Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
A man’s creatine kinase comes back at 18,979 after two weeks of home dumbbell training. He says he feels fine. His doctor sends him to the ER. In this segment, we break down what rhabdomyolysis actually is, why it’s dangerous, and how Austin managed the case from admission through discharge.
We also cover how to distinguish normal new-exerciser soreness from something more concerning, the role of statin-fibrate combinations in drug-induced myositis, and what the recovery trajectory looks like. Austin shares a clinical case of polymyositis that presented the same way.
Timestamps
0:00 — The labs come back: CK at 18,979
1:13 — What rhabdomyolysis is and why it’s dangerous
4:46 — The patient reveals more: dark urine
6:00 — Austin’s differential: exertional vs. drug-induced vs. autoimmune
8:46 — ER management and CK trending down
9:04 — Final diagnosis: drug-induced myositis
10:46 — Medication changes and Austin’s clinical approach
12:17 — “Can he ever exercise again?”
Full article: barbellmedicine.com/blog/statins-muscle-strength
Next Steps
Check out our new book, Signal (coming soon)
For evidence-based resistance training programs: barbellmedicine.com/training-programs
For individualized training consultation: barbellmedicine.com/coaching
Explore our full library of articles on health and performance: barbellmedicine.com/resources
To consult with Drs. Baraki or Feigenbaum email us at support@barbellmedicine.com
To support us and get ad free listening, plus special product discounts, and exclusive content, go to supercast.barbellmedicine.com
Resources:
László A, et al. Exercise and Statin-Fibrate Combination Therapy-Caused Myopathy. BMC Research Notes. 2013;6:52. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23388500
Jones PH, Davidson MH. Reporting Rate of Rhabdomyolysis with Fenofibrate + Statin vs Gemfibrozil + Any Statin. Am J Cardiol. 2005;95(1):120–122
Selva-O’Callaghan A, et al. Statin-Induced Myalgia and Myositis. Expert Rev Clin Immunol. 2018;14(3):215–224. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6019601
A man’s creatine kinase comes back at 18,979 after two weeks of home dumbbell training. He says he feels fine. His doctor sends him to the ER. In this segment, we break down what rhabdomyolysis actually is, why it’s dangerous, and how Austin managed the case from admission through discharge.
We also cover how to distinguish normal new-exerciser soreness from something more concerning, the role of statin-fibrate combinations in drug-induced myositis, and what the recovery trajectory looks like. Austin shares a clinical case of polymyositis that presented the same way.
Timestamps
0:00 — The labs come back: CK at 18,979
1:13 — What rhabdomyolysis is and why it’s dangerous
4:46 — The patient reveals more: dark urine
6:00 — Austin’s differential: exertional vs. drug-induced vs. autoimmune
8:46 — ER management and CK trending down
9:04 — Final diagnosis: drug-induced myositis
10:46 — Medication changes and Austin’s clinical approach
12:17 — “Can he ever exercise again?”
Full article: barbellmedicine.com/blog/statins-muscle-strength
Next Steps
Check out our new book, Signal (coming soon)
For evidence-based resistance training programs: barbellmedicine.com/training-programs
For individualized training consultation: barbellmedicine.com/coaching
Explore our full library of articles on health and performance: barbellmedicine.com/resources
To consult with Drs. Baraki or Feigenbaum email us at support@barbellmedicine.com
To support us and get ad free listening, plus special product discounts, and exclusive content, go to supercast.barbellmedicine.com
Resources:
László A, et al. Exercise and Statin-Fibrate Combination Therapy-Caused Myopathy. BMC Research Notes. 2013;6:52. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23388500
Jones PH, Davidson MH. Reporting Rate of Rhabdomyolysis with Fenofibrate + Statin vs Gemfibrozil + Any Statin. Am J Cardiol. 2005;95(1):120–122
Selva-O’Callaghan A, et al. Statin-Induced Myalgia and Myositis. Expert Rev Clin Immunol. 2018;14(3):215–224. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6019601
