Musculoskeletal Condition?

Status
Not open for further replies.
B

bg001334

Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
I am now 76 years old and was first diagnosed with T2 at the end of February 2002, initially I was recommended to use insulin but managed to control my blood sugar with exercise and diet. After some time I noted that I was walking less and less due to pains in my thighs (similar to lactic acid pain) and was forced to used insulin to control my blood glucose levels, I reported this to my GP who recommended more exercise. However, I was less able to walk the same distance as before and of course my body weight began to rise (now 116 Kg/18st 3lbs).
Recently I have twice stumbled and fell to the floor, I was unable to rise unaided, and I was advised by a physiotherapist friend to join a fitness centre.
Recently a blood test revealed an Hb A1c level of 9.0% (limit 4.0 to 6.0%) but more to the point there was an entry for "Muscles CK" of 1060 U/l (limit 30-200 U/l). I noted that this reading a year ago was slightly higher but my GP did not pick this up at that time.
Googling "Muscles, CK" took me to several sites referring to "Musculoskeletal Condition", this information suggest that diabetics can be at an increased risk of developing Musculoskeletal Condition because of raised blood glucose levels.
Considering the above information will an increased exercise regime (aimed at strengthening thigh muscles) cause any further damage?
What can I do to reduce my "Muscles CK" reading?

Derek Nicholson
 
hi there derek firstly welcome to the forum nice to have you on board,I think regarding the exercise regime if you test what your levels are before you start the exercise then test after and see if they is a decrese sufficient enough to concern you(im not sure you do tests though), i cant really help on the reducing the muscles CK reading but im sure some one will come alone and help x
 
Last edited:
Don't know if it is any good to you, but hubby does seated tai chi. It is very relaxing and we all join in. Hubby has osteo arthririts. Have a look at www.taichiforarthritis.com. There is a forum where you can get advice and a range of DVDs and books. if you are worried about doing this kind of exercise see the docotor or your care team.

I hope your problem sorts itself soon, and welcome to the forum.
 
steff09 said:
hi there derek firstly welcome to the forum nice to have you on board,I think regarding the exercise regime if you test what your levels are before you start the exercise then test after and see if they is a decrese sufficient enough to concern you(im not sure you do tests though), i cant really help on the reducing the muscles CK reading but im sure some one will come alone and help x
Click to expand...
hi Steff09, I presume by testing you mean monitoring my blood sugar levels. Yes I have monitored my levels since returning to using insuline usually once or twice a day and I always check the level before exercising, normally I don't suffer with hyperglycaemia.
Derek Nicholson
 
Caroline Wilson said:
Don't know if it is any good to you, but hubby does seated tai chi. It is very relaxing and we all join in. Hubby has osteo arthririts. Have a look at www.taichiforarthritis.com. There is a forum where you can get advice and a range of DVDs and books. if you are worried about doing this kind of exercise see the docotor or your care team.

I hope your problem sorts itself soon, and welcome to the forum.
Click to expand...
Hi Caroline, I have lost confidence with my GP, I don't think he is up to speed with diabetes he can write the prescriptions I require but as I said my Muscles CK reading was high at the blood test a year a go and he did not pick it up. I must say I have not been worried about it until recently when I was unable to rise up unaided from the floor.
Derek Nicholson
 
Hi Derek
I can't work out what Muscles, CK means, nor recognise U/l in relation to blood results. Rather than speculate (although I wondered if it was a typographic error and should be muscles OK?), I'd suggest ypu ask your GP what it means, as presumably they ordered the blood test and should have your informed consent before taking blood - if they haven't explined what the blood is being tested for, then they haven't informed you enough to get your informed consent.
Can you ask your GP to refer you to your local exercise scheme? Not being able to raise yourself after falls at home would probably be a factor that could justify referral. Good luck!
 
