Or so I’ve read from the NIH trials on their website. As per the treatment/protocol for MTHFR (see tab) from the genome project, I began the suggested 600mg of NAC daily but soon realized my pain intensified and my blood pressure rose an additional 20pts daily with use. This may be due to my MTHFR or simply the EBV fighting back. Once I discontinued using NAC my blood pressure slowly returned to normal over the following two weeks.
Many conflicting articles online states that NAC does assist in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and EBV but for MTHFR sufferers due to the methylation being insufficient may cause a detox reaction to NAC and other gluthiane precursors. Personally, I believe starting NAC at lower doses such as 100mg would assist with detox reactions in MTHFR sufferers.
Previously, I have used NOW FOODS Liver Detox and Rejuvenation without any ill effects even though this product does have the ingredient NAC at 100mg. I cycle with this product and Silymarin 250mg daily…3 days on the Liver Detox and 10 days on Silymarin then repeat. Plus 2-3 Epson Salt baths weekly to assist in detoxing my body of free radicals.
For those starting NAC proceed with caution regardless of your illness. NAC can cause chest pains due to the process of making your heart think it is not having enough oxygen. You may Google how NAC effects your body, it is a somewhat uneasy process.
*Always consult a physician prior to changing your regimen. For informational purposes.
Laugh and Live with CEBV, CFS and MTHFR 
Nov 28, 2011 @ 00:44:42
Hey, I just found your website and am sooo glad! Have MTHFR mutations and am worried about chronic EBV or lymphoma, cos my IgM to VCA has been high for over 8 months….(normal is 6 weeks)… and I have hepatitis due to EBV. In general, MDs have not been helpful at all, but I’ve seen a good naturopath….the only thing is she keeps wanting to send me to MDs to explain my kidney scarring and other issues…and no one can really explain the combination of issues…
but your post was so helpful! No wonder I get more liver pain after taking NAC! I thought it could only help with MTHFR problems and EBV, but had to cut it out. Thanks for posting this info! And hopefully I can be of some help to you as well 🙂
Nov 28, 2011 @ 01:18:58
I am so glad you found my blog. My goal is to help those suffering as we suffer everyday yet just laugh it off. Also, just FYI due to the MTHFR causing my body to not be able to convert the normal B12 I was diagnosed with Gout (bear with me I have a point you may find helpful. 🙂 So due to the gout I looked for a natural remedy to help expel the uric acid out of my body and liver (I luv home remedies too). I found that cherry juice is it. It works similar to cranberry juice for the kidney. Cherry juice (I use 100% juice – Juicy Juice brand) cleans out the liver. 🙂 I drink 1 cup of cherry juice and cranberry juice a day. Plus I have also noticed using the methyl-B12 helps with the liver pain and body swelling (I am currently on 10mg a day.) Also, with regards to the NAC…you may want to try Now Foods liver detoxifier and regenerator. This has NAC in it but very little this doesn’t seem to cause any negative effects to my liver and this product also helps clear the kidneys and lymph nodes. 🙂 I use it for one week out of the month. Also, the silymarin milk thristle works great too…I use this 2 weeks out of the month alternating with the liver detox. Good luck and keep in touch. I am always more than happy to help and share any knowledge I may have. 🙂 Good luck.
Nov 28, 2011 @ 02:32:36
PS 🙂 Do not forget to check out my MTHFR protocol tab. There is very helpful info and a link to the MTHFR protocol site with tons of great info. 🙂 Enjoy!
