Growing Pains.....can you still get them as an adult?

Question

Hi All!!

As a child I suffered with pains in my arms and legs. The doctor told my mum that I had 'growing pains' and that it was nothing to worry about and that they would stop as I got older.

Thing is.....I am now 30 and I still get them! I'm obviously not still growing or I'd be about 20 feet tall!

The pain is not sharp, stabbing or cramp like, it's more like a really deep painful ache. It starts slowly and gets stronger over time. If I don't take pain killers I can end up in tears and it can take hours to die off. It seems to centre around my joints (ankle/knee/elbow/wrist) but you can feel it up and down the limb. To put it simply......it feels like my bones hurt. But there is no swelling or discolouration.

Does anyone else have anything like this?

Answer 1

"Growing pains" is just a catch all phrase for aches and pains that you really can't assign a reasonable cause to. If you haven't overdone any exercise or hauled a piano lately, and you still have pain, when you are a growing child they call it "growin pains" when you are an adult they call it just being achey. You might have a virus, like the flu, which can sap some of your strength. Or allergies... so many people have allergies who don't even know they do. That can make you weak and achey too.

Answer 2

Oh my, it could be ME writing your question! I am 35 and also was told by the doctor when I was a kid that they were "growing pains." I, too, still have them. They are quite bad sometimes, mostly in my hips but I also get them in my knees and ankles and elbows. Now, doctors (chiropractor, family doctor, and orthopedic surgeon) say that it's arthritis -- doesn't matter if there's no swelling. They can tell from the x-rays and MRI's.

So basically, your pains probably never were growing pains (whatever those are). You've most likely got arthritis, and have had it since you were a kid. Do your parents have it?

For relief, the only thing that has worked for me is tylenol, taken at the first hint of pain. Once it gets going, there really is no stopping it. Also, try heating pads and hot baths. If you can afford a hot tub, try that. I feel better after a hot bath.

Good luck. I feel your pain.

Answer 3

I'm 20 and I get these type of pains in my calfs, knees, ankles and back. I went to the quacks and although they feel the same as growing pains they aren't the same thing.

Its lactic acid build up in you muscles and joints. Do you find that you get them more when you're tired? and that they go away once you've been asleep but that nothing else really helps take the pain away ?

I know now when I get the pain that sleep is the only thing that helps but deep heat (or something similar) I found can ease the pain.

Hope this helps

Answer 4

Oddly enough growing pains are genuine. They happen to young people whose muscles develop at a different rate than their growing bones.This then puts stress on the bones and resulting pain. This is why care needs to be taken when young people are training for sport, as problems can be caused if either bones or muscles develop too quickly.
Pain in joints as we get older is more than likely arthritis. Exercise can help in that muscle can provide support, especially to joints, that can offset the effects of arthritis. Some health supplements may help by also minimising the effects. For example glucosamine is a popular one as it is said to repair cartilege in joints that again reduces the pain.
The weather can also make a huge difference. Dry, high pressure systems will alleviate joint and muscle pain, whereas damp, low pressure will aggravate the difficulties. Didn't our old grandparents claim to be able to predict rain?
Pain killers may give some short term relief, but try and avoid them as a complete answer. Exercise, some supplements and lots of holidays in warm sunny climates might help more. Bring on global warming!
As a fellow sufferer I wish you well.

Answer 5

Your problem is very common. Your body is out of balance. Plan to build up your entire body and watch for the corrections. Rather than a a drug or a vitamin or mineral to take care of a symptom. Go to health-notsickness.com.
Robert S.

Answer 6

Your best option is to go to your doctor and insist on some tests. Best of luck.