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Elevated CK levels... should I be worried???

Posted , 32 users are following.

scottymar10
scottymar10

So I went to the ER yesterday, bc since Friday I have not been able to stand up for more than 10-15 minutes without getting so tired or light headed that i need to lie down. I have had off and on mild nausea and bad muscle aches in my back, stomach, and chest. The doctor did bloodwork which showed my CK level to be at 687 (normal is between 17-170). She said your levels could register high after a vigorous workout, but seeing as I have spent the last 3 days in bed, that wasnt normal. She said she wasnt offically "diagnosising me", but referring me to a rhemotologist to look into the possibility of muscular dystrophy.

Now I am kind of freaking out. I wasnt expecting that. I am a 33 year-old avid athlete. I have chronic muscle pains, but usually its always in the back, chest, stomach, or neck area... rarely my limbs. 

There never said what was causing my sudden lack of energy, light-headedness, and nausea. They said it could just be a virus but there was no way to tell and just sent me home. However, the possibility of having Muscular Dystrophy has me shaken. It sent me into a research mode while I wait for my specialist appointment next week.

I have found various causes for elevated CK levels-

* Heart Issues

* Muscular Diseases

* Tyroid Problems

* A Virus

* Vitamin D or B12 Deficiencies

Obviously, I am hoping for 1 of the later 2. The CK levels and my chronic muscle pains are the only thing leading her to suggest the possiblity of Muscular Dystrophy. Of course, it's not easy to put your mind at ease when you hear that.

Has anyone else on here expeirenced high CK levels before and know more about it? Is it possible that I just have a virus that has made me sick and weak the past week or so that is causing the muscle pain and CK level readings? Could it be something else?

Any input from someone who knows more about it than I do would be much appreciated.

Thank You.

 

1 like, 37 replies

37 Replies

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  • Misssy2
    Misssy2 scottymar10

    Posted

    I don't think you have any of those conditions:

    Moderately increased CK levels may be seen following strenuous exercise such as in weight lifting, contact sports, or long exercise sessions.

    Sounds like you do exercise...."avid" athlete.  I was just reading that if you have this condition of high CK levels and your an athlete...to take a couple days off...from working the muscles....and hydrate...and you should feel better.

    • scottymar10
      scottymar10 Misssy2

      Posted

      the only issue is, i have barely moved since Friday. The test was taken yesterday. The last time i did anything remotely strenuous was Thursday night, playing in a softball game. She said that the fact my levels were around 3 times normal levels and seeing as i had spent the last 3 days laying in bed, was not normal. She said if i had worked out the day before or something that it would be different but seeing as i hadnt been doing much recently it had her concerned.
    • Misssy2
      Misssy2 scottymar10

      Posted

      I would keep resting and drinking fluids...Gatorade?

      Water....there is nothing else really to do...until the next test after resting?

    • scottymar10
      scottymar10 Misssy2

      Posted

      i drink gatorade like a fish. I keep one with me 24/7 practically.

      I just wish i knew more about CK levels.

      In an ideal world, I just have a virus that has put me down and made me hurt so bad and be so weak the past few days. I just dont know if a virus could cause the CK level reading that I recieved or not.

    • Misssy2
      Misssy2 scottymar10

      Posted

      Maybe your drinking too much Gatorade smile

      Hope you feel better...check back when you get new results and see what others have to say.

  • moyra94678
    moyra94678 scottymar10

    Posted

    Too much gatorade can cause toxidity in your body.

    I recommend reading about it.

    Hope you feel better soon.

    • bronwyn97278
      bronwyn97278 moyra94678

      Posted

      Yes to Moyra; Gatorade is a stimulant, and can interfer with the heart, causing Palpitations / too fast heart beats etc....(not good at all).......Bron
  • moyra94678
    moyra94678 scottymar10

    Posted

    I have just read a medical paper on the internet,which states high levels of CK ,apart from the usual illnesses, can be caused by high level of physical exercise causing muscle damage.

     

  • Meg53
    Meg53 scottymar10

    Posted

    Hi Scottymar, McArdle syndrome is another possibility, with a symptom of High Ck levels. You can check it out on reputable medical websites. I would limite your Gatorade intake as too much is bad for the kidneys. Best of luck Meg.
  • scottymar10
    scottymar10

    Posted

    Yes I realize exercise can cause high ck level readings BUT as I said above. I hadn't done any physical activity 4 days prior to the bloodwork being done. I had spent the 3 days prior laying in bed all day. CK level readings wouldn't be off 4 days after light exercise would they???
  • bronwyn97278
    bronwyn97278 scottymar10

    Posted

    Morning Scottymar; did they do an ECG/heart reading (aka EKG), while you were at the ED?  if it were a heart issue, I think that this should have shown changes, too??   elevated CK levles usually are related to damaged muscle/s....and with your nausea etc I would have thought that they would have done an ECG???........

    ​As for the Musclular Dystropy, this too, was an Early Suggestive Diagnosis (along with MS) for me; so I Really feel that until further testing is done by your Rhuematologist, (and I Can understand your impatience/worry re what they have told you, which certainly is a wide Variant of conditions), it is probably best to wait for the further tests.......I went through the same feelings of "what"??? but it did me no good, and ended up with Fibro and CFS being the answer for the muscle pains....let us know how you get on, as we will all be waiting and keeping you in our thoughts, until you get some better answers.......and of course, if the symptoms remain/return, go back to the ED, to ensure that it is not heart related.......................Bron

    • scottymar10
      scottymar10 bronwyn97278

      Posted

      Thank you for the response. They did do an EKG and it came back normal. They said my heart looked good.

      my back muscles, as well as some in my chest and stomach are killing me the past couple days. They are so sore and ache, just laying in bed. I wonder if I got a virus or something?

      i haven't had a fever. I've been laying in bed since Friday. I'm worn out. No energy, light headed if I stand up or move around very long. I'm trying to get my energy back and muscle aches to go away.

      would a virus last this long, cause my muscles to ache and make me lightheaded and weak, yet have no fever?

  • troy45377
    troy45377 scottymar10

    Posted

    I have similar symptoms and am also waiting to find out and freaking out. Did you ever find out?
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