This is a story on how I relieved my Afrin addiction with some simple helpful tips.
So there I am standing in the isle of of the drugstore with a head cold and sinus congestion when I see a bottle of Afrin. Twelve hours of nasal congestion relief? Sign me up. I got some important phone calls to make at work and I can’t sound like I’m all stuffed up and sick. I gotta be professional sounding and clear headed.
How My Nose Spray Addiction Started
There is nothing worse than lying in bed at night trying to go to sleep with a stuffy nose. Finally there was something that I could take before bed that would allow me to breathe through my nose… Afrin nose spray.
The results were phenomenal. A couple of sprays up each nostril and within minutes I was able to breathe through my nose. So I stuck the Afrin in my pocket and it remained there for many weeks.
Why had I never used nose spray before? Why isn’t everyone using nose spray throughout their colds? Well, unfortunately I found out the hard way why it is not a good idea to use Afrin throughout the duration of your head cold.
Why Afrin Has a Hold on Me
There are warnings on the back of the Afrin bottle that explain that you should not use Afrin longer than three days in a row. I did read that warning. I however, did not pay attention to that warning. The sinus clearing results that I got from using nose spray were too good to just stop.
I decided on the fourth night to go ahead and use Afrin for another night.
What I wasn’t aware of when I decided to use Afrin longer than the recommended durations is a little something called rebound congestion. Rebound congestion occurs when vascular constricting properties of nose sprays begin to cause abnormal swelling of the nasal mucosa.
This can block the nasal airway completely, causing extreme discomfort.
Rebound congestion is temporarily relieved by the use of nose spray giving the person a small window of relief. You can see how this can become a vicious circle right? Too much nose spray use causes more nasal congestion that can only be relieved by using even more nose spray… etc., etc.
So the answer to the problem of rebound congestion seems simple right? Just stop using the noses spray and allow your nasal mucosa to return to normal. Well that is much easier said that done. Being unable to breathe properly through your nose can drive you crazy. It can send you running right back to that nose spray even though you know that it’s the nose spray that’s causing the problem.
How I’m Breaking Free from My Afrin Addiction
Now, you could just stop using nose sprays altogether and suffer with your rebound congestion for a couple of weeks until it goes away and you will be broken of your dependence on nose sprays.
I don’t see myself doing that so I have done some reading up on the subject and have begun a one nostril at a time withdrawal program.
What?
That’s right. I still use Afrin in one of my nostrils and am allowing the other nostril to heal.
Once this first nostril is all healed and I can breathe through it, I plan on stopping the use of Afrin in the second nostril. After a little while I will be able to breathe comfortably again through my nose without the use of nose sprays.
So how are you planning on breaking your nose spray addiction? I would love to hear people’s different methods for breaking nose spray addiction.
Important Update: Hello everyone. This is Ken Savage the author of this post. I wanted to tell you that I’m building a new community website around Nose Spray and Afrin addiction. I working with an ENT Dr and a retired ENT nurse on common conditions of nasal congestion, ways to relieve the pressure and inflammation and how to get off of the nose sprays.
I’ll also let you know in an email and comment here when the new site is complete. Should only be 2 weeks or so. I have a dozen articles written already and hope to provide you more help and information.
Good luck on your struggles everyone and let’s hope we can all work together to free ourselves from nose spray addiction.
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Abby
I have been using the neti pot daily for a few months now. I believe that it helps keeps the sinuses clear and helps to fend off colds. That and taking hot showers (breathing in the steam) has kept me free from having to use nose spray. If your sinuses are blocked, the neti pot solution will not flow through your nose. That is the frustrating thing about it.
I have been spraying once a day for like 2 weeks now, but I’m back to using it 5 times a day because not using it didn’t do any good! it just made me miserable, maybe the stuff I’m addicted to (otrivin) is stronger then afrin idk…
you should try to tough it out for 3 days… thats all then you’ll get off of it.
did much more then that! and it didn’t work!
I am still off of it. I am so tempted though to pick up the bottle and spray but I wont. I feel like a recovering addict and my addiction is Nasal spray, but I am staying firm and strong.
I had a afrin addition 3 times. First 2 times I used the Rinostat system which weans you off. The 3rd time it was so bad the rinostat had trouble working. At the time I was struggling with respratory isssue and my doctor gave me steriods for the coughing. I even asked him for some afrin relief and he gave me nasonex (didn’t work for the afrin addition) Let me tell you within 12 hours I was broken of the afrin add. The steriods absolutely cleared up and healed my nose. Ask your Dr. it’s a miracle !!!!
I used Otrivin for years when we lived in Canada. Then I switched to Afrin when we moved to the U.S. They both have the rebound effect which only makes the problem worse.
I recently overcame a 3 year dependency on Afrin, and it has been surprisingly easy for me. I know the pain of not only feeling dependent, but also going without–the completely debilitating rebound congestion and the hopelessness and fear of cold turkey. Because there isn’t a single, authoritative place to discuss this issue, I’m posting around in the hopes that this helps at least a few people.
