ubiquinol, can it help...

[cbreeaze]

I have MCTD, Sjogrens... I have a lot of mucus in my throat and eyes. I have a difficult time eating and I have to wipe my eyes with my fingertips to clear the mucus.  I heard some where on the board that someone used ubiquinol for dry mouth. Has anyone used it for this mucus? Plz help dr is no help.

[Carolina]

Dear cabreeaze:

I'm glad you asked because I checked on Ubiquinol and found that it is a newer form of Co-Q-10 which I have been taking for a long time.  I added Ubiquinol, but that only meant I was taking MORE Co-Q-10, and probably isn't helpful.  I plan to switch to using only Ubiquinol.

I found this on an NIH website:

Coenzyme Q10 is one of the most significant lipid antioxidants that prevents the generation of free radicals and modifications of proteins, lipids, and DNA.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3178961/

This is from another NIH article:

Many neurodegenerative disorders, diabetes, cancer, and muscular and cardiovascular diseases have been associated with low CoQ10 levels as well as different ataxias and encephalomyopathies. CoQ10 treatment does not cause serious adverse effects in humans and new formulations have been developed that increase CoQ10 absorption and tissue distribution. Oral administration of CoQ10 is a frequent antioxidant strategy in many diseases that may provide a significant symptomatic benefit.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4112525/

So my research finds Coq10 (Ubiquinol) to be a useful supplement, with no noteworthy negative effects.

So now the debate is Coq10 or Ubiquinol.  Ubiquinol is a fancier (better?) version of CoQ10 as far as I can tell.  But here is a holistic website on the topic.

Ubiquinol's two additional electrons make it one of the strongest fat-soluble antioxidants. Kaneka promotes the ingredient as significantly more bioavailable than ubiquinone, a message amplified by supplement makers that utilize Kaneka's raw materials. They suggest that Ubiquinol is the preferred choice for older, sicker people who have an impaired ability to synthesize CoQ10 and to convert the oxidized (Ubiqiunone) to the reduced (Ubiquinol) form.

Researchers and practitioners may not agree on everything about CoQ10, but here are a few basic points that are supportable by the available science:

CoQ10 supplementation can increase survival and reduce morbidity in CHF patients, if plasma levels reach the range of 2.5 – 3.5 ug/ml or greater. Lower levels tend not to be effective.

Supplementing with smaller, more frequent doses tends to improve bioavailability: 100 mg twice daily will yield higher results than 200 mg daily.

The higher the CoQ10 dose taken, the lower the percentage absorbed.

CoQ10 is not well absorbed in solid form. This includes tablets, granules, capsules, and suspensions. If using a solid form, a considerably larger amount of CoQ10 than actually needed must be administered to the patient.

There are no significant drug interactions or adverse reactions associated with CoQ10 supplementation. Generous dosing is generally safe, if needed to achieve therapeutic results.

https://www.holisticprimarycare.net/latest-articles/1902-understanding-the-two-forms-of-coq10.html

I think I will substitute Ubiquinol for my simpler versions of CoQ10, but I won' take both.

Now, for your mucus problem, which sounds very unpleasant, have you tried the generic form of Mucinex? 

Mucinex thins mucus, so it doesn't 'clog' things up.   I take one tablet in the morning and one at night.  Without this medication my mucus is so thick and sticky that it blocks my nose and throat and makes breathing very unpleasant.  I keep trying to swallow it all night long and I can't, so that makes me crazy and disrupts my sleep.

The generic form of Mucinex is Guaifenesin, and is very inexpensive, over the counter.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guaifenesin

Regards,  ElaineD

[cbreeaze]

Im sorry... Ive had a stroke so its hard for me to read/retain/understand long reading passages I guess you would say.  What I think I or understood about the info you gathered and for me was... Ubiquinol has helped with dry mouth and oral issues only but wont help with mucus so should use Mucinex as well. Is that right? I think Uniquinol stimulates the salivary glands (I found on Dr Oz site).

Do you think Ubiquinol and Mucinex could help the the mucus that accumulates in my eyes? Im afraid Im going to end up with pink eye clearing the mucus from my fingertips even though I wash my hands.

