Rhabdomyolysis Support Group
Rhabdomyolysis is the breakdown of skeletal muscle due to injury. The result of this process is renal failure due to accumulation of muscle breakdown products in the bloodstream, which are injurous to the kidney. Treatment is with intravenous fluids, and dialysis if necessary. The main therapeutic measure is hyperhydration (by administering intravenous fluids), and if...
hi all, I have been home now for 5 days following a 6 day stay in hospital for Rhabdo. My story started when I set about with good intentions to get in shape. I am a member of a popular gym and decided to see what the fuss was all about with Spinning - I mean how hard can riding a bike again be! I booked an early morning class and with a bit of nerves completed the session. I was really tired and a bit shaky but thought nothing of it as I had been told by the instructor to expect it to hurt a bit. I was ok for the remainder of the day. The fun really started when I woke up the following day; I could not bend my legs at the knee and my thighs were incredibly swollen and painful to touch. I put it down to the training method and struggled into work where I dragged myself around the office in agony - much to the enjoyment of my colleagues who thought it was hilarious! When I finally gave up and came home I literally fell on the sofa with the pain. That night, after much shuffling in bed I decided enough was enough and called NHS111 in the hope that a GP might be able to prescribe me some strong pain relief. Following the triage I was told to get to A&E immediately or an ambulance would be sent. A bit confused, I managed to arrange for transport to hospital where I blood was instantly taken and Rhabdomyolysis. My CK levels were 46,000. I had never heard of it before. I was soon rushed into a hospital bed where a canula was inserted and bag after bag of fluid was then given to me over the next 5 days. My CK level prior to discharge was 26,000....the consultant appeared fine with this but if i’m honest after reading a number of stories online I am still a little worried about my current levels as no follow-up has been requested according to my own GP. I am also unsure of the usual recoveru time - i.e when should I be fit to return to work? When should I look to return to the gym again?
My GP does not seem well versed on the condition and struggles with my questions. I would really appreciate any advice or personal experiences!
If you're on Facebook, I think you'll find the two support groups there extremely helpful. Your story is a pretty typical one, including the fact that doctors really aren't very helpful about anything past the initial danger of kidney damage. You'll find your fellow sufferers know WAY more, and can help you on this very bumpy long road of recovery! Meantime, my advice would be to stay away from even the gentlest workout for at least a month, preferably two. Limit your activity to ONLY walking. Try to drink half your body weight in ounces of water every day, and get twice as much sleep as you think you need. Rhabdo kicks everyone's ass, even the very fittest. Be patient, you will get there! Wishing you the best.