9. Muscle or Joint Pains: The Hidden Aches
The complaints begin subtly – a child mentioning a sore knee after play, or a persistent ache in their muscles. These signs are easy to dismiss as the result of an active day or a minor bump, but for children with Addison’s Disease, there’s often more beneath the surface.
The pain stems from the body’s struggle without sufficient cortisol to manage inflammation and the immune response. Muscles weary without their normal recovery processes, and joints may ache as if strained even without rigorous activity.
This symptom may escalate, leading to reluctance to engage in physical activity. A child might shy away from sports or playground games they once loved, not because they’ve lost interest, but because their body protests in pain.
It’s crucial to perceive these pains as possible echoes of a deeper dysfunction. They’re the body’s low-whispered pleas for attention, signaling that all is not well within. (9)
