worry about but there is not much that can be done.  
    Basically, Nathan uses a heating pad or an ice pack, whichever
    seems to work at the time.
    
    Pam

    this could be psycosomatic, but it works for us:
    
    "magic growing pain pills", AKA Tums or other calcium tablets, along with
    a banana, strawberry or cantalope for more potassium.  since we aren't
    big milk consumers in my family, calcium deficiancy is always in the
    back of my head when the growing pains start up at night.  
    
    meg

    
    I had a lot of muscle pain when I used to do
    track meets. Potassium supplements can help with 
    the cramps. Stretching the muscles before going to 
    bed helps. Soaking in hot baths also helps. 
    
    
    
    Eva

    Make sure he's warming up and cooling down properly when he exercises
    or runs track, or whatever.  Be sure he's getting plenty of calcium
    and potassium, and make sure he gets enough sleep.  If he's really
    uncomfortable, try a non-aspirin pain reliever (at his age,
    acetominaphen is probably best).  Maybe one of those pain-relieving
    rubs? -- or are they too strong for an 11-year old?
    
    It does sound like growing pains -- I can remember getting them at that
    age, too.  

    
    	Also, if there is cramping involved, it could be mild
    	dehydration.  Encourage him to drink lots of cold water
    	before, during, and after his practices/games.  (Cold water
    	is absorbed faster.)
    
    	I still get "growing pains" when I've been out on my feet
    	for long stretches, typically at a mall with concrete floors.
    
    	Check his sneakers - be sure they've got good shock absorption,
    	or pick up a pair of shock-absorbing inserts.
    
    	Finally, tylenol usually eleviates the pain enough for me to 
    	get a good night's sleep.
    
    	Karen
    

    My daughter, now 15 still suffers from this when she is very active.
    It started when she was about 2. She would wake up in the middle of the
    night screaming in pain. Last yr when she became very active in sports
    it got real bad. When she was small she went thru extentive exams to
    find out what was going on. She can hyper(sp?) extend all of her joints
    and the Dr's have said because her joints are over extending all of the
    muscles and ligaments (sp?) are being overworked which will cause 
    severe pain. The Dr's want her to strenghten her leg muscles with
    exercises so that the stronger muscles will help support those joints.
    When she does the exercises on a regular basis it really helps. But
    even 15 she still has to be reminded to do them.
    
    Sherry

    My 4 year old son is extremely active - swimming, gymnastics, intense
    play with other kids his age.  We once told him that bananas can help
    prevent cramps, which he usually gets while eating dinner.  One night 
    he started whining as his legs cramped up and then started stuffing 
    bananas from his fruit salad into his mouth in hopes of an instant cure.

    A heating pad should only be used for a short time.  Maybe 10-20
    minutes.  It should not be used all night.  At least that's what
    I've been told by my doctor.  

When I had leg cramps when I was pregnant, sometimes powerful ones which would
wake me in the middle of the night, I took calcium tablets.  Helped a lot.

   Carol