However, if your nose is irritated by dry winter air, saline sprays can add healing moisture. The swelling will disappear again, but after a few hours the remedy will wear off again and you will need another spray to breathe through your nose. Most long-term Afrin users cannot do this because having a stuffy nose 24/7 is just uncomfortable and interferes with eating, sleeping and work tasks. Energy-boosting coffee alternatives: What to know. Buy 3 new bottles of the spray, a bottle of Ayr saline mist, and a syringe or medicine dropper that has liquid measurements on the side. The rebound effect caused by Afrin overuse is not an addiction to nasal sprays. Four-Way Nasal Spray uses and safety info. The Mayo Clinic notes that OTC nasal decongestant sprays dont cause the physiological cravings associated with addiction. In his role as a doctor he sees nasal spray dependency close up. Shift work can harm sleep and health: What helps? Oxymetazoline helps shrink these blood vessels, giving you relief . DNSs are best for colds, flus, or other short-term problems. But if you have a spray with the active substances xylometazoline or oxymetazoline and spray it in the nose for more than five days, you should be careful. Saline nasal sprays contain sodium chloride and water that moisturize nasal passages and remove debris such as pollen and dust. It is possible to gradually wean yourself off of the offending decongestant nasal spray. I've been on the budesonide for a little over 3 weeks. When to start weaning your child is a personal decision. We'll look at why it's so important to work with your doctor when stopping Xanax. You May Like: What Does Rehab Do For Drug Addicts. 10 months ago. About six months after stopping a DNS, most people no longer have a tolerance to it. When your nose is running, it can seriously affect your quality of life. The rebound effect will last for as long as you are using nasal decongestants. Took some cortisone pills that cleared it. Flonase is a brand name for fluticasone nasal spray. My final piece of advice is to find out what is causing your nasal congestion and treat that cause rather than just treating the symptoms. Afrin is a decongestant that shrinks blood vessels in the nasal area and helps fluid drain from your nasal passages to improve breathing. Very diluted Afrin still work, pure saline doesn't, Nasal problems (alternating congestion, PND, and runny nose). I have severe allergies, & it's the only way I can get sleep at night. There are four main types of nasal sprays: decongestant, steroid, saline, and antihistamine most of these can be used continuously. Get helpful tips and guidance for everything from fighting inflammation to finding the best diets for weight lossfrom exercises to build a stronger core to advice on treating cataracts. I had addiction to at first afrin, then the generic sprays How to beat the SINUS SPRAY ADDICTION. You May Like: What Can You Do With An Addiction Studies Degree. So Im not sure if this way just worked for only me or if its different for everyone but I just wanted to share my story and maybe this will work for someone else. I started using Afrin when I had a cold, I continued to use it for a week even after my cold was gone and so I realized I needed to stop so I did. That gave relief but very short term. Concise guide to getting off of Afrin nasal spray. Nasal spray addiction 1 The causes of nasal spray dependency. This congestion can only be alleviated by the continuous use of the nasal spray. I have read that green chile has medicinal properties. Prices are subject to change. Plus, get a FREE copy of the Best Diets for Cognitive Fitness. The first contains an exact formulation of the decongestant you have been using. One At a Time The last method of nasal spray rehab I will recommend is to break the addiction, severe burning or stinging in your nose after using the nasal spray. Then I would eat really hot green chile salsa, which would open up my sinuses. Designated trademarks and brands are the properties of their respective owners. So I have been searching and searching on different ways to get off of Afrin. You can avoid getting stuck using nasal sprays by treating your problem correctly the first time around. Recommended Reading: Can You Get Addicted To Tramadol. Nasal spray addiction: Is it real? An isotonic solution has the same salt concentration as your body. It is FREE! 1. Rebound congestion is the result of abnormal hypertrophy (enlargement) and swelling of the nasal membranes. There is no miracle. I would like to ask you a question - if you had a heart condition would you try and wean yourself of the heart