My friends 3 year old son has been complaining that his elbows are "fighting him" It only hurts when he lays down but it will wake him and he screams and cries that it hurts. She took him to a doctor (on an army base) and he just looked at his elbows and said they looked fine and to give him benedryl and tyenol and to let him sleep next to her????? I've heard of growing pains and went through them with my son but they were in his legs. has anyone else dealt with "fighting elbows"? It is happening in both elbows and no other part of his body.
It could be growing pains.
My first thought was he might be laying on it weird and it's falling asleep.
I would get a 2nd opinion.
WOW! The Dr. recommended giving Benadryl & Tylenol to a 3 year old? She should get a 2nd opinion for sure.
Anyway, my daughter had LOTS of growing pains throughout her whole body including her elbows so yes that is what it could be. I would give my little girl a warming pad to help and it always seemed to make her feel better. During her growing pains, which were on and off, I would sleep with her so if she woke up hurting I would just put the warming pad back on and she would fall back to sleep.
My daughter is now 12 so that was all long ago for me =-)
My son had "growing pains" everywhere. Poor Kid. He's finally growing out of them (for now). If your not sure, a second opinion couldn't hurt.
I don't know if you guys have lyme disease in your area but my 8 year old was crying and unable to sleep earlier this summer because of shoulder pain and sure enough thats what it was.
In any case though I would definately be seeking a second opinion and not be going back to a dr that told me to give my child benedryl and tylenol to help him sleep. The only time we have ever given benedryl was for allergic reactions and during sinus infections.
I could be growing pains, it could be vitamin deficiency, or it could be how he is laying. For instance, does he pull his arms up under his head or sleep with is elbows up in the air or does he sleep on with is knees and elbows pulled under him in the fetal position. You might make it a point to check on him several times while he is sleeping and see what position he sleeping in. Most likely though it is either growing pains or a vitamin deficiency. I just know that if I sleep with my arm under my head that my elbows hurt pretty bad when I awake. Of course, I am 35 and it might be connected to age and too much caffeine.
I would bet that it is a growing pain thing. My middle boy has terrible problems with his joints and growing (primarily in his ankles). Sometimes he goes days and cannot even walk and it is typically worse at night. I would not do the Benedryl and sleep with you type of thing. Just give him Tylenol for the pain and it will help.
Good luck.
No, but I think that your friend needs to get a second opinion........can she see another doctor on base.......?? Kids don't usually at that age just "make up" pain.......it could be a growth spurt, but it might be something else......
Get him looked at by someone else.......she might Google too to see if she can find something there to help.........make sure she takes control here......this is her son and she knows him best.........just because the Dr. has a degree doesn't make him a genius.........tell her to push until she gets the answers she wants......or needs...........
Good Luck and take care.
Of course I am not an expert, and do not pretend to be, but when my 10 year old cousin complained of joint pain, 3 years later they found out it was Chron's disease. I would get things tested.
