Headaches from coQ10?

by **BDavis** » Sun Feb 18, 2007 6:51 pm

I started coq10 100mg bought at The Vitamin Shoppe, last week-end. Everyday since I have had a headache come and go. I don't normally have headaches so I wonder. Has anyone else had this problem?
I also wonder if anyone with the Statin symptoms have gotten better with out the help of any supplements or drugs? I feel like I'm never going to be well again. I have been off Lipitor now for 2 1/2 months. At first I felt improvement in my foggy mind and some stamina, but I haven't improved past that. I went back to work the next week after they told me I wasn't dying but that it was the Lipitor. Thinking that I could work thru the pain, fatigue and that it wouldn't hurt me I continued. I was lucky at first because we had short weeks with holidays plus snow days but after working 3 full weeks I collapsed. Well not exactly, I couldn't go to work Friday because I couldn't walk or lift my arms. I spent the whole day in bed. Yesterday wasn't any better and today, well I can type on this laptop while I sit with my legs resting. I'm the main bread winner in this household and I worry that I'll never work again.
BeLinda

by **adec** » Sun Feb 18, 2007 7:56 pm

It's a possibility. CoQ10 can lower blood pressure better than some medications. This in turn could lead to headaches. I still say the benefits for statin-sufferers WAY outweigh the risks.

As far as getting better after taking CoQ10, both my mom and aunt have seen a dramatic decrease in their symptoms. I would say my mom has made a 100 percent full recovery, and my aunt has been a little slower to recover. Expect it to take at least six months to a year, and have faith. Good luck.

by **SusieO** » Sun Feb 18, 2007 8:07 pm

BeLinda I have only taken CoQ10 on and off since stopping Lipitor about 2 years ago. Would I have recovered faster or had more of a full recovery had I kept taking the CoQ10 I am not sure.

I got back on it a few weeks ago due to a major setback when I took a multi-vitamin and found out the Niacin was a no-no for me (for most people it does not seem to do any more damage). Is the CoQ10 helping me now to recover faster I really don't think so, yet how can I be certain?

I have not taken any of the other suggested supplements because it seems my body chemistry was very messed up from the Lipitor and most things that have helped others has only caused me to become worse i.e. cinnamon capsules and now the Niacin.

Once I stopped the Lipitor it was a good year before I felt about 65% better. I never would say I got anymore than maybe 75% back to my old self and now this set back has really been hard on my body (more muscle pain and weakness then ever before).

Today we went to Sam's Club for 30 minutes and Circuit City for less than 20 minutes (to look at TV's so we were not all around the store but stayed in one area) and my legs and arms were so weak and sore that I had to go home (and I was using a cane). Tomorrow I will pay for what I was able to do today, but I will tell you I am much better because 3 weeks ago I could not leave my house due to being so weak and so much discomfort.

I pray you heal faster than I!

by **adec** » Sun Feb 18, 2007 8:56 pm

Suzie O, statins are known to deplete CoQ10, as has been proven by Merck. This cannot be disputed. There's now even an equivalent warning included in the Canadian NEJM. Reading the link below should alleviate most of your doubts.

[http://img259.imageshack.us/img259/4706/statinslx8.jpg]

Now, whether CoQ10 supplementation is as beneficial as our own bodies' reserves remains to be seen. Therefore, I would also recommend supplementing with Vitamin C, which aids in increasing our own natural supply. Supplementing with Vitamin C is equally as important since our body cannot create its own supply.

I can only tell you that my mom made a miraculous recovery on CoQ10. Only last year her doctors thought she had developed the early onset of Alzheimer's, through perhaps a series of statin-related mini-strokes. And this drastic memory loss literally happened overnight. Yet, today her memory is about as good as it has ever been. And statin-damage is nothing but a distant, albeit painful, memory.