Oh and Thank You Very Much by the way 

[Debbi]

Hi!
I saw your post about the Mucinex and I take it twice a day as you do, every single day.  I learned about this from a suggestion by an excellent pharmacist.  He told me to only use Guiafinesan, (sp?) make sure it wasn?t combined with other ingredients.  I get it from Costco, it?s so much less expensive , each tablet is 400 mg of only Guiafiniesan. 

I?m new to posting, and a bit embarrassed I?m not clear on how to post a question on a new topic. 

I hope it?s okay to ask for help here, I want to be respectful of site guidelines. 

The question I?d like to post is:  Would disposable ?Bandage? Contact Lenses or anything else help with Red Tide issues in Florida which are causing a severe increase with my Sjogren?s (eye) symptoms? 

I live full time Florida, leaving town to stay with someone out of state indefinitely isn?t an option.

Even though I live several miles from the beach, it?s still dramatically impacting my severe dry eye issues and causing misery.  I?m not taking walks outside and always at least a few miles away from the beach.   

The news and all the articles written on this prolonged Red Tide situation in Florida only mention warnings for going to the beach or going into the water. They don?t mention anything about the impact of Red Tide several miles away and or airborne issues. 

Of course I understand my Sjogren?s issues are not the typical reaction a ?normal? person has, however it?s extremely difficult tolerating this for such a long stretch of time with no end in sight. 

I?m just looking for suggestions or anything that may provide even some relief which is why I?m asking about the Bandage Contacts and if they may be appropriate.

When I was out of town for a week, my eye issues went back to the ?normal? pain range which is certainly a major challenge to live with in itself.   The significant intensity of pain/burning, etc was back within two hours of returning to Florida. 

Apologies for complaining, I?m really struggling.....just going out to simply driving to grocery store or running errands is all it takes. 

Thank you in advance, I?m open to any suggestions or guidance.  I hope to be able to offer support and help others as well.

Debbi

[cbreeaze]

Debbi, thank you for the generic Mucinex info. I scoured the net and boards today and ordered a huge bottle of gen guaf(sp?). Hopfully with this the mucus issues will be controlled (mucus in eyes, nose and throat). I also ordered Ubiquinol for my salivary glands/dry mouth.

Im so very sorry for your eye issues/pain.  I dont have any solutions for you but what I can offer you is advice on how to use the message boards. I dont think you will get an answer here following my thread. What you should do is start a new thread/post and write what you wrote here on there with a new title of your own.  Good luck.

Lori

[jkcc2323]

For those that had the questions about CoQ10 vs unbiquinol, here is some more info:
Ubiquinol is the reduced and active form of CoQ10 (ubiquinone). As we get older, the body's ability to convert ubiquinone to ubiquinol diminishes. This means that as we age, ubiquinone supplements may become less effective for some purposes.
One isn't necessarily better than the other as the body can convert ubiquinol back and forth. Both versions are used by the body. However, some may find that the active form, ubiquinol works better for them. It is better to work with your doctor when determining which supplements are truly best for you.
Second, not all supplements are created equally and you may want to look for a CoQ10 that absorbs better which would be one that is water and fat-soluble. I hope this helps!
Here is a little research relating to salivary excretion: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21406193
And, here is a further explanation on the types of CoQ10: https://www.qunol.com/pages/coq10-vs-ubiquinol

[Sooki]

I read about ubiquinol on this forum maybe a year ago and started taking it for dry mouth.  I take 100 mg a day (Qunol brand from Costco).  It's been a miracle for me.  I have saliva again.  Not only do I not have dry mouth, I no longer get those gumline cavities.  I've had two clean dental exams!  It's been great. 

I have gotten used to avoiding dry foods (pasta instead of bread, sauces on foods, stews, etc.) and that helps with swallowing and digestion.

Ubiquinol hasn't gotten rid of mucus however.  I recently went to an ENT doc (for a different reason) and she suggested I use NeilMed sinus rinse (a saline nasal wash) which cleans out the nasal passage using a dilute solution of sodium bicarb and salt before going to bed.  I also sometimes use FloNase (a steroid) which helps at night, but is a steroid. (It works well)  She also suggested zyrtec or claritin, but I have problems with those and don't use them.

