Abusing nasal spray- how long to recover?

Question

I have been using nasal spray for the past 3 months at least once a day, every day. I am not addicted to it or the effects, I just can't stand having a clogged nose. I have made the congestion much worse by over-using the spray and I was wondering if anyone knew how long it would take for my nose to clear up? Today is the first day that I haven't used it and it is almost unbearable. Any alternate remedies? Any suggestions or info would be greatly appreciated.

Also, I am pregnant so please tell me, if you can, if the suggested remedy is safe to use during pregnancy or not.
Thanks!

Answer 1

If you have normal blood pressure you might have pregnancy-induced rhinitis. (Pregnant sniffles) It happens at some point in 90% of all pregnancies. Try this DRUG FREE solution.

Try a saline nasal RINSE (not a spray) A full warm water saline rinse goes in one nostril and out the other. It draws out all the gunk and shrinks the tissue (like swimming in the ocean). I've been doing it at work too.

The buffered salt doesn't 'sting' as much as plain salt water. You can use a new method like Nasopure, or the vintage, Netipot. The special bottle and salt is about $20.

You can do this a often as you like with no bad side effects.

You don’t need a prescription for this therapy. So if you live in a state like mine, they’ve pretty much “outlawed” sudafed medicine. Drug-free is really the way to go on a frequent-use basis. (I put in a link for “what” and “how” – there’s also some good info on wiki)

Answer 2

I used OTC nasal spray for many years for the same reason that you do. It took several weeks but my doctor had me kick the habit by increase my use of Nasarel, a prescriptive nose spray for allergies, to as often as I wanted. I hardly use that stuff now (once a month). Hopefully Nasarel or a similar spray is OK to use. Contact your doctor.

Answer 3

I had a really clogged nose fir a long time so I went to the doctor for help and he said I needed surgery. If you have a clogged nose for a really long time, maybe you need it surgically fixed.
Some remedies I tried were using vicks vapor rub
breathing in steam
taking benadryl or sudafed
it didn't work for me though because it needed to be surgically fixed.
But good luck! sniffles...

Answer 4

I use it almost nightly in very small amounts and have been doing this for several years. the ear, nose and throat specialist who examined me said I had no tissue damage or deterioration from it, so that gave me the impression that if you only use a squirt or less at a time once or twice in a 24-hour period, that it's not enough to harm your nasal membranes. Just my impression. tt an ent to be sure.