tomah
08-07-2007, 11:41 AM
Is anyone taking CoQ10 and also taking statins? Could you tell me your experiences? My husband's cardio "poo-poohed" the idea, but didn't actually say he couldn't/shouldn't use it. Has anyone notice that it is helpful for PAC/PVC/s? Any information you could share would be very much appreciated.
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nosa47
08-07-2007, 02:08 PM
Hi Tomah
I don't take a statin but do take co-q10. I have found that it does help me with my energy levels. It could be a placebo effect but I have not stopped it to find out. From what I have read, there are no known side effects. I take 150 mg a day in a gelcap form (oil based) which is supposed to be more absorbable.
When I asked my cardiologist about taking it, he told me that if you are not taking a statin drug, there is no need for it but if it makes you feel better, go for it. When I asked him if he takes it, he said yes he does,:confused: but I did not ask him if he is on statins. He does advise his patients on statins to supplement with co-q10 since there are some studies that found that statins deplete the co-q10 in the body which is needed by every cell in the body (especially in the heart) to produce energy. That depletion could explain the muscle pains and aches that some people on statins experience.
It seems that most of the real life experiences with the benefits of co-q10(other than heart failure cases) are anecdotal and that the supplementation helps some people but not others, so your husband could try it and see how he feels with it. It is like taking a multi-vitamin every day, there is no real proof that it gives you anything that you don't get from a good healthy diet but it does give you that peace of mind that goes with any insurance policy.
From reading about the benefits of co-q10, I did not come across a claim that it helps PAC's/PVC's.
I don't take a statin but do take co-q10. I have found that it does help me with my energy levels. It could be a placebo effect but I have not stopped it to find out. From what I have read, there are no known side effects. I take 150 mg a day in a gelcap form (oil based) which is supposed to be more absorbable.
When I asked my cardiologist about taking it, he told me that if you are not taking a statin drug, there is no need for it but if it makes you feel better, go for it. When I asked him if he takes it, he said yes he does,:confused: but I did not ask him if he is on statins. He does advise his patients on statins to supplement with co-q10 since there are some studies that found that statins deplete the co-q10 in the body which is needed by every cell in the body (especially in the heart) to produce energy. That depletion could explain the muscle pains and aches that some people on statins experience.
It seems that most of the real life experiences with the benefits of co-q10(other than heart failure cases) are anecdotal and that the supplementation helps some people but not others, so your husband could try it and see how he feels with it. It is like taking a multi-vitamin every day, there is no real proof that it gives you anything that you don't get from a good healthy diet but it does give you that peace of mind that goes with any insurance policy.
From reading about the benefits of co-q10, I did not come across a claim that it helps PAC's/PVC's.
Lutheran122
08-07-2007, 03:21 PM
I just ordered 2 bottles of 100mg softgels , what the hell..it can't hurt and I do get aches and pains all the time while on statins it seems. Maybe its in my head :)
Lenin
08-08-2007, 09:48 AM
I took/take both. I've taken zero, 50, and 100 mg. Co-Q10 over the years and am now taking a 50 mg. every SECOND day just to run out my supply. I won't buy more because, although I'm not SURE there's no effect for everyone, for me I judge it to be a waste of money.
I've been on this board a long LONG time and I have read hundreds of posts about Co-Q10 making statin pain less in theory. But here's the post I have been looking for and have never seen:
"I was taking XYZ statin that caused me muscle pain. I added CoQ-10 to the regimen and the pain stopped."
IF CoQ-10 indeed abated pain in statin users, SOMEBODY would have made that assertion by now. Nobody has.
I think CoQ-10 supplementation is the latest in a long, long, LONG string of unsupported vitamin store scams...IMHO.
I've been on this board a long LONG time and I have read hundreds of posts about Co-Q10 making statin pain less in theory. But here's the post I have been looking for and have never seen:
"I was taking XYZ statin that caused me muscle pain. I added CoQ-10 to the regimen and the pain stopped."
IF CoQ-10 indeed abated pain in statin users, SOMEBODY would have made that assertion by now. Nobody has.
I think CoQ-10 supplementation is the latest in a long, long, LONG string of unsupported vitamin store scams...IMHO.
Lutheran122
08-08-2007, 01:05 PM
Maybe but I got 3 months worth for less then 20 bucks so it will be worth it if I get some results and won't hurt me if I don't.
Lenin
08-09-2007, 09:45 AM
Lutheran,
That is correct...nobody ever gets hurt with Co-Q10 other than in the wallet. It's perfectly safe...after all, your body make a ton of it. :D
That is correct...nobody ever gets hurt with Co-Q10 other than in the wallet. It's perfectly safe...after all, your body make a ton of it. :D
Dilly70
08-09-2007, 04:31 PM
I just ordered 2 bottles of 100mg softgels , what the hell..it can't hurt and I do get aches and pains all the time while on statins it seems. Maybe its in my head :)
I don't think that is in your head. The drug companies that make the statins themselves warn that the statins can cause an irriversable muscle disease.
