I would like to talk to someone else dealing with this. 8 yo waking up occasionally in the night with muscle cramps and pain from over extending certain muscle groups.
This is not growing pains,
I"m not sure how to treat since it isn't consistent, I'm having trouble anxicipating it. never any pain during the day.
I will admit, i have trouble coming fully awake to deal with this because we have been dealing with it so long and some of it was assumed to be night time separation anxiety, It also seems to pass with in 15 mins so tyenol at the first wake up probably wouldn't take effect before the cramp passed. I'm looking more into how to stop them from occuring than to deal with them during.
someone suggested valerian root as a muscle relaxant but i'm a little hesitant.
could it really be electro lite imbalance?
dr appointment coming up soon but asking here will help me prepare my questions for him.
thank you for any insight.
not clear i guess but you dear ladies are so sweet to try.
diagnosis from ped specialist is a rare disorder, it mimic's toe walking, kids with cerebral palsy also have similar but not the same muscle issues.
That is how i know it is not leg cramps.
the night waking has been going on and off since birth, hence why from the ages of 2-5 some of it was hard to distinguish between separation anxiety and actual pain. since this pain was only at night and was soothed by crawing into bed with us. it was hard to distinguish, It is starting to lessen in frequency but the intensity has ramped up probably because we are due for another surgery.
child hates bananas as do i, sports drinks seem like empty calories and extra chemicals but i think we will give that a try. tyenol every night for 8 year would not be a good option and like it said i can't really anticpate it, although some activies do make it worse ice skating and roller blading.
Dr hasn't been very helpful in the past but maybe if i an wake up enough to keep a log of how often this is happening he might suggest something other than the surgery we are looking at again.
thanks
I'd give him a banana at dinner every night and see if it helps. Bananas have potassium in them. Being low in potassium can cause leg cramps.
I'd continue the tylenol.
My son had leg cramps at night. It was hard. He did eventually grow out of it.
Is he a toe walker with CP? I am confused. I know after a super active day i make sure my kids eat a banana and drink a lot of water or they will get the night time leg cramps.
Could you try putting chocolate sprinkles on the banana? That is how I get my 10 year old to eat them. Or you could put a banana in a fruit smoothie.
Just a thought - how much calcium does your child have... Too little could cause it. But I found out when I wax pregnant that too much calcium can cause leg cramps too.
I will say a prayer for you and your child.
Good luck at the doctor.
I have the same problem! I think my problem is walking in shoes that don't fit properly. No excuse. Have to find better shoes.
My solutions are:
A banana a day. I also detest bananas. But I love them frozen with chocolate sauce !
A glass of water before bedtime. Hydration really helps.
A slightly warm compress on my toes when I do get awful cramping.
All my best.
I have CP.
Has anyone talked to you about tightening of the achiles tendon? When the tendon is tight, it is painful. Toe walkers tend to be toe walkers because of tight tendons. When they are 'up', it feels good because being 'down' pulls on the tendon and causes discomfort.
There are special exercise that I was to do at night before bed. (Stand facing a wall, keeping my heels on the floor, press my chest slowly to the wall)
Normal stretches like when you are warming up to dance or run work also.
We worked with a pediatric orthapedic doctor that specializes in CP.
When younger, age 4 - 12y I also had to wear a shoe/brace to bed that had a metal bar the length of my leg, to help keep the muscles extended.
Also, learning to walk heel-toe helps. Most people plop their feet or walk on the balls of their feet. This helps the tendon contract because it isn't being used fully. Walking normally, but placing each foot heel down, ball down, helps keep the tendon loose.
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Reread your SWH.
Have you talked to the doctor about physical therapy? They can teach you strengthening exercises that can be done at home.
Also, dance like ballet or jazz is a good activity. There is tons of stretching and muscle work done.
Is your child in some kind of sport/activity where he/she is doing hyper-flexing or overextending type movements?
Could is thus be, activity or sports activity, injuries or charlie-horse type pain?
As you said, your child is getting muscle cramps/pain from "overextending certain muscle groups...."
Or, if your child is in some kind of sports/activity where he/she gets hot and sweats a lot, then it can be something where by nighttime, the muscles are spent and needing a banana to replace potassium etc.
Or, your child can drink a Gatorade or something to replace lost sodium and/or electrolytes etc. My daughter is in Karate, and she gets muscle injuries/over flexed muscles/cramps and all the students bring Gatorade to drink during class as needed. Because, it is very physical and they sweat a lot etc. during class. With Dehydration/loss of electrolytes etc., its effects can and often, will take place, later than same night. And it is hot.
Do you know, that it is not, growing-pains?
I am not an expert, but your child is 8 years old... and you think his/her waking can be from 'separation anxiety?"
And that this is aside from his/her waking at night with muscle cramps?
Also, your question mentions "toe walking" and Cerebral Palsy.
So you are also wondering about these 2 things?
So, Toe walking, Cerebral Palsy, night waking/separation anxiety, and nighttime muscle cramps?
Potassium and magnesium are both good for cramps. You can get the potassium in potatoes if she won't eat bananas.
My feet cramp all the time and worse at night. Yes, certain activities will make it worse. A lot of walking and muscle fatigue will usually lead to me waking up with a twisted foot. A pair of heels will do it too.
My problem got worse after my foot, ankle and back surgery. I was told that surgery affects the circulation.
Someone else mentions water. Yes, always be sure she is properly hydrated.
It always feels good if I massage the muscles. Yes, if I do it. I won't allow my husband or anyone else to touch my cramped leg or feet. It is too painful.
