Re: Lipitor and CoQ

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Luke, instead of a using a statin and worrying if it's depleting CoQ10, why not ask your doctor if you can try niacin instead? It raises HDL and HDL2 levels by 20-40 percent and 100 percent respectively, lowers LDL (bad cholesterol) and converts LDL subclass B to more desirable LDL subclass A, and also lowers triglycerides and also reduces high Lipoprotein a [Lp(a)]. Statins do not do all these things. A slow release prescription form (Niaspan) is available which includes a pack that gradually increases the dose to avoid side effects (flushing). However, another option is that you can cheaply buy regular OTC niacin ( but don't get "flush free" niacin) and begin with a low dose (50mg) and very gradually increase to 500mg taken with a full evening meal. Check response at 500mg and then you can increase if necessary. Very gradually increasing the dose and taking with food

virtually eliminates the flush as your body becomes tolerant to it. There have been several previous posts, particularly by Mooney, on niacin therapy. Niacin is discussed along with other available therapies in "The Heart Disease Breakthrough" by Yannios MD which also describes tests your doctor might not be aware of (like the VAP test available from Atherotech which analyses your LDL subclass). It took me awhile to find a cardiologist in St Louis who was familiar with cutting edge cardiology and order these tests. The local cardiologist I go to in Springfield MO has been amazed at my response to only 625mg of regular niacin taken at night (he would have given me Pravachol instead, but I refuse to take statins). My HDL has skyrocketted into the 60-70 range, my LDL is in the 80s, and my triglycerides are also in the 80s. I also take 3 grams of fish oil daily which can also reduce triglycerides. I get only

minor flushing at times, and it no longer bothers me since I know it's short-lived. It's your body, so don't hesitate to assert yourself. Tom in MO Original message: lipitor and co-Q Posted by: "hoppefaith@..." hoppefaith@... bjncarlsbad Date: Wed Jul 19, 2006 8:08 am (PDT)I know that I'm supposed to take coQ-10 because I take 40 mg of lipitor,.Well, I've been taking lipitor for over 10 yrs and never taken co q -10... A few weeks ago I tried 300 mg and felt queasy and irritable.. I then dropped down to

100 mg and symptoms still occurred.. After reading 20 posts of side effects of co-q, I saw these 2 side effects listed at the very bottom and stopped the co;Q.. MY question is,, if I won;t take the co-Q-10 because of these side effects, would a different statin, that does not reduce co-q levels , be indicated>?> And which one would be suggested.. thanks.. luke

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