CoQ10 - High Cholesterol Message Board

pizzzzza · 05-21-2005, 09:08 PM

I have been reading more and more about this.

Could someone please explain what it is, how expensive it is, how it's taken, is it prescription, and if it will really help me out?

I had read somewhere that it helps to take CoQ10 while on Lipitor.

I quit taking my Lipitor 4 weeks ago, after experiencing severe muscle aches, pains and weakness in my arms, wrists, shoulder, legs and feet.

I was on it for 2 months when I first started experiencing the pain, and continued taking it for 2 more months, since I didn't realize it was the Lipitor causing it.

Does anyone know how long it takes to get it out of my system?

I'LL NEVER TAKE IT AGAIN!

Thanks for any imput..

Mark

HubbleRules · 05-22-2005, 05:50 AM

pizzzzza,

CoQ10 is short for 'Co-enzyme Q10'. It is also known as 'ubiquinone'. This enzyme is used by the mitochondria in your cells for energy production. CoQ10 levels tend to be highest in the heart, and the skeletal muscles.

One of the most well-known effects of all statins is to deplete CoQ10 levels in the body. Some theorize that muscle pains from statins may be related to CoQ10 depletion.

I know what you're going thru - I was there myself a year ago. I experienced severe, chronice pain in both arms, profound general weakness, and extreme excercise intolerance after my doctor put me on Tricor in addition to Lipitor(10mg) - which I had been on for over 7 years.

I became almost an invalid in a few months. I stopped both meds 15 months ago, but it took almost 8 months before I noticed any improvement in my condition. I've been taking 150-200mg CoQ10 daily ever since I stopped the meds. I'm pretty much back to normal now - just some residual pain in my arms if I lift heavy objects.

My advice is to get some CoQ10, and start on it immediately. But be patient, it may take a while for you to see improvement. One good piece of news - it seems that the longer people have been on statins, the longer the recovery period. You were on only a short while - so hopefully you will recover quickly.

You can buy it over the counter - no prescription is necessary. I buy mine at Puritan's Pride over the internet. I take their Q-Sorb brand (75mg softgells 2x/day).

It is NOT cheap - I usually buy when Puritan has one of their '3 for 1' sales - then I get three bottles of 60-gel cals, 75mg, for a total price of about $39.

You can also buy at Walmart from some of the postings - but check out with Consumer Labs to make sure the brand you get is reputable - some brands out there contain much less CoQ10 than they advertise.

Hope you are free of the pain soon.

HubbleRules

HubbleRules · 05-22-2005, 06:11 AM

pizzzzza,

Forgot to mention one thing...

It is best to take CoQ10 with a meal containing some fat. Fat helps the CoQ10 absorption by your body.

You can also take it with L-Carnitine - they are supposed to work well together. I take a 250mg L-Carnitine and a 1000mg Omega-3 Fish Oil capsule with my morning CoQ10.

HubbleRules

pizzzzza · 05-22-2005, 08:53 AM

HubbleRules -

Wow - I really appreciate that very informative response.

I think I've heard from people at other sites about how long you are on any statin will affect your recovery time, if you indeed do recover.

I guess my next step will be to try to find some CoQ10 locally - there's a health food store up the street that seems to have everything.

How do you know the proper dosage to purchase?

Also, do you know if it conflicts with any other types of medications? (I take allegra and various vitamins).

Thanks again!

Mark

HubbleRules · 05-22-2005, 09:25 AM

Mark,

There is no general rule on doseage - since you have muscle pain, I'd start on at least 200mg/day, if that doesn't work, bump it up to 400mg/day. I've read studies where CoQ10 was administered to animals in much, much higher doses than these without any toxic side-effects.

I also am unaware of any side-effects with drugs - perhaps someone else from the group could comment.

Best of luck!

HubbleRules