How can I stop using nasal spray?

Question

I have been using nasal spray for allergies for years and now cannot breathe without it. How can I stop using it without sufficating?

Answer 1

I too have had this problem for years. You get physically addicted to it and can't breathe w/out it. Well , I would 1st go to your doctor adn he/she will give you a percription nose spray. It won't work as well or as quickly as the one you use now, but be deligent in using it everyday twice a day. I ended up having surgery on my nose because my septum(the cartilidge in the middle of your nose) caved in on one side. Not good. I was off it for a few years able to breathe on my own, but am now back to using it again. I need to take my own advice and go back to the doctor and get a Rx. Please try this before it goes too far. It does say on the bottle not to use it for more than 3 days in a row, but they don't tell you how badly the results are. I wish you luck!!

Answer 2

You simply reduce the strength of the nasal spray (no matter what kind of nasal spray you use). The way to do this is: Buy a small measure cup or measure tube Open the nasal spray bottle Buy a bottle of saline spray (Wal-Mart has it).. or you can use water For the first week use about 10% saline/water and 90% nasal spray (you need to mix them manually) Second week increase saline/water to 20%, so only 80% nasal spray And keep going... make sure you mix them with correct %, go slow if you have to, so your nose won't even know the difference. By the time you get to 80 % saline/water and 20% nasal spray, you should be able to stop it all together. or keep going to 10%/90%... I did in 10 weeks. Or you could talk to your physician.. they will probably refer you to an ENT (Ears, Nose & Throat Specialist) that will prescribe you something to get off of it. I didn't go to the doctors so I'm not too sure on that. I suggest you try the method I used. If it doesn't work for you, then go to the doctor.

Answer 3

Just like anything other addiction Katie Rose. You will have to wean your self off of the nasal spray. For every time you inhale the nasal spray you have the addiction to, use saline spray the next time. Keep doing this until you can work your self down to using just the normal saline spray. I worked with a nurse that had this addiction, and it was miserable for her to breath without it.

Answer 4

Start taking an antihistamine like Claritin, maybe with a decongestant, like Claritin-D.
Get allergy testing to identify your allergies and implement an avoidance program.
You are probably going to suffer decongestant-rebound anyway. The constant use may be what is causing your problem, and not allergies.

Answer 5

this is why I do not use them. Your body will get dependent on them. I only use saline nasal spray, This is non-drug and it does the same thing. You can also do a sinus rinse.

Answer 6

if you can, see your doctor. he might put you on steroids temporarily to fix that problem and then suggest to you a better way to deal with your allergies. depending on what your allergies are from, clariton D might help you. you can get the generic EQUATE brand at walmart for less than the cost of clariton D. good luck to you!