Alternative Treatments for MAC: immunotherapy, etc.

That is interesting, because NAC was first suggested to me for its anti-inflammatory properties, which is helpful for both my lungs and my arthritis. It didn't seem to do much to reduce pain, but it did reduce the redness in my hands and elbows. It also seems to be helping keep my lungs clear.
sue

You maybe correct. It may have been other supplements that I have been taking that set off my arthritis pain.

Apparently some folks develop a 'histamine intolerance' from NAC usage, am guessing that's related to the arthritis flare mentioned. I'm on NAC for about 3 months now, 3x a day, just dropped to 2x a day, has helped with mucus, etc....

@sueinmn What else, if anything, do you do for your arthritis? my arthritis got quite bad this summer. My right hip and leg were very painful during my daily 2-mile walks. Now I take double-strength Theracurmin and do physical therapy. I've been taking 600 mg NAC once or twice/day for some time now. I can't remember for sure, but I think I started taking it before my arthritis flared up.

I just found this article published in 2020 about the possibility of an increased risk for knee osteoarthritis from taking oral NAC: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7418329/#:~:text=NAC%20users%20had%20a%20significantly,users%20than%20among%20NAC%20nonusers.
The cause of the correlation is not known. (Perhaps those who take NAC, e.g. for lung issues, also have a greater propensity for developing arthritis.)
These results conflict with the following study (wich is why I suggested that the correlation cause might not be straight-forward.): https://nutritionreview.org/2018/09/nac-reduces-joint-damage-prevents-osteoarthritis-in-mouse-study/

I take a curcumin with black pepper capsule twice a day, do daily stretching routine, use Voltaren gel and an anti-inflammatory essential oils rub and do deep breathing with visualization. If I get a really bad flare, I use 20 mg prednisone for 2-4 weeks. And I see my PT several times a year for 6 week tune-ups that include a lot of manual therapy.

I tried NAC and found it flared my arthritis. You may want to discontinue for a few days or a week and see, if it helps. I am using collagen daily and it has helped my arthritis. I found, if I run out of collagen and do not use it for a week, my hand joints start to be uncomfortable. We are all different and react differently to different drugs and supplements. Best wishes in finding what works best for you!

I can’t take NAC as it causes mouth sores. I’ve tried three different brands, all gave me mouth sores. But I occasionally nebulize with glutathione which is what NAC produces and I don’t get sores.

I used to have terrible osteoarthritis in fingers, knees, back and hips. Now I have absolutely none! Or if it’s there, I don’t feel it anymore.
The three things I contribute to alleviating it are keeping my vitamin D serum levels above 60 and I’m one of those lucky people who Osteo Bi Flex really works. I take the triple strength now for 10 years. Have tried going off a few times and within a month my joints are mildly inflamed and stiff but do to the vitamin D never as bad as original. I have found it takes well over a month to see the results of Osteo Bi Flex — by three months you will know how well it works.

And lastly gluten — I’m not celiac or even wheat sensitive, but going off gluten has really helped.

Sally, thanks! I'll try that. I also take collagen peptides every morning.

Cate, thanks! I take 2,000 iu vitamin D plus vitamin K2 every day. I also tried two months of 307 mg boswellia (one of the ingredients in Osteo Bi Flex), but it didn't help. I've been essentially gluten free for 20 years. Stopping gluten (and most sugar) got rid of my 3x/wk migraines!