GO TO AN E.N.T.
At my girlfriend’s request, and with much reluctance, I finally visited the ENT. I planned a week off school and work, fearing he’d tell me to quit cold turkey. The ENT was extremely understanding and helpful, and did for me the following: He prescribed Sudafed and Nasonex. I was certain these things wouldn’t work (I’ve been on both of them before). He told me to go one nostril at a time, giving me a total recovery of 2 weeks. I was relieved by that to some degree.
As the day progressed after my morning appointment, I found (quite strangely) that I was completely fine. I went to work, I drove my car. My right nostril (which I was using Afrin in), was actually stuffier than the other. I can’t explain that really, but that’s true. I was shocked, and at the end of the day decreed that the medications were working and I was quitting it altogether.
IT IS NOW DAY 4
without Afrin, and I am fine, I am happy. I’m still taking Sudafed and Nasonex every 12+24 hours respectively, and I have absolutely no congestion. This is after 3 years of heavy Afrin use.
Friends, this is so much easier than I thought it could ever be. Please, see a doctor–mention my regimen if he suggests something otherwise, and see what he says. This dependency is unexpected and horrible, it can feel like a drug addiction, but you CAN get out of it without putting your life on pause.
Bo, this is nice to read and I will try this out. I’ve been on this shit for like 5 months now and I can’t function without it. It’s horrible I hate it so much. So I should go to an ENT and then use the afrin one nostril at a time?
I had been using Oxymetazoline nasal spray for about three years. Last saturday I got a cold and for some reason the spray wasn’t working. So I decided to quit. I tried one time before, about a year ago but I couldn’t take it and after about five hours of torture,
I started spraying again. So,I went to the store and bought two bottles of NyQuil and a package of Benadryl-D allergy and sinus Ultratabs. When I got to the aisle there was a woman there putting all of the generic nasal spray into her basket. I told her she shouldn’t use that stuff, and she asked me why. “Cuz you’ll get addicted to it”,I said. “Tell me about it. I’ve been using it for twenty years!”, she replied. I told her of my mission and she wished me luck. The first 22 hours were hell. You know what I mean. Complete blockage. I used the medications I bought according to dosage instructions and luckily the NyQuil kept me pretty loopy. Then in the shower my right nostril opened up and then my left one did. About 45 minutes after I was out of the shower they both clogged up again. After about 72 hours my right nostril started staying clear for the most part, while “Lefty” was still putting up a fight. Now, a full week later, my left nostril has finally opened up and has been that way for four hours straight. Thank God. I think I’ve got this thing beat and wanted to let others who have been suffering with this that it can be done and after the first two or three days it’s not that bad. Just set your mind to it and stick it out! I’m sooooooooooooooooo glad I did.
Aaron, so glad you stuck I out and you’re now feeling relief. Why did you never go see a Dr about getting on some of the medication out there that’s available to combat nasal spray addiction?
20 years? Wow! You def have a battle. I have been addicted for 7 years I have been what I call, “SOBER” for 2 full weeks and on 3rd week now. I want to pick up the bottle of Nasal spray, but haven’t. I feel that my voice has gotten hoarse and I can’t even do a littlo “Whooo” like an own because I have shot those vocals. I also feel like I am not as sensative to smells as others are.
Do you think your vocals have changed? or your sense of smell isn’t as strong as others? I am curious if I am the only one with those symptoms.
Today is my 3rd day and two nights of getting off my addiction. I have been on Nasal spray for 7 years!! My voice is hoarse and I feel like have lost some of my vocals and sense of smell. I know I am not as sensitive to smells as people around me. I tried to get off nasal spray once before and it only lasted 2 days of suffering and then got back on it. I dont even want to go to the ENT because there are only 2 in my town and I worked for both of them… How embarassing!
Okay so this is how I am doing it… COLD TURKEY!!! Two nights now and I have slept pretty much with my mouth opened so I can breathe. This is the 3rd day and I am feeling good. I can breathe and I havne’t had to put on the drops. I have the bottle by my side but everything I think I need it… I pray to God to give me the strength and he delivers! I am breaking free!
I don’t mean to discourage you, but I did the same thing,felt great and didn’t use my nose spray for more then 2 weeks! and then it was like I did nothing it was back, and much worse, I totally couldn’t breath through my nose, there was no point in just suffering, it didn’t do any good anyways, so I was back to using my spray and breathing again…
How bad is it really? what if I get back on it? i am so desperate to get back on it i am on 3 weeks being off of it, but I want to just grab the bottle and spray! what would really happen if I do?? UUUgh!
hey guys, I’m pretty much hooked on afrin as well… ive been on it for like 2 years now going on 3, and i SOMEHOW just cant get away from it. I went on a trip before and forgot my nose spray…the most terrible 3 days of my trips EVER. my nostrils wouldn’t unclog…it was annoying. I dont have too much issues during the day. I never use it during the day, but at night its when i use it. I hate sleeping with a stuffy nose. I also heard that Oxymetazoline HCI actually causes dizziness, and nausea. I feel radomly feel sick during the day, and have been trying to figure out what it was. The doctors even had to do a general health panel on me…which I ended up being completely healthy soooo.
trips and no spray was hell for me! try getting off of it one nostril at a time.
