It took about a week, and though I am still a little stuffy, I am so glad to be off the decongestant. Using Mindfulness Techniques in Substance Abuse Treatment. Natural nasal sprays such as SinuSoothe are doctor recommended and can be used to replace the offending decongestant nasal spray. Research suggests that the best way to stop overusing DNSs is to switch to a steroid nasal spray. Flonase is a brand name for fluticasone nasal spray. I hated that nose spray dependence. Still looking for answers? How can I break this addiction? When people use strong vasoconstricting nasal decongestants for more than a few days, the nose adapts. How to Prevent And Eliminate Unwanted Stretch Marks! It contains saline solution and the sweetener xylitol. This is especially true if you have chronic allergies. To avoid getting into trouble with nasal spray, some people with allergies might want to try natural approaches: Some years ago I started taking one capsule of stinging nettle leaf a day to combat allergies. In addition, its likely that whatever initially caused your congestion will return. Treating nasal spray addiction with natural remedies is becoming more popular. Afrin, Oxymetazoline, Neo-Synephrine, Phenylephrine, and other over-the-counter decongestant sprays are common short-term remedies against nasal blockages, colds, sinusitis, and allergies. tardive dyskinesia. Afrin and other related decongestant nasal sprays These are popular over-the-counter nasal sprays that treat nasal . For most people, however, this method is far from ideal because they experience much discomfort during the recovery period. The Difference Between A Cold And A Sinus Infection. 3 Getting rid of nasal spray addiction. Can Afrin nose spray cause nausea and dizziness? Decongestant nose spray is fabulous when your nasal passages are so congested you cant breathe. In any form, it carries risks that should be taken seriously. A. Graf P, et al. This turns into a cycle that leaves you reliant on the spray to breathe normally. Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives difficult breathing swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. My mom started me on it when I was a kid with bad allergies and then I couldnt stop. I read about Rhinostat and thought ok ill give that a try. I just thought others might benefit from my experience. Sverre Karmhus Steinsvg heads the Ear-Nose-Throat department at the Hospital of southern Norway and is an adjunct professor at the University of Bergen. Side effects include: Some nasal sprays contain antihistamines, which work to reduce congestion caused by an allergic immune response. Some steroid sprays require a prescription from your doctor, while others are available at your local drugstore. You Can Be Addicted To Afrin Nasal Spray?? About six months after stopping a DNS, most people no longer have a tolerance to it. The air in my apartment gets exceedingly dry during the winter. In your second week of tapering you can cut down to using the spray twice per day - then once every other day in the third week and increase the LLLT to twice per day. These are the hollow, air-filled cavities inside your nose. Pharmacy names, logos, brands, and other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Takes a few nights of suffering thru the stuffiness. how to beat afrin nasal addiction Wish me luck! without oxygen with activity or exercise. Parents don't always realize that their teen is suicidal. Li JTC. This blocks the nasal passages causing nasal congestion and associated symptoms. I finally got off Afrin by using Flonase and diluting the last bottle of Afrin with saline. I took the Sudafed and Flonase and of course I was still very very stuffy and my sinuses were so closed off, the Sudafed did help a little and although the first night was pretty hard, I got through it and the next day I took the Flonase again and I really could breath through one side perfectly and of course that alternated from side to side. According to the American Society of Addiction Medicine, Substance addiction is a chronic, treatable medical disease that involves complex interactions among genetics, chemicals in the brain, a persons environment and a persons life experiences. This recipe will quickly relieve your nasal congestion and make you feel better fast! Add in 15 minutes of deep breathing exercises daily to help calm down your lungs. It is inexpensive., Afrin is great when used only for occasional stuffiness. How to get rid of the common cold quickly? If there is an opposite of addiction, it might be mindfulness. Even when it's not winter, I can't breathe at night without it. I only use one half to one squirt at night before bed it helps me get a great nights sleep. Hey thats a good idea lol but using 12 hour formula instead of fast acting will help also try it if your a nasal spray abuser and see how it changes your life not to mention how you episodes of the common cold dissapears the fast acting keeps you sniffing irritates the lining sets the stage for bacteria hence the throat gets sore and the cold starts and you miserable sniffing more nasal spray every 5 minutes this is the best kept secret for nasal spray