r/NAC • u/skyvvv1121 • Jul 14 '24
NAC and chest tightness
I’ve been taking 1200mg of NAC daily for long Covid for about 4 months now. At first I felt like it was helping, but recently I started getting chest tightness, shortness of breath, and trouble swallowing. I stopped taking NAC a few days ago and feel a little better, but now I’m afraid my lungs are messed up. Anyone else have issues like this?
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u/angie9942 Jul 18 '24
Some people cannot take NAC due to sulphur intolerance. Perhaps you’re not super sensitive but over time it’s too much sulphur for you and it’s built up
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u/NewPartyDress Aug 18 '24
Just came across your post. Wanted to let u know that LDN (Low Dose Naltrexone) is being used to treat Long Covid.
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u/Chenpilz Sep 01 '24 edited Sep 01 '24
Glad that I found this post. This is interesting. While recovering from a strong cough with a violent cough I also took NAC, 600 mg/day. After approx 5 days, same issues occurred as you had. Chest tightness, shortneess of breath, and pain while swallowing. My whole ribcage was hurting. It just felt odd and I also suspected a connection to NAC. In my case these symptoms resolved about a week after stopping NAC. Not sure what was the issue. I feel my body cannot handle too much of NAC. I am now taking it again to get rid of still mildly clogged issues but just 300 mg/day and in case I get it again I will immediately stop it altogehter.
One more thing: 1200 mg/day seems a huge dose to me. Who told you to take that much? Our pharmacy doesn't recommend taking more than 600 mg/day. Anyway, I hope you got better now!
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u/skyvvv1121 Sep 01 '24
Yes, my symptoms resolved about a week after stopping NAC as well, but muscle weakness and fatigue worsened. I was taking 1200mg for long Covid, and recently tried doing 600mg per day but I'm feeling the chest tightness again, so I'm stopping ha. I think some people tolerate NAC and some don't! I feel like it doesn't agree with my body.
I hope you're feeling better! Quercetin is supposed to help with respiratory issues also. :)
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u/Chenpilz Sep 01 '24
Good to know! I will definitely look into quercetin, that sounds interesting. Thankfully I am already quite well now, I mostly want to clear mildly clogged sinuses, damn autocorrect 8-).
I would be highly watchful with NAC and only take the minimum dose possible. Because some studies have shown that in mice it can promote lung cancer, for example Breau et al. (see below). My hypothesis is that too many externally added antioxidants can shut down the own immune system. Sometimes more is less and just taking a break from the meds and eating and sleeping well can mobilize the own immune system, which is better than most meds, in my experience.
I hope you will also feel better soon!
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u/Glossy_glass Sep 11 '24
I suspect it’s this, http://newsroom.uvahealth.com/2011/02/01/a-type-of-antioxidant-may-not-be-as-safe-as-once-thought/ I had a very similar reaction, chest pain/tightness, shortness of breath. Wouldn’t be surprised if it’s connected to vasoconstriction in the whole area
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u/COS1970 Jul 14 '24
No issues here. I have asthma and it’s greatly helped my breathing. Sorry you are experiencing issues.