tablets, or spray!!! The Rhinostat kit includes a metered dose delivery system that dilutes the nasal spray dose by 10 percent to 15 percent every day until the nasal turbinates are able to resume their normal functioning. If you start taking Flonase while taking oral steroids, your doctor may gradually decrease your dose of the oral steroids to avoid withdrawal symptoms. Then a few months later I developed a bad sinus infection and went back to the Afrin, only this time I kept using it and this lasted for about 4 months. Li JTC. The air in my apartment gets exceedingly dry during the winter. Nasal spray dependency can be helped easily. In fact, many people suffer from stuffy noses off and on throughout the year due to seasonal allergies. Get all latest content a few times a month! Here are some tips: Stop using the spray in your 'good' (least congested) nostril - after seven days your good nostril should open up. This method allows for easy breathing through at least one nostril. Great board for sharing tips. As my first step to getting off the Afrin he prescribed Sudafed and he also gave me an antibiotic to clear up any bacteria since I had been having so many sinus infections. Hope that helps! Rebound congestion that occurs when you stop using Afrin doesnt require professional intervention by experienced addiction counselors. Thank you for sharing your success. Shake, spray often as soon as you start to stuff up. These can also be used to wean yourself off OTC nasal sprays until you can determine an allergy or what else may be causing the congestion. And again. Inform your doctor you are tapering down from 75 mg Venlafaxine and ask them to prescribe 37.50 tabs to help with tapering doses (1/2 dosage down from 75 mg Venlafaxine capsules). Nasal congestion (a.k.a. Prolonged use of nasal sprays can, Cold Turkey If you are hardcore like me, the best option for you to break this medical addiction is. It is safe for long term use and does not have a rebound effect like otc decongestant . Rebound congestion is when nasal congestion gets worse because you have overused a nasal decongestant spray like Afrin (oxymetazoline) to treat your symptoms. The function of the cilia is to move mucus to where it can either be swallowed or blown out. However, if you still want to avoid rebound congestion, its best not to use OTC nasal decongestant sprays more than 3 days in a row. The swelling leads to increased mucus production, which causes a runny nose. This recipe will quickly relieve your nasal congestion and make you feel better fast! Possible. Since the active ingredients improve blood flow and regenerate cell production it can help heal any damaged nasal tissue. Reposition patient. When youre congested, its because your nasal passages are swollen. Want to reduce your risk of dementia? Subscribe to Harvard Health Online for immediate access to health news and information from Harvard Medical School. You may find that the congestion got worse after you stopped using the nasal spray. Proton-pump inhibitors: Should I still be taking this medication? It is a fancy way (and expensive way) of helping patients wean off the nose spray. It took 5-7 days for each to clear. If youve never been dependent on a nasal spray like Otrivin, Zymelin or Rhinox, you probably have no idea what it means to have a stuffy nose. However, if youve been using it for weeks or months, then its likely that you have become physically dependent on it. If you can't be bothered to do that you keep taking Statins. The suggestion to avoid stopping Flonase suddenly or cold turkey may be based on instructions for people who have been taking oral steroids and then start taking Flonase. It took 5-7 days for each to clear.. 19. pairedlife.com. Saline sprays act like mucus, flushing out irritating substances before they cause inflammation. I sprayed one nostril only until the other cleared, and then stopped. Side effects of Sudafed nasal decongestant, Flonase nasal spray - benefits and effectiveness, Side Effects of Flonase and Other Steroid Nasal Sprays, To Beat Nicotine Addiction, Cold Turkey Approach Is Best, But Herbal Approach May Be Almost as Good, Flu And Cold Treatment: What Type Of Medication Your Doctor Might Suggest To Help You Get Better. PLUS, the latest news on medical advances and breakthroughs from Harvard Medical School experts. Heres why. However, such nasal sprays have a big downside: nose spray addiction. Another method is to wean oneself off one nostril at a time. 3 Getting rid of nasal spray addiction. Question posted by bobwhite23 on 25 June 2011. Flonase and Getting over the Anxiety it caused. 