High CPK, barely high aldolase, hep c patient

I need to give some background information;...  I have been positive for hepatitis C for many years.  I've treated it many times, but have never been able to get viral load clearance.  For the past 20+ I have not been on any treatments, whatsoever and my liver enzymes are in the 80's, which is actually not too bad.  During the past year, I've been working out at the gym and loving it. I have been doing spinning classes, strong class, pilates, elliptical and nautilus weights..., not always on the same day.  About 6 mon. ago, I was knocked for a loop because I was hurting all over.  So, I went to the doctor and he ran the CPK and then, ordered a steroid shot for me after the CPK blood work was taken.  The CPK came back high.  So, he told me to NOT exercise for 3 days and then repeat the CPK.  I did that and it was still high.  3 months later, same thing.  3 months later, again, same thing.  Finally, I asked him why I have to keep on getting the same test over and over again without doing something different.  So, he referred me to a rheumatologist.  She ran a CPK and an Aldolase, which were both high.  After my first appt. w/rheum...., I had an episode with my left knee.  It swelled up and was hurting alot.  So, I went to the inter. med. Dr.'s office again (he was out, so his father-who is his med. partner), withdrew fluid off my knee and injected it with steroids.  When the reg. int. med. doctor got back into the office and I checked in w/them again, I had to report that once again, I was hurting all over (as well as my sore knee still).  So, he ordered the CPK again and another Aldolase and referrred me back to the rheumatologist.  I went to the rheumatologist last Mon. and she ordered an MRI of my knee-which I am getting on Tues.  and she told me to stay off of exercising for 2 days and then, get a myositis panel labwork.  I stayed off of the exercising last Wed. and Thurs. and had the Myos. panel drawn on Fri.    I also need to add that since my knee problem about 3-4 weeks ago, I have not been doing any exercising except upper body...and VERY SLOW light bike riding.  No exercise classes in the past 3-4 weeks.  Can anybody explain to me what they might be looking for w/all of these tests?  Susan400

[easysqueeze]

High CPK usally is indicative of Skeletal Muscle damage/injury.  CPK elevation can also be found in Cardiac or Liver issues.  Usally The Rheumatologist would do or send you for a Nerve Conduction test and EMG (Electromygraph), where they study the major skeletal musles.  Depending on if certain areas show less than positive results, a biopsy of such areas can be done for pathological examination.   Otherwise, they need to also see if Aldosterone is high as well.  As you said, you had Hep C, so your liver function needs to be looked at closely.   It's one of these three areas (Sk Muscle, heart or Liver) that are the usual culprit for High CPK...Other things could cause this as well but you need to push your Drs to further investigate, otherwise things will drag on forever.

Alex  (former medical student)