Timing of n-acetyl-cysteine

[kushami]

Does anyone who tends to slump at a certain time of day have any advice on timing n-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)?

I tend to have an awful slump from about 3pm to 8pm, and am about to give NAC a try, so was wondering whether it seems to have an effect a certain time after you take it, or whether it is more cumulative and ongoing.

Edit: Slump is the wrong word. I’m pretty sure my cerebral blood flow is dropping (OCHOS). So it’s not exactly fatigue but OI and cognitive problems, even a bit towards agitation. And a low mood.

 

[heapsreal]

Does anyone who tends to slump at a certain time of day have any advice on timing n-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)?

I tend to have an awful slump from about 3pm to 8pm, amd am about to give NAC a try, so was wondering whether it seems to have an effect a certain time after you take it, or whether it is more cumulative and ongoing.

I take 750mg at breakfast and dinner. I can't say I've noticed it help with energy slumps. I mostly use it to protect the liver and as a general antioxidant.

 

[cfs since 1998]

I take NAC but it isn't a stimulant. Not sure it would help you with any slumps.

 

[kushami]

I take NAC but it isn't a stimulant. Not sure it would help you with any slumps.

Oh, woops, I didn’t mean it like that. I should say an uptick in symptoms. If anything, I lean towards agitation rather than fatigue at these times, so I’m glad to hear it isn’t a stimulant.

My blood flow seems to drop in the afternoon, so I’m hoping the NAC might help with that, as well as the other benefits it may have.

 

[godlovesatrier]

Nac will make you feel worse to begin with. This is very common. I started on 20mg I now take 4g a day.

Good luck.

 

[cfs since 1998]

Oh, woops, I didn’t mean it like that. I should say an uptick in symptoms. If anything, I lean towards agitation rather than fatigue at these times, so I’m glad to hear it isn’t a stimulant.

My blood flow seems to drop in the afternoon, so I’m hoping the NAC might help with that, as well as the other benefits it may have.

I have seen basically zero effect on my symptoms. I take it to help increase glutathione/antioxidant activity.

 

[ilivewithcfs]

I had been taking NAC for years. In my opinion, the timing doesn't matter, it doesn't work immediately.
Prior to getting CFS, I had been sick with treatment-resistant depression, and 2 g of NAC a day worked like magic, so much better, than all the psych meds combined. I fully recovered from depression.
I tried NAC once again after I got CFS, and it did absolutely nothing.

 

[kushami]

Thank you everyone for your thoughts and experiences. My order should arrive tomorrow. I will report back on how it goes.

 

[kushami]

Minor update:

I started taking 600mg once a day with a meal, but unfortunately got the common side effect of nausea. I did not even think of starting lower, and didn’t even check the strength of the capsules before ordering. Silly me!

I am taking a couple of days off, and will divide the dose into empty capsules and try again next week.

I had a vague impression that something was happening apart from the nausea, but it was hard to tell. Still, am feeling positive about it, and feel the nausea will probably subside.

 

[kushami]

I am now tolerating a 300mg dose once a day. Interestingly, it is having an effect for me after each dose. I feel a bit better generally, can do a little more because my brain fog lifts slightly, and also feel very slightly tipsy, for want of a better word.

I tried two 300mg doses in a day, but got the horrible taste in my mouth, so am back to one.

I imagine this is happening because I have abnormal cerebral vasoconstriction, and NAC is said to boost the action of NO, which would be beneficial for me. (I don’t think I have a specific problem with NO, I just need more cerebral vasodilation from any source.)

I have observed various mental effects from taking a wide variety of vadodilators over the past year, even unpleasant ones from going too far (accidentally overmedicating), so that’s what I’m basing my assumption on.

Of course, it could be some other mechanism entirely, and unfortunately there’s no handy home cerebral perfusion monitor I can strap onto my head and take a reading with