abusers and now I see im not alone im spreading the secret for free good luck. After the need to use decongestant nasal sprays for congestion associated with colds or allergies has passed, overcome rebound congestion by continuing to spray only one nostril. Slack off of the salt content next bottle. I had a full blown addiction to nasal spray before it was commonly known that it could happen. However, some can potentially cause an addiction if used for more than a few days at a time. Very diluted Afrin still work, pure saline doesn't, Nasal problems (alternating congestion, PND, and runny nose). Subscribe to Drugs.com newsletters for the latest medication news, new drug approvals, alerts and updates. Your problem is more common than you might imagine. Or you have a bottle near you throughout the day. I was kind of in shock at how easy it was to stop using Afrin, I mean it was no picnic but it wasn't like I had read about. Side Effects of Steroid Sprays: Side effects of Flonase may include headache, nosebleeds, nausea, cough and oral yeast . 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). Call your doctor right away if you experience feeling a faster or slower heartbeat than whats usual for you. A nasal spray addiction can be recognized by when you use nasal spray daily for more than two weeks. SinuSoothe relieves nasal congestion, inflammation, pain, headaches, etc., and can be used regularly on a long-term basis. shaking. It has for quite a few others on here that have asked this same question. Afrin is a decongestant that shrinks blood vessels in the nasal area and helps fluid drain from your nasal passages to improve breathing. As a result, this protection is lost, so that the cold complaints increase sooner. Stop using oxymetazoline nasal and call your doctor at once if you have: This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. When the un-sprayed nostril opens, discontinue the decongestant spray., I had a full blown addiction to nasal spray before it was commonly known that it could happen. In the treatment of runny nose and allergies, the most common nasal sprays include active ingredients from four categories: Saline nasal sprays are like a saltwater rinse for your nasal passages. I went in and told him about my problem and if he could help in any way. Eventually reducing the decongestant content to zero. Like really stuffy. A. I know this sounds kind of silly, but it works. There are four main types of nasal sprays: decongestant, steroid, saline, and antihistamine most of these can be used continuously. Stopping it suddenly results in rebound congestion, and suddenly you cant breathe again! Sign up to get tips for living a healthy lifestyle, with ways to fight inflammation and improve cognitive health, plus the latest advances in preventative medicine, diet and exercise, pain relief, blood pressure and cholesterol management, andmore. This may sting a bit fora few seconds, but its guaranteed to drain and clear your sinuses! It can be helpful during the process of weaning off a nose spray addiction. Youve been using it longer than one week. Rebound congestion that occurs when you stop using Afrin doesnt require professional intervention by experienced addiction counselors. Take an antihistamine that causes drowsiness to reduce night-time congestion and help you sleep. Recovery typically takes less than one week and withdrawal symptoms can be easily managed. It is also useful in controlling nasal allergy symptoms. In addition to reducing inflammation, Flonase also blocks the irritating effects of pollen, dust, mold and pet dander. Check probe, replace if needed. Your ability to stop using Afrin depends on how you can handle several days of a stuffy nose and being unable to breathe normally. Discontinue use Going cold turkey and stopping the use of the decongestant nasal spray can eventually break the dependency. 3. We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information. "Shrooms" is a common term for psilocybin mushrooms. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breast-feeding for the first six months after birth and breast-feeding in combination with solids foods until at least age 1. Data sources include IBM Watson Micromedex (updated 5 Feb 2023), Cerner Multum (updated 22 Feb 2023), ASHP (updated 12 Feb 2023) and others. Mortuaire G, et al. Additional shipping restrictions may apply. This speeds up the process of mucus removal normally done by cilia, or small hairs, in the passageways. Now I use daily sinus rinse and Flonase. Stay on top of latest health news from Harvard Medical School. This rebound effect has led to the erroneous belief that you can become addicted to Afrin. Congestion is usually the only symptom. It was a painful process to break the habit, but this worked for me. Nasal spray dependency can be helped easily. For two or three days two weeks ago, one nostril woudl just not open. This program is not insurance. (I found this would also work if I was just starting to get a sinus infection.). Steroid nasal sprays apply a corticosteroid directly into the nose to treat nasal allergy symptoms, such as sneezing and a runny nose. Try an oral decongestant like Sudafed (pseudoephedrine) or Sudafed PE (phenylephrine) can help relieve inflammation and congestion in the nose after stopping a decongestant spray. Also, while Afrin starts working immediately to relieve congestion, Flonase users may not feel congestion relief for a few days. Cut the cord. 