Has anyone tried the Rhino Cort Aqua yet like I used it’s great!?
Hello,
I too had the rebound affect on the spray. There is a way to stop.
Take a cortisone shot or pills. The shot will reduce the swelling membranes in your nose. The shot will last for 6 to 10 months.
your smell senses will come back and you will breath through your nose.
Prednisone® [Tablet]
or Celestone® [tab] or Celestamine® [tab]
Hoping I can help someone out
I will try to see if I am okay. I have been “Sober” for 2 weeks now. If I need to get back on the spray I will try this Steroid (prednizone is a steroid).
Thanks for the tip.
I fell off the wagon again. This is the 4th time I am quitting this nose spray. I was traveling during the Thanksgiving holiday, I was stuffed up, caught a cold and sinus infection. I knew I shouldn’t have used it, but I was desperate.
I am kicking myself because I know better. Another thing contributing to my stuffiness is that my furnace runs a lot. Our temperatures have been below normal, causing the heat to run. I tried a humidifier in the past but the filter got really yucky in a couple weeks. I haven’t been able to find a replacement filter for the machine I have now so will probably have to buy a new machine.
Drama – Drama. I hate not being able to breath out of my nose, especially at night.
How bad would it really be to be on it? its such an easy solution to everything! you wouldn’t have to worry about getting no good air. And your brain would’t lack of air… and its only 5 dollars for 4 bottles at Costco?? I really just want to grab the bottle and spray!
What are you going to do?
I am goig to rough it out another week! I am losing my will power but I will not let it defeat me.
I know the reason I don’t want to be on it is because I’m tired of carrying that bottle everywhere. I also think it’s embarrassing when I’m at work so I go to the restroom to spray. It’s also gotten worse for me that I have to spray about every 2 hours.
SO far I’m on day 2 of no spray in the right nostril. It’s still clogged tight.
I bought a neti pot yesterday but I can’t get it to work because my nasal passages are clogged.
I am back on the spray. i was off of it for 2 months, but I never did get to breathe good. and I realize the reason I was so tired during the day and it was because I wasn’t sleeping well. I picked up the bottle and I slept so good and I am well rested during the day now. but back on the afrin. ;-(
dilute the spray about 50% with saline or distiled water.
it wears off faster, but gives relief while breaking the habit.
over time dilute again and keep diluting until habit is gone.
the amount of time between dilutions will be up to you.
This works, I did it after a 10yr addiction.
I am going to try this. i’ll update you later.
it’s simple! sudafed and nasonex
lol..most of us wish it were that simple Mr.Gimbel..if it were we’d all have the problem solved.
Speaking for myself only..I have certainly tried every single otc nasal decongestant & nasonex,flonase,and several other prescription nasal steroids. Netti Pots,salin,the one nostril method ..the best solution for those that your “simple” solution doesn’t work on ..is what I posted a few months back..hycodan cough syrup because it has a nasal decongestant in it that you can not get via ANY other route,combined w/a prescription nasal spray(like nasonex or flonase),an OTC allergy med like zyrtec and if your body can handle it..oral steroids like prednisolone or a Medrol dose pack.
Personally..my body can’t handle the roids..but if yours can..they really will help..esp combined w/the other things I stated.
The cough syrup and it HAS to be THAT syrup(HYCODAN also called HYDROMET) because of the decongestant in it was a godsend!
good luck people.: )
I have tryed quitting many times. My doctor has prescribed everything suggested here so far and nothing has worked. I have tryed quitting cold turkey the problem is twice when quitting ive ruptured my ear drum. Im not gona sit and complain about how uncomfortable quitting is. Ill deal with that but i dont want to loose my hearing. My primary doctor has tryed to help and is cool about it. I went to a ent and he was a ass and just told me to stop takeing it that nosespray has cocain in it and said alouse of other bs. There really needs to be a better way to quit this crap. There are easy ways to quit illigal drugs and that problem people cause them self why isnt there help for those of us that were just fooled by a otc medicine
Scott
Don’t give up on the neti pot. I had the same problem as you at times, getting the water to flow because of clogged nasal passages. I stuck with it for several months without any sinus problems. Then about a month ago, I slacked off and quit using it. Now this past week I have been battling sinus problems again. But, one good thing came out of it. I proved to myself that the neti pot makes a difference. I still have not used any nose spray since I weaned myself off of it. In fact, I think I will throw out the half empty bottles of Afrin that I still have. I am determined to not get hooked on it again.
