Hooked On Nasal Spray - Help!!!! (Page 2)

Here's my problem: After developing severe sleep apnea I started Bi-Pap therapy, one of the side affects is nasal dryness. I learned the body fights this by creating mucus, resulting in a clogged nose. Thinking I had a cold, I started using Afren and am now addicted. After consulting with my Dr. he's solution was to go cold turkey. Unfortunately having sleep apnea makes that nearly impossible. Even with the afren I now must reuse every 2 hours. My quality of sleep now is as if I am not on therapy at all. I've read some of your posts and need to find a solution that gives relief and weans me off of the Afren.

I've been addicted to nasal spray for 2 and a half years...I am a singer, I began taking because I had a cold and also a show to perform....there were rehearsals involved and if any of you understand how difficut and embarrassing it is to talk when you are all stuffed up, imagine what it's like to sing in this condition. I quickly became dependent, as I am a professional singer and have to sing on the daily. I've been miserable. Hiding it from my friends, avoiding intimacy with people, excusing myself at dinners, avoiding dinners...going everywhere with a bottle of nasal spray, rotating drug stores where I buy it...ashamed and feeling like a drug addict. It recently stopped working all together for me. I sneeze constantly...sometimes 20 times in a row...I blow my nose like crazy...if you are there, you know what it's like. It's really truly awful. Recently it turned to spring again in NY...I haven't been able to smell the flowers, or taste for about a week so I decided that enough is enough...It is absolutely time to STOP. I'm on day 2 cold turkey. Sleeping is awful...a lot of tossing and turning...frequent sips of water to lubricate my parched mouth (i call it turtle mouth, because it's soooo dry) my teeth are also sensitive from breathing soley from my mouth...but I have to say IT GETS BETTER! So please hang in there...this is such a pointless addiction. And yes it should be illegal to buy nasal spray over the counter. I almost want to sue afrin.

Hello,

i to have been on it for about 10 years, i carry it on me all the time to, my doctor told me that it was fine, it doesn't bother me much being on it, but i can understand how you want it to stop, so here is the trick, regardless of how stuffed up you get, take one shot in each nostril in the morning, and DO NOT TAKE ANY ALL DAY, then b4 bed do it again, then after about 3-4 days (i know it sucks) do it only b4 bed, (or whenever you feel your ready) then after a while you will find it will last up to 8 hours or more at a time,then you can eventually stop it. btw do you have allergies? if you do, does your pillow have feathers in it? that always made me stuffed up.

Best of luk.

Let me see.
You have been addicted for 10 years.
You are still addicted.
And you post here your advice to fight the addiction. Did you try it yourself?
If yes, how come you are still addicted?
If no, why are you posting it?
And you say that the addiction does not bother you. Then, what are you doing in this forum?
And you say your doctor told you that your addiction is fine. Good, very good.

I've used nasal spray for the last 22 years, since I was about 10 years old. Usually get through a bottle a week. If I don't have any or forget my spray I'm often unable to breathe through my nose and find it hard to speak due to the congestion. I've got no intention of stopping due to this, it hasn't done me any harm from what I can tell. Why would anyone want to stop using nasal spray if you need it to stop congestion?

