Reversing muscle damage after stopping statins?

[Guest guest]

I think I previously reported here the extreme painful condition of my

hips, and the back of both upper legs, calves etc. which was so painful

I dreaded lifting myself up out of bed in the morning, and which woke

me every time I turned while sleeping, made it painful to walk the

first 50 steps or so, and which only started about 12-15 months after

starting Zocor.

My doctor, though very skeptical of any connection, did instruct me to

temporarily stop all Zocor and I did about two-three months ago (wish I

had written down the date.) My cardiologist also temporarily approved.

(I had a triple bypass in June of 2003 and later a pacemaker.)

Now, 2-3 months after stopping Zocor, there has been a substantial

improvement. I can get out of bed without pain. The area of muscle in

my legs which hurts has been reduced by about 2/3 and the pain which

still remains is also about half to one-third of what it formerly was

at the height of my misery.

I am wondering whether there is anything I can do or take to help

repair the remaining muscle damage. I considered CoQ10, but all I have

read seems to suggest that it is intended as a cautionary supplement

along with taking a statin, and is not a repair device. I am wondering

whether I am right or wrong about this. I don't like relying on all the

websites which sell CoQ10, because my observation is that companies

that sell natural supplements etc. always extol every product they sell

as good for every condition and illness anyone on earth might ever

have, somewhat like the old medicine bottle salesman at the county

fair. I don't have a lot of faith in these vendors' website " reports " ,

even though I know that many of their products are good for something,

but not for everything they claim.

Does anyone know whether CoQ10 works to help repair muscle damage after

stopping a statin, not merely as a supplement while taking statins?

Anything else I can take or do to get rid of the remaining pain and

presumed muscle damage?

What has worked for others at this stage of their recovery from

statin-induced muscle damage?

Thanks,

Nate

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Here's a good starting point for your coQ10 research: http://faculty.washington.edu/~ely/coenzq10.html

Although you'll find a great deal of scientific caution in its author's recommendations, it does sound like coQ10 supplementation might be worth considering. For whatever it's worth, I'm convinced it has helped me in my recovery from the toxic effects of Lipitor." L. Silverman" wrote:

I think I previously reported here the extreme painful condition of my hips, and the back of both upper legs, calves etc. which was so painful I dreaded lifting myself up out of bed in the morning, and which woke me every time I turned while sleeping, made it painful to walk the first 50 steps or so, and which only started about 12-15 months after starting Zocor.My doctor, though very skeptical of any connection, did instruct me to temporarily stop all Zocor and I did about two-three months ago (wish I had written down the date.) My cardiologist also temporarily approved. (I had a triple bypass in June of 2003 and later a pacemaker.)Now, 2-3 months after stopping Zocor, there has been a substantial improvement. I can get out of bed without pain. The area of muscle in my legs which hurts has been reduced by about 2/3 and the

pain which still remains is also about half to one-third of what it formerly was at the height of my misery.I am wondering whether there is anything I can do or take to help repair the remaining muscle damage. I considered CoQ10, but all I have read seems to suggest that it is intended as a cautionary supplement along with taking a statin, and is not a repair device. I am wondering whether I am right or wrong about this. I don't like relying on all the websites which sell CoQ10, because my observation is that companies that sell natural supplements etc. always extol every product they sell as good for every condition and illness anyone on earth might ever have, somewhat like the old medicine bottle salesman at the county fair. I don't have a lot of faith in these vendors' website "reports", even though I know that many of their products are good for something, but not for everything they claim.Does anyone know

whether CoQ10 works to help repair muscle damage after stopping a statin, not merely as a supplement while taking statins?Anything else I can take or do to get rid of the remaining pain and presumed muscle damage?What has worked for others at this stage of their recovery from statin-induced muscle damage?Thanks,Nate

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Thank you very much for your response regarding CoQ10.

I am wondering whether you or anyone else also has any other

suggestions of steps I might take towards the possible completion of my

recovery of my muscle damage and/or pains?

Thanks for further replies.

Nate

> From:  Carlisle <nancarl@s...>

> Date:  Sun Dec 19, 2004  7:42 pm

> Subject:  Re: Reversing muscle damage after

> stopping statins?

>

>

> Hi ,

> Here's a good starting point for your coQ10 research:

> http://faculty.washington.edu/~ely/coenzq10.html

>  

> Although you'll find a great deal of scientific caution in its

> author's recommendations, it does sound like coQ10

> supplementation might be worth considering. For whatever it's worth,

> I'm convinced it has helped me in my recovery from the toxic effects

> of Lipitor.

