I was just released from the hospital for CPK of +/- 4000 (normal is 38 – 174). I went to my local ER for severe pain in all muscles, all over my body. The ER doctor suspected a severe reaction to Gemfibrozil causing Rhabdomyolysis (the breakdown of muscle fibers resulting in the release of muscle fiber contents (myoglobin) into the bloodstream. Some of these are harmful to the kidney and frequently result in kidney damage). ER doc ordered me to stop taking the Lopid (Gemfibrozil) on the spot, and admitted. After 5 days, levels came down but still elevated.
I was released yesterday; my CPK was 278. The attending doc said to follow up with my family doc within a week or so to check levels again. My question is this: since the drug was prescribed by the VA, should I file a claim? I have the hospital records in hand showing treatment, etc. I plan on contacting the VA to cover the deductable, but don’t know how to proceed with that issue either. I almost ended up with kidney damage and someone needs to be held accountable. Since I was just at the VA for my yearly check-up last Tuesday, I'm wondering if CPK and creatinine levels were checked, and if not, why not?
To all those that have been prescribed this med, beware - have your blood work checked regularly!
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justrluk
Good morning Hadit crew-
I was just released from the hospital for CPK of +/- 4000 (normal is 38 – 174). I went to my local ER for severe pain in all muscles, all over my body. The ER doctor suspected a severe reaction to Gemfibrozil causing Rhabdomyolysis (the breakdown of muscle fibers resulting in the release of muscle fiber contents (myoglobin) into the bloodstream. Some of these are harmful to the kidney and frequently result in kidney damage). ER doc ordered me to stop taking the Lopid (Gemfibrozil) on the spot, and admitted. After 5 days, levels came down but still elevated.
I was released yesterday; my CPK was 278. The attending doc said to follow up with my family doc within a week or so to check levels again. My question is this: since the drug was prescribed by the VA, should I file a claim? I have the hospital records in hand showing treatment, etc. I plan on contacting the VA to cover the deductable, but don’t know how to proceed with that issue either. I almost ended up with kidney damage and someone needs to be held accountable. Since I was just at the VA for my yearly check-up last Tuesday, I'm wondering if CPK and creatinine levels were checked, and if not, why not?
To all those that have been prescribed this med, beware - have your blood work checked regularly!
Limbo is status quo for the VARO.
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