Dec 07, 2011 @ 05:28:18
hey thanks! there is a lot of new info for me here 🙂 So I started drinking cherry juice and think i went a little overboard cos I just really want to clear out my liver so I could keep up with monolaurin and olive leaf extract but it didn’t work. I don’t think it was the cherry juice, but in coincided with increased liver and new left abdomen pain (?spleen?) last thurs so bad I had to stay home… and now I have flank/kidney pain on both sides. does this ever happen to you? Also, my liver enzymes keep testing normal, this is confusing… just started activated charcoal to help with detox today. Hope you are well, at least somewhat better, this week 🙂
Dec 07, 2011 @ 05:29:41
oh also, i only take 1 mg of methyl-b12 a day, will increase that thanks so much 😀
Dec 07, 2011 @ 05:54:50
Yes, I do get the liver, spleen, kidney pain…lol…alot. What fun huh? 🙂 Just remember overboard on anything is not good. If I were you just drink max 2 cups of cherry juice a day and don’t down it…just sip it so it can clean out your liver. Sometimes I have 1/2 a cup of cranberry juice with half of the cherry mixed too…just an idea. 🙂 Try the silymarin…it helps alot unlike the olive leaf extract. I’m not sure what the normal enzymes levels supposed to be off hand but you may want to search other country sites to see what their norm is…because I’ve noticed with the US. They will say for example that b12 levels at ?200-300 is okay but at these levels it can cause damage to the brain, motor skills, physical pain, alot more and even causes Alzheimer. There is a book out describing this. But my point is if the US levels are wrong or too low or too high and damage can occur…what other tests such as liver, kidney are they wrong about?
Nice hearing from you again. 🙂 Stop by anytime I enjoy speaking with someone who has similar symptoms. Support…that’s the word I’m looking for. 🙂
Dec 07, 2011 @ 23:48:41
I am finding NAC really helpful. I do get liver pain if i detox too fast such as taking spirulina and exercise(most inconvenient!)
I take thorne products as they are bio identical and avoid all synthetic B vitamins as they will mess you up even more. Thorne methyl guard plus has 5mthf, methyl B12 and active B’s – great stuff. Also have found organic flax and krill oil helpful for CFS stuff, inflammation and hormonal problems….
I willlook at posting my full protocol on my blog in the next few days 🙂
Feb 10, 2012 @ 16:55:13
Thorne does have great products. I am taking their basic B vitamins with the other vitamins on the protocal. I can give Thorne’s NAC a try but after having a near death experience slightly reluctant…I am going to look into Thorne’s NAC and see what the difference is from the one I took. I am aware at extremely low doses NAC is not to bad with my CEBV but after that kind of scare…I am scared…lol. 🙂 Thanks for the info.
Feb 06, 2012 @ 14:38:33
hey Libby! how have you been? I was just wondering if you ever have low ferritin, or low vitamin D? and have they ever diagnosed you with glomerulosclerosis? or candida overgrowth? how have you been feeling? I hope well!!
Feb 10, 2012 @ 16:27:16
Low vitamin D…yes both my mom and me. Glomer … not yet I’ll have to look into that. LOl. My mom has the candida overgrowth … she went to the doctors today and will be back later. I will ask her about it. I know they explained to her why she was having it and that there was something they advised her to do to avoid it’s reoccurance so much but for the life of me I cannot remember what. LOL…it’s been a long winter. 🙂
Feb 11, 2012 @ 02:08:48
Activia yogurt is what my mom’s doctor suggested to keep the good bacteria in to help rid her body of the candida or control it. Ofcourse due to antibiotics she was having them more so but once she got on the activia she has it once in a blue moon. They also suggested wearing lighter clothes.
Feb 06, 2012 @ 14:41:43
sorry I never responded to your post before.. yes it is scary that the US could be wrong about lots of things
it also bothers me that our doctors are so cocky and won’t admit when they don’t know. just thursday one was trying to talk me out of my symptoms… I know my body better than any doctor 😦
Feb 10, 2012 @ 16:33:24
Trust your body and find a new doctor. I went through hundreds of doctors who didnot want to bother with me…I was even called a hypochondriac. Then my mom was diagnosed with CEBV and then it all came to light. My mom sees and internal med doctor maybe you should do the same. And if they do not know about CEBV then keep looking for a new one but keep in mind there is only minimal research on CEBV and no cure so they can only treat the symptoms. Also, please bear with me if I do not respond quickly, I think you understand due to the CEBV/CFS. 🙂
May 12, 2012 @ 22:11:25
Hey Libby! How have you been feeling? I hope you’ve been better! 🙂
May 12, 2012 @ 22:26:41
Hello Erin,
I’m doing pretty good now that I’m basically out of hibernation for the winter … lol. How have you’ve been? Have you gotten any results from the doctors yet?