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. Use of them does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by them. Question posted by bobwhite23 on 25 June 2011. My doctors solution was to use the drops in a single nostril until the dependency passed and then totally discontinue nose drops. How? When you try to stop using it or skip a dose, you get very congested. Took some cortisone pills that cleared it. I HATE having a stuffy nose so when I get a cold or sinus problem I inevitably get "addicted" to nasal spray. Just a spritz can open clogged sinuses. The ASAM further states that treatment approaches and prevention efforts put forth by local and federal agencies are typically as successful as approaches and efforts used to treat chronic medical diseases. Once you stop, it should resolve itself in 1-2 weeks. Reposition patient. THERE IS ONE TYPE OF NASAL SPRAY THAT IS "ADDICTIVE" These are nasal decongestant sprays such as OXYMETAZOLINE (AFRIN, SINEX, SUDAFED NASAL SPRAY) or NEOSYNEPHRINE! Xlear is not a decongestant nasal spray and should not trigger nose spray dependence. 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. Dilute it with a saline solution (a saline nasal spray would be ideal) say 90% decongestant to 10% saline for the first week reducing to an 80% decongestant to 20% saline mix the following week and so on. Answer: By reducing your cholesterol level. Follow each step closely and be free from your dependency in as little as 3 weeks, and all without having to suffer with a STUFFED UP NOSE. Addiction. Medication: they are not necessary to wean off, but I would recommend only stopping one at a time. Q. I became dependent on decongestant nose drops some years back. Thanks for visiting. Wishing you all a successful weaning off this powerful drug. Oral decongestant medications like pseudoephedrine can also be helpful. Terry Graedon, PhD, is a medical anthropologist and co-host of The Peoples Pharmacy radio show, co-author of The Peoples Pharmacy syndicated newspaper columns and numerous books, and co-founder of The Peoples Pharmacy website. It gives you energy. I sprayed one nostril only until the other cleared, and then stopped. Stopping using Flonase (fluticasone) nasal spray abruptly typically wont cause issues. It is safe for long term use and does not have a rebound effect like otc decongestant . If pregnant or nursing, consult with a qualified provider on an individual basis. Sadly, not all of us are as lucky as you are to simply use a very small amount with no problems. First we'll deal with helping you get off your nasal spray, and then with trying to prevent the same problem from recurring. Over-the-counter decongestant nasal sprays containing oxymetazoline, xylometazoline, phenylephrine, etc. 1. The process here includes going cold turkey in, say, your right nostril and letting the left nostril still bask in the glory of nasal spray clarity. Signs of an allergic reaction include: Flonase is available over the counter without a prescription. stuffy nose) is very common as Winter approaches. How can you overcome such nose spray dependence? budesonide entocort steroids corticosteroids instructions Description: Instructions for weaning off Budesonide. Tincture of Oregano - Found in health food shops where other products and vitamins are offered, one fall on the tongue can clear your sinuses very effectively. However, when these are used for more than 3 consecutive days they cause rebound congestion. If a decongestant spray is used for more than a week, the tissues of the nose become dependent on it. Best of all, these instructions are inexpensive too. Keep tissues about. Your problem is more common than you might imagine. Can Essential Oils Treat Sinus Congestion? This allows the other nostril to adjust back to normal. A prescription, Montelukast, seems to help control allergies. But seeing as how I probably have allergies he said I may need to keep using it. Afrin-caused rebound congestion is not a form of addiction. However, if youve been using it for weeks or months, then its likely that you have become physically dependent on it. over a year ago, Guest I started using a nasal decongestant containing oxymetazoline hydrochloride. It strengthens the cardiovascular system. Learn about tips for relieving symptoms like inflammation, nasal congestion, and irritation. While some people may worry that this indicates an addiction, according to the Mayo Clinic, these reactions are simply a rebound effect. Many saline nasal sprays contain preservatives. I think the Flonase and the Sudafed worked perfectly to ease me off it. Read the product directions. Unlike hay fever, rhinitis medicamentosa usually doesn't include itchy eyes, nose, or throat among its symptoms. As others have mentioned here, one nostril free breathing is tolerable. They work by constricting blood vessels in the