Hi, I am 51 in high school I was on the wrestling team and my nose would start to bleed. A Doctor worked on it and gave me Afrin. I am still on it 35 years later. I wish something would work, I will ask my new Dr. about your Nasonex.
It won’t work, it is only a solution you can use to heal your nasal passages, etc., but does not provide relief of a stuffy nose, if you have been using something like Afrin for a while…..
I’ve been on nasal spray since I was a kid, now 30 years later, I’ve tried saline solution along with Vicks, you dip the stick of the nasal spray container in Vicks, it’s worked for me
Hello, I think we should get a class action or other of course, lawsuit against the makers of this product, the key ingredient in Afrin, etc. It should not be available AT ALL. I cannot get my nose to unclog, nor to stop using the nasal spray so I can breathe. I have also lost my sense of smell and some taste senses. My voice is no longer the sweet voice it used to be. All because I picked this up 20 years or more ago for immediate relief. I am stopping it now on my own and it is pure hell. Does anyone agree these permanent damages should be compensated?? I stopped it once before and have never gotten my sense of smell back since using this product…..
I, like everyone here, have an addiction to Afrin. There are times when I do think that a class action lawsuit should be filed against the makers of Afrin. However, they’re not the only ones that make it. Lots of other drug companies make an equivalent version. They all say do not use for more than three days. Do I think this warning is at all significant? No. I think they should warn you that you will get addicted to it if you use longer than three days. And honestly, it’s not the money I’m after. The only compensation I would want would be to be able to breathe out of my nose again and for a refund of all the money I spent on that crap. Since this is really not attainable, I’d be happy seeing all products containing the ingredients of Afrin be pulled off the market or if there was a warning strong enough to prevent other people from going through what I have gone through. It’s easy to try to place the blame on the makers of Afrin because it’s their product that got me addicted, but really I can only blame myself for allowing the use to go on for as long as it did.
You want to sue the drug company for your lack of ability to stop using their product? I believe that is a “Dee” problem, not an “Afrin” problem. It plainly states that you shouldn’t use it over 3 days. All of your problems are because of you.
I’m addicted, and combining the one-nostril trick with the saline dilution technique worked the best for me. It’s not great, but it’s better than cold turkey.
my husband agrees with you we both had an addiction to afrin i was lucky and was able to get off it…one side at a time..my husband not so lucky he has tryed everything and no luck may be we do need to get a lawsuit going. let me know
NO. We should NOT get a lawsuit going. That’s the problem with everyone today, they don’t take responsibility for their own actions. The bottle is clearly labeled warning you to not use it more than three days. And there are millions of people who use this product and don’t abuse it.
I was addicted for 10 years to this and there was no one to blame but me. Period. I got off and have been free for a year and a half using the One Nostril Withdrawl System. It costs nothing, requires no other products or even a trip to the doctor. All you need is a little self control and you can do it. I posted the method in this thread twice before if you’d like to look it up. It’s simple and it works, but it is UP TO YOU, not some lawyer. Employ the method, tough it out for a week, and take control of your life.
I wish a lawsuit would help pay to have my nose operated on. but if I can not find a bottle that is about 30 years old that does not say (do not use for more than 3 days.) I do not believe they would tack the case.
For the first 24 years of my life I was never able to breathe out of both nostrils at the same time. Sometimes I would be able to breathe out of one nostril or the other, but much of the time both nostrils would be plugged. I went through a three year bout of allergy shots, tried every Rx nasal spray available, and took pills and steroids. Nothing helped. Then, in 1998, a college buddy introduced me to the world of Afrin. For the first time in my life I was breathing out of both nostrils. Food tasted better. I was sleeping better at night. My mouth wasn’t dry all the time. It was truly life changing!
Now, 13 years later, I’m ready to quit the spray. I went to an ENT for advice/help. He took a CT scan of my head and discovered that my septum is “S” shaped and my turbinates have developed their own sinuses. (This seems extremely odd to me, but I guess it’s happening.) The doctor wants to perform surgery that would straighten my extremely crooked septum. However, he wants me to get off Afrin for three weeks before he will perform the surgery.
I’m on day two and feel miserable. I can almost breathe out of one nostril, but the other is completely plugged. My head feels heavy and filled with mucus. My mouth is dry and I have constant sinus headache. I’m determined to last the three weeks and undergo surgery, but I’m worried that even after the procedure I will remain plugged up.
Has anyone out there undergone such a surgery or know anyone that has done so? Words of advice would be greatly appreciated!
I had that surgery and it did absolutely nothing for me. In fact I became addicted to the nose spray they gave me before the surgery to clear out my nasal passages prior.
Hi Greg,
If you have the surgery for the deviated septum let me know how you do? that is the same surgery that started me on afrin and now 35 years later my new doctor says I have the same problem with my septum again. still on afrin or the cheap stuff from walmart anyway just bought 13 bottles yesterday. Good luck.
John
elizabeth
you are right I use the walmart equivalent because it is cheap.
