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EMS training, increased CK value and other side effects

Question
Dear expert team,
due to back ache, I think about beginning an EMS-Training (=electro-myo-stimuation). I am female, 50 years old, suffer from CF, my FEV1 value is 65% and I take Kaftrio. During the physiotherapist was taking my story (I told freely all details of my illness), she got more and more insecure, if such a training is allowed in my case. She mentioned an increase of the CK (Creatinkinase) value due to the training and told me to present at a doctor for having this checked.
What do you think? Are there more advantages or disadvantages concering such a training? I do 15km per bike each day and thought, the EMS-training would be a good complementation. However, I am not sure anymore.
Many thanks for your answer.
Answer
Dear questioner,
you want to know, if you could do a sports training (in this case EMS-training) if there is the possibility of an increased CK-value, that could also be caused by the intake of Kaftrio/Kalydeco. The CK (creatinphosphokinase) value is an important blood value, that could point at a damage of the muscles in case it is increased. An increased CK-value can occur temporarly, e.g. after in intensive training and is the result of an exhaustion of the muscles. It can normalize after a pause. A strong and persistent increase of the value can result in severe health problems (damage of the muscles, kidney failure). During the intake of Kaftrio/Kalydeco, some patients show increased CK-levels. The exact reason for this is not fully understood. Therefore a monitoring of the CK-level is mandatory. A combination of the modulator therapy with an intensive training can favour the CK increase. However, it is not recommended to stop sport in case of Kaftrio/Kalydeco therapy, however to do an adapted training und to control the values regularly. In case the CK values are stable, controls every three months are sufficient. In case of increased values, the training has to be adapted, sometimes the dosage of the drug has to be adapted, too. This is also true for the EMS training. It would be advisable, that your physiotherapist gets in contact with your physician and you discuss this together and work out a training programme.
Best regards,
Christina Smaczny
18.07.2022