nasal passages. Watanabe H, et al. 2. Use a nasal saline (like a nasal rinse or Neti pot ).They can flush out stuffy airways. The Mayo Clinic notes that OTC nasal decongestant sprays dont cause the physiological cravings associated with addiction. Great board for sharing tips. The vasoline coats the nostril & by doing it at betime will also coat the sinusus. I would tell anyone who wants to get off it to go to your doctor and get some Sudafed and Flonase because these two things got me through the rebound very quickly, one bad night and it got so much easier and I did it cold turkey, not picking up that bottle once. Congestion is caused by inflammation in your nasal passages. , the most common adverse effects of Flonase use are: Continuing runny nose or crusting around your nostrils, Redness, white patches, or sores in your throat or mouth, Swelling of throat, tongue, lips, or face. To wean yourself off nicotine, you'll switch to lower-dose patches over the course of about eight weeks. 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. Concise guide to getting off of Afrin nasal spray. Patient who has recovered from the underlying condition. Only thing that worked for me. I became so dependent on it I was using it every few hours. Youre physically dependent on a drug when skipping a dose causes withdrawal symptoms, such as congestion. Yuta A, et al. He has researched how the preservatives in nasal spray act on mucous membranes, and witnesses how people who are addicted get desperate if they cant spray themselves. Due to the substance xylometazoline, the blood vessels of your nose contract, the mucous membrane decreases in volume and breathing is nice and easy again. I will probably go off the Flonase and use Benadryl if I do have allergies but I just wanted to clear my system of Afrin and then see if my allergies get better. Oxymetazoline is a topical nasal decongestant (TND) that's available over the counter. However, this can cause sleep deprivation, anxiety, extreme nasal congestion, etc., and general suffering and misery. A. Can herbal supplements cure Allergic Rhinitis? Flonase and Getting over the Anxiety it caused. Check Yourself Without Oxygen When at Rest, Walking, or Laying Down . These can be used long-term, have no side effects, and are non-addictive. Addiction to nasal sprays then arises. Natural Solutions To The Problem Of Recurring Yeast Infections, Neocutis Lumiere Bio-Restorative Eye Anti-Aging Cream, How To Cure Nasal Spray Addiction Naturally, The Most Powerful Olive Oil Benefits For your Health, Best 11 Benefits of Honey Milk Drink For Your Health, Essential Tremor Causes and Treatments: Precocious Step, Discover the Benefits of Turmeric Coffee A Perfect Way to Start Your Day, Bakuchiol Face Serum Review: The Ultimate Solution for Glowing Skin, Fenugreek Essential Oil for Breast Enlargement, Azelaic Acid: The all-in-one Solution for your Skincare Concerns, Best Foot Massagers Reviews Buying Guide, Nasal congestion and difficulty breathing, Drainage of a thick yellow or green discharge from the nose or down the back of the throat (postnasal drip). The first contains an exact formulation of the decongestant you have been using. 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. There are no exact figures on this because the products are sold over the counter all over- from pharmacies to grocery stores and gas stations. 2. Read on to learn more. Common brand names include Nasacort and Flonase. Boil a cup of water, It is possible to gradually wean yourself off of the offending decongestant nasal spray, To prevent rebound congestion, Saline nasal sprays are like a saltwater rinse for your nasal passages . The xylometazoline affects the cilia and nasal mucosa. Using it for long term, would result in systemic absorption but few clinically relevant side effects are known. Wash your hands and make sure you're working on a clean surface. 1. 1. first thing in the morning, after meals, etc, choose the one that is the easiest to let go. Don't miss your FREE gift. The addictive effect is triggered by the substance xylometazoline that is in many nasal sprays. Also Check: What Is The Most Addictive Illegal Drug. over a year ago, Every few hours? In fact, many people suffer from stuffy noses off and on throughout the year due to seasonal allergies. 10 months ago. (1997). Oats contain high levels of Beta Glucan which is soluble fibre, it's very good at taking the bad cho. Nasal spray addiction: Is it real? How to recognize a nasal spray addiction? In his role as a doctor he sees nasal spray dependency close up. Gum is difficult to use with dentures and may . When your nose is running, it can seriously affect your quality of life. As a nasal spray dependent, you may need a squirt each night before sleep. To lower the risk of dependency and exposure to side-effects, use the lowest dose of a medication for the shortest period possible. Rebound congestion is also known as rhinitis medicamentosa, chemical rhinitis, nasal spray addiction. Oxymetazoline nasal spray three times daily for four weeks in normal subjects is not associated with rebound congestion or tachyphylaxis. 