I was addicted to nose spray for 15 years. I like a lot of you had it hidden everywhere I even had some in each of my couch cushions, every pocket, draw, car, everywhere. I would buy 10 at a time so I wouldn't run out. I even made my husband stop onthe way to the hospital when I was in labor to buy asome because I left it at home. I was going thru a bottle a day and always had sores in my nose and sinus infections. To the person that said "why stop if it's just spray and not doing any damage" here's why - a month ago I had my third nasal surgery in two years to correct the damage years of nasal spray usage did. When I saw the ent doctor the first time he said the inside of my nose looked like someone who had been using cocaine for years, I've never even seen cocaine much less used it. He said if I kept going it would eat away at my linings in my nose and my nose would cave in. I still didn't stop then I waited till my first surgery and stopped cold turkey (which I guess was kinda easy because I had lots of packing in my nose) even when they wanted me to use it to stop the bleeding after the packing came out I refused because I knew I wouldn't stop. It was a long road but so worth it. I could actually sleep at night without waking up to spray. Nine months later I needed to have some scar tissue removed and my sinus shaved more because of the years of infections nasal spray gave me. Like an idiot a year later I got a cold and thought like an alcoholic I could have one drink I could use it onetime I was hooked again, tthough not as bad and it started again infections after infections. I hid it from everyone especially my husband I was so ashamed. I would buy it and put it in a saline bottle so he thought that's what I was using. Funny how asmall bottle of nose spray can make you feel so dirty. I broke down and told my doctor and she helped me get "clean" this time. I stopped cold turkey with her help. She put me on a strong antibiotics for two weeks even though I didn't have an infection at the time but witb my history, prednisone, a decongestants, saline and Neil med flush I did at least twice a day. I also steamed twice a day. First few days were hard but I'm after that it was ok. I will never use nose spray again. A couple days of a cold is not worth what I've gone through the last 15 years. I also agree this should be a prescription only medicine now.

Hi, I'm also addicted to nose spray. mine is Vicks Sinex Soother. I've been addicted off and mostly on for around 35 years. Like alot of ya'll I've got bottles in each room, and in my purses, always afraid of running out..I live in the UK now and things are 2 times more expensive here, so this habit has gotten very bad for the budget not to mention how miserable I am! I can no longer smell or taste a thing, its all like chalk and dust...so time for me to go it cold turkey...I tried the other night and had a panic attack...I have asthma as well, so my lungs dont work 100% anymore, and that made it worse...luckily I work from home so if I dont get sleep my husband will understand and let me doze..lol...so wish me luck...Day one all over again, my head is pounding and nose is throbbing...did anyone buy stock in either the nose spray industry or Kleenex? I wish I had!! lol

I am on my 3rd day of kicking a 24 year habit of this awful stuff. I wish that I had tried to do it years ago. My breathing still is not PERFECT but I am breathing on my own again and it feels so liberating. I have tons of those Afrin bottles all over the place and am going to be throwing them out today. Cold turkey is probably the quickest way but as we all know the pressure that builds up in your face can be unbearable. I spent the first 2 nights sitting up in bed with pillows and each day did bring some additional relief. It is worth it - JUST DO IT - NOW! Your body will thank you.

Oh my gosh, you sound just like I did last year! It can take up to two whole weeks (of pure hell) for your nose to snap back if you quit cold turkey.

For an easier and more comfortable solution go to NoMoseNoseSpray.com. That's how I got off of it.

You don't need to spend money or go to the doctor. Just follow the instructions on the site and you'll seriously be nasal spray free in two weeks without ever being stuffy. (I know that sounds crazy to you right now, but trust me, because I did it myself!!)

I have been addicted to nasal spray for almost a year. It got to the point that I would not leave my house without a bottle with me. I had extra bottles stashed away in drawers. The 12 hours of relief did not last for 12 hours, it was more like 2 hours at the most. About a week ago I started to notice some severe side effects. Every time I sprayed my nose/throat burned so bad I could almost cry. I sneezed at least 50 times a day and I had developed a cough. But worst of all, I noticed that my heartbeat was off. It was constantly pounding really hard and fast. So I googled nasal spray addiction/side effects and sure enough, nasal spray can affect you heart. This stuff should not be so accessible, it should be by prescription only. This is a serious addiction and it started to ruin my life. I was constantly thinking, "Did I remember to grab my nose spray before I left?" "I wonder if I could sneak and spray without anyone noticing?" So three days ago, I decided that I was going to quit. The first night, I didnt use at all. My sinus passages were completely swelled shut and my nose and eyes were running. I didnt sleep at all that night because it's nearly impossible for me to breathe through my mouth. The second day, I decided instead of going cold turkey I would just wean myself off. I went from spraying 10 or more times a day to just twice a day. Once at night so I could get some sleep and once during the day if my nose was completely stopped up again. It is now the third day and Ive only sprayed once, one time in each nostril. I feel better than I have in a long time. I can tell a noticeable difference in my amount of headaches and the pressure on my sinus passages. Once I completely tackle this addiction, I will never use nasal spray again. My only tips if you are thinking about quitting is to be prepared to be miserable for a few days, invest in a netti pot and take allergy medication to loosen the mucus. It is possible to quit if you really want to. Just have hope. I wish everyone the best of luck!

