I bring this up because we used to joke about it after that Sailor tried to sue the CrossFit gym in Manassas, VA. I hope his suit failed, as we live, work, exercise and play at our own risk. God has control of us, and He decides when and where we'll go down, not us. Anyway, I'm going to continue to joke about it because I plan to live life to the fullest, as long as I'm able.
You know... getting old does suck though. I went to the doctor yesterday. My cholesterol was good, but not as low as the doc wanted. Therefore, he upped my dose of Zocor. So... tonight I was reading through the medical warning papers and noticed the word "Rhabdomyolysis", and I noted the drug could cause this ailment. It's rare, but a chance. What in the world?!?! Can a brother get a break?!?
Hey! A friendly warning to you healthy old farts: If you're watching your cholesterol and using Zocor or something similar, you need to drink lots and lots and lots and lots of water throughout the day, and you need to keep an eye on yourself for any of the signs and symptoms: muscle pain, tenderness or weakness (especially with a fever or unusual tiredness), or change in the amount of urine output.
I know, I know... CrossFit causes muscle pain, tenderness and weakness - just stay alert - stay alive!
Here's some more info for you, just in case you're wondering. According to MedicineNet.com (2008), Rhabdomyolysis is:
"a condition in which skeletal muscle cells break down, releasing myoglobin (the oxygen-carrying pigment in muscle) together with enzymes and electrolytes from inside the muscle cells. The risks with rhabdomyolysis include muscle breakdown and
kidney failure since myoglobin is toxic to the kidneys. Rhabdomyolysis can occur from extensive muscle damage as, for example, from a crushing injury or an electrical
shock. Drugs or toxins, particularly some of the
cholesterol lowering medications such as
cerivastatin (Baycol), may cause this disorder. Underlying diseases such as
systemic lupus erythematosus can also lead to rhabdomyolysis. It is a common complication of major
burns. The key signs and symptoms of rhabdomyolysis include dark, red, or cola colored urine and muscle tenderness, stiffness, aching (myalgia) or weakness. Laboratory confirmation can come from the demonstration of myoglobin in the blood or urine. Ideal treatment involves early and aggressive hydration with very large amounts of IV fluids to flush the myoglobin out of the kidneys. Diuretics may help. So may bicarbonate which makes the urine alkaline to prevent the breakdown of myoglobin into more toxic compounds. From the Greek roots rhabdo-, striped (striated) + -myo-, muscle + -lysis, breakdown = the breakdown of striated muscle (skeletal muscle)."
