What is wrong with 3yo dd's foot (if anything!)

[CatThiefKeith]

When dd was about 18mo she woke one night screaming, crying and holding her right foot. I assumed cramp or pins and needles, so rubbed it for aboutt 20 mins and she went back to sleep.

It then happened every couple of nights for about a fortnight so took her to the docs, they found nothing wrong.

Since then, particularly if she is very tired, she will wake screaming and crying and holding her foot.

Sometimes it is the left foot, but mostly the right.

It never happens during the day

It doesn't seem to be linked to how much walking she has done that day

We have been back to the doctor, who has suggested growing pains.

Dm thinks it is for comfort (she always wants me, and only me, to rub it better)

A dose of calpol and a foot rub later and she goes back to sleep often in my bed

It's happened again tonight, she hasn't had a strenuous day, anyone got any thoughts or similar experiences?

[FruitBasedDrinkForALady]

Could it be cramp? I sometimes get leg cramps if I'm low on potassium, so a few bananas sorts me out. That said, DD (4) definitely gets growing pains in her legs, but very intermittently.

[CatThiefKeith]

I've wondered about cramp, but when I rub the foot I can't feel any cramped muscles, and her toes are relaxed, so I think it's unlikely. She also loves bananas.

I've also wondered about pins and needles, but her foot is always warm, and I've checked she isn't sleeping awkwardly or with it raised somehow.

I am at a total loss.

[mumatron]

I suffered really badly with growing pains, as does ds (13yo) and they would never go away that quickly.

Could it just be a comfort thing? Is she actually saying that her foot hurts or is she just holding it?

[CatThiefKeith]

She sobs and holds it, saying 'it really hurts Mummy', sometimes it can take half an hour of rubbing it to get her back to sleep, other times 5-10 mins.

It seems real, but my dm is convinced it's for comfort.

Doctors can find nothing wrong.

[FruitBasedDrinkForALady]

It seems a bit frequent for growing pains...DD gets them for maybe 2days but only every few months. With DD it's really easy for sleep related anything to become a habit so it could be a fatal combination of a pain thing becoming a comfort. Tonight DD developed a "very serious" shoulder pain after I gave out to her for faffing about getting into bed. Apparently she couldn't move for the pain, but rocking and hugs were the best cure...

[bsmirched]

In exactly the same with DS1 who is 4. It's fairly intermittent but when it does happen he is totally inconsolable, verging on hysteria, bless him. Will watch with interest!

[CatThiefKeith]

I think you might be right, but she goes to bed fine, then wakes crying in the night.

Sometimes she starts crying in her sleep and holding her foot before she even wakes up.

Surely if it was a conscious thing it would happen at bed time?

[CatThiefKeith]

Bsmirched really? That's interesting, what is your theory?

She wakes up so distressed I find it hard to believe it's not real, but it definitely happens more if she has a late night or a particularly tiring day.

[Bugsylugs]

I used to be like this from very young but affected my knees. Have to say lasted into late teens but much less after 10 ish. Nearly always happened during sleep eased with massage I would fall asleep mum would stop and if she had too early I would wake again! couldn't put weight on my legs at the tie either.

[IMurderedStampyLongnose]

Op,I had the exact same thing with my DS,for years.Started to cry in his sleep,sometimes took an hour to settle,sometimes just a few minutes.Had it from he started walking and only now has it settled,and he is nearly 9.His dad believed he was doing it for comfort but I didn't /don't believe it.Unfortunately nothing helpful to add,but wrapping a cold towel round it helped him.he doesn't seem to get it as much now.i took him to every doctor/podiatrist but no cause could be found.I hope your girl gets some relief soon.

[PandaNot]

My ds used to wake in the night quite often, saying his legs we're hurting, between the ages of 3 and 5. Doctors out it down to growing pains and it stopped once he started attending regular gymnastics sessions and his muscles were being properly stretched. Not suggesting this as a cure but it sounds like growing pains to me.

[mumatron]

Mine was the same as bugsy. I still suffer with it in my knees now if it's cold and damp.

Sounds like growing pains if she is moaning about it in her sleep. The only thing that works for me and ds is keeping the legs warm. Painkillers don't really help.

[CatThiefKeith]

Aha! That's interesting...

Dd will not, and never has kept her covers on at night. No matter where she sleeps, her legs always end up out of the covers.

It's too hot for pyjamas or a onesie though.

[CatThiefKeith]

Oh hang on, cold towel?

Think it's going to be trial and error then to see which one works.

[IMurderedStampyLongnose]

For years I tried a hot towel,water bottle,but eventually found that cold worked far better and faster for relieving his discomfort.