im in day three of the 'one nostril' at a time technique, im not quite sure how it is working.....using just generic spray in the right nostril, and maybe some saline and sinusbuster in the left...but so far, no nasal spray in the left...

ive had the panic attax too...even have been put on tranquilizers to get me thru if i get too stuffed, etc...

odd thing though, when i spray in the right nostril with the nasal spray, both nostrils basically clear....

and i go thru a 'ritual' at nite, right nostril sprayed, sinus buster in both, some saline, and eventually i fall asleep, i wake up and once i stand up, my nose remains clear for over an hour or so....till im at work, for a few hours..then it starts to clog up....

if this 'one nostril' thingy doesnt work out, im going to try the 'dilution with saline' route...

any other info other than cold turkey? i would have to probably schedule a few days off of work, and sit there downing the xanax the doc put me on if i try cold turkey.

today, i went to work and accidently left my evil bottle of Nostrilla home... The further the more I can't breath and on on top of that feels like my eyes, my nose and the whole face gets swollen, I can't even think clearly, but work won't let me skip to the pharmacy... seriously, I've been into this nasal addiction for 3 years now. I went to the doctors couple of times, they said it's allergy, gave me sm other drops and pills... but useless.... i tried to skip to different consistence, no use... only these with oxymetazoline HCI USP 0.05 help... that's just crazy, when I've found out how many people suffer from these drops... unbelievable, why the government won't stop this!....
Thanks for advice everyb, will try to cure myself now...

I agree with the last post I was using the 12 hour stuff every three hours and had a bottle everywhere I went. If I didn't have access to a bottle I would have an anxiety attack. Tried to quit cold turkey a couple of time and at night it felt like I had cement in the head and couldn't breathe. I use a C-PAP as well so that just compounded everything. I went to my doctor last week and he gave me a shot for what he said was "all the copious snot" in my head. He said to use the nose spray but make myself wait longer to use it each time. Day two after the shot (forgot to ask what it was) I was breathing alot better and only needed the spray at night to use my machine. Three days ago I stopped using the spray at night. I couldn't use my machine that first night but the second night I used a saline mist a couple times to help and it did. So basically I'm on day three with out using nose spray. The first night is the worst of it though. The shot he gave me certainly helped with all the bad side effects of quitting. I think Afrin should be taken off the shelves as well.

18 months of addiction to nasal spray. I live in Canada, and have been using Claritin nasal spray, and occasionally Otrivin. It got to the point that I needed to spray every couple of hours, which meant no full night sleep, ever.

I bought nasal rinses, air cleaners, humidifiers, allergy meds, and nothing eased the sinus like the spray. But it was getting too much. Sneaking shots like I was doing heroin. Was embarrassed to have this addiction.

Then I discovered some posts, and heard of Rhinostat. I read how it works, and I ordered it. But before it came, I dumped half of my bottle of Claritin down the drain, and refilled to the top with cooled down boiled water. I diluted the contents. Every time I needed a hit, I'd use the diluted mix. The next day, I added more cooled down boiled water. I did that for 5 days, until the Rhinostat came, and then I started that.
Including my little pre-rhinostat claritin mixture, and the Rhinastat, I've been doing this for 14 days now. And today, was the first day that I didn't need a shot of spray. It's been 28 hours since the last shot, and I'm just feeling that little bit of congestion. I'll take a shot before going to bed, but that will be 30 hours between sprays, which I haven't done since the first day of use.
I think I would have had the same results had I just stuck with the claritin mixture, but when I ordered it, I was desperate.

