Thanks, bluedaze*, I always check mayo clinic also. Yes, he is on a statin and liver has always been fine. And he doesn't have any of the other things mentioned it is given for. Just hate to keep giving him new meds unless absolutely necessary. I think the doctor thinks the pain in his legs are from the statin - but wants to keep giving him that - and that the COQ-10 will help. Don't know.
I take it because I have a family history of CHF. My naturopath recommended it. Statin drugs deplete your body of CoQ10 so they recommend one take a supplement of it.
A person is diagnosed with AD and their doctor is concerned about their cholesterol levels? Yes, CoQ10 CAN help when one is taking a statin drug or OTC red yeast rice, but not everyone. The evidence exists that statins can CAUSE memory loss.
My husband took statin drugs for 8 years & supplemented with CoQ10. When Lipitor 10mg was increased to 20mg, there were significant changes in his personality and memory. He also experienced TGA (transient global amnesia), repetitive questioning. There were a long list of other side effects that resolved when we finally decided the problem was Lipitor. His memory returned to normal for a couple of years, then started to decline again. Seven years later, a very (otherwise) healthy, active male (only 67 now) requires 24/7 care and every aspect of all daily activites. I am his caregiver. We've been married 43 years this August.
His memory loss from Lipitor is NOT uncommon. Dr Duane Graveline, former NASA astronaut, flight surgeon and retired family physician, experienced TGA from Lipitor. He's written several books on the topic of statins, memory loss and other neurological conditions.
There's never been a specific diagnosis for my husband's condition due to the way symptoms appeared, disappeared, then reappeared. He has both Alzheimer's and Parkinson's type symptom and also experienced a grand mal seizure August, 2009. He had numerous nutritional deficiencies, as well as heavy metal toxicity, all of which I feel were in some way related to statin drugs. Statins interfere with numerous bodily functions, not just "lowering cholesterol". Our body, especially our heart, muscles and BRAIN need cholesterol. Our brain uses 25% of our cholesterol.
I've refused drugs like Aricept and opted for alternative therapies. I work very closely with his Neurologist and Naturopathic Physician to ensure alternative and allopathic therapies don't clash. Two supplements I've found to be very beneficial for both mood and sleep are L-Tryptophan and L-Theanine. The only prescription medications he takes are anti-seizure (Lamictal) and generic xanax for anxiety attacks.
My best advice to anyone is that if there LO has any form of dementia, they definitely should not be taking a statin drug. Do your own research. The evidence is widely available now.
Frankie - I have shared before the severe reaction my husband had to statin drug in 2008. It was after the third day of being on it he could not remember who he had spent the day with or what he had done. (he had spent the day with the new assistant manager training him). I researched that night and threw them away the next day before he took anymore. Of course the doctor disagreed but too bad. Since then we have lowered our cholesterol via natural means - garlic, niacin, almonds, etc. with my naturopaths blessing.
Interesting though that Dr Duane Graveline, former NASA astronaut, still takes the statin just a lower dose. I try to educate family and friends about the dangers but get no where. Even when they are experiencing memory problems, they still will not re-consider. I think it is because of advertising and the fear doctors put in peoples minds over high cholesterol. Most of these are peoples who reading was only in the 220s or so - which I don't consider dangerous unless there are other things going on.