Your Care Instructions
When you have rhabdomyolysis (say "rab-doh-my-AH-luh-suss"), dying muscle cells cause toxins to build up in the blood. If not treated, it can cause life-threatening damage to the body's organs.
It can be caused by many things, such as severe muscle injury, some medicines (like statins), the flu, and certain blood infections.
Symptoms may include weak muscles, pain, stiffness, fever, and nausea. Your urine may also be dark.
You will get treatment in the hospital. If possible, the doctor will stop the cause of muscle cell death. The doctor will take steps to protect your organs. You may have to stop taking certain medicines if they are the cause of the problem.
You will also get treatment to help the kidneys remove the toxins from your blood. This includes plenty of fluids. You may get fluids through a vein (by IV). You may also need dialysis.
Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor or nurse advice line (811 in most provinces and territories) if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take.
Where can you learn more?
Go to https://www.healthwise.net/patientEd
Enter F129 in the search box to learn more about "Rhabdomyolysis: Care Instructions".