I'd recommend Rhinostat in a second.

As soon as I can go 48 hours straight, I'll stop the spray all together. See what happens.

BTW, I tried the quitting cold turkey, and made it 22 hours before going to the closest 24hour drug store to get some relief. The sinus pressure was unbearable, I couldn't sleep, was the worst 22 hour period of my life. You can try cold turkey, some people do that fine, But with Rhinostat, within the first week, I was already going more than 8 hours between shots. Which meant full night sleeps. For a change.

And to those that say that these sprays should be available only by prescription, I disagree. This was my doing, as it was yours. We misused the product, and it hurt us in the end. I take responsibility for what I started, just as I take the responsibility for kicking it. I may use nasal spray again, but never for more than one day.

Anyway, hope this was helpful

I was addicted to nasal decongestants for more that 10 years. I was stupid enough not to realize that treatment is so simple. I tries 1 nostril at a time. While continuing with the decongestant with the left nostril, I started with the nasal steroid with right. In less than a month, the right nostril was already free from decongestant dependency. I then weaned the left nostril. Now, I am free from nasal decongestant dependency.

Hi everyone, I have read all your posts and I'm proud of you for trying to get off nasal spray. I was addicted for 8 years to Dristan, but have been "clean" for 10 weeks (today is 7/25/12). I had a plan of how I was going to get "clean", but I'm happy to report some other options happened that no one has mentioned on this forum. The first day I decided to go cold turkey, half way through the day I was congested. Then I remembered we had some Claritin D (12 hour) and I wondered if that would help (I had never taken it before). I took the first pill and it really opened up my sinuses so I could breathe, then I took another at bed time and it helped me breathe so I could sleep. I also tried the Breathe Right nasal strips you put on your nostrils at night, that helped too. I also used some Petroleum Jelly and swabbed some in my nostrils to keep them moist. By the second day I didn't need the Claritin D and I used the Breathe Right nasal strips for a few more nights. I tried the Saline spray, but it didn't really help me. I'm surprised no one has tried these other options, but they worked great for me and it was so much easier than I thought it would be to get "clean". Keep trying everyone. You can do this!

I was a Otrivin user for 7 years. I stopped after buying a "weaning kit" from Rhinostat. Worked perfectly. I highly recommend it. Sadly 5 months ago I started using an OTC spray again. I am on my 3rd day of "cold turkey" and it's getting much better. The first day/night was nasty but a vapourizer really helped at the bed side and also some water. I also used a saline spray with alo and some lip balm. It's not as tough as I thought as long as you are prepared and have a few days off to take the "cure". I just tell myself that I will not be ruled by this little bottle anymore. Go for it, people. You can do it. I want to taste and smell again. I will be in Mexico next week enjoying tasty foods and drinks, along with wonderful smells.

I am 22 and was also addicted to nosespray for over 10 years,and I NEVER thought that I would beat the addiction. But you just have to realise that any type of addiction is unhealthly and there may be long term effects you are not aware of. Commit yourself to a week of being uncomfortable in exchange for a lifetime of not being ridiculously dependant on nosespray. Do not keep your nosespray in its usual place,otherwise you'll spray out of habit without realising. I quit cold turkey,and the first 3 nights were the hardest. Also,try to sleep with your pillow at an angle while going cold turkey,then you will be able to breathe easier. I am 4 months clean now,and it was actually easier than I expected it to be. I don't even think about it or miss it at all. You just have to WANT to quit enough to commit to 3 uncomfortale days. Don't put it off ANY longer. Do it today and be rid of it. It is not as hard as you think it will be,REALLY!

