NAC flu/herx reaction?
Been taking NACi 2,400mg/day for six days now. Have noticed some extra sinus congestion/pressure, headaches, etc. That stuff's going around here, so not sure it's definitely related to the NAC.
A different thing I've noticed is pain in my elbows and shoulders. That was one of my first complaints going back 10 years to when I can first pinpoint the symptoms that led me here. I have not had problems with either in several years, except occasionally the right shoulder but that's always been related to something I've done in the gym. The elbows are interesting to me...completely out of the blue, both elbows started hurting over the weekend. It's not a constant ache, but rather a pulsing type that hits, hurts pretty good and then fades away.
Opinions - is this a reaction to NAC?
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This is pretty much a copy and paste of my reply to another recent question on the side effects of NACi. I apologize for reposting but I wanted to make sure you saw it.
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NAC increases levels of glutathione in human cells. Glutathione serves a variety of purposes but in respect to Chlamydia Pneumonia it breaks down disulphide bonds that hold Cpni elementary bodies together. This allows them to convert to their replicating state (reticulate body). Glutathione may be depleted in infected cells and this process may occur more slowly. It is necessary for EBi's to convert to a replicating or persistent state as only in those states is it susceptible to the antibiotics that interfere with bacterial protein synthesis.
When numerous Cpn EB's convert to a replicating state, the infected cell cannot produce enough ATP to sustain them as Cpn uses host cell ATP. And when Cpn become energy depleted they convert to the persistent state where they do not attempt to replicate and make only a few proteins. However in this state they do produce HSPi-60. These heat shock proteins are highly inflammatory and effects from them are probably what people are probably referring to when they use the phrase "NAC flu". IMHOi this is not beneficial and only serves to produce side effects for the sake of experiencing side effects.
I do believe that taking NAC is beneficial in shortening the duration of treatment. However I do not think NAC should be taken until people are taking one or more antibiotics. At that point inducing Cpn into the replicating or persistent state makes sense as it can be killed by the antibiotic(s).
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- Paul
Interesting Paul.
How/why is that different than starting the CAPi with amoxicilan?
I took 100mg of Doxycyclan earlier today. Given that while I have some long-standing problems, I don't seem to be terribly sick...so why not get more corrective measures underway?
I would agree with you Paul, except that many people, like JJ, take it as a trial to see if they have chronic Cpni infection.................Sarah
An Itinerary in Light and Shadow
Yes, I only decided to do the CAPi after having a weird time with NACi - so it was useful albeit unpleasant.
In response to your question JJ, I noticed after i started NAC that like you I had a temporary flare up of some symptoms which went right back to when I first felt ill more than 20 years ago. Hopefully your pains will die down again quite soon.
RRMsi diagnosed 2008 (symptoms for 20 years). Also sinusitis, recurrent UTIs, IBS Wheldon protocol began 31/7/09 Doxyi 200mg, Azithro 250 3X week. Supplementsi B12, D3 Vit C, multivit, Fish oil, probiotics, NACi, vit E, turmeric
JJ, the pain in your elbows may be a sign of peripheric neuropathy coming soon, I advice you to stop NACi right now. When I tried NAC test, I didn't experienced flu and continiued to take it (I thought that it has antioxidan properties and doesn't give harm), but after 3-4 weeks on NAC I had bilateral peripheric neuropathy.
yılmaz.
KEREM'S TAKECARER;
Suspıcıon of MSi (transient nystagmus during conjugated gaze on february 2008, blepharospazms and some optic complaints on february 2009-no plaque on MRI), Vit D3 started 400 IU and elevated to 2000 ıu ın 40 days.
JJ
I think your pain is probably reaction to NACi. For years here, we have talked about the oldest symptoms being worked on first. With many of us, those places are going to hurt and the symptoms are going to get worse, sometimes much worse. I think that if you get some neuropathy, it was coming anyway, and you will have to endure it for it to go away eventually.
Rica
3/9 Symptoms returning. Began 5 abxi protocol 5/9 Rifampin 600, Amox 1000, Doxyi 200, MWF Azith 250, flagyli 1000 daily. Began Sept 04 PPMSi EDSSi 6.7 Now good days EDSS 1 Mind, like parachute, work only when open. Charlie Chan In for the duration.
Thanks for the responses you guys, but I've been on a CAPi for couple of months now. There's no question in my mind that the NACi gives a clear reaction. I stopped it totally for a week about two weeks ago and the joint issues largely subsided. I'm back at 1,200mg/day and just dealing with the added pain. I do not have any periphrial neuorpathy (as I understand the meaning), just pain at the joint. Recently, it's only on the right side, which was injured in a number of different ways years ago. The large majority of my current pain issues I can directly relate to old injuries...thus, I am viewing the elbow and shoulder pain as progress. They did not hurt for a long time until I took NAC and/or ABXi. The things that have hurt constantly (jaw, neck and upper back muscles) hurt more right now. Perhaps I'm all wet, but I have to think this means that the meds and supps are doing their work.
When I had transverse myelitis 5 years ago, I was fully introduced to periphrial neuropathy (everything from the navel down)...this isn't that. It's just joint pain.
I'm doing the CAP without a doctor's supervision...I'm torn between the major issue being CPni or Lyme (or lyme-like disease, from the Lone Star tick). In the end, I suppose it doesn't matter that much. But before long, I am going to request bloodwork to try and figure out which it really is.