I tried Afrin it never worked for me, I am addicted to that 4-way stuff. My father is too. He always had it around growing up, I never used it much. I did on and off here and there, then about 11 and a half years ago I got a nasty cold, I remember the exact time my addiction started. The house I lived in, laying in bed sick using it… unlike all the other times, this time when I got better, I did not stop using it. Sucks, I’m tired of buying a bottle all the time and carrying them everywhere. I was in the hospital many years later and was forced to do without, and it seemed like my addiction was gone! Then I visited my family and it was a change in climate and I started using again. This was about 8 years ago. I have a lot of sinus issues and mucous issues lately and I wonder if getting off of it would help.
Hello Stuffy…
I to am addicted to the 4 way spray! I have been about 10 or 11 years. I read about everyones addictions am I to assume if you just quit cold turkey your nasal passage way will recover & once again return to normal. I was always under the assumption that once you have “damaged’ them as much as I have being a all day user for sao long there was no was of “repairing” my nasal breathing.
Any thoughts?
Hello everyone, I have been addicted to a Canadian version of Afrin for over 15 years (probably longer). I am 5 months pregnant and came down with a severe sinus infection 4 days ago. I had never had a sinus infection before and relaized that when my OTC spray was not working I needed to go to the Doctor. I was prescribed an anitbiotic and a steriod nasal spray. That same day my husband took all of my OTC sprays in a fit of rage as he had caught me pouring the crap into nose (literally). I realized at this point that this addiction was completely out of control. I decided to quit cold turkey. Now, I’m not sure if quitting while pregnant and with a terrible sinus infection is the best idea. When your pregnant your more congested then normal and I am assuming that a sinus infection causes extreme congestion as well. Anyway, I have been off the OTC spray for 3 days (only taking the antibiotics and Nasonex) and it has been nothing but hell. I want to kick this habit for my son, my husband and my unborn child and most of all for myself, but at this point I am desperate. Because I am pregnant I don’t think I can take anything else to help with the rebound congestion. I’m wondering if this is going to be way harder on me because I am fighting a sinus infection and I am pregnant. I tempted to give in but it has been 3 days which may not sound like a lot but its better than starting over. I’m going to wait a few more days and then consult with my Doctor, whom I know wont help. I have not slept in 3 days (4 hours max in total) and have spent all of my time reading everyone’s thoughts and experiences. Honestly it is the only thing getting me through this horrible time. Previous to my first pregnancy I smoked. Quitting smoking was way easier and to me that sounds totally crazy.
I just went to the ER last night after developing a secondary sinus infection and bronchitis after a week with the flu. The Dr prescribed an inhaler, prednizone and cough syrup. He also told me to get some Afrin to clear out my sinuses bc the virus usually lives there and it would help flush it out. I went to the pharmacy and filled my prescriptions and bought Afrin. I used it once and it completely cleared the infection in my sinuses after a few hours (I won’t go into detail) I was amazed!!!! I kinda felt it was too good to be true so I decided to do some research, after reading all of your responses I have decided to throw it out. It did it’s job (cleared the infection) I don’t even want to spray it again bc I’m scared! If it only takes three days to get addicted I’m not comfortable w spraying more than once! My sinuses are clear and the infection us gone so I feel like I won’t need it. If I ever get a bad sinus infection again I think I will buy it, use it once to clear stuff out and throw it away. It really does work well but I don’t want to get addicted to it. Good luck to all of you and thanks for the advice!!!
Day 6, still completely clogged up. Nothing in, nothing out. The odd time when I am standing I can breathe in through one nostril but not out. Will this misery ever end? I’m giving it two more days. I can’t go another day without sleep and I have to go back to work tomorrow. At this point I’ve tried everything and its totally hopeless.
Hello Crystin,
I to am addicted to nasal spray & have been for 10 or 11 years. I have recently found out I was pregnant foe the first time. I feel helpless with this addiction too!
Please keep me posted as to what any recommendations your Doctor has. I haven’t put down the spray yet but feel guilty when using it. I just can not stand to not be able to breathe through my nose! Have you heard after so many days without during the recovery phase if your breathing actually will return to normal? I always assumed once damaged the nasal passage way was just damaged. So it can repair itself & return to normal..so there is hope????
Hello
I am amazed at the comments left on the forum and I feel very sorry for those who have been addicted to nasal sprays for years. I started used Otrivine 2 weeks ago – I wasn’t sleeping properly because of nasal congestion and was recommended the stuff (from a friend who had really bad flu). The 1st time I used it I felt like I was in a new world – one where I could actually breathe freely and I loved it. Although I’ve been trying not to use it too often, I started feeling the effects of rebound congestion and after researching online I now know what this is and I am absolutely shocked. I tried to avoid spraying last night but it got so bad I almost cried and had to spray in order to sleep. I will try the one nostril method, but have also made an appointment with my GP to see if he can help me. I really wish I never started on this.
