CPK Is 280

Polymyositis patients know the pain and tribulations of a high CPK enzyme level. In late winter I felt mine climbing again. It looks to have peaked this time around 440 or so (most normal folks have a CPK level somewhere around 100).

After successfully campaigning for more methotrexate, I increased my weekly treatment to eight tablets (from six) roughly five weeks ago.

The increase appears to be working. The latest CPK test came back at 280.

I'll take it, especially as my hands are killing me. I feared the polymyositis wasn't responding, as a result. But I knew I felt better overall, as my energy levels have increased somewhat. The situation was confusing, to say the least.

According to the rheumatologist, the debilitation I'm experiencing in my hands is due to arthritis (a common side effect of polymyositis).

I can deal with that. Still, it's a weird sensation to not be able to tear open packaging (such as the shrinkwrap that envelopes a magazine) or strong arm nuts and bolts, as I had to do two weeks ago when attaching a wheel kit to the riding mower. But that's why God made power and pneumatic tools!