1. To lower the risk of dependency and exposure to side-effects, use the lowest dose of a medication for the shortest period possible. This may help reduce inflammation and relieve nasal congestion. Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT, Your Guide to Xanax Withdrawal Symptoms and Treatment Options, Identifying Molly: The Forms, Effects, and Safety, Why Meth Use Can Cause Mouth Ulcers and How to Treat Them, Your Guide to Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS), The Effects, Risks, and Potential Health Benefits of Magic Mushrooms, stinging and burning of the nasal passages. It helps reduce anxiety and depression. Treating nasal spray addiction with natural remedies is becoming more popular. I went in and told him about my problem and if he could help in any way. It may seem scary to stop but its necessary. I finally got off Afrin by using Flonase and diluting the last bottle of Afrin with saline. My mom started me on it when I was a kid with bad allergies and then I couldnt stop. These preservatives may cause irritation if your nose is inflamed or damaged. So I asked him if there was anything he could recommend. I find that taking a steroid spray like Nasonex will help me get off the OTC spray or if I cant get an Rx for that, I get off the spray by using it in one nostril only until the nostril I am NOT using it in gets over the rebound effect then I discontinue altogether so I can breathe out of at least one nostril until I am off altogether. Decongestant nasal sprays (DNSs) provide immediate relief by shrinking swollen blood vessels in your nasal passages. It feels AMAZING to not be squirting my nose with that stuff every few hours, I slept through the night last night for the first time in a long time with out waking up to use more Afrin cus my sinuses were so closed off. Our married lives tend to begin feeling stale or boring because we forget about that spark that we once had with our spouses. Decongestant nasal sprays such as Afrin or Sinex can lead to rebound congestion if they are overused. It contains steroids and shouldnt cause a rebound effect. The sense of congestion also disappears. They can also help flush out excess mucus. This allows the other nostril to adjust back to normal. This gives the blood vessels the opportunity to recover. Wishing you all a successful weaning off this powerful drug. Youre using it more frequently than directed. Use of them does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by them. For two or three days two weeks ago, one nostril woudl just not open. There are several different types of nasal spray available, including decongestant spray. Decongestant nasal sprays (DNSs) provide immediate relief by shrinking swollen blood vessels in your nasal passages. Includes a recommended timeline for dosages, as well as other tips for the tapering process. Nasal spray dependency can be helped easily. . The delicate lining of the nasal passages can be permanently damaged. Recommended Reading: What Is The First Step In Recovery From Addiction. I now sleep through the night and have lost that annoying compulsion of pressing my hand to my pocket to make sure the bottle of afrin was there. When I tried to quit Afrin cold turkey, it was a terrible experience. 1. Unfortunately, millions of people worldwide suffer from this medical condition. 2. Suction if congested. Can I take Afrin and Sudafed PE at the same time? According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the most common adverse effects of Flonase use are: Get emergency medical help if you have an allergic reaction to Flonase. Here is what another reader did. an Expert writer on Phytotherapy, aromatherapy, essential oils, and aromatic plants, and different uses for Women beauty and general Health, Have a Master On Phytogenetic resources and Phytotherapy, the Best site of phytotherapy, aromatherapy, herbal remedies, and medicinal plants. Your strategy is intriguing. Since the symptoms of sinusitis, allergies, and rhinitis are caused by inflammation it follows that by reducing inflammation you will reduce the severity of the symptoms. Oral decongestant medications like pseudoephedrine can also be helpful. However, some can potentially cause an addiction if used for more than a few days at a time. Youcan also mix 2 teaspoons of ACV in 6 ounces of warm water and using a neti potor eye dropper, pour directly into the nasal passages. Graf P, et al. How can you overcome it and break your nose spray dependence? There are many ways to do this, but the simplest way is by using a Neti Pot; they can be found in most drug stores and are typically used for sinus congestion, allergies, and colds.