I am addicted and have been for all my life and I am 55. Doesn’t bother me to spray, if it makes me breath. The only side effect is you need more, your sure not going to die from spraying. Afrin is no good, does not work on me, I use the cheap stuff cause it works better.
crap. I shoulda known it was too good to be true… i kept wondering when I wasn’t gonna need it anymore. I didn’t realize that it’s just gonna keep stuffin up because of this stuff screwin me up. AHHHH!!!! This sucks.
I just quit afrin nasal spray after using it for six years. I was up to 2 or three spray bottles per WEEK, I had to take it everywhere. I read all of the extremely helpful comments on this website and since I see there are some recent posts, I thought I would detail my experience.
I wanted to go cold turkey. I stopped using spray at 5 am on Day 1. It was hell, and my nose was completely closed. It stayed that way through Night 1 and I slept maybe two hours, in short increments. I couldn’t get my mouth to stay open while I was asleep so I would wake up gasping for air and feeling like I was drowning. Day 2 was the same. Night 2 I couldn’t take it anymore because I needed to sleep. I used spray in my left nostril.
After the spray kicked in on the left side I felt a million times better. Even the right nostril felt better without all the pressure from the left one. I used spray in the left nostril only for ten more days. Every day the right nostril felt a little better, though I will say it still doesn’t feel as good as it did when I used the spray. After that I stopped using spray in the left nostril. It clogged up pretty badly, but it never got to that completely closed state, for which I am grateful.
Right now I am at two days in to no spray at all. My left side is still partially (mostly) closed, but I can breathe, and if it follows the right side’s pattern I will soon be able to sleep and function perfectly normally.
Remember that I was abusing a spending a fortune on Afrin for SIX YEARS. You can do this!
Just want to do a follow-up post. I started on the one-nostril method and a few days after a GP prescribed steriod-based nose spray. Very happy to say my problem is solved, and no way I’m going to use Otrivine again.
OMG – I had no idea that you could be addicted to nasal spray but I began to get suspicious after needing to use SNUP (the German version of Afrin) 2-3x/day for like 6 weeks now. This was the first time I’ve ever used and nasal spray and didn’t know about the 3-day rule because the stupid bottle/box is all in German. The pharmacist maybe mentioned something, but I probably didn’t catch it because of the language barrier. Beginning the one-nostril ween tonight. Thanks for the help!
Going into day 3. I sprayed at least 3 times a day, sometimes up to 10. I’m quitting cold turkey with the help of Breathe-Right strips at night(I can manage during the day, but the second I lay down my nose turns off). They aren’t nearly as effective as the spray but I’ve been able to survive so far. I keep the bottle of spray next to my bed and haven’t moved it yet. I picked it up a few minutes ago and it was so hard to put it back down. I feel like what I think a heroin addict feels like going through withdrawal. It seems so damn silly that it started 6 months ago when I had a simple cold.
First of all, I have to say that I’m relieved to know I’m not the only one. I’ve been addicted for 4 years now. I went to the doctor today for some horrible hay fever and the doctor told me to put the spray down and never look back. He prescribed Nasonex and is sending me to get allergy tested so I can start getting shots. It’s only been 4 hours and I’m in misery. From what I’ve seen – those here who’ve tried to go “cold turkey” have been largely unsuccessful. On the flip side, those that have tried the “one nostril at a time” method are having some success. I believe I’m going to try this method. I really want to stop using the stuff. I’ve wanted to quit for years, it’s just so hard to do. Thanks to all of you for sharing your stories. I really feel better hearing what others have been through and seeing what works and what doesn’t.
What a horrible thing to go through. I’ve been using afrin going on 2 years now because if I can’t breath through my nose I have panic attacks. I have horrible allergies that cause severe congestion.
It got to the point last week that the Afrin wasn’t even working anymore. I was stuffed up for 2 days and couldn’t sleep. I paced the floors for 2 days in a row. I was finally at the end of my rope 2 days ago when I knew I couldn’t sleep with the stuffy nose and that nothing I could do would open it up. I called an ENT in town and literally begged them to see me at 4PM on a Friday. I must have sounded desperate because she said I could come right in for an appointment. The doctor examined me and gave me an allergy shot and prescribed a miracle nose spray called patanase. One spray in each nostril 2 times per day and I’ve been breathing better than I have in years. I’m sleeping through the night and not having to get up to spray my nose 3-4 times a night. I’m not snapping my husband’s head off and am able to be more patient with my son.
From what I’ve been reading on the nose spray that after a couple of days you only use it as needed for stuffiness. I wish everyone good luck with getting off afrin. I wouldn’t have been able to do it without a doctors help.
Mine started with a stupid cold 3 months ago and in an effort to get the “best relief” I started using Afrin and got hooked on it. I am on my 3rd day now of the one-nostril treatment and I am happy to say that it is working ok so far. The left side was not so congested so I have been treating the right side once a day at night before bed and I am able to sleep. I am hoping that in the next couple of days I can get away from this evil Afrin for good. I have come a long way from spraying 3 to 4 times in both sides to just one nostril once a day. I am anxious to see this goes in the next few days. I wish you all good luck and quick painless recovery.
