Coenzyme Q-10 Good for Heart?

esserbre
esserbre Member Posts: 82
edited June 2014 in Complementary and Holistic Medicine and Treatment
Coenzyme Q-10 Good for Heart?
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  • esserbre
    esserbre Member Posts: 82
    edited October 2007

    Has anyone who is having heart issues with Herceptin tried Coenzyme Q-10?  It was recommended to me by someone who takes supplements but has no knoweldge of breast cancer.  I am triple-positive, have had to stop herceptin once because of low EF but it did go back up after two month break.  Will be tested again in November after resuming with 4 treatments. 

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited October 2007

    It is reported to be good for one's heart.  Also, if you take a statin drug for cholesterol the drug depelets one CoQ10.  Perhaps you should talk to your onc about taking it.  I don't think it would hurt with herceptin, but I'm not a doctor.  Some doctors do not believe in these supplements anyway.  Google C0Q10 and you'll get lots of info to take to your onc.

    Shirley

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  • apium
    apium Member Posts: 70
    edited October 2007

    I am on herceptin and am taking CoQ10 and hawthorne.  I have been on herceptin for 4 months and am currently doing a triple dose for three week treatments.  I have no shortness of breath and have lots of energy.  I have heart disease throughout my family, both sides. 

    I read about CoQ in a book "Beating Cancer with Nutrition", google it the author has excellent credentials.  My alternative dr also told me to make sure I take it while on herceptin.  She doubled check her info with the cancer doctor at her clinic. 

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  • esserbre
    esserbre Member Posts: 82
    edited October 2007

    Thanks, I'll continue to look into it then.  I know my onc is not a fan of supplememnts but I'd like to get through this treatment without more interruptions and strengthen my heart at the same time.  I don't see him this week and then I get tested I think.  So maybe I will wait until I get my next EF number.

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  • chemo072
    chemo072 Member Posts: 682
    edited October 2007

    I don't have heart issues but did have chemo with adriamycin (famously hard on the heart) and my naturopath has me taking Coenzyme Q10.  It's a bit spendy.

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  • debic
    debic Member Posts: 216
    edited October 2007

    I have a question about Q10 I did not take it during chemo because my onc said no.  I started taking it during rads and now I read I should not have does anyone have any info on that?  I am on herceptin everythree weeks and feel I really need the Q10

    Debi

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  • mrs7148
    mrs7148 Member Posts: 225
    edited October 2007

    I just asked my onc about coQ10 today at my appt, he said it is fine to take with herceptin.  I start TCH tomorrow for 6 cycles, herceptin every week, and he said the enzyme wont interfere with the chemo. I am also triple + and asked a bunch of questions regarding the er+, supplements and soy.  He said to stay away from concentrated soy (like milk, tofu, veggie patties, etc) but that a good vitamin, my calcium/magnesium, vit e, and coQ10 were all fine if I wanted to swallow the pills.  Double check with your own onc though, cuz I have posted on a few other threads and every onc has their own theory on what you should or should not do.

    Cheryl

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  • Roja1955
    Roja1955 Member Posts: 235
    edited November 2007

    I took Coenzyme Q-10 4 years ago when I was initially dx with bc d/t Adrinamycin.  I now have mets and started chemo, and added the Q-10 (50mg).  My onc said that was fine.  I also inquired about soy milk and tofu (I do a phytochemical drink every am).  He said that was fine as well, as long as I'm not consuming alot, and not taking any kind of soy supplements.

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  • esserbre
    esserbre Member Posts: 82
    edited November 2007

    I went for my treatment on Thursday and my heart test had gone down again by 16%.  My onc said that was it, he was taking me off herceptin.  Three delays and he ends it he said.  He also thought that 6 months of Herceptin was pretty good and he wasn't worried about stopping it.  I asked him about Q10 and he said he was just at a conference with a leading cancer guy Dr. Toy I think it was who believes that cancer runs on a different metabolism than the rest of the body and that this may be a major breakthrough.  If that's the case my onc doesn't want me to feed that metabolism anything except good food and excercise, would rather I didn't take any supplements. 

    So I decided to celebrate being finished early instead of worrying about it and my hubby took me out for a beautiful dinner. 

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  • QueenSansaStark
    QueenSansaStark Member Posts: 207
    edited November 2007

    I was told not to take any supplements except a multivitamin (not high-dose) and calcium during my chemo; however, once I was onto rads anything goes.

    So I take prenatal vitamins, as well as other supplements including CoQ10. I am not HER2+ but I did have adriamycin chemo which is very hard on the heart and I don't want to take any chances.

    I think (and my onc agrees) that it's also important to exercise and eat a low-fat diet to stave off any heart problems.

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  • msannie57
    msannie57 Member Posts: 84
    edited December 2007

    Sloan Kettering's info on this topic suggests not taking it during chemo or radiation since it is an antioxidant.  (Herceptin isn't chemo--it's monoclonal antibody therapy.) It also shouldn't be taken by those taking blood thinners.  It's always best to check with your doctor before taking any supplements.  The article doesn't mention Herceptin.

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  • ERS2006
    ERS2006 Member Posts: 40
    edited December 2007

    I take CoQ10 and have been on Herceptin for 11 months with no heart related problems at all...Actually my heart function has gotten better!!!

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  • SoapMaker
    SoapMaker Member Posts: 157
    edited December 2007

    It is my understanding the CQ10 is good for the heart. I have read that prior to sugery on patients who have bad heart issues, some of them have been given doses of CQ10 before surgery...and they came through it. I read that in an online journal a number of years ago, and I never forgot it. I figured it must be pretty good.

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  • NativeMainer
    NativeMainer Member Posts: 10,462
    edited December 2007

    My rad doc routinely tells everyone getting rads not to take ANY vitamins, supplements, or anti-oxidants, as he feels they interfere with rads.  He said radiation does it's work by creating free radicals, and anything that decreases free radicals only protects the cancer cells.

    I, too have seen the research on CoQ10 before heart surgery, and I remember seeing some research about CoQ10 preventing or reversing the heart damage statin drugs like lipitor causes.  It can be pricey, though, to get if from a dependable company. 

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited December 2007

    I read where Dr. Oz (the doctor that has done some shows on the Discovery Health channel and has been on Oprah) said to take 300 mg.  I take 100 mg.  I buy mine at Vita Cost online.  I need to join Consumer Lab.  They check out these things to make sure what we're taking is really all there.

    Shirley

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