Afrin nasal spray

[Enigmas]

Curious if anyone has experience using Afrin* nasal spray. I have been trying it, really opens me up. But has a warnings on it if you have other health issues etc..

Appreciate any input.. TIA.

[Janknitz]

You should limit your use of this, it's highly addictive!

I spent a miserable time getting off it. Afrin and other sprays like it cause rebound nasal congestion. You get immediate relief, and then stuff up again so bad that it seems you can't breath at all and the only thing that helps is more Afrin. At one point I needed to use it every half hour--wwwwwwaaaaaayyyyy too much (and can cause rapid heartbeat and other systemic side effects--I had them). It took me about 5 miserable days to wean off it--I never experienced withdrawal from an illicit drug but if it is worse than that, no thank you! That was terrible!!!

I will not ever use a nasal decongestant again. Saline is the only thing that I spray in my nose.

[Enigmas]

Thank your Very much for your detailed & informative reply.. I'm throwing it out now. I did use it yesterday prior to some yardwork, I was breathing easy as could be.
Today I'm so clogged up, I feel like I have plugs in my nose. Guess I have to ride this congestion out then..

A friend said it burnt out the middle of her nose. I looked up her nose, sure enough, it had a hole opening side to side.

I do also have Saline nose spray. That will be what I use "if needed.

[palerider]

Curious if anyone has experience using Afrin* nasal spray. I have been trying it, really opens me up. But has a warnings on it if you have other health issues etc..

Appreciate any input.. TIA.

The trick to using Afrin without getting dependent on it is to *NOT* use it as directed.

Just use it *at night only* .... not during the day... and you won't become dependent on it for weeks.

If you somehow do become dependent, then stop using it on *one side* let that side get back to normal, so that you can breathe, then finally stop on the other side.

[palerider]

Thank your Very much for your detailed & informative reply.. I'm throwing it out now. I did use it yesterday prior to some yardwork, I was breathing easy as could be.
Today I'm so clogged up, I feel like I have plugs in my nose. Guess I have to ride this congestion out then..

One day's use *will not* cause the rebound effect..

A friend said it burnt out the middle of her nose. I looked up her nose, sure enough, it had a hole opening side to side.

Afrin doesn't do that... coke will

[Enigmas]

Thank your Very much for your detailed & informative reply.. I'm throwing it out now. I did use it yesterday prior to some yardwork, I was breathing easy as could be.
Today I'm so clogged up, I feel like I have plugs in my nose. Guess I have to ride this congestion out then..

One day's use *will not* cause the rebound effect..

A friend said it burnt out the middle of her nose. I looked up her nose, sure enough, it had a hole opening side to side.

Afrin doesn't do that... coke will

OK, then, I have used Afrin before, just when I really get clogged up.. But I have now thrown it out. I don't need to add issues to my life..

And that gal did have a history of using coke. But has been clean 24 years.

[palerider]

And that gal did have a history of using coke. But has been clean 24 years.

I don't think that septums grow back... but I could be wrong.

[Enigmas]

It has not grown back in 24 years, I think that is permanent.

I hear ya about only night use of Afrin. I think it is better for me to abandon any use of it altogether.

Are there any safe nasal sprays. I never used to have allergies, now I sure do..

[zonker]

It has not grown back in 24 years, I think that is permanent.

I hear ya about only night use of Afrin. I think it is better for me to abandon any use of it altogether.

Are there any safe nasal sprays. I never used to have allergies, now I sure do..

try flonase. works for me.

[bjhunt01]

I have an allergy to something in Texas all year long. I will use Afrin 3 nights only. Then some Fluonase. Then an antihistamine at night. So I try to vary everything because you know everything is going to kill you or rot out your brain if you use it consistently

[ShiftWorker]

I have been through the Afrin ordeal, that was not a fun thing to get over. I will occasionally use Afrin type decongestant but only when needed. I do take one 10 mg Loratadine tablet daily and use Flonaise twice daily, needed or not and this works well for me. since moving to Colorado 10 years ago I have bad allergies to most of the grasses and trees in my area, and the fire season gets to me also. I use the tabs and flonaise starting mid February through October and have not had any problems, I just use daily to never let the problem get started! If I do become congested I will use the Afrin to get cleared up so the Flonaise can get to where it will work. My Primary doc and cardiologist are fine with me doing this.

[Diotima]

Sinex Ultra-fine mist is pretty good on a particularly bad night... key is to not use it to often or for days/nights on end. Once every few days is fine I think.

[Enigmas]

Thanks everyone for all the replies.. I threw out the Afrin. And won't ever get any more.

I should talk to my Dr & see what he says, he knows me pretty well.. Lots of great info here, Thanks again..

[palerider]

I threw out the Afrin. And won't ever get any more.

To each his own... I bought a three pack at Costco recently

[Enigmas]

I don't need anymore headaches.. LOL