Have any of you experienced an "addiction" to over the counter nasal spray? Well, I am addicted, and it sucks. I have used it habitually for a few years now and want very much to stop using it. And as a result of the physical dependency I have developed, I have now also developed an anxiety about not being able to breathe through my nose. When I try to stop using the spray, the pressure in my head and nose is unbearable, which causes anxiety. So I just keep using it.
What I'd like to know is if any of you have experienced this, and if you were able to stop using nasal spray, how you did it. Any idea how long it takes for your nasal passages to open up on their own after stopping the nasal spray? I mean it, when I don't use it, they close solid, and I've waited as long as 24 hours before I couldn't take it anymore and sprayed! lol
Please don't suggest saline spray - at this point, it does NOTHING. I have tried steam... it does nothing. Oral decongestants... nothing. The only thing I can think of that I haven't tried is a neti pot. I suppose that's worth a try, but the concept of it is a little intimidating to me, although I've been told that it's no big deal to use one. I probably just need to go cold turkey, but I am just not sure how I'll do it. I am thinking that if I know about how long it will take for my nasal passages to open on their own, I might be able to psych myself up enough to get through it... but at this point, it seems like it's indefinite, and my then anxiety kicks in, and I spray!
I know this can't be good for me, and I am such a non-addictive person, this dependency really annoys me! And my poor little boy has known what nasal spray is since he could talk!!
Hoping for some experiences or suggestions to help me kick the habit!
Thank you all for the suggestions and support! I didn't even know if I'd get any responses to that question...
As the first poster suggested, I googled kicking the habit, and one thing I read that people have done to kick the habit, is carefully measure and cut the otc nasal spray with saline, starting with 90% nasal spray and 10% saline, weekly increasing the saline by 10%, and decreasing the nasal spray by 10%. They claim that this is so gradual that your body adjusts without much agony. I may actually try this. Might try the neti pot too. If I can't quit on my own, as a last resort, I will contact my doctor again. I did in the past, and they weren't supportive at all and didn't give me anything to get through the process, just told me to use saline spray. Well I might as well spray pixie dust up my nose, because it just doesn't do anything. I recently switched PCP's, so maybe the new one will be slightly more helpful.
Thank you all for your responses. It's always so nice to hear from all of you.
I have a friend who tried EVERYTHING out there to open her nasal passages, and the neti pot was the onlt thing that worked. I'd give it a try - it is very inexpensive. Hope it helps.
Everyone has good ideas and I agree you should see a doctor. One other suggestion: breathe rite strips. I used these to sleep at night when I was pregnant because didn't want to take drugs and got horribly congested when I was pregnant.
Have you seen an ear, nose, & throat specialist before? There may be something more going on than an OTC nasal spray can really help. I mean, from your letter it sounds like you need the spray and that it's really bothering you physically and emotionally. It seems worth checking out. And who knows? Maybe it will be an easy fix and you'll be breathing fine in no time.
Good Luck!
Talking to your doctor is a good suggestion. Your doctor may be able to prescribe you a nasal steroid spray to use for a short time (a few weeks or maybe a month)- this can help with the rebound inflammation. And the nasal steroid isn't addictive, so once the inflammation is under control, you can stop using the nasal steroid without the rebound.
I have been addicted to nasal spray off and on for many, many years. Sometimes is lasts a long time and other times it is short lived. Most of the time, it just falls away naturally, which is why I don't worry about it too much. When it is really bad, and it starts bugging me, I take Tylenol Sinus Allergy (Maximum Strength). That seems to help me. If it doesn't, I have had doctors give me prescription strength decongestants which also have worked for me.
I know from experience how frustrating it can be. If you can't do it cold turkey, call your doctor.
Good Luck!
L.,
I know EXACTLY what you are going through! I became severely congested while pregnant with my first child and became addicted to the "spray" as well. It is an awful feeling when you try to stop and your sinus's close up. I too would give in by either the end of the day so I could sleep or by morning I had to use the spray to get some relief. I was hooked for about a year and tried it all to clear my sinus's and let me tell you the bad news...nothing will work except to stop using the spray and let your sinus tissues return to normal. Right now they are completely dependent on the spray to make them function and they have forgotten how to work on there own. I saw a specialist for this and no pill, steam or netti pot is going to help. I am so sorry to tell you that but it's true. There is a surgery they can do to help with this if you are that desperate. Go see your doc or specialist and you will have to insist on further treatment. My docs all said the same too, try steam, try netti pots...blah, blah, blah...none of that worked. Finally I just stopped cold turkey and was miserable for about 3 weeks before I started to feel a little relief...by about a month I was breathing through my nose again.
I feel for you, I really do, going through that was so rough and I don't ever want to go through it again and I have vowed to NEVER use nasal sprays again. Sorry I didn't have better news for you.
Good Luck!
L.,
My oldest brother had the nasal spray monkey on his back for DECADES. He had Afrin in every jacket pocket, desk drawer, car cup holder and room of his house. I believe the way he did it was cold turkey. You will get that rebound effect (of complete congestion) but re-using will just start the cycle all over again. Hang tough. I know it's frustrating.
As for the neti pot, more and more people in the USA are using them. Many health benefits to it's use and Americans are just coming around to them now. Ancient remedy and probably worth a try!
You should really speak with your doctor about this problem. I would suggest trying the Neti Pot. You will not like it the first time or 2, I am sorry to say. Once you get used to it, you will be fine, though. You can get one for under $20 at the pharmacy or the grocery store and don't forget to get Neti Pot salt or Kosher salt to use in it with warm water. Easiest thing to do is keep it all in the bathroom under the sink. Get the salt in the Neti Pot and take it into the shower with you in the AM. Fill 'er up with warm shower and rinse out your nose.
