Benign Acute Myositis

Have you ever heard of the condition above? Well, I never had either, until today.

Kelvin woke up this morning and told us that he could not walk because his legs hurt. After having to carry him to the bathroom and couch, and seeing him get around on all fours and only being able to stand for a few second on his toes, I decided to investigate with "Dr. Google's" help. I was feeling all apprehensive about these symptoms (muscle pain) being a consequence of Lyme disease, but after googling the correct combination of words (leg muscle pain in child "cannot walk" low fever), I got to this definition here:

Benign acute myositis
In benign acute myositis, a young child suddenly develops severe leg pain and cannot walk normally. These symptoms are dramatic and frightening, but they usually disappear within a few days. Benign acute myositis usually occurs in children who are recovering from the flu or some other respiratory infection caused by a virus. Doctors are not sure whether the child's muscle symptoms are caused by the virus itself or by the body's immune reaction to the virus.

So, there you go, this is what Kelvin has, I'm sure. I also found an academic article about it whose description further assured me of it.

The site mentioned above (which coincidentally seems to be sponsored by our health insurance company) also further describes the symptoms which match exactly Kelvin's situation right now:

A child suddenly has trouble walking and complains of severe leg pain. This pain is often worst in the calf muscles. In most cases, the child also has a history of recent fever, runny nose, sore throat and other upper respiratory symptoms.

The duration and treatment: " Patients usually recover within three to seven days." "Your child's doctor will prescribe medication for pain. No other treatment is necessary, because the illness usually gets much better within a few days."

I don't think Kelvin needs medication for pain because he is not complaining of any pain, only when trying to walk, so I didn't even call the doctor, but maybe I should have because the site adds: "Call your doctor immediately if: (. . .) Your child complains of severe leg pain and has trouble walking" -- too late, I only saw this now. Oh well, I think he's going to be fine in a few days like they say. In any case, I'll keep you posted.

No, my friends, life is NEVER, ever boring in our family! And I guess we're going to have a very low key holiday (we were planning to travel and stuff, but now we're only going to Maryland on Sunday for my youngest nephew's second birthday (he's the youngest for now -- our family is on "Nephew watch 2008" for the TENTH boy on my mother-in-law's life: one husband, four sons and four grandsons so far).

And, watch this space and the neglected photo blog. I am going to start posting house and house renovation photos ASAP! These will be part of my farewell of the house.

Oh, yesterday both boys went to the doctor (Linton coincidently had his yearly check-up) and, OF COURSE their fevers were GONE by the time the appointment came. The doctor examined them and said that they are fine (no throat, ear, lung problems) and that it was most certainly a virus. The bad thing is that both boys are still slightly feverish (101) today. I'm very annoyed at this awful virus!!