CoEnzyme Q10

Julie,

Since you're on a few meds, it would be wise to check w/your doc(s) first before taking CoQ.  Most of us here don't know if it would interfere in any way with what meds you're on.

If the doc says yes, buy the best brand you can afford with the least fillers.

CoQ is good stuff and I've been taking it for at least 3 years now.

Best to you,

Jelly

Hey Jule how ya doing. It is been awhile since we have been on the same thread. I have taken CoQ10 for about 12 years. I just recently was diagnosed with high blood pressure but I am sure it is the weight I have gained. I also take the statin since my cholesterol went through the roof on Femara. I will continue to take the CoQ10 though because of it's benefits to the heart. Heart disease runs rampant in my family.

I don't know much about megaloblastic anemia disorder but maybe if you can get your cholesterol down your blood pressure might come down as well.  Tamoxifen should be working FOR you in that regard, but have you thought of taking B12,B6 and Folic Acid combo?  This combo has been known to reduce cholesterol.  Another B vitamin that apparently works on our cholesterol is Niacin.  Better yet why not just take a high dose B supplement for a while and see if that helps.  I believe the Omega 3 oils help balance the bodies fatty acids.

About the CoQ10, I am on it right now and took it while having chemo (Anthracyclines) to help prevent heart damage.  It might even enhance the other drugs you are taking. I don't think there is a problem with the Tamoxifen, but I really don't know about the statins.

Good luck to you

jan

Hi jule,

I don't know what megaloblastic anemia is exactly, but I have learned something recently about pernicious anemia that I'll share just in case it's helpful for you also.  A B12 deficiency can cause pernicious anemia and some people cannot absorb B12 in the digestive tract, where a protein called the intrinsic factor is in charge of assimilating it. 

The workaround for this problem is to get a B12 shot or get what's called sublingual B vitamins, which are absorbed orally by the two giant veins underneath the tongue.  I've been using this form of B complex vitamins since november as part of my relentess quest to kick my fatigue to the curb.  

My doctors just shrug their shoulders when I complain of fatigue.  It's very frustrating.  I finally figured out a year ago that I appear to be hypothyroid.  Radiation is notorious for knocking our thyroids out of balance.  Hypothyroidism occurs mostly in women, and it's not uncommon for women to suffer for a long time before thyroid concerns are addressed.  An easy test at home is to use your thermometer 5 days in a row before rising.  If necessary, shake it down the night before so you can use it without any exertion beforehand.  If your temp is below normal, hypothyroidism is a huge candidate for your fatigue problem.  My own personal list of thyroid symptoms are difficulty losing weight, low grade depression, poor stamina, low energy, hard stools, high cholesterol, brain fog, digestive problems, brittle nails.  Other common symptoms are dry itchy skin, thinning hair, outer third of eyebrows disappearing.  

Cheryl, you could try your primary care physician, but mine is worse than worthless on this topic.  I feel like I'm at the end of the world sometimes when it comes to quality of medical care I can access, but more truthfully, I have the impression that thyroid education is woefully inadequate.  I wonder if it gets more than 10 minutes in the entire course of a medical education. 

I met a woman online who could feel her thyroid getting larger.  It was monitored and monitored.  She even asked for surgery and was poo poo'd, until all of a sudden one day her thyroid had actually grown AROUND a carotid artery and was then told it was too dangerous to operate. So if you don't get anywhere with your primary care or internist, you are not alone.  It happens all the time, and this is why I've made it my self appointed task to 'beat the drum' at any hint of hypothyroid symptom.  

http://www.wilsonssyndrome.com/ 

http://www.breastcancerchoices.org/iproject 

I suggest you check out these two sites for starters.  I've tried so many things to get my mojo back and with each new attempt, it feels like trying to jump a battery that doesn't have any juice left.  So I can't claim success -- yet, but I at least feel like I know what the problem is, which is more than I had the first two years of assdragging fatigue.  

I don't mean to hijack the thread.  I had coQ10 on my list of things to try.  Over the last year I'd try to add just one new thing to the mix every month or so.  With the advent of the new year, I went to the vitamin shoppe and bought a slew of new things to try, including coQ10.  So it's only been a couple of weeks, but so far my fatigue continues to stick to me like glue.  