Here is a video about it... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsZeILCedRw
Two things: you don't have to look like a psycho like the lady in the video!!! AND you don't have to do those weird exercises either, just blow your nose really well. (Since I do it in the shower usually, I just use 1/2 the Neti Pot water per side versus use a whole one and then refill).
Good luck!!!
Wow,...my mother was addictited to nasal spray. She actually would hide in the closet and use it because she "felt" she was addicted but didn't believe there was such a thing. I was younger but remember somewhat and she has talked about it. I dont think she did anything other than quit. If you dont get the answers you are looking for let me know and I'll talk with her. I have to have it myself if I have a cold and cant breathe, but thats maybe once a year. Good luck to you, its a difficult situation with or without it.
You should probably see your Dr or an ENT & let them help you. You could also google "How to stop using nasal spray". I just did & there are lots of articles on it.
Hi L....
I've never had a dependency like this, but I recently kicked the habit of benadryl. I know it sounds funny, but I have MS and had anxiety about not getting a good nights sleep without it.
Anyway, I recently went to an ENT specialist and found out that my nasal passages were permently blocked after years of allergies and irritants, and had to have them surgically corrected. I'm no Dr. by all means, but I would recommend an ENT to help you and not just a PCP. Good luck!
Gee, I am so sorry to hear of your dependency. My mom had the same problem, after almost 50 years of using she never broke the habit. I recently - very relucantly - had to use the spray but stopped after the 3 day suggested use time. It was not easy; my nose is still giving me trouble but am afraid to continue use. I do not know of a solution to your addiction. Perhaps you can consult with an ENT doc. It sucks, I know. good luck to you.
you can make a mixture of two drops of Tea Tree Oil Essential Oil,
two drops of Lavender essential oil, two drops of eucalyptus essential oil, two drops of Lemon essential oil.
in about 3 cups of water, steam.
Opens the pipes up and kills the bacteria in the nasal passages as TTO and Lavender have antimicrobial/antifungal properties. Lemon soothes the nasal passages and eucalyputs relieves congestion.
it is natural, probably not meant for every day, but an alternative.
Saline with a netti pot is an excellent choice and easy pease -- easy $14.00 investment. They have become very popular again.
Hi L., You really need to talk to your Doctor and be honest with him/her. Kicking this habit isn't easy and you may really need help with it. My father was addicted to nose spray as well as some other over-the-counter meds that his Doctor told him to take and he had to go through a detox program! The first step is knowing that you have a problem...Good luck and Best wishes.
Dear L.,
There are tiny hairs in your nasal passages, called cillia. They move mucous down the membranes. They need Vitamin A to work well. Your sinus passages may become swollen when you do not have enough Vitamin C in your diet, which acts as an antihistimine. Vitamin B6 acts as your natural diuretic to remove pressure.
Vitamins A is in liver and Cod Live Oil, Betacarotene stores itself in your body for Vitamin A
Vitamin C - ascorbic acid - fruits
B6 - liver, whole grains, some nuts
Protein is very much needed for cell health
Simple carbs are bad.
I hope this is helpful.
E.
The Netti Pot might be helpful for relief and healthy, it's nothing to use. May I suggest a hypnotic therapist? The mind is a powerful tool, there is no medicine involved.... Family members have familiarity with two excellent specialists in different towns. Contact me if interested in their names, etc. Good luck!
Hi, L.:
Have you a allergy doc? Have you a psych doc?
Working with both may help you find some answers.
Good luck. D.
How about seeing an allergist. I am sure they could tell you what you need to do and recommend a safer alternative.
Hi L.,
That is why I stay away from most of these drugs. I use to be addicted to visine it got to the point that if Idid not use it my eyes would turn very red. I went cold turkey.
You need to do the same but there are other ways to help a stuffy nose.
( you probably have bad sinuses)I do too!
First there are nasal products that have just water but they are a waste of money. There is something called a nettie pot.(spell may be wrong) It is a method of getting water to the nasal passages in a natural way.
I also find just heating a pot of water and breathing in the steam helps.
If it consistantly bad you may have allergies that need to be medicated by a physician.
I use over the counter claritan from time to time when it gets bad. but I stop it asap.
I know how you feel about the anxiety especially at night.
You should google homeopathic remedies for sinuses.
Good luck and deep breathing will cut some of the anxiety(of course you need to clear the passages first!)
L.
You need to see a doctor.
If the neti pot weirds you out, try a nasal rinse...similar to the neti pot. I use one by Salt Aire that I bought for $10 at the pharmacy. I am prone to really bad sinus infections, have had surgeries, etc. I went to the doctor a few days ago and was diagnosed with sinus infection, double ear infection, and tonsillitis. The doctor told me that most ENTs will recommend a nasal rinse before any other treatment nowadays.
What I would do is this (because I use a lot of nasal sprays-I use the Vicks one a lot): Use the spray to open up your passages, then blow your nose lightly...do the nasal rinse afterwards. The box says to use it 1-2 times a day. I am doing it 3 per doc's orders.
Good luck.
Hi L.,
YES, I too have been a nasal spray addict. Funny though it sounds, it is not. I went to an ENT specialist, and told him. I was put on Nasonex, which is a steroid spray. I was banned from all future use of Neosenephrine spray. I have never gone back. I did use the Nasonex for quite a while. IT did work. I think you could call an ENT or your primary doctor and tell them what you've done, and ask them what they would recommend. At the least you would get some actual medical advise. They probably will want to see you to determine what is the actual cause of the chronic stuffiness. I had a deviated septum, making it impossible to breath. Perhaps you have it too. Or maybe you have severe allergy, which you could then take a different treatment route, but at least you would be getting off the spray!
But do take action to change, because it is not normal to continue on this path. Best of luck. You're not alone.
