11 Year Old with Sharp Pains All over His Body

There are benign causes of an elevated sed rate, so try not to panic. Waiting for test results is the worst. Keep us posted.

What that test MOSTLY does is verify that YES, he is in pain.

When we're in pain our bodies usually either jack our white cells through the roof, or jack our inflamation response through the roof. So it's saying that he's got inflamation, but not where or cause by what.

This is going to sound weird: Have him start eating bananas.

Muscles need 2.5 things in order to "work"

1) Calcium (Ca++) to tense the muscle (if you're feeling sluggish, try eating something calcium rich)

2) Potassium (K) to relax the muscle (the reason we go into rigor mortis when we die is that our bodies have calcium stored in our bones, but we run out of potassium, so every muscle "locks" and cannot relax, because we're out of K)

.5) ATP (energy... the Ca++ kicks off the reaction, the ATP IS the reaction, the K stops the reaction)

GROWING PAINS are usually cramps, specifically, the muscles cramp to the bones, because the bones are growing and pulling the muscles, and the muscles cramp and can't relax.

Just like runners and athletes, you're going to be in SERIOUS pain if you don't have enough K in your body to relax the cramp.

Potassium rich foods? (skip vitamins, or rather, do NOT depend on them... 90% just goes into the toilet undigested)

- BANANAS
- Spinach
- Raisins

Most kids aren't fond of spinach (for my fast grower we put spinach on sammies instead of lettuce) but they WILL eat bananas. You have to eat a whole cup of raisins to = 1 banana, and few kids will eat THAT many raisins.

Before bed every night, have him eat a banana (when you're asleep is when you body uses up most of your available K, because you're relaxed... 2nd "most" time is during any kind of physical activity. Serious athletes tend to eat bananas right after they finish, and K is one of the salts that is in gatorade, but it's not as "available" as what you find in the B word.), and after any kind of strenuous activity. In general, 2 a day.

So just as a gimme...

Take 2 bananas a day and call me in the morning.

((Also... massaging UPWARD on any area that hurts can also help alleviate the pain. Our blood vessels have little 'gates' in them that keep blood from pooling "down". The blood stops and "sits" on the little gate (vericose veins are usually a busted gate, and the blood is pooling in that vein). By massaging upward, you're relaxing the muscle and draining the toxins out of it AND moving it and the blood upward toward the liver where it gets filters out. Not only does that protect the 'gate', but it means that the toxins aren't passing by the area twice and getting reabsorbed. It also brings in fresh blood, with fresh K to help the muscle relax even more.))

The sed rate test helps determines inflammation in the body, but not necessarily the cause of the inflammation. You can find out more here:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/sed-rate/MY00343

The other test will help determine if there is an underlying cause to his inflammation, (infection/arthritis...). It is so tough to wait, but you will soon have answers and an idea of how to help your son. I had to wait a week when I was being tested for lupus, it was torture. Just hang in there!

Even more info on rates and possible meanings here:
http://www.mdjunction.com/forums/chronic-pain-discussions...

I had elevated sed rate 50 years ago and I was prescribed salicylic acid. It's the ingredient in aspirin. It reduces inflammation. Eventually the sed rate went down. I don't remember having any other tests but then back then they knew less and no doubt had fewer tests to run.

What I'm saying is work on not worrying until you know for sure that this is something serious. It wasn't serious for me and is just as likely to be not serious as serious for your son.

This is a simple explanation. It may indicate some sore of inflammation.. The good thing is once they finish the testing, you will have some answers. I know it is scary not to know what is going on, but it is good you took him him to be seen. Just deal with whatever happens as it comes. Do not let your mind race.. You need to save your energy and stay calm for your son.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/sed-rate/MY00343

I'd probably chalk it up to "growing pains" kids his age can spike in growth rapidly which can cause unexplained pains. To quote one of many websites talking about growing pains: "Your child is probably experiencing growing pains, a normal occurrence in about 25% to 40% of children. They generally strike during two periods: in early childhood among 3- to 5-year-olds and, later, in 8- to 12-year-olds.

...

One symptom that doctors find most helpful in making a diagnosis of growing pains is how the child responds to touch while in pain. Kids who have pain from a serious medical disease don't like to be handled because movement tends to increase the pain. But those with growing pains respond differently — they feel better when they're held, massaged, and cuddled.

Growing pains are what doctors call a diagnosis of exclusion. This means that other conditions should be ruled out before a diagnosis of growing pains is made. A thorough history and physical examination by your doctor can usually accomplish this. In rare instances, blood and X-ray studies may be required before a final diagnosis of growing pains is made."

Since I don't have much to go on other than his age and that he's been getting sharp pains all over, this was the only conclusion I could think of.

Well, I am glad to hear his white blood cell count was normal! SED seems to be related to inflammation and/or arthritis.

Is Lyme present in your area? I think I recall someone mentioning that in response to your last post.

Another possibility - have they checked for a Vitamin D deficiency?

Best of luck and keep us posted!

if you dont get answers from your doctor try the homeopathy stores. they can help with simple issues that the main stream doctors tend to scratch there heads at. it seems some friends of mine had a girl about your age that had the same issue...she was dehydrated. try getting plenty of water, propell or gatorade in his system and see if that helps. again i strongly suggest alternative view points as well as the doctors. if they would just get on board and work together we might finally get some cures for issues!

It could be indicative of a rheumatory illness (e.g. arthritis) or Lyme disease. However, by itself it could be indicative of nothing at all. White blood cell count would not be affected by rheumatoid arthritis. I hate to answer this at all, because I know a Mom's head will go there and WORRY, but it's not nice to ignore you either. I hope it is nothing chronic, and try to keep a clear head until a definitive diagnosis (or lack thereof) is made.

Stick to your guns with your doctors until you figure out what's going on.

I notice you live in Anoka. That's ground zero for Lymes disease. If tick-borne illnesses haven't been brought up, you may want to mention that possibity to your doc. (Vets know a lot more about tick illnesses than people doctors! I speak from experience.)

Good luck!

I am so sorry about your son! That sounds terrible.

This is a long shot but I wanted to throw it out there just in case it could help. My 5 year old son had an allergic reaction to amoxycyllan and the main symptom was extreme pain - mainly in arms, legs, wrists, shoulders and ankles- especially joints. Our pediatrician said this can happen sometimes and it is classified as serum sickness or a serum sickness like reaction. His pain was sharp and lasted about a week. It would strike out of the blue and cause him to cry out. It woke him up at night and even caused him to not walk at times. It was intense.

Anyway, I'm sure doctors have already asked you about any medications your son has recently taken but thought I'd mention this in case it might help....

Best of luck and hope you get some answers soon.