Just recently I took lipitor for 2 - 3 months (after a heart attack and artery blockages).
Two weeks ago, one day I could not stand on my leg and was afraid that it would buckle. (this is the leg attached to a hip where there is very little cartilage left). This happened for about 3 days, and I had trouble moving from chair to chair. Needed two canes, and I never use a cane in the house, only when I am out walking or shopping..
I stopped the lipitor and there was 100% improvement. Was it the lipitor, I am not 100% sure. But I cannot afford a fall at my age, so I am not taking any statins right now. I do take CoQ 10 which was highly recommended by my medical doctor. I will write more about that later.
I don't think that is in your head. The drug companies that make the statins themselves warn that the statins can cause an irriversable muscle disease.
Just recently I took lipitor for 2 - 3 months (after a heart attack and artery blockages).
Two weeks ago, one day I could not stand on my leg and was afraid that it would buckle. (this is the leg attached to a hip where there is very little cartilage left). This happened for about 3 days, and I had trouble moving from chair to chair. Needed two canes, and I never use a cane in the house, only when I am out walking or shopping..
I stopped the lipitor and there was 100% improvement. Was it the lipitor, I am not 100% sure. But I cannot afford a fall at my age, so I am not taking any statins right now. I do take CoQ 10 which was highly recommended by my medical doctor. I will write more about that later.
Dilly70
08-09-2007, 10:52 PM
I am crossing my fingers, and hoping that CoQ 10 is affecting more than my wallet. :)
There have been several studies on the usefulness of CoQ 10. The Mayo clinic reports that there appears to be a reduction of deaths after a heart attack if patients are given CoQ10. As well studies suggest that it may reduce angina pain. It appears also that CoQ10 is used in Europe, Russia and Japan as standard treatment. Studies also have shown that patients who have had heart attacks have decreased CoQ10 in their bodies. Notice that the words above are “may” and “appears” to be.
A natural food that has lots of CoQ10 appears to be oily fish. This may be the reason that many cardiologists in my area advise their patients after a heart attack to use fish oil – Omega 3.
I am using CoQ10, although it might be difficult to ascertain whether it is effective, because I am also using many other supplements plus Beta blockers and Ace inhibitors. Today, 4 months plus, after my heart attack, I have almost no angina and can now exercise both in the morning and the evening. At first I could barely walk from chair to chair. So I am sticking tightly to all my “supplements."
How effective is CoQ10? Not sure, but as long as I am still alive and feeling better every day, I will use it. I am certain that it will not cause bleeding in the brain (like plavix), nor affect my muscles (like the statin drugs).
There have been several studies on the usefulness of CoQ 10. The Mayo clinic reports that there appears to be a reduction of deaths after a heart attack if patients are given CoQ10. As well studies suggest that it may reduce angina pain. It appears also that CoQ10 is used in Europe, Russia and Japan as standard treatment. Studies also have shown that patients who have had heart attacks have decreased CoQ10 in their bodies. Notice that the words above are “may” and “appears” to be.
A natural food that has lots of CoQ10 appears to be oily fish. This may be the reason that many cardiologists in my area advise their patients after a heart attack to use fish oil – Omega 3.
I am using CoQ10, although it might be difficult to ascertain whether it is effective, because I am also using many other supplements plus Beta blockers and Ace inhibitors. Today, 4 months plus, after my heart attack, I have almost no angina and can now exercise both in the morning and the evening. At first I could barely walk from chair to chair. So I am sticking tightly to all my “supplements."
How effective is CoQ10? Not sure, but as long as I am still alive and feeling better every day, I will use it. I am certain that it will not cause bleeding in the brain (like plavix), nor affect my muscles (like the statin drugs).
flowergirl2day
08-10-2007, 12:23 AM
I am crossing my fingers, and hoping that CoQ 10 is affecting more than my wallet.
Good for you, Dilly!
Those of us on statins who take CoQ10 are hoping for the same...:D
You have researched this supplement well. As you probably know, starting at about the age of 20 its presence in our bodies starts to decline. By the time we hit our forties, the cellular CoQ10 levels are significantly reduced. Some believe that age-related problems are made more severe by our declining levels of this enzyme. Enter the cholesterol lowering drugs! Statins block the production of cholesterol, as well as the CoQ10, in proportion to daily dosage and duration of use. As a result, the blood levels of CoQ10 decline even more.
Myalgia and rhabdomyolysis are common side effect of statins. These relate directly to the depletion of CoQ10, caused by the statins.
Even though they are costly, I would not risk taking my statin without them. Another reason I take these supplements is because I've hit the high 40s and the age-related problems are starting to develop. :(
Flowergirl
Good for you, Dilly!
