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Widesettoes

Updated 1y ago

Dealing with Growing Pains: Seeking Advice

I’m almost 21 and I’ve had “growing pains” for as long as I can remember. When I was really young, I’d wake up screaming and crying about my knees and shins and my mom would have to rub them all night so I could sleep. Now that I’m an adult, I rub my own knees because it still happens almost every night. I was tested for rheumatoid arthritis and was told I didn’t have it but no other testing was done and no more questions were asked. I’ve been to plenty of doctors and they all tell me that they’re growing pains even though I’ve researched growing pains and they should’ve stopped by now. No matter what I do they always get so stiff and achy. Has anyone else dealt with this?

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RxtPxnk

2y

"growing pains" are usually not actually pain from growing, but more of from over exerting your muscles, try taking a few days of doing the bare minimum and see how you feel, theres also otc leg cramp medicine you can try, and potassium may help too
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Sigil

2y

This sounds so familiar to me. I'm five foot exactly and haven't grown since early in high school, yet I was still told growing pains every time I complained. Here is what I did when I finally made an appointment with a rheumatologist. I listed out every single symptom and experience I'd gone through, and roughly from what age I experienced it. Also, listed that I'd been wearing compression braces on what joints and since what age. Knee pain since 12. Knee compression braces for support since 15. Ankle pain since 12/13. Ankle braces for support since 17. List it all out so they cannot ignore the gravity of what you are feeling. I wrote on two full pages what I was going through and for how long. Also, look at possible illnesses like Ehlers-Danlos or joint hypermobility or whatever else your symptoms lead to. Look at the diagnostic criteria for those illnesses and let the doctor know whether you believe you meet the criteria or not.
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castiel

2y

Same here! The whole growing pains excuse is so annoying, been going on since i was 4. Growing pains shouldnt hurt this bad
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___

2y

This sounds similar to my younger sister. She has always had what we call “leg aches” and “arm aches”. She now has rheumatoid arthritis which developed from a virus (not Covid, it was a few years ago). She has found that Tylenol and heat helps her leg aches and arm aches. And sometimes I heat up a bunch of rice packs in the microwave, and she has a heated blanket. Heat helps her RA but we used to do that too with leg/arm aches. I’ve always thought of leg/arm aches as coming from being cold, I’m not sure if that actually causes them but maybe this idea could help you. Btw my sister is 17 years old now.
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Katty

2y

Sounds like hyper mobility joint syndrome. It’s usually worse when you’re still growing, but it can hurt forever. For me I found cutting out impact exercise helped tons!
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ferngully

2y

SAME literally all my childhood it was growing pains in the shins and calves and and it still happens like once a month and i’m 20
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Jenni_Star

2y

Sooooo it sounds like what I went through and go through. High potency turmeric supplement is what I recommend. It stopped the chronic searing pain in my joints and bones within a week or two, and the intense swelling and pain when the barometric pressure changes has been dulled to a tolerable level. My current and new rheumatologist, after 5 years of seeing doctors and specialists and about a dozen blood tests, has decided I have the form of RA that doesn’t show up in sedimentary levels in blood tests. I’ve been put on a non-immune suppressant RA pill and it helps me. Many years ago I was diagnosed with Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder and later tested for EDS. Because, and only because, I do not have the dough-like skin, I simply have the most severe form of Hypermobility in my area. I would find out from your doctor what you need to do or have done to be seen by a geneticist!!! I can’t have turmeric with black pepper or capsaicin because of my stomach, bladder and digestive issues but it is possible to get a good quality turmeric supplement at an affordable price that doesn’t bother my stomach
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Jenni_Star

2y

I’m so sorry you are going through this- I was hoping this is a bizarre phenomenon that others don’t go through
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notthatkindofsick

2y

Yeah I have the same thing, and like multiple people here have mentioned, I have Ehlers Danlos.

The content in this post is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

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