I am 38 years old and am in the process of going through blood tests and muscle biopsies to test whether I have a metabolic disorder called CPT2. This disorder was suspected as I went though a bad bout of rhabdomyolysis in early June (was hospitalised for 2 weeks) - with severe pain in both quadriceps, and CK levels close to 7000. Within 2 weeks CK levels were back down to normal, but I still have ongoing muscle twitches and pain.

Prior to this rhabdo episode I had increased my exercise regime quite signicantly. I started to cycle to work (25kms each way) 3-4 times per week - I had reached a decent level of fitness before I started this, but cycling to and from work was quite a big jump (I was also leaving the house at 6.15am each morning, without food, only water). 1 week before the rhabdo I stopped the cycling due to some back twinges, and a suspected stomach virus.

My question is:
I was wondering if anyone has come across other cases of rhabdo that occur 1 week or more after finishing strenuous exercise - or do all cases of exercise-induced rhabdo occur within a few minutes/hours of such exercise? After several different tests for metabolic disorders have come out inconclusive, I am wondering whether I just "over did" it - and the combination of poor diet management, strenuous exercise whilst not fit enough and over-heating may have set off the rhabdo.

Also, does anyone know how quickly people recover from rhabdo episodes - and how soon are they able to get back to "normal" levels of exercise?

Regards
Andy