Does anyone take CO Q-10?

[Karen G]

Last time I had my Lipitor prescription refilled the pharmacist asked me if I take this vitamin? I had never heard of it but he said it is something that statin drugs deplete in heart tissue. While the statins do a good job of reducing cholesterol, they contribute to the breakdown of heart muscle tissue (I think that's what he said, and my Google research bears that out).

Anyway, it happened to be on sale two-for-one that day so I got some and I'm taking it now. Next time I see my doctor I'll run it by her, too. From what I've read, it's a good thing to take in conjunction with the Lipitor.

 

[Rose Pink]

I've put my mom on co-Q and she says it helps. I used to know how it worked but I've become an idiot these last years. The enzyme pathway in the liver that makes co-Q is somehow altered by the statins--that is how they reduce the body's cholesterol production, it is the same metabolic pathway. A normal, healthy person makes their own co-Q and doesn't need to take a supplement but the statins reduce the body's ability to make its own so a deficiency can result. The heart muscle uses co-Q and so can become susceptible to a lack of it.

Once you start co-Q, you need to continue taking it. Don't stop.

 

[MULTIZ321]

Dangers of the cholesterol lowering drugs

Richard

 

[grest]

My osteopath has me taking it regularly, in conjunction with red yeast rice tablets.
Connie

 

[MULTIZ321]

Wheat germ is also a source of coenzyme Q10


Richard

 

[MelBay]

I've been taking it for years. I used to have frequent migraines and a doc friend suggested it. I think I've had maybe 2 migraines in the last 4-5 years, and I was getting 5-6 a month before the Co-Q10. Now I hear there are lots of other good benefits to taking it, so I'll keep tossing them in my pill box!

 

[Born2Travel]

Once you start co-Q, you need to continue taking it. Don't stop.

Can you explain why you should not stop? Even if you are not taking statins?

 

[suesam]

I have been taking Co-Q 10 for years. I started taking it for heart health, and then continued to read more and more about how good it is for other things. I had a client take it for her MS, swore it helped with her muscle issues. I just read a book called "The Better Brain Book" that is about preventing memory issues and it recommends Co-Q 10 as well.


Sue

 

[Rose Pink]

Can you explain why you should not stop? Even if you are not taking statins?

I am not sure if that applies to everyone or to just those taking statins or those who have congestive heart failure such as my mom. I think if you are an otherwise healthy individual it would be okay to gradually wean yourself off. The body gets used to getting certain amounts of nutrients and adjusts its absorption rate accordingly. Suddenly dropping a nutrient intake level can result in a deficiency until the body has time to adapt. That can happen with excessive dosing of Vitamin C as well.

 

[susieq]

I'm taking a low dose statin ~ and complained to my Dr. about leg cramps. He recommended CO-Q10. Been using it for a few months now, seems to work.

 

[bogey21]

Glad this subject came up. I have been taking 50 mg of CoQ 10 daily for about 5 years. I can't remember why I started but I feel so darn good (at age 73) I have been afraid to stop. Doctor just put me on low dose of Lipitor last week so I think I'll double up my CoQ 10 to 50 Mg twice a day. I want to keep feeling good.

George

 

[Karen G]

Doctor just put me on low dose of Lipitor last week so I think I'll double up my CoQ 10 to 50 Mg twice a day. I want to keep feeling good.

George

I take 40 mg. Lipitor daily and the pharmacist recommend 100 mg. of CoQ10.

 

[3kids4me]

My daughter's neurologist recommended COQ10 for her a couple of years ago and she has been taking it since, but in a dose of 300-400 mg/day.

 

[riverdees05]

So what it the right amount of CO-Q10 to take?

 

[MULTIZ321]

Riverdee,

Here's info on Coenzyme Q10 - including recommended dose ranges - it varies depending on why you're taking it and there's not universal agreement as to the specific dosage.


Richard

 

[ownsmany]

great info.

I take 40 mg of liptor. I don't take cq 10. I'm going to start.

Thanks,

 

[Chrisky]

I haven't gone the COQ10 route, but I do find that doing leg strengthening exercises with light weights, as well as arm exercises with elastic tubes makes a significant difference in how I feel and the distances I can walk. I tend to not want to take anything more in pill form than I have to.

 

[Jestjoan]

Fda (2005)

YMMV=Disclaimer I am not a doctor..........

http://www.fda.gov/ohrms/dockets/dockets/02p0243/02p-0243-pdn0001-vol4.pdf.

I got this link from one of my pay sites Worst Pills, Best Pills.

Who do you trust? Wasn't that a game show?

BTW, I took Lipitor and had high liver scores and was changed to Pravachol. I also take Zetia. DH takes Zetia alone. There is so much controversy on it all. UGH.

You might want to Google Lipitor problems.......

Crestor is a DO NOT use according to Worst Pills. In fact, they have petitioned the government to take it off the market. I had my Mom taken off it.

 

[Jestjoan]

Sorry, I guess I've hijacked the thread

I couldn't find the old thread(s) on Lipitor but there had been an expose' on Lipitor in Smart Money Magazine around the same time.

This synopsis of the article says exactly the opposite of FDA re: CO Q-10!
http://www.epic4health.com/lipitordilemma.html

Lipitor Dilemma by E. Laise is the title of the article and, of course, the article is old now (2003).

 

[DebBrown]

DH takes CoQ10 because of this statin medication. I take it because it makes me feel better. I believe it does help with muscle strength. I exercise as well and the CoQ10 helps reduce the soreness.

Deb

 

[Jestjoan]

Ownsmany

When I got that much Lipitor by error, I had cramping of my toes and feet. I had two fingers that cramped together on my right hand. I was crying because I didn't know what was happening and I could not use my curling iron.

When a gal (not RN) in the doctor's office discovered the error, the doctor said she wished the pharmacist had caught the error! Why would he/she? It is prescribed to some patients.