This may be anectodal evidence, but it's pretty powerful in its own right. Please continue to help you body get better, and take CoQ10. Good luck.

by **Darrell** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 1:15 pm

Actually, Q10 seems to help with migraine headaches:
[http://headaches.about.com/cs/prevention/a/coq10_prev.htm]

That said, you have a different kind of headache and I suggest checking your blood pressure when you have them. The Q10 blood pressure effect is not large in most people, but, as they often say in fine print, "individual results may vary."

by **Darrell** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 1:25 pm

As for the muscle problems, consider trying some L-Carnitine or Acetyl-L-Carnitine or Propionyl-L-Carnitine. Be sure to start low, say 250 mg or 500 mg with meals. I took my first dose on an empty stomach and felt significant improvement in my leg muscles in less than an hour. If it works for you, you can try gradually raising the dose. The 2,500 to 3,000 mg total per day (in divided doses) has been extremely helpful for me to get back to normal activity. Some people have gastrointestinal problems with higher doses, so take it slow and back off if you suspect problems.

by **BDavis** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 5:05 pm

Thanks for the replies. Darrell, I haven’t added Acetyl-L-Carnitine yet, though I bought it. I feel after my experience with Lipitor and my sensitivity to drugs, that I’d try one at a time, first the coQ10. I have been taking vitamin C and cranberry tablets off and on, currently on. As far as my headaches relating to my blood pressure, they feel like the ones I get when it’s high. I take four pills a day for my high blood pressure. I’m hoping the coQ10 will indeed lower my blood pressure but it has not yet.

Susie, I feel you and I have similar ways of thinking. I’m glad you mentioned your trouble with niacin. I haven’t started treating my cholesterol again, but I’m sure that would be the first thing my dr. willl mention when I go next month. I total understand how you can pay for your excursion today, tomorrow. If I try to do any of my normal cleaning, I’m worthless the next day. Right now I’m having trouble typing because my right hand is shaking so bad. It’s because I spent 20 minutes packing up a cabinet (I’m moving) and starting a load of laundry. Shame on me. I have been resting for now 4 days, so that I can go back to work tomorrow. What are we suppose to do when we need to work? Susie, do you have a doctor that knows how to treat your symptoms? Is there a specialist that I should be looking for? Or are we just on our own? I’m so glad I found this board. I feel so lonely, left with this worthless body. My family understands my difficulties but the people I work with think, well if your back to work your well. I’m back to work because I thought I would get better overnight, my mistake. I don’t have enough time off to really recover from working and I think the working is what is keeping my recovery held back. Has anyone seek disability from the results of Statins?
Thanks again to all that replied.
BeLinda

by **SusieO** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 7:53 pm

BeLinda the more we move our bodies to do packing, shopping and whatever it may be it will catch up with us later that day and the next day (at least this is how it is for me when I am going through these recurrences or set-backs for lack of better words).

I have wrist braces (like what you need for carpal tunnel) and I wear them most of the day to give me extra support...you may want to try them out.

My family doctor believes I have statin damage even though my CK tests always come back normal - but he has no idea what to do for me. He knows, as well as I do, that a muscle biopsy is what I need but so far a Rheumatologist and Neurologist told me "you do not need a biopsy as they can be dangerous". It is so frustrating that a procedure that may be able to give more insight to my health problem will not be performed just because a doctor says he won't do it.

The Rheumi. doc told me to just adjust to my new way of living and make the best of it and maybe it will go away. The Neurologist told me I have a neuromuscular condition that has no name and many never have a name! Gee, that sure makes me feel good. All they want to do is give you more pills to mask the pain, but have no desire to REALLY help you out.

I am waiting for blood test results I had done last week. My cholesterol is not high in my opinion, but my triglycerides are quite high. Since there is no way to exercise right now I have to wait and hope to heal more and regain some strength to take a walk around our block.

I pray you are able to rest BeLinda and regain some strength.

by **Darrell** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 8:25 pm

Both of you should consider the carnitine. It really tackled the exercise intolerance for me.

by **BDavis** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 9:39 pm

Susie,
It is so disappointing to have doctors just write you off. I don't have any faith in my GP, but hoped there was someone out there that could come up with a plan. When I found out this was all from Statins, the doctor cut me loose, back to my GP. Well wake up people, she was the one who never picked up on it in the first place, for over 3 years. She would put me back on Statins if I'd let her, I'm sure.

Ok, I've ranted. Now what, I guess it's as your doctor said adjust and make a life the best we can. I think this week I'll take Darrell's suggestion and try the Carnitine. I wanted to wait and see what the coQ10 would do but a lot of the folks here suggest both and I'm loosing my patience. The things is after being so ill for so long it's hard not to try something that others have had luck with.

I'm going to celebrate my 50th birthday in a couple of months and I pray I can dance!
Take care all,
BeLinda

by **adec** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 10:00 pm

Along with CoQ10 and Acetyl L-Carnitine.... I would also take at least 1000-2000IU of vitamin D daily. In many ways, statins are like a more expensive version of vitamin D. You can also get tested for vitamin D deficiency, it's called a 25-hydroxy vitamin D test. The optimal range is around 75-80ng/ml.