You might think about seeing an otolaryngologist (ENT) to see if there are some pharmaceutical or surgical options that might work for you if you continue to have problems.  (The ENT also addressed my sleep apnea - my uvula is abnormally long and blocks my airway when I lie down   - new way to be a freak!)

[cbreeaze]

I just got my bottle of Quinol Plus Ubiquinol 200mg + Omega-3 250mg, 90 softgels.  They are HUGE anyway...  I continue to read that many have had relief with alleviating dry mouth with the Ubiquinol so... I started my own "trial" today.  I'll let you know how it goes.  For those who use it, how long did it take to see a difference?

Still waiting for the guaifenesin from Amazom.

Lori 

[Debbi]

Hi Lori,
You are welcome to email me if I can help expedite some mucinex to you. Am I allowed to give you my email address here? It would be so helpful if I was able to have a conversation with someone to show me how to post, etc.  I just am obviously not an early adopter with technology!!  Still using a paper calendar....

I believe I have some suggestions that may be helpful to others and can?t seem to figure out the easiest and best way to use this site. 

I have ordered the Ubiquinol and look forward to starting it as soon as I receive it. 

Hope you have a nice evening and would be very interested in hearing how you are progressing with the things you are trying.  Thank you!  Debbi

[Linda196]

We strongly recommend against posting email addresses in the open forum, but if you notice the little icons under your name to the left of your post, they will allow emails and personal messages to be sent without disclosing your address. Remember that non-members can read posts, and unfortunately forums like this are considered excellent "phishing "areas, but only members can use the icons.

[cbreeaze]

Hi All, Debbi... thank you for the Mucinex offer but my Amazon order came and I started them a few days ago. They work well for my mucus "situation", throat only.  Im not choking on my food and drink as much anymore.  Actually... I didnt take two doses yesterday and I regretted it.  As far as the Abiquinol... either it hasnt started to kick in yet or its not for me... but Im gonna keep on going.  Its only been a week.  Im having a VERY hard time swallowing them though.  They are HUGE elongated softgels... anyone... any ideas??

Debbi... have you figured out how to make an original post yet??

Lori 

[Judes]

Lori have you asked a doctor about cevimeline or evoxac? This is a prescription drug that helps stimulate the saliva production. It has helped me tremendously.

Debbi, have you tried the moisture chamber glasses? They are like goggles. They make some for chopping onions, maybe they would help with the red tide situation?

[Judes]

Debbi to start a new post, go to the top of the forum heading page you wish to post in and click on the blue button "new topic" and a box will come up for you to type in, then click post when done.

[jkcc2323]

I just got my bottle of Quinol Plus Ubiquinol 200mg + Omega-3 250mg, 90 softgels.  They are HUGE anyway...  I continue to read that many have had relief with alleviating dry mouth with the Ubiquinol so... I started my own "trial" today.  I'll let you know how it goes.  For those who use it, how long did it take to see a difference?

Still waiting for the guaifenesin from Amazom.

Lori 

Good luck! Let us know how it goes!

[cbreeaze]

Ok... well... the g mucinex is working pretty well if I take it religiously... on time... every 4hrs.  I am even noticing less mucus in my eyes. In the past I would need to wipe my eyes with my fingertips continually throughout the day to clear them.  I still have a lot in the morning and just a little during the day, much improved.  As far as the Ubiquinol... I dont think my symptoms have improved yet.  Still waiting.  Today is day 11.  What I have read on these boards is that it may take 30-45 days to see improvement so Im not going to be discouraged.

Im still having a dificult time swallowing the Ubiquinol though.  If anyone is buying them please beware.

Judes... as far as Evoxac (cevimeline).  It worked wonders for me for yrs until my ins company stopped covering it.  I did ok without it for a while but now I am having A LOT of discomfort.  Even if my dr did a prior auth and the ins co covered it the cost for the med under my plan would be too much for me.  Thats why Im trying to find something else.  Thanks for the thought though.

Lori