Overuse of Nasal Spray?

Question

I have been using Nasal Spray so I can breathe for a few months and now when I try to stop using it I cant breathe without it.How do I get off this stuff and still be able to breathe.Thanks....

Answer 1

Stop using it for a few weeks. As you've discovered, using a decongestant nasal spray for more than 3 or 4 days will likely cause rebound congestion when you try to stop using it.

To still breathe in the meantime you can try over the counter oral decongestants (Sudafed or Sudafed PE). You can use saline nasal sprays (Ocean or Ayr), keeping the tissues moist can help keep them open. You can also speak with your physician about a prescription for a steroid nasal spray. These medications will not cause rebound congestion.

Answer 2

I've had this problem and the only way I could stop was to cold turkey off the spray and throw out every bottle in the house. I was shocked at just how many I found! The rebound stuffiness was awful and it was a week before I could breath through my nose. The first few nights I had to sleep with a towel under my nose because of all the watery drainage (I know that sounds gross but I'm just telling it like it was). I won't use it at all any more because I know what it can do. About 3 hours after I'd thrown all the bottles out I would have paid just about any amount of money for some spray, now I know how a junkie must feel when they try to get off drugs. Getting off the spray won't be easy, but hang in there, you will be healthier for it.

Answer 3

I'm guessing based on your description that you are using one of the rapid acting nose sprays, like Afrin. You shouldn't use them for more than 3 days. They are notorious to getting you "hooked". They can cause a "rebound" affect when you stop that makes the stuffiness even worse than when it started. The best way I know is to very gradually step down on your usage. Supplement with plain saline nose spray, which can be used as often as you want, to decrease stuffiness. Also, you can talk to your doctor about the possibility of prescribing you a low-dose corticosteroid nose spray that can help you during the transition. Good luck.

Answer 4

This is a common problem. You should consult a doctor for advice. You may need to take a steroid nasal spray to relieve your problem

Answer 5

been there! its horrible isnt it? and scarey to feel like you are actually hooked on it(which you are)
this is what i did and it worked! i stopped using it in one nostril and went through the withdrawal for a day or two and once that nostril was back to normal, i stopped the other one. for several days you will deal with one plugged nostril, but in the end it works!. also,,,when spraying, dont spray too much or too deep. use less and less and keep it as forward as you can.
good luck!( i also prayed alot during those days :)

Answer 6

the bottle clearly states not to use it for more than - two weeks - whatever -all of them do.
you have become physically addicted and now you nasal passages and capillaries and veins won't do the job on their own......try ''zyrtec'' and prescription pill, for about 30 days or so............talk to a doctor