Vitamin D3 itself, cholecalciferol, is a derivative of cholesterol. They both share the same mevalonate pathway. Therefore, statins have been known to disrupt vitamin D synthesis. Vitamin D is essential to human life and health. The good news is that vitamin D is SUPER inexpensive. Good luck.

by **adec** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 10:15 pm

By the way, one of the symptoms of low blood pressure, or hypotension, are headaches. But it seems like your body is having an adverse reaction, and/or rejecting many of the things statins depleted.

BTW, niacin can further exacerbate statin symptoms, including myopathy. Eventually these problems might alleviate themselves the further you're away from statins. This is merely speculation though.

I just hope anyone skeptical of the CoQ10/statin connection took the time to look at my link to the Canadian NEJM. It's all there in black and white.

Good luck.

by **SusieO** » Tue Feb 20, 2007 9:53 am

Darrell I may try the carnitine - it is just that I am so very afraid to try something new for fear it will only do more harm than good like other supplements have done to me that seem to be ok for most others.

BeLinda - I turn 50 in March! We need to get stronger together! :)

by **SusieO** » Tue Feb 20, 2007 7:31 pm

Ok, I bought a bottle of Acetyl L-Carnitine and took one at lunch today (250 mg). I will see how it goes! :)

by **adec** » Wed Feb 21, 2007 2:44 pm

Again, just speculation, but my mom too became oddly sensitive to certain foods and supplements (lipids, CoQ10, vitamin E, L-Carnitine etc.) while on Lipitor. And it took several months away from Lipitor (and on these same supplements) before she started to avoid these weird symptoms and reactions. I've read several stories which seem to confirm this. Right now your body is overwhelmed in the task of repairing itself and any fixing any deficiencies.... it takes persistence, due-diligence, and maintaining your regimen of supplements. It's as simple as that. Good luck.

by **BDavis** » Thu Feb 22, 2007 9:53 pm

Susie,
I decided to wait until this week-end to start the Carnitine. I really wanted to see if the coQ10 would help on its own. So far I haven't had any improvement, but I know it's really soon. This week has been a real challenge. I'm in the hole with my stamina and in so much pain. It's odd; since I went off the Lipitor I have more pain, than when I was on it. Before I had the full range of complaints but not the constant pain and in so many areas. Before if I had pain it was in my legs from the extreme fatigue. My legs then and now feel like I've got logs for legs.
I anxious to hear how you do on the Carnitine.
BeLinda

by **SusieO** » Fri Feb 23, 2007 12:15 pm

Hi BeLinda,

So far I am doing ok with the Carnitine - no side effects, but I am only on 250 mgs. once a day. I will increase it next week. The CoQ10 side effects of gastric problems have gotten much better.

As far as less pain/weakness I have not had any improvement, but I am sure it is too soon. In the past when I would have these awful "flare-ups" it took MONTHS to get better. Each time I am afraid will it stay and not go away. I have never gotten back to 100% - ever since taking Lipitor, but there were months where I was doing really well until I tried a new supplement or the vitamins.

Get yourself a cane as it really does help in giving me a little more ability to walk more than without one. I don't seem to give out quite as fast.

by **adec** » Fri Feb 23, 2007 1:13 pm

It's probably a lot like having a hangover. You know, the old saying, the perfect remedy is taking the hair of the dog that bit you.

I believe anyone trying to recover from statins will find less sensitivity and intolerance to these supplements the longer they follow a regimen.

by **SusieO** » Sat Feb 24, 2007 3:38 pm

It appears the Acetyl L-Carnitine is causing my blood pressure to go up as well as give me anxiety after taking it for about 5 days now. I started to notice something yesterday and now today it is even more "annoying" as my b/p is up well over 20 pts. and I feel very anxious.

I have mitral valve prolapse and I guess I need to stop taking it and see if things settle back down. It sure is frustrating! :(

by **Darrell** » Sat Feb 24, 2007 6:13 pm

The carnitine absorbed from taking a 250 mg supplement is about the equivalent of the carnitine you absorb by eating two 4 oz. hamburgers. My guess is that there is something else causing your problem or it is actually the anxiety itself that is raising your blood pressure. Anxiety will do it. Either way, it seems wise to stop the carnitine for now.

I take about 2,500 mg of carnitine a day. Eating 20 hamburgers a day is not a viable option.