CoQ10 users?

NatureGrrl

Anyone using CoQ10 to help with potential heart problems? (I finished A/C and if my mugascan comes back OK I start Herceptin next week, which can also cause heart damage). I see quite a bit of mixed research on it; my NP said it might help and might not but there was no harm -- as long as I stay away from ones with soy and antioxidents (and it's surprising how many of them have that!).  Before I shell out a big chunk of $ for something I'm not sure about, just thought I'd see if anyone else had tried it/is using it, and what you think.

Thanks so much!

idaho

The way I understand it - Co Q10 IS an antioxident- they don't add that in there -Why can't you use antioxidents?  I take it every day.... Tami

NatureGrrl

I was told antioxidents may interfere with the action of my chemo meds.  I think it depends on what you're taking but they told me to stay away from all antioxidents (except what's in a regular vitamin pill and food) while on Adriamycin, Cytoxin, Taxol. No supplemental amounts, in other words.

However, this, like many, many areas of cancer and medicine in general, seems to be an area of conflicting information. I chose to take a cautious route: I can take whatever I want whenever chemo is over -- in the meantime, I'm taking a regular vitamin supplement (which gives me RDA's of all the vitamins, including antioxidents) and eating as healthy as I can.  That's probably the best source of vitamins and minerals anyway.

I took antioxident supplements for years and they certainly didn't stop me from getting cancer, not that I thought they would... and that's not why I took them anyway.  One possible use for them during chemo is to reduce side effects.  I haven't had any SE's that aren't addressed well anyway, so that part isn't an issue for me. If I sincerely thought they would help during chemo, I might argue it with my oncologist, but so far I'm not seeing anything that tells me I need the extra, so I'm doing what seems best for me.

I didn't realize CoQ10 was an antioxident -- good to know!

seaotter

Naturegrrl- you should check out "natural girls" thread. We talk about vits and supplements that are very helpful

Blessings

NatureGrrl

Thanks -- I've looked at that thread but haven't found the energy yet to read through 64 pages of posts to find what I'm looking for.  Too bad you can't search just a particular thread.  

I'm in too much pain from Taxol right now to sit at the computer for more than a few minutes.  This, too, shall pass!

azsunn

My chemo nurse recommended I take CoQ10 during my Herceptin.  I had TCH chemo and don't believe I took it until after I finished chemo though.  I had stopped it for a while during Herceptin and my Muga score declined; once I began it again the next Muga was up.  I know that is hardly scientific but if your oncologist isnt against it, I'd opt for it.

 I purchase mine at Sams Club for a fraction of the health food store price.  I wasn't able to find any clear recommendations, but took 200mg.  Since I've finished active treatment I've gone to 100mg a day.

Good Luck! 

NatureGrrl

Kath, thank you!  I just started Herceptin and can't afford for my muga to drop at all (I started at 52%) so I want to protect myself and keep up the Herceptin as well.  Also, thanks for the Sam's idea -- I wouldn't have thought of that for CoQ10.  My oncol. says OK so I'm going to give it a whirl.