Hi Copepod,
I am still scratching around for information myself, this is why came to this site. However I will telephone the laboratory for the exact interpretation of Muscles CK.
This is what I have found so far: I believe "Muscles CK" means "Muscles Creatine Kinase" and U/l is Units per Litre (see http://www.jbc.org/content/270/34/19921.full)
 
Hi Derek, when you mentioned creatine, I instantly associated this with the kidneys - but I have no medical training whatsoever, so your doctor is the best to advise what the reading might be associated with.

This bit from a wikipaedia entry may give some guidance, but don't rely on the interweb to tell you what's happening. As Copepod says, if they have tested you for something, you have every right to know what the test indicates. Hoping all is fine, and that it's just an elevated reading.

Elevation of CK is an indication of damage to muscle. It is therefore indicative of injury, rhabdomyolysis, myocardial infarction, muscular dystrophy, myositis, myocarditis, malignant hyperthermia, and neuroleptic malignant syndrome. It is also seen in McLeod syndrome and hypothyroidism. The use of statin medications, which are commonly used to decrease serum cholesterol levels, may be associated with elevation of the CPK level in about 1% of the patients taking these medications, and with actual muscle damage in a much smaller proportion.

Lowered CK can be an indication of alcoholic liver disease and rheumatoid arthritis.
Click to expand...
 
Hi Derek, your doctor sounds about as good as mine. If he doesn't explain things to my satisfaction (thinks all of his patients are stoopid), I make an appointment and ask the nurse. Diabetes is quite minefield if you don't ask questions.

Someone suggested an activity referal scheme, do find out about it, but not all areas have them and in some places I think you have to pay too. I hope things begin to improve for you soon
 
Hi Copepod,
Since my last visit to this forum I have consulted with my Diabetes Specialist, he modified my medication by taking me off Gliclade and prescribing Metformine (Mylan). However he was concerned that my "Muscle Creatine Kinase" (CK) level is high and referred me on to a Neurologist.
The Neurologist has diagnosed me with "Diabetic Polyneuropathy (Proximal), his recommendation is a tighter control of my BG levels, a further blood test and consultation in six months time.
The moral of my story is to keep a strict control of BG levels.
Derek Nicholson
 
welcome to site...I dont really know about muscle ck but you've got the forum family on your case now...so somebody is bound to help...Re falls, might be an idea to check for trip hassards, my hubby was the warden in sheltered unit and they were not allowed to pick up after fall they had to call paramedics..take care of yourself
regards am🙂
 
Hi Copepod,
Since my last posting on this forum I have consulted with my Diabetic Specialist who amended my medication by taking me off Gliclzide 80 mg and prescribing Metformine 500 mg (Mylan). He was also concerned at the high level of ?Muscle Creatine Kinase? (Muscle CK) revealed on my blood test and referred me to a Neurologist.
The Neurologist has diagnosed, after sticking needles in my leg muscles to measure time delays and muscle reactions etc, ?Diabetic Polyneuropathy (Proximal)?. He stated that it was probably caused by not controlling my BG levels more strictly.
I will now go online to find more information for myself.
Derek Nicholson
 
Hi AM64,
I have found an interesting site, which explains how high BG levels over a period of time can cause damage to the nerve cells, see http://files.totalhealth.ivillage.c.../flash_content/clientNF.html Derek Nicholson
 
Last edited:
Derek - metformin may be a very unwise choice at the moment

A very rare side effect of metformin is rhabdomyolysis. This can cause serious problems. I would have thought that having the problem in the first place might make it more likely for the met to have this particular rare side effect.
 
bg001334 said:
Hi AM64,
I have found an interesting site, which explains how high BG levels over a period of time can cause damage to the nerve cells, see http://files.totalhealth.ivillage.c... help me understand whats happening thank you
Click to expand...
 
do you have a 'pendent' sometime called a 'life line'...it works via landline telephone and means you can call for assistance without having to get to the phone... 🙂
 
Hi am64,
Yes I have a similar device, her name is Madeleine (lol)! Seriously I always carry my mobile phone.
Derek Nicholson
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top