Hi all, thanks for the comments people have made it is encouraging.
I am in New Zealand and I have been addicted to nose sprays for 10 years. Same story as others - bottles in the car, in the pocket, in the desk, next to the bed etc.
I tried the dilution method a couple of years back but found after a point I the dilution didn't stop the congestion, thus I reverted to the spray again..... Silly me.
Anyway I have decided to go cold turkey, I just promised myself to never purchase it again. 5 days ago I ran out of my last bottle, so I have had no spray for 5 days.
This morning was the hardest...I almost gave in but forced myself to carry on, this afternoon I have been reasonably clear which has given me hope that I am hopefully through the worst of it.
Also day 3 was hard as I had to take by daughter to the pharmacy... Seeing the bottles on the shelf was unexpectedly tough...I'm pleased I resisted it, but something I will mentally prepare myself for next time I have to go to the pharmacy.
Anyway I'm pleased to have found this forum and know that I'm not alone with this issue.
Yes, I agree with others, this stuff should be prescription only.

I've been using afrin for probably 5 years now. It's so bad that the 13 hour only lasts 2-4, but I also suffer from pretty sever anxiety, so when I don't use it I feel like I'm having a panic attack. Any advise?

Hi I was hooked on sudafed nasal sprays for 4 years. I couldn't go anywhere without it. I tried absolutely everything, it really did make me so miserable and I was totally dependent on it. I went to see my GP who referred me to an ENT specialist, took about 3 months. The ENT specialist prescribed 1 months worth of predesonol, which is a steroid. They were amazing, cleared my nose completely after 2 weeks. My nose hasn't been blocked since and I am 3 years down the line.

I was addicted to nose spray for 15 years. I like a lot of you had it hidden everywhere I even had some in each of my couch cushions, every pocket, draw, car, everywhere. I would buy 10 at a time so I wouldn't run out. I even made my husband stop onthe way to the hospital when I was in labor to buy asome because I left it at home. I was going thru a bottle a day and always had sores in my nose and sinus infections. To the person that said "why stop if it's just spray and not doing any damage" here's why - a month ago I had my third nasal surgery in two years to correct the damage years of nasal spray usage did. When I saw the ent doctor the first time he said the inside of my nose looked like someone who had been using cocaine for years, I've never even seen cocaine much less used it. He said if I kept going it would eat away at my linings in my nose and my nose would cave in. I still didn't stop then I waited till my first surgery and stopped cold turkey (which I guess was kinda easy because I had lots of packing in my nose) even when they wanted me to use it to stop the bleeding after the packing came out I refused because I knew I wouldn't stop. It was a long road but so worth it. I could actually sleep at night without waking up to spray. Nine months later I needed to have some scar tissue removed and my sinus shaved more because of the years of infections nasal spray gave me. Like an idiot a year later I got a cold and thought like an alcoholic I could have one drink I could use it onetime I was hooked again, tthough not as bad and it started again infections after infections. I hid it from everyone especially my husband I was so ashamed. I would buy it and put it in a saline bottle so he thought that's what I was using. Funny how asmall bottle of nose spray can make you feel so dirty. I broke down and told my doctor and she helped me get "clean" this time. I stopped cold turkey with her help. She put me on a strong antibiotics for two weeks even though I didn't have an infection at the time but witb my history, prednisone, a decongestants, saline and Neil med flush I did at least twice a day. I also steamed twice a day. First few days were hard but I'm after that it was ok. I will never use nose spray again. A couple days of a cold is not worth what I've gone through the last 15 years. I also agree this should be a prescription only medicine now.

I have beenn addicted to nasal spray for 2+ years. I have bottles stashed all over my house, car, and in my purse. I can use a bottle every two days! The 12 hour spray was only lasted an hour or two at most. Well the burning and bloody noses for the spray made me realize I have to kick this habit! Today is my first day of weaning off nasal spray. I am miserable the pressure is so bad but I am trying with plug in vicks, saline spray, and breathe right strips! My congestion is so bad I can not breathe out my nose at all, but I am trying! Wish me luck and good luck to eveyone who is also trying to kickthis aaddiction.. it is hard!