About N-Acetyl L-Cysteine (NAC) and finding it

Hello Irene, Thank you for answering me. I have learned a lot from reading what people say and how they have dealt these diseases. To answer your question, my local pulmonologist gave me the prescription but I did the research and asked for it. I went to NJH because I wanted better care even if it was in a different state and I have definitely gotten it. The doctors at NJH just were not convinced that NAC was really helpful. I don't know about glutathione but I will look it up. Have you found it to be helpful and if so how? I have not been treated with other antibiotics. How does Mucinex work for you? It would be great if I learned about another tool to clear my lungs a little bit more. Right now I cough a lot but several months ago I felt much better without this cough.

Hello again Roz. Glutathione and NAC are interrelated. Glutathione is considered the "mother of all antioxidants" and NAC is a precursor of L-cysteine that results in glutathione elevation biosynthesis. So I am not sure why one would want to use NAC and not Glutathione. If you google Nebulizing Glutathione you can read up on it. I think it is supposed to be good for general lung health but i also think it helps loosen mucus to some extent. I cannot know for sure if it is helping me but I hope so and I keep using it every other day. It has a sulphur taste at first but then that goes away quickly and it is tolerable. I mix it with my 7% saline in a certain way. I read a study that compared several things for mucus. NAC and guaifenesin were two of the things. Mucinex original formula is just Guaifenesin time released. Of the three things Mucinex was found to be the most effective. I find it helps but everything produces side effects for my body so i do not take it daily. For me it had the best results with the least side effects to expel mucus. Of course 7% saline is the most important for that twice a day followed by Aerobika. I learned that using the Aerobika lying on my back and sides as well as while sitting has helped a great deal to get the stubborn mucus out. Sounds like you use the Toby every day or every two weeks? I hope that keeps helping as it can build up resistance. My Pseudomonas is chronic form and i would really like to find an antibiotic i could tolerate and take now and then. My understanding is that there are only two oral ones and a couple of inhaled options including the Toby. All the rest are IV and require hospitalization initially at least.

rox14 & @irenea8 - I choose to use NAC in the oral supplement form instead of inhaled glutathione because I have hyperreactive airways, and avoid inhaling anything that I can get in another form.
In addition, NAC has anti-inflammatory properties, which when taken with my other medications helps my arthritis pain.

Our bodies all behave differently, and finding the right combinations is always a challenge.
Sue

Yes very true Sue. Eosinophils vs Neutrophils type of Bronchiectasis or airways. But inhalation is so nice and direct if you do not have reactive airways. My highly reactive digestive track reacts to everything I swallow! So yes each person must see what works for them for sure. Thanks for reminding us of that.

I have an overactive mucus situation that causes continual throat clearing. It is very concerning and I am trying different things to see if I can get some relief. I am using NAC with Quercetin and am on my 4th day. Not much change at this point but I will continue for at least 10 days to see what happens.

I also have throat clearing for many years but it is not continual. And i produce a lot of mucus daily but i think that is typical with Pseudomonas and mine is chronic. My first nebulizing/aerobika of the day usually clears out most of it. The second one produces little. On the days i use Mucinex i can usually tell my lungs are more clear and nebulizing has been more effective.

Any opinions???
Does NAC and Mucinex provide the same results? I presently take 2 NAC capsules daily and find it thins and helps remove some phlegm. My IDD requested I submit 3 sputum cultures to confirm the severity of a new and different bacteria recently found. Just wondering which would be more productive, NAC or Mucinex for this purpose? I often have a difficult time producing enough sputum for a “good” culture. I appreciate any and all opinions offered.

Purely my experience talking here. I found Mucinex, drinking plenty of water and nebbing saline worked for me. It was before NAC, now I use both every day and only neb about 5 times a week, still can bring up mucus daily.
Sue
Sue

Hi, Sue.
Do you use NAC on an off or daily? I am figuring out my regimen for my new BE diagnosis (plus asthma and mild hypertension) and want supplements, etc. that might be helpful, as auxiliaries. Also, is there a probiotic brand that anyone especially likes?

Thanks!

I use NAC every day because it helps thin my thick mucus. I was tested and don't have Cystic Fibrosis, but have had thick, sticky mucus all my life. Because of this, I also take guaifenesin every day as well.

I don't take a probiotic unless I am on antibiotics. When I was using them, my primary doc advised to use different brands and combinations each time, buy the locally so I can get the freshest ones. And buy just 30-60 days worth at a time. We have a local co-op that carries supplements in addition to healthy & local foods, so I get them there.

Sue