I am currently recovering from my 3rd bout with rhabdo. The first was precipitated by a bad viral infection (stomach bug), but the other two have occurred for no known reason. Anymore, I'm (unfortunately) not usually a very high-energy person to begin with, and the rhabdomyolysis really does sap you. What I've read is that it really depends on the severity of the episode and how quickly you get treatment. The first time it was nearly three weeks before I started feeling better, but this time and the last time the recovery was much faster - around a week. Good luck!

Thanks for the input. As I've discovered, once "bitten" by Rhabdo - depending on the severity - a person is left with a predisposition of recurring Rhabdo moving forward. One doctor mentioned the change in exertion is usually the trigger and recommended light exercise less a full "fitness" program, as that combined with my cholesterol med were the catalysts. Its now been nearly 7 wks and my energy is still not 100%. However, better every week. Stay hydrated and listen to your body - best of luck to you also!

Hi I am 35 old from Mexico city, I had rhabdo after a work out running 33km I had luck because I was not at hospital and my ck levels were down very fast(from 996 to 56 in a week) and mioglubine leves were ok. Doctor send me to my home for at least 4 weeks without activity, Just to rest.... Today is week 3 I still with low energy and very low power in my arms and neck. Reading this is good for me because now I understand this is normal and full recovery It takes more time, after 3 wks some thinks are better like there is no mor headpains and other feelings but energy goes too slow ( if I walk 5 mins I Will fatigate). Other issue is that I have been too nervius about it and is very hard to rest with stress, I think nervius is other part that rhabdo affects, so this is my story I hope to be better like you each week!

i very recently became ill after being on crestor for 2 years and also doing cardio 3x per week. all of the tests point to rhabdomyolysis. after being off statins for two months i am feeling much more like me again but the leg pains have not left and my blood pressure is still a problem i did not have prior. also seeing a cardiologist for angina chest pains while working out. these are all symptoms after the crestor reaction. question!!! does this do permanent damage. i was very healthy prior to all of this. will i be prone to other episodes if not careful? thanks for any info from your experience you can provide.

DiGodfrio - glad to hear you're in recovery mode. Rhabdo is very scary - after all, you were "exercising and taking your medicine."
Anyhow, my docs have offered that permanent damage can be sustained by the kidneys when filtering/processing the muscle pigment (the muscle pigment is measured by the CPK). Make sure your docs keep an eye on the creatine levels. The greater the CPK - the more risk the kidneys are to damage.
However, my docs did not indicate the muscle damage would be permanent. They explained marathoners and those with exercise-induced rhabdo recover and can return to running, etc without issue. My recovery has been slow due to the amount of muscle damage (~44,600 CPK). And I don't expect to be back to 100% for another month or so (~5 mos post event).
My docs did offer a bit of caution due to my specific situation - because my rhabdo was induced by the combination of both the statin and the exercise AND because I'm diagnosed a true "genetic hypercholesteremia" patient - I will always have a predisposition as they are determined to keep me on some kind of statin to reduce my risk of heart disease. A test they prescribed was a Calcium CAT Scan - it shows if there's calcification in and around the cardiac vessels. I did it and found to be very "clean". My doc highly recommended this test to help determine what "new" and or different regiment would be appopriate. The catch - insurances don't cover the test (~$250.00).
Hope this helps and hang in there!

Because of muscle pain I was on again off again for three years taking Statins to lower my cholesterol. Finally had it and quit them last year and things calmed down.
However last Feburary I was placed on a new heart drug used to treat Angina called Ranexa My muscle pain and other severe issues came within days of taking the Ranexa . The pain in my lower back, neck, chest and weakness in my legs was so bad that at times, I could hardly get around let alone get out of bed in the morning.
After quitting the Ranexa six weeks ago I still had the severe muscle issues and was prescribed physivcal therapy by my Doctor. No relief from the physical therapy and then alst week; wham I'm hospitalized with CK level of 13,700 and diagnosed with Rhabdo. I am attempting to out more info and to find others that have been prescribed Ranexa??

Hello everyone, it will be one week since I left the hospital. My ck the morning I was hospitalized was 31000. By Saturday it was 13000 and they let me go home to rest at home for a week. Waiting to find out what my ck level was Wednesday. This was extremely scary for me because I was in an exercise class for 30 min when both of my quads gave out. I waited till Thursday to see the doctor, I was hoping I just strained my muscles. By Thursday I could not bend my legs at all without wanting to cry. I am glad I found this site and the info on the computer. It has been a big help but also still very scary. I have an appt in 1 month with a neurologist to see what may have caused this.