I just googled megaloblastic anemia and learned it's practically the same thing as pernicious anemia.  Just to share my mini learning curve on B12, some authors say typical absorption via the intrinsic factor protein in our intestine occurs primarily through animal sources.  For no apparent reason, the intrinsic factor thumbs its nose at plant-based sources and absorbs B12 only from animal sources, such as eggs, meat, shellfish.  One article I just viewed included milk on this list, which is true for raw milk, but most people drink pastuerized milk.  The pastuerization process kills the B12 vitamin.  So, people following a vegan diet need a B12 supplement, either by a shot or sublingual supplement. 

Even people who consume animal sources of B12 may not get what they need.  As people age, B12 uptake diminishes.  Some people appear to lack the intrinsic factor altogether.  One of the symptoms of B12 deficiency can be mental confusion.  Some authors indicate that a significant portion of mental ward patients are deficient in B complex vitamins.  It may also be possible that people pegged with symptoms of alzheimers may have B12 deficiencies.  I gave my mom a bottle of sublingual B vitamins for Christmas.  She had her annual physical last week, and her doctor gave the vitamins a thumbs up of approval.  

I had been taking some rather expensive 'superfood' which is entirely plant based, and B12 is on the list of ingredients.  I noticed a large number of B12 supplements in the stores are also plant based. So I don't know if there's just disagreement about the absorbability of B12 from plant sources or what, but I have to wonder how many people might be taking B12 supplements and still be deficient. 

I blazed a blue streak to the store when I learned about sublingual B vitamins.  I was so sure that THIS time I would find the missing piece of my puzzle to end my fatigue.  Alas, I'm still fatigued and I've been taking the B vitamins since November. 

As for the iodine available at breastcancerchoices, I started that the week of Christmas.  Still tired.  I'm going to stick with it at least 2 more months.

Indeed, exercise has now been demonstrated to reduce recurrence by a larger margin than most ''pills for prevention'. Though it is not always easy to drag oneself to the gym (or the basement), it is absolutely indispensable to work out to reduce recurrence.So let's put on those sneakers....

Hi Jpann:)

great to see you ))

I know.. I owe you some mail

re the coQ10  I have been taking it since dx

8 yrs ago.. and dont miss it now

i wonder if it helps the gums, some say that

and I understand if one is on LIPITOR, you need the CoQ10

sorry to hear of your condition, and checking with the doctor

or a homeophathic is best

now re the teeth

take good care of them, my DEAR

I now have a dental plate

lost my teeth, some in the top and it has cost me

a fortune

I take cal mag for sure..

let me know how you make out

and special hugs for ya today

Sierra

I take 50 mg of CoQ10 a day and use a Sonic Care toothbrush for the early periodontal disease I was developing. It does seem to help.

BMD,

I am encouraging everyone to get their vitamin D levels checked.  A deficiency can prevent your body from absorbing calcium to the point that your body pulls it out of your bones, and probably teeth as well.  I have been taking vitamin D3 four times a day in my calcium and my multi for years.  I have always been active, and I spend a lot of time outside in nice weather.  I have osteopenia and my vitamin D level is 15.  I am now on 50,000ius once a week to try to get my level up.  If your D level is low, maybe that's why you are having problems with your teeth. 

I just briefly read your posts.  Have your TSH levels checked for thyroid.  IF your thyroid is low it is simple to fix.  I take Niacin...1000 mg a day for cholesterol and it works. 500 twice a day.   You have to build up to it and my doctor wanted me to have liver enzyms checked every couple of months for a while.  Do not take slow repease Niacin...it will hurt your liver like a staton.  Start with a dose of 50 and work up to 1000.  You will get flushing.

What a bout B12 shots?

Take 2-3 thousand D3 a day.  Exercise.   

shirley

Hi Jule, may I ask what dosage you are taking of CoQ10? It sounds like you are having fabulous results!

Lorraine ox

Jule, Have you ever tried Resvinatrol? It is the good stuff in red wine without the alcohol. I buy a bottle at Sam's for about $20. One shot is equal to about 156 glasses of the resveratrol in red wine. It is suppose to support cardiovascular health, supports immune system, and supports healthy cholesterol levels. I make my husband take it because he hates to swallow pills.