Here is what you all need to do. It’s easy and you’ll be off in 2 weeks, guaranteed. First, go out and get yourself the breathe free strips. Use them only at night (unless u stay inside all day or don’t care about looking like a dork- I didn’t and left them on even when I went out) and leave them on during the morning until you need to leave the house. Next, you want to get one nasal off first. Do this by using the spray as you regularly do but only for one nose. Stop the other nasal completely. Sure, one nasal will be stuffed but the other will still be on the spray, thus you’ll be able to breath thru that side. It’ll take about a week for one nasal to clear out. Perhaps 2 but no more. Once you’re done with that nasal, you could go for the other one or continue to use the spray in that one nasal (as part of the addiction is just the feeling of spraying something in your nose but for me, I didn’t care and wanted it gone ASAP!) for another week and then do the next nasal. Either way, it’s worked for me 2x now. The first time I was spray free for a year, and when I did start again, it was only for a couple of months and I stopped via the same method before it got too bad. Good luck!
After reading other people’s stories and posts a few weeks ago, I decided it was time to quit. I had been a 2+ year user of Afrin. Started out using the regular strength version and then up to the maximium strength one in the green package. After deciding to quit I cleaned out my purse and threw away all of the bottles – I actually had 4 bottles in there in varying stages of being empty. I also decided to stop using Claratin-D, as I had been using that for more than a year on a regualr basis. As of today I have been without claratin-D and Afrin for over a month. I tried the one nostril approach and felt that helped alot in the beginning. Waking up in the morning was the worst, being all stuffy – but a hot shower and some sea salt nasal wash and I could make it through the day. Thank you to everyone’s previous comments and advice. I am happy that I no longer have to depend on this stuff. Good luck to everyone trying to quit!!
I have to say, I feel like I’m going to die right now. I can’t stop using the spray because when my nose closes up completely, I get panic attacks. It’s insane. I can’t sleep, I can’t eat. It is 2:30 in the morning and I am awake and pacing the house. I am trying the one nostril method and hoping it will help. I’ve been using the Vicks version of the nasal spray and would have to spray it every hour to get any type of relief. I’ve thrown the bottle in the garbage and switched to “Little Noses” which is a saline spray for children. It doesn’t do much for my stuffy nose, but it does make me sneeze. The sneezing clears my nose for about three minutes. Those three minutes are heaven to me. Help…I can’t take it any more.
OMG im soo glad to hear im not the only weirdo addicted to this crap!!!!! I really want to cry now i have other who know my agony and the pain of when you sooo stuffy, I have been on this now for a little over a year, it started when I was pregnant the doctors had me on so many steroids and then just blamed it on pregnancy, after i had my son it was worse got on more antibiotics, steroids what ever, i racked up alot of medical bills due to my darn nose so finally i went to walmart bought this cheapest spray i could find and omg what a relief! but this was the worst decision i ever made in my life!!! I tried the one nostrol thing didnt work it just sucks, as a mother of three young kids this isnt easy! I barely get sleep now, I go to school fulltime at night, then directly from school I go to work all night untill morning, then come home to three kids!!!!!! I get no sleep and my nose isnt helping the situation. I am starting to get scared could this afrin kill you?????? Well I think that I want to write doctor Oz and he shoul dhave a segment about this! and we should all be on this im desperate for help some how some way! How do i keep in contact with you all?? My email is jam71504@yahoo.com feel free
i am right there with yall. i have had success using aplle cider vinegar. has to be organic with the “mother” it takes me about three days of using it before i feel normal again. two teaspoons 3x a day. put in a lil apple juice to take the sting out. this is the second time i have quit using the acv. completely good for you no side effects. its cheap and easy give it a try.
I’m on day 5 of not using this stuff. I have been hooked on it for about 3 years. I took a week off of work to do this as I knew I might not get much sleep. I am using the one nostril at a time method and it seems to be working.
UPDATE: I am officially off this stuff. It took about 4-5 days of no sprays. One nostril at a time worked for me. I find if you’re constantly spraying something like every 3 hours, wait 6 hours and deal with the 3 bad hours. Once you relieve after 6 hours, wait another 6 hours and spray again. The more you spread out the difference in between spray times the longer your nose will go without neededing another spray. Good luck everyone, I almost forgot what it is like to have a free nose and not need this stuff. My nose occassionally gets stuff but not to a point where I need the spray. It will ussally be one nostil thats completly free and the other slightly stuffy but not needing a spray(as I can still breathe a little thru it. It will then clear up on its own. Next day other nostril, clear up. Next 3 days both are free.
3 words for relief “Rhino Cort Aqua” try it, it works in only a couple of uses!