DiGodfrio, there is a lawsuit against crestor because of this and other side effects. Good luck too all.

For those who are just expeienceing Rhabo. Last year in Sept 2009 I developed Rhabdo from over exertion from weight training. I was hospitalized for over a week on extreme fliuds over 500ml an hour, my liver enzyms and my kidney levels were not readable for a week. Needless to say a real shitty feeling. I felt scared and doomed because the doctors could not give me a straight answer. I was overwelmed with weakness, fatigue and malasia. I could not eat with out feeling nausea. I was discharged when my CK levels came down to 160, But to be honest my recovery took some time, I developed PVC with my heart and problems with my intestines....these are soft muscle tissue, but I did not begin to feel strength in my body for almost 3 months. I literally forced myself to walk but would get really weak and have to rest. Very terrible expeience and I feel for those going through this. Some cases are more extreme then others. I have even had blood in my urine for close to two months after discharge. The body takes time to heal. Even now I feel normal, my strength has deminshed, go slow to get your strenght back it will take some time. Keep hydrated and take things slow. To our family of rhabdomyolysis people I feel for everyone of us, and would not wish this on anyone. Some people recover quickly, me no...I was 34 year old male 245 pounds advid rugby player who fell to rhabdo. It has now been close to a year and I am able to run about and do things with my children. Two days ago I decided to do nine holes of golf and trust me I felt it the next day lol, but its all coming back. I had every doctor and speciallist you can think of...some cases take time. My advise is things will get better, don't rush cause in my case it would just bring you down. Rest fluids eat and try to move when you can. Best of luck to you all.

Tim,

While you have been healing, did you ever have muscle spasms, tremors, speach issues, concentration issues? I am stilling waiting to see a neuromuscular specialist (Nov is the current date) for them to start trying to figure out what caused my rhabdo and the rest of my symptoms after. Thanks

yes, i have spasms still 5 months after my experience with rhabdo. changed to zetia (no statins but expensive copay)and take CO Q10, vitamins and eat healthy. the legs and shoulders hurt badly, i feel little waves in my face. never had to take blood pressure medicine, phosomax for bone loss until my rhabdo experience in march of this year. now have irregular heart beat. i think the muscles right above and below my knee were permanently damaged and cannot control pinky and ring finger on my hand. i have not been to a neuro muscle doc yet as still going to the other docs but the thought of taking more medications due to the damage from one is a little unerving as one wonders what the long term effect has on the kidneys and heart and other organs. sorry this is so long. i had not been hospitalized like all of you and most likely my case was milder but holy cow it hit like a ton of bricks.

Yes I have had those really bad, even jumping out of my bed when sleeping they were that intense. I went to the neuro specialist myself self, they did a number of test to see if permenate damage was done. an EMG blood work movements and such. I was also plague with extreme dizziness, forgetful and even developed anxiety for a while. It was a very traumatizing experience for me.

Tim and DiGodfrio,

Thank you both for responding. I feel a little better knowning that this is happening to others (helps to know). Tim, did the neuro specialists find anything out? My doctors don't know much yet (once again I get to teach and inform them) and I don't see the neuromuscular specialist till November. I hope you both keep continuing to get better.

Nov is quite far away yet...If you are feeling bad I would suggest trying to speed that time up unless the doctors feel your not at risk. Rhabdo can definitely damagetissues and cause permenate damage. I was in in under 2months. They determined no damage was done but a series of other tests to rule out inherited muscle deseases. My follow up is still coming actually next week.

Hello all -
I'd have to agree with Tim - November is quick a while to wait. I found some docs like to get some time between the "event" and special testing, however, knowledge is power. Side effects such as muscle twitching can be a sign of other significant issues - best to rule out other potential disease states rather than assume the Rhabdo was the culprit of the symptom(s).
Glad to see everyone upbeat - the Rhabdo can create a long recovery process: proper rest, diet, non-sedentary lifestyle and hydration are all great in paving a strong road to recovery. LISTEN to your body and rest appropriately! No need for heroes only healthy, long lives for all!!
BE WELL!!

sorry - meant "...quite a while..."