N-Acetylcysteine (NAC)

From what appears to not be noise-induced tinnitus too.

 

Well, I also have my own completely unscientific anecdote regarding NAC. I've been taking 600mg per day since my last visit to my audiologist. She recommended it on account of the studies by the U.S. military. My T is noise-induced.

My lovely -25db musicians earplugs and I recently went to a three-day metal festival in SoCal, and I upped the NAC dose to 1.2g per day while I was there. This was just to be extra protective in case any harsh sounds got through the earplugs, but I could have sworn that my T was slightly less every morning that week. Maybe like a 3/10 instead of a usual 5. No drugs or alcohol for me at the festival, and maybe the relief was just because I was in a very happy mood and having a blast seeing some great performances. Regardless, it was noticeable enough for me to continue with a daily 600mg when I got home. When I run out, I guess I'll find out if it was all placebo or not! Hehe.

 

@Ferret what brand are you using?

 

I've been taking NAC @ 600mg after 1 month of onset and it definitely helped my H but for T not so much...if at all. But my H was so bad I was going deaf. I really think it saved me. I didn't start to recover until I started NAC and within just a few days I noticed improvement. I take Life Extension I buy from iHerb. Now I take it daily as just a precaution for any noise.

 

600 per day?

 

Doctor's Best, 600mg capsules. No affiliation with the brand, just did an online order.

 

Doctor's Best is the brand I am using. See my post #163 in this thread for a list of brands that were recently approved by ConsumerLab:

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/n-acetylcysteine-nac.395/page-6#post-67669

-Golly

 

Yep...I used that brand too. A good company.

 

So far I have seen people mention about NAC to protect our ears from spontaneous noise.

So far I have experienced lots of unexpected spontaneous noise which always cause me to be paranoid and worry as my T is doing well and worry might end up back to square one. Spontaneous noise include restarted children dropping the drain grille down after picking up their foam bullets ( called police to warn them not to play around there), shop alarm, screeching from stopping of large vehicles, vehicle horns, popping of soda can drink by pool bar, children shouting, ,metal parts falling on floor, etc.

Does NAC really protect our hearing from further damage or prevent worsening of T if we take regularly?
NAC is something we can buy over the counter like GNC right?

 

There is only little proof of NAC protecting hearing. We take what we can, right?

I take Now Food's NAC: http://www.amazon.com/Foods-Nac-Acetyl-Cysteine-600mg-Vcaps/dp/B0013OUQ3S/

There is this "sustain" version available too: http://www.amazon.com/Jarrow-Formulas-Sustain-600mg-Tablets/dp/B0013OVVK0/

The Jarrow product can be better if it stays in the blood stream for longer.

 

I popped 600mg during concert and then 200mg x2 at the end of it.
I experienced new beeps next morning and head buzzing due to too god damn loud bass and bone conduction.
One new sound in left ear.

Took 3x600mg nac next day, 2x600 for 2 more. Additionaly done prednisone 36 hours after concert and 60 hours (im not going to take it anymore though).

Today I have mildest T since infection 2 months ago. That additional deep sound is only barely audible.

I honestly have no idea if NAC did anything for me or was it prednisone or I was just supposed to get better today.

 

Why are you still attending loud concerts..?

 

Because I don't think going once in a year somewhere with earplugs will do massive damage to my ears.
I will stand at the back with db meter to not go above 80db and just enjoy my life. Biggest mistake this time was to go into closed space. Bass was too massive.

My T from noise damage is minimal. Barely audible at day, only in quiet rooms. My biggest T is from ear syringing/infection/ototoxic meds - its unmaskable.

 

Why have you decided to not take prednisone anymore?

 

Because i have staph aureus in external auditory canal. I didnt want to risk bacterial infection. Heck you can get sepsis with prednisone if there is opportunity for bacteria.

 

Is nac a good vitamin to prevent any worsening of the tinnitus ??

 

NAC is not vitamin.

 

Whatever it is ..........

 

Got it from the pharmacy today gonna start taking it , but it smells so bad is that normal ?

 

It's in pills

 

Yeah going to start today hoping to see some improvements , not just on my T but in my overall health

 

Hope it works for you! I used to take it, never noticed an improvement...However, when I took chlorella I definitely noticed an improvement.

 

Thanks man! I'll keep u updated , I think it's a good drug in general in improving immune system and has many other benifits , I read a lot about it

 

"An effective nerve damage rebuilder
A phytochemical found in chlorella can actually rebuild nerve damage in the brain and nervous system. That's why chlorella is being used in the recovery of patients with Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.

Improve your digestive system, including decreasing constipation
People find that chlorella helps to freshen breath. Stool smell is also improved and chlorophyll has been attributed to relieving occasional constipation. Chlorella supplements can speed up the rate of cleansing of the bowel, bloodstream and liver."

 

I would just like to note that since NAC is mucolytic agent you take all the protective mucus out of your lungs. Cant find research about it now though.

I would say NAC definitely does change my T sound as @Karen said "it takes edge off".

 

Yeah, if you have asthma I would stay away from it.