Polymyositis & Dermatomyositis Support Group
Polymyositis (PM) is a type of chronic inflammation of the muscles (inflammatory myopathy) related to dermatomyositis and inclusion body myositis. The inflammation is predominantly of the endomysium in polymyositis, whereas dermatomyositis is characterized by primarily perimysial inflammation.
2 weeks ago I was at PT when I started to feel really lousy. I had noticed a couple of things not being right. I was so tired and looked even worse. Once I got to therapy, I could barely keep my eyes open and I was in more pain than usual, but just thinking about PT sometims does that to me...lol. Anyway I called my neurologist to request bloodwork for my CPK to see if it was elevated, which I felt it was. I had left messages for my primary for two days and his nurse only left me a vm that I had had numerous lab test done already while I was an inpatient, but didn't pay attention to my part of the request that the labwork in the hospital was centered around my diabetes and there wasn't anything about my CPK. My lab work did show that my CPK was elevated from the normal range. It went from about 58 or 59 to 185 which is considered high as the highest normal range is 149. I was told that it may be due to the PT and I am doing 3 times per week or the fact that I have been doing more at home now that my legs are stronger and I can do more walking, etc. I have no idea what to expect on any given day. I live today for today.
I was told a normal CK is up to 200. My doctor said when I am exercising, she doesn't worry too much if I bump above that and wouldn't get too concerned until I hit around 500. I can say at 500, I'm in bad shape. But everyone is different and your personal CK level is what counts. It also counts on how you feel. It isn't all about the numbers alone.
I think it is great you are gaining strength and seeing improvement in your walking. That is huge progress!! You probably are experiencing muscle fatigue as you are working your muscles. I wouldn't get too worried unless you don't recover within a day or so or your CK goes over 200. For the longest time, I hung around 260 while I was going to PT but it was okay because I was building muscle. A CK must measures "injury" to muscle and that is what exercise basically shows up as in a count like a CK.
Keep up the good work!