[Guest guest]

Nate, I should have mentioned in my earlier reply that I'm a great believer in antioxidants. In fact, I credit the ones I was already taking with my survival of 80 mg. of Lipitor a day for two years. They include 500-1000 mg. a day of Ester C (non-acidic, so easier on the stomach than regular C). I was taking that sporadically during that time but much more faithfully now. Also natural E and a good B complex, plus a good multi-vitamin every day. In addition to the vitamins, I take the anti-oxidants alpha lipoic acid and acetyl L-carnatine. The alpha lipoic acid is supposed to be good for peripheral neuropathy as well as muscle problems (check out this link that's a few years old, but has some very good information on the subject: http://www.thenutritionreporter.com/Alpha-Lipoic.html ), and it is an excellent free-radical fighter, helping to protect and repair damage at the

cellular level. Acetyl L-carnatine is especially good for memory, and we all know how that gets damaged by the the statins! Both of these are said to be powerhouses in repairing and protecting cells. Both are also supposed to enhance the effects of other antioxidants, plus they have a positive effect on blood sugar levels. The statins raise those levels and can throw you into type II diabetes, which is what happened to me, so that is very important to me personally.

Since I went off Lipitor, I have added coQ10, policosanol and serrapeptase. The policosanol helps cholesterol (safely!) and the serrapeptase is a very powerful anti-inflammatory, without the side effects of NSAIDs or the Vioxx/Celebrex meds, and it also helps to unclog arteries. Sorry if I sound like I'm selling this stuff, because I'm not. I've come up with all this from various sources (numerous ones for each) which, along with my own experience in taking them have sold me on their merits. I might add I found out about the serrapeptase from a posting I found here. Many thanks to whoever got the word out!

In my experience, nothing is going to make you all better overnight. But I've come a long way in the six months I've been off the Lipitor, and I'm convinced it's the supplements that have made it possible. I hope they'll do the same for you. Good luck!" L. Silverman" wrote:

Hi ,Thank you very much for your response regarding CoQ10.I am wondering whether you or anyone else also has any other suggestions of steps I might take towards the possible completion of my recovery of my muscle damage and/or pains?Thanks for further replies.Nate> From: Carlisle > Date: Sun Dec 19, 2004 7:42 pm> Subject: Re: Reversing muscle damage after > stopping statins?>>> Hi ,> Here's a good starting point for your coQ10 research: > http://faculty.washington.edu/~ely/coenzq10.html> > Although you'll find a great deal of scientific caution in its > author's recommendations, it does sound like coQ10 > supplementation might be worth considering.

For whatever it's worth, > I'm convinced it has helped me in my recovery from the toxic effects > of Lipitor.

[Guest guest]

Hello Nate, read the article: " mitochondrial cytopathy in adults "

by Cohen and Gold. you can google it using the

phrase " mitochondrial cytopathy " . the article lists several

supplements and vitamins which may help in mitochondrial problems--

thought to underlie the problems with statins. I do not remember if

coq10 is suggested, but this is the element whose pathway is blocked

by statins whenever the cholesterol pathway is blocked. (there is a

medication recommended--prednisone--but that is for primary cases of

mitochondrial cytopathy-we ignored that one) my husband does take

coq10 to replenish the stores of this important antioxidant statins

depleted. we order from Vitaline Formulary--though there are other

good sources--many individuals recommend the gel capsule (coq10 must

be accompanied by a fat soluble substance--i.e. vit E ) for proper

absorption. there is a posting on another web site-- " DIT message

board " (just google that phrase and scroll down to " LIPITOR " . there

is a search feature you can utilize for 'COQ10' best of luck to

you.

> > I am wondering whether there is anything I can do or take to

help

> repair the remaining muscle damage. I considered CoQ10, but all I

have

> read seems to suggest that it is intended as a cautionary

supplement

> along with taking a statin, and is not a repair device. I am

wondering

> whether I am right or wrong about this. I don't like relying on

all the

> websites which sell CoQ10, because my observation is that

companies

> that sell natural supplements etc. always extol every product they

sell

> as good for every condition and illness anyone on earth might ever

> have, somewhat like the old medicine bottle salesman at the county

> fair. I don't have a lot of faith in these vendors'

website " reports " ,

> even though I know that many of their products are good for

something,

> but not for everything they claim.

>

> Does anyone know whether CoQ10 works to help repair muscle damage

after

> stopping a statin, not merely as a supplement while taking statins?

>

> Anything else I can take or do to get rid of the remaining pain

and

> presumed muscle damage?

>

> What has worked for others at this stage of their recovery from

> statin-induced muscle damage?

>

> Thanks,

>

> Nate