Thanks for sharing that article. It was good reading -- and fits with what I have learned about statins (but physicians tend to ignore...)

My own experience is: I started taking Baycol in 1996 and experienced full blown myopathy with it (where the muscle tissue actually breaks down). The physician switched me to Pravastatin and my muscle problems largely went away. Later I switched to Crestor because it is less likely to harm muscle tissue and, it does not cross the blood-brain barrier.

I thought Crestor was fine -- I had no adverse side affects from it -- UNTIL I started exercising. I noticed that I simply had no power and little aerobic capacity. When I saw a cardiologist who administered a stess test that confirmed that I had no cardiac issues going on -- but even though I was cycling 125-150 miles a week, my aerobic capacity was far below where it should have been.

Then, with his approval, I started taking CoEnzyme Q10. And I IMMEDIATELY saw a dramatic improvement in my strength and aerobic capacity. Actually, it took a little bit to get the dosage adjusted -- I found that I had to take 200mg twice a day because the effects tended to fade by the afternoon.

And, that made sense: ALL statins, without exception decrease the body's production of Q10. And, Q10 is required for the mitochondria to produce ATP -- which is the fuel the muscles use during aerobic metabolism. And, it is used more by the heart than any other single muscle. If you deprive the body of Q10, you deprive the muscles of the energy they need to do their job.

Cardiologists will almost universally tell you: "Some people have seen benefit from it, you can try it".

It has no documented adverse effects.

Then, this past New Years day I stopped taking the statin (under the cardiologists approval). I have to say that I feel much better. Mostly I find that my stiffness has mostly gone away and I seem to be more limber and flexible (stiffness is another side affect of statins that physicians tend to ignore or marginalize). But, I did not see any improvement in power or aerobic capacity -- but that makes sense because the Q10 I was taking had already offset those side affects.

I strongly suggest that if you are taking a statin and exericising that you give Q10 a try. My cardiologist told me to take at least 200 mg a day. I found that helped but the effects faded by afternoon -- so I now take 200mg twice a day.

If you want to know more about it, this is the best, most complete study I have seen on it:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3096178/

This study concludes with the following:
"A population that would appear to gain the most benefit from coenzyme Q10 supplementation would be that population with all the mentioned characteristics. An elderly population of athletes receiving HMA Co-A reductase inhibitors would appear to be ideally suited to experiencing the greatest benefit from coenzyme Q10 supplementation, given the high risk of mitochondrial dysfunction from coenzyme Q10 deficiencies in this group."

Thanks again for sharing that article -- and best of luck with the statin. I am giving it try being off of a statin and REALLY liking it. I go back to the see the cardiologist in May where he will retest my cholesterol and we will make a decision if I should go back to taking a statin. I REALLY do not want to. Please wish me luck!