Those of us on statins who take CoQ10 are hoping for the same...:D
You have researched this supplement well. As you probably know, starting at about the age of 20 its presence in our bodies starts to decline. By the time we hit our forties, the cellular CoQ10 levels are significantly reduced. Some believe that age-related problems are made more severe by our declining levels of this enzyme. Enter the cholesterol lowering drugs! Statins block the production of cholesterol, as well as the CoQ10, in proportion to daily dosage and duration of use. As a result, the blood levels of CoQ10 decline even more.
Myalgia and rhabdomyolysis are common side effect of statins. These relate directly to the depletion of CoQ10, caused by the statins.
Even though they are costly, I would not risk taking my statin without them. Another reason I take these supplements is because I've hit the high 40s and the age-related problems are starting to develop. :(
Flowergirl
Lutheran122
08-10-2007, 06:05 AM
Dilly what other supplements do you use if you don't mind me asking.
Dilly70
08-10-2007, 10:52 AM
Dilly what other supplements do you use if you don't mind me asking.
Don't mind at all.
However,Lutheran, I think I should start a new thread, look for it under:
"My blocked arteries"
Don't mind at all.
However,Lutheran, I think I should start a new thread, look for it under:
"My blocked arteries"
huckfinn
08-11-2007, 04:12 PM
Lenin (with much due respect :) )
I have never heard anyone claim that COQ-10 helped ease the muscle pain caused by statins. I have never read nor heard that there was any relationship between the use of Q10 and statin adverse side effects.
Statins are supposed to reduce Q10, which is a natural enzyme created by the body and is explicitly related/associated with the mighty mitochondria which gives each of our cells energy (or something like that :) )
I know that you have read about Merck and their famous (infamous?) patent that is a statin combined with Q10, and was never produced.
Hey, do you think that Merck bought controlling interest in, and directed some supplement manufacturing companies (Q10?) shortly before the patent was applied for? Wow, a new conspiracy theory. Make a fortune selling the most soluble kind and all....:mad:
Cheers
P.S. I am highly susceptible to death by statins. I may try some of my samples while taking 400mgs of Q10.
I have never heard anyone claim that COQ-10 helped ease the muscle pain caused by statins. I have never read nor heard that there was any relationship between the use of Q10 and statin adverse side effects.
Statins are supposed to reduce Q10, which is a natural enzyme created by the body and is explicitly related/associated with the mighty mitochondria which gives each of our cells energy (or something like that :) )
I know that you have read about Merck and their famous (infamous?) patent that is a statin combined with Q10, and was never produced.
Hey, do you think that Merck bought controlling interest in, and directed some supplement manufacturing companies (Q10?) shortly before the patent was applied for? Wow, a new conspiracy theory. Make a fortune selling the most soluble kind and all....:mad:
Cheers
P.S. I am highly susceptible to death by statins. I may try some of my samples while taking 400mgs of Q10.
Lenin
08-12-2007, 09:07 AM
I have never heard anyone claim that COQ-10 helped ease the muscle pain caused by statins. I have never read nor heard that there was any relationship between the use of Q10 and statin adverse side effects.
Huck,
I have been on the forum for a long time and I've read DOZENS upon DOZENS of times the claims that Co-Q10 prevents the muscle pain that statins cause presumably by lowering CoQ-10. The follow-up is ALWAYS the recommendation that anyone taking statins MUST also take CoQ-10 and then the conversation turns to how MUCH CoQ-10 or what KIND of CoQ-10.
I personally don't believe all this but one after another poster has said precisely the same thing.
But, as I said, NOBODY has ever claimed that his statin pain, presumed or otherwise, WENT AWAY after adding CoQ-10 to the regimen. If a statin's lowering of ubiquinone was indeed the cause of pain then logic dictates that SOMEBODY should be reporting the pain disappeared with X, Y, or Z mg. of Co-Q-10 supplementation.
Huck,
I have been on the forum for a long time and I've read DOZENS upon DOZENS of times the claims that Co-Q10 prevents the muscle pain that statins cause presumably by lowering CoQ-10. The follow-up is ALWAYS the recommendation that anyone taking statins MUST also take CoQ-10 and then the conversation turns to how MUCH CoQ-10 or what KIND of CoQ-10.
I personally don't believe all this but one after another poster has said precisely the same thing.
But, as I said, NOBODY has ever claimed that his statin pain, presumed or otherwise, WENT AWAY after adding CoQ-10 to the regimen. If a statin's lowering of ubiquinone was indeed the cause of pain then logic dictates that SOMEBODY should be reporting the pain disappeared with X, Y, or Z mg. of Co-Q-10 supplementation.
huckfinn
08-13-2007, 12:02 AM
Far out Lenin...I just don't read enough I guess :) I think I will try to take Lescol pretty soon. I am taking 400mg Q-10 right now. I guess I will do mt own experimenting. Thanks much for the clarification :)