Dr. Yash Kathuria
Family Physician
The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.
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Patient's Query
Hi doctor,
Are you familiar with rhabdomyolysis? I work out regularly and started a new program last week. I had some usual muscle soreness that reduced in a while. However, I never experienced extreme pain or swelling. Two days ago, I woke up extremely cold in the middle of the night and thought I was coming down with something. Yesterday, I spent the entire day on the couch feeling nauseous. I barely ate anything or drank fluids. Maybe I had a liter of water. Today I feel much better. However, my pee this morning was dark. It was somewhere between an orange and brown color. I drank a lot of water, and my next pee was a normal yellow color. Because my urine color cleared up so quickly, does that mean rhabdomyolysis is very unlikely, and it was likely due to dehydration?
Please help.
Hi,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
I went through your query and understood your concern.
Yes, rhabdomyolysis is when your muscle breaks down, and its pigment damages the kidney. Its primary treatment is hydration when done at the right time and in the right amount. In your case, it is less likely, because it usually happens when someone is doing a very strenuous activity that one is not used to and without proper hydration. To clear the doubt, I suggest you get a urine test for myoglobin and kidney function tests. Also, keep yourself hydrated.
I hope this has helped you out.
Kindly follow up with the reports.
Patient's Query
Hi doctor,
Thank you for your reply.
I guess my question is, if this were rhabdomyolysis, would urine change from dark to clear right away after drinking water, or would the urine be darker for a few days until your system is flushed out?
Please answer.
Hi,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
Yes, it is still possible in a mild form of rhabdomyolysis, and if you give your muscle some rest and hydrate yourself, it may get reversed.
I hope this has helped you out.
Take care.
Patient's Query
Hi doctor,
Thank you for your reply.
Does this seem reasonable and make sense? I went to an urgent care clinic, and they thought the dark urine was from dehydration. They did not draw blood but took a urine test which showed trace blood which is 3 RBCs per field and no protein. The urine was normal in color. They said the trace was a negative test, and if I had rhabdomyolysis, it would be +3 or higher. They said to continue to hydrate, and if my urine gets dark as it did again, to come back, and they will admit me for testing.
Please give your suggestions.
Hi,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
I believe a kidney function test should be done, and hydration should be continued. The fact that kidneys are affected or not should be ruled out.
I hope this has helped you out.
Take care.
Patient's Query
Hi doctor,
Thank you for your reply.
How much water should I drink? So far today, I have drank four liters and am peeing clear every hour or so. Is that sufficient?
Please answer.
Hi,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
Three liters of water intake is enough, do not drink more than that as long as you pass clear urine.
I hope this has helped you out.
Take care.
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Family Physician
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