Ok I can’t believe no one except “Clogged and unhappy” has replied after a year of my writing the amazing results I’ve experienced using Rhinocort Aqua a (steroid based spray) on this blog that I’m deleting this site from my shortcuts/favorites. Suffer with this addiction all you want I’m done trying to help. Keep on messing with the netti pots and saline sprays for weeks trying to kick over the counter sprays.
Good luck
to start i am amazed to see some people,s comments here, i was addicted to afrin for eleven years i used all kinds the wal mart version the original with moisterizer and i got a very stressful point in life i thought quit the afrin will be helpful on my health, i tryed the claritin before (about 5 years ago) and didnt saw much results so i thought i wouold give a try again and this time it did worked for my nose, i took claritin d for the first week then i switched to allegra d with good results as well and i dont need the use of the afrin at all i still got stuffy nights here and there but nothing crazy to a point i need the feel of going back to use the afrin, on the daytime i get a little bit of the nose switchings but nothing crazy either.
my new problem is with the allegra d (pseudopedrine) i am getting tremors a side effecct from allergy medications is mainly a little shakiness on my pulse when lifting little things even a spoon when eating so i am taking the allegra d every other day instead of daily use is the 24 hour tablet hopefully the tremors will decrease, they dont bother me at all it just feels weird and funny when i see i am using my tools at work and i see my hand shake funny like i am 50+ with parkinsons (i am 28)
i dont want to go back to the afrin i feel so good not depending on them and having them on me like a dog collar 24/7 i got as far as need to use them 3 times a day but i see some people here went as far as 5 times a day of usage…good luck quiting on the afrin i will sure keep looking in here
I’ve been addicted to Afrin since the 1980s when I got a bad cold and started taking it. I’ve kicked it a few times, my problem is that I’m absolutely NOT a mouth breather and when I get a cold I head for the nasal spray for relief. I’ve taken it now for 8 straight years so I watched an episode of Dr. Oz and decided to kick it again. The first time I kicked it I was pregnant and wanted to get off so I saw a doc and he told me after the first 24 hours you’re fine…it was true. Then I got back on later. I kicked again yesterday and sure enough it’s only the first 24 hours that are bad. You’re very very congested and with a headache. It didn’t take me any two weeks whatsoever! Just a very unpleasant 24 hours. So people take heart and kick the damn stuff!
I am 55 and have used Afrin since 1972. Ive experienced all the same problems everyone here have described and tried all the methods to quit but remain addicted. I even had surgery for my deviated septum and turbinate reduction but this didnt help either.
I know this sounds extreme, but has anyone thought of somehow using a small section of medical grade tubing placed in one or both nostrils for some period of time? I wonder if “forcing” your nasal passage(s) open in this way could work? Like everyone else, I am desperate to stop using.
I have been off and on addicted to Afrin since I was 11(I am now 27). Before steroids will always do the trick. However, now it does nothing to help. I now suffer from chronic nose bleeds and the Afrin seems to work less and less. I’ve been to so many doctors and they all give me steroids which just don’t work. Ugh, it seems hopeless!
How’s everyone doing? Been clean now for over 9 months (see my prior posts). Still have some lingering sinus issues, but I have resisted the poison. Hang in there!
This site has been a god send. I’ve been stuck on nasal spray for about 5 months and knew about the rebound affects but breathing at the time was way more important and before I knew it I was/am so dependant on it that I didn’t even give it a second thought until I got fed up with the constant need to use it through out the day. I am in day three of cold turkey and the sinus pain is horrid. I can’t do the one nostril at a time because the temptation to use is to high. I use breath right strips a netty pot and vicks to get me through the night. No medical ins means I’m on my own. I can’t wait to feel normal again..
I have been on and off Afrin many many times for many many years (since I was a young kid). Everytime I get a cold, I start using and then have to go through the same process to get off (I am in the process of doing it right now, which is why I happened to search for and find this blog). This usually takes several weeks, but it has always seem to get me there with as little suffering as possible. If I am unable to breathe through my nose at night, it causes an anxiety attack and I can’t sleep at all.
First, I cut out the daytime use entirely and deal with the congestion during the day. This is the hardest part, because you have go through several hours of dealing with it, but I find when I am not trying to sleep, it is easier to deal with. There are some short term remedies that do the trick for a few minutes of relief (steam, vicks, or saline spray) Also if you hold your nostrils closed and lightly try to blow out through your nose (LIGHTLY!!!) it clears them for a few breaths.
Second, I buy a big bottle of the safe saline nasal spray. I then get an empty afrin bottle and fill it with 3/4 saline and 1/4 afrin and use that ONLY at night. (I try to use only 1 squirt in each nostril.. the more you use, the worse the rebound effect is)
Third, every few days I add more saline to the bottle and shake it up, slowly reducing the ratio of Afrin to Saline, so you are getting less and less .
After a few weeks of this, there is usually a night where the congestion isn’t that bad and don’t use any spray and then I am off the stuff… until the next time I get a cold!
Hope this helps!!