What does muscle soreness after exercise feel like with rhabdomyolysis?

Rhabdomyolysis involves muscle breakdown that can release substances into the bloodstream. Symptoms may include deep muscle pain or tenderness, swelling, unusual weakness and difficulty completing movements that were previously manageable. Urine may become dark or tea-coloured, and some people feel tired, nauseated or generally unwell. Symptoms can follow intense or unfamiliar exercise, heat exposure, prolonged exertion, injury or another trigger. The appearance of soreness alone cannot establish the cause, but severe symptoms or urine colour change should be treated as a warning.

Stop strenuous exercise and do not attempt to train through severe pain or weakness. Seek same-day medical advice if symptoms are stronger than expected, involve swelling or weakness, or follow demanding exertion. Tell the clinician what activity occurred, when symptoms began, and whether urine output or colour changed. Medical assessment may include examination and blood or urine checks to look for muscle injury and effects on the kidneys.

Go to urgent care immediately for dark or reduced urine, severe muscle swelling, worsening weakness, confusion, fainting, chest symptoms or trouble breathing. Rapidly worsening pain after exercise also warrants urgent assessment. Do not wait for soreness to settle when these signs are present.

Ask whether your symptoms need immediate blood and urine testing, which activities or medicines may have contributed, and when it is safe to resume exercise. Ask what changes in urine, strength or swelling should trigger emergency help.