Confessions of a Nasal Spray Addict
Hello, my name is Kendra, and I’m an addict.
My drug of choice? Either Afrin or 4-Way nasal spray.
How did this happen?
Let me go back to the beginning. Several months ago, I became very sick, and one of the worst symptoms was rhinnorea (runny nose) and congestion. It was absolutely horrible, and I could barely breathe. Since I can’t take oral pseudoephedrine (makes me jittery and hallucinate), I decided to use the OTC nasal sprays available. After 2 quick squirts, my life was turned around! I could breathe effortlessly. My head wasn’t pounding and feeling like it was going to explode. All was well again!
However, now it’s been several months, and I can’t seem to get off the nasal spray. If I stop using it, my nose completely swells up with mucous. I can’t breathe at ALL through my nose. My head feels like it’s going to explode. My ears start popping painfully. It is hell.
So, I started doing some research online, and it turns out that I am not alone. Millions of people suffer from nasal spray addiction, or “Rhinitis medicamentosa.” I found various possible options for quitting, and I plan on trying some of them out today. I tried quitting cold turkey last night, and I almost died.
I know this might seem silly to some of you, but it’s a real and scary condition! You have no idea how much you take being able to breathe for granted, until you can’t do it anymore!
Let’s hope one of the recommended techniques for quitting works. If not, I’m going to have to make an appointment to see an ENT. Sucky!
My name is Kendra and I am a fourth-year medical student attending
Neti pot and normal saline. Use that 2x daily q 7 days.
hey- I tried posting this last night but it looks like it got lost in cyberspace…my comment was that I have a husband (who shall remain nameless!) who shares the same addiction to afrin…hhm..let us know how to quit. Personally I am a big proponent of my neti pot…it rocks!!! i don’t use it nearly enough, but when I do use it, I am always amazed at how well it works….good luck!
I feel you pain. I kicked the habit after almost 20 years. I went the “cold turkey” route but there are other, easier ways of handling it. Nasel irrigation is the least tramatic, I think. Good luck to you!
I’d add at least one inversion- a headstand, a handstand, even a couple minutes hanging off the bed.
Other traditional therapies include dusting often and keeping a humidifier… you’d be surprised how much these help people sleep better at night!
Hi, I was addicted to 4-way for 8 years. I tried everything, but nothing worked becuase the moment my nose got stuffy, I would have a panick attack and reach for the spray. I finally came up with a method myself. You can find out all about it on http://www.sprayfree4me.com. I made it my mission to help others like me becuase it is a terrible addiction that alot of people don’t know about. Even my ear, nose and throat dr couldn’t give me good tips about how to get off. this could reclaim your life.
I have been addicted to otrivin for 16 years . 1 big 30ml bottle a week stopping is harder than people think