Hey Marlene,
Blood CK, also know as Creatine Kinase or CPK, also know as Creatine phosphokinase, is an enzyme that is found within muscle cells. When a muscle cell is ruptured or dies the CPK leaks into the system where it's carried away by the bloodstream. Normally the CPK level in a healthy person is 80-120. If a weightlifter has a hard workout and wakes up sore the next morning his level might read very elevated...500-1000 because he has damaged some of his muscle cells. In HIS situation however, the cells will be replaced with new cells plus a few extras for good measure. In our situation, MD patients won't replace the damaged cells
I have LGMD. My CPK was always 500-550 when first diagnosed. Now it's around 350. I contribute this reduced level to the fact that I no longer have nearly as much muscle mass.......millions of fewer cells to damage.
Some Muscular Dystrophies have extremely high CPK levels. Duchenne's for instance can have CPK readings of 50,000 - 100,000 because the nature of that illness is that the cells are falling apart by the millions.
Your level is not too high which generally means a less aggressive and slower progression disease. I know this was a very technical answer but I hope it helps.
I am impressed that you live alone. I couldn't possibly in my colonial home. I am lucky that I have a helpful and patient wife and daughters.
Take care,
Mark
