NAC - need help reading the clues

[LNN]

Ok, geek friends. I have a riddle I need help solving. It involves NAC (N-acetylcysteine).

 

My DD7 suffers from anxiety and GI issues. In searching for a supplement, I briefly used NAC for two weeks last fall and saw her anxiety increase, not decrease as expected. We then used inositol for a few months and that helped for awhile but then we hit January, which is always a rough month for her symptom-wise. So about a month ago, we switched to tryptophan which has been hugely helpful. So far so good.

 

Thus week, mega-cold came to roost in the house and both kids stayed home from school. Wanting to thin out some mucus, I tried NAC again. Within hours, anxiety was sky high. Lasted about a day, minor issues today but seems to be resolving. (still using tryptophan as normal).

 

Does anyone have any idea why DD would have an adverse reaction? Everything I read talks about how great NAC is supposed to be both as an NMDA/glutamate modulator and as a precusor to glutathione.

 

I'm stumped but intrigued. Two years ago, I gave my son Zicam for a cold and had an equally immediate adverse reaction, piano playing, choriform movements when he'd been ok prior (just cold symptoms). Turns out he has pyroluria - a zinc deficiency. Still not sure why the zicam would've produced the reaction, but there was a definite zinc connection. Feeling like the NAC is giving me a clue about my DD but can't figure it out. Thoughts?

[fightingmom]

It's also used in detoxing. Perhaps, she's detoxing from heavy metals or something else?

[dut]

Isn't it also used to treat biofilms because of the mucus thinning property? Could it be getting to some chronic biofilm bugs and her immune system/any abx she may be on is getting them while out in the open and causing some die off reaction? dunno just a thought....

[JAG10]

It's also used in detoxing. Perhaps, she's detoxing from heavy metals or something else?

 

 

I was wondering if along those lines, what you are seeing is a result of zinc/copper issues.

????

[trggirl]

I don't have an answer but I did want to tell you that we had a bad reaction to NAC too. It frustrated me because it seems like everyone does good on that one.

[LNN]

Thanks "guys". When I did the 2 week trial last fall, I did suspect biofilms and put it on my radar. But since starting tryptophan (and correcting copper), things really improved and I pushed that one lower on the list. Also, her C3d levels had dropped, making me think maybe infection was resolving. Not certain.

 

JAG- last blood test showed copper decreasing and I haven't seen any bi-polarish behaviors in about 6-7 weeks. She's probably due for a blood test next week @ LLMD and we'll re-check but I don't think that's an issue at the moment. If anything, after 6 months of Core, I'm expecting to be told to start a low dose copper supplement.

 

But what was really odd about this week was that her anxiety spiked after only one 600mg dose. I gave my son 1200mg twice before I heard any sounds of the congestion breaking up. So one dose seems too low to effect films, no? It makes me feel more like it's something that would produce an immediate effect - like glutamate or some other direct brain impact.

 

Trg girl - thanks for sharing. Helps to know I'm not the only one. Whenever one of the kids doesn't "follow the script" I pay attention. I'm just having a hard time figuring out what one dose of NAC could change so noticeably. I feel like I know the crime was committed in the library by Miss Scarlett but I don't yet know the weapon.

[MomWithOCDSon]

Laura --

 

Given the immediacy and drama of your DD's reaction, I tend to agree with you that it sounds neuropsych-like, rather than about detox or biofilm-busting. Too fast, too transitory, right? NAC's half-life is supposed to be about 11 hours, and the average adult supposedly eliminates any excess and/or byproducts within 6 hours, so a single dose could conceivably "come and go" pretty quickly, certainly within a 24-hour period for even a child.

 

But since yours is one of few kids who seem to react this way, there must be something about either 1) her individual chemistry and/or 2) the other supplements/meds you're giving her alongside that "supersizes" and maybe overdoes ("activates" like a too-high-dose SSRI?) the reaction?

 

The only additional clue I might add is that some sources say that NAC is used to lower homocysteine levels. So, following the whole methylation cycle business, if your DD is already low in homocysteine or potentially "over-methylated," then NAC combined with inositol and/or tryptophan might tip the scales too far in that direction (if Pfeiffer's info is accurate)?

[LNN]

Thanks Nancy! This is a great idea of something to pursue! She had the C677 MTHFR mutation, and family history of under-methylation issues and high homocystein (heart disease, stroke, macular degeneration). So I've always focused on issues of under rather than over methylation. And the success of adding tryptophan seemed to support that side of the equation. But despite the MTHFR, her B12 and folic acid were high when we checked in the fall. So maybe you're right - maybe the NAC overactivates.

 

She's better now. Still needs the hall light on before she'll go upstairs alone, but she is going upstairs and has been playing by herself for 45 min. Two days ago, we had 30 minutes of drama and bribery just to get her to dash upstairs for 10 seconds to grab a stuffed animal.

 

There does seem to be something unique about NAC for her. It must work on some neurotransmitter more so than tyrptophan or inositol and over-rev that one. Thanks for the thought - now I have something to google while I get stuck watching Nickelodeon's Kids' Choice Awards tonight!

[trggirl]

LLM, please let us know if you come up with anything. My daughter just had her homocysteine level checked and it came back normal so I don't think that is the reason for our bad reaction. Have you ever tested your daughter for it?

[SSS]

My dd also had a very negative reaction to NAC- tried it a year or two ago.

 

I'm sure you know this about the MTHFR- even though the body is testing high in B-12 and folic, it doesn't mean it is utilizing it correctly.

 

LOL about the kids choice, I am hoping the repeat tomorrow buys me a few hours.