Anybody been addicted to nose spray?

Question

I have been addicted to nose spraty since 1985. I use it about 10 times a day. My dad was addicted to it, too. Until it stopped working for him. He says I will eventually have to stop using it, too. What will I do? I can't breathe without it!!!

Answer 1

I have been addicted to nasal spray since i was 12 (1982)My dad was also addicted to it. My oldest sister had to have surgery because eventually the nasal spray ate threw her nasal walls. I was told if your doctor prescribes an allergy nasal spray, you can quit the store bought....but it takes a few months getting used too.
I havent tried it yet, cause Im just like you....Im so scared of trying to breathe with out it.

Answer 2

Unfortunately this is a common problem.

Over-the-counter nose sprays like Afrin and Neo-Synephrine cause what's called "rebound" congestion if you use it for more than 3-5 days.

I suggest you go to your doctor. There are other things that can help with congestion...saline nasal washes and medications (steroid nasal sprays) that will help your congestion without causing the rebound congestion. You gotta be patient, though, because these sprays don't work right away. It takes a week or so for them to start working and you gotta use them every day.

I, too, had this problem with Afrin. But you CAN get off of it. It will be hard at first, but if you can tough out the first week, you'll be ok.

Answer 3

Hey yes, that happened to me too. Started using it to uncongest a cold. Then the cold was gone in a week or 2, but my sinus would close unless I continued the nose spray. Bummer.

Solution for me: i just decided to go cold turkey...stopped using it. I suffered with closed nasal passages for about 3 days as I recall...but gradually fully re-opened and fine now.

I never used nasal spray for a cold again. The addiction and subsequent withdrawal was the same as any cold congestion.

Answer 4

I have been addicted to nasal spray as well!! It's crazy! I didn't understand it but all I knew what that I needed to spray it up my nose in order to breathe great and be comfortable. My mom and sister finally got me off the stuff. I can't believe that there is someone else that did this.

Answer 5

I use to get a lot of sinus infections as a kid and used my dad's nose spray also. I started getting really bad headaches from it and just had to stop using it and go through the stuffy nose and hard to breath feeling until my nose started to open up again. If it is too hard to breath without it see a doc and they can give you a prescription to help keep your nose open.

Answer 6

first of all, he needs to be the single keen to quit. If it is not his determination, the possibilities of going lower back to it are greater advantageous. And nasal spray is unquestionably something you may get addicted to. it is not significant if it has innovations changing effects or not. With nasal spray habit the physique stops generating the organic occurrences that sparkling the nasal passage. Nasal spray features a small quantity of epinephrine that's a chemical that the physique creates certainly. Epinephrine is released whilst the adrenal gland secretes, provides a jolt. whilst presented artificially your physique will become reliant and habit is the effect. If he's involved approximately quiting, my suggestion is to slowly wean off of it. do not quit suddenly, this might reason undesirable withdrawls. His physique is bodily adicted to the factors in the nasal spray and he might bodily withdraw. warning signs incorporate, yet are actually not constrained to clogged/stuffy nostril, restlessness, stress, headache and irritability. If he slowly tappers those warning signs might desire to be minimum.

Answer 7

Used to be addicted but switched to oral decongestants and Vick's Nasal Inhalant (shape looks like a tampon) when things got bad. Good luck.

Answer 8

I went cold turkey,after a couple of days my nose opened up,and I will not ever use it again! Good Luck!

Answer 9

Been!! I still am!! since 1982 and now sometimes it works and sometimes it don't But what can I say I am A Nutcase!!!...PS ...did i win...did i win...did i wn???