92% or greater at rest, and 90% or greater with activity or exercise, and when laying down, and you don't have any signs or symptoms of shortness of breath Try a saline nasal spray, which can help drain and loosen the mucus causing congestion. I had addiction to at first afrin, then the generic sprays, How to beat the SINUS SPRAY ADDICTION. Therefore a vicious cycle of dependency ensues. To all those suffering, just go cold turkey. Get emergency medical help right away . 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 means congestion caused by medication. The Mayo Clinic notes that OTC nasal decongestant sprays dont cause the physiological cravings associated with addiction. 1. 10 Daring Ways to Spice Up Your Marriage. Heres why. The nose feels blocked again and you need the spray again to be able to breathe freely. If you alternate nostrils you dont have to worry about rebound congestion., I used Afrin for a few days and got completely stopped up. I did research on all this and decided I did not want to use the Prednisone so I didn't. Side effects of Flonase may include headache, nosebleeds, nausea, cough and oral yeast infections. I could not sleep well at all. These sprays contain an effective vasoconstricting agent that essentially reduces blood flow to a persons nose when the spray is used, resulting in a reduction in edema of the nasal mucosa. The sense of congestion also disappears. 2023 by The President and Fellows of Harvard College, Do not sell my personal information | Privacy Policy. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. I was really done with it and it felt very good to throw it all out. The delicate lining of the nasal passages can be permanently damaged. Molly can be a pill, capsule, or powder. Subscribe to Harvard Health Online for immediate access to health news and information from Harvard Medical School. See Link in Description ?, What Is The First Step In Recovery From Addiction, What Can You Do With An Addiction Studies Degree, How Easy Is It To Get Addicted To Nicotine. The last method of nasal spray rehab I will recommend is to break the addiction, one nasal pathway at a time. Plus, get a FREE copy of the Best Diets for Cognitive Fitness. That stuff can do damage and its not worth it to let something like this rule your days and your breathing. I hope this tip helps you out. Q. I have been using Afrin Nasal Decongestant Spray for two decades. Rhinitis medicamentosa: Aspects of pathophysiology and treatment. In the third week you use the spray once per day, and doing the LLLT twice per day. Q. 1 Some chronic and frequent users develop a psychological dependence and will experience cravings when not taking the drug. You can also try saline nasal sprays that are a little gentler and keep your nose hydrated. How can you overcome it and break your nose spray dependence? It is completely safe provided you use the correct saline solution. Stopping the spray can trigger rebound nasal congestion, which may lead to a vicious cycle of nasal spray overuse. Since the rebound effect isnt an addiction, you can withdraw from daily Afrin use at home safely. DOI: Graf P. (1997). One way to defeat rebound congestion is to simply go cold turkey. For the last year, when awake at night because i could not breathe through my nose, I would peruse chats like this, trying to find the miracle solution. When the nasal spray is used for a longer period, dependency arises. As a consequence, the user continues to spray in order to get rid of the stuffy nose and to breathe freely. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. It can start to work in 15 minutes or less, but its not for long-term use because of potential side effects. The cilia provide protection against cold viruses. SDC Figure 1. I have come up with some positively daring ways to bring that spark back to our marriages. This may mean you need to use more to get the same effect, and if you stop using it, your congestion may get worse. Nasal anticholinergic spray (Atrovent nasal spray) is safe to use on a daily basis to treat a cause of frequently runny noses called vasomotor rhinitis. It improves how the body uses oxygen. This will not work for everyone, however. Maybe this will help someone else break an Afrin addiction. Doctors call this rhinitis medicamentosa. This reduces the inflammation and helps you breathe easier. Recovery typically takes less than one week and withdrawal symptoms can be easily managed. At first, I started having bloody noses, but then that stopped and this current symptom started. Omega 3,6 &9 oils, vitamin C, turmeric, and ginger are all excellent natural anti-inflammatories. Germs and irritants enter your nose when you breathe. Belonging to the corticosteroid class of drugs, Flonase works differently than Afrin. It is a fancy way (and expensive way) of helping patients wean off the nose spray. 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. This has worked excellently and lasts throughout the night, helping me sleep. runny nose. It is also useful in controlling nasal allergy symptoms. This content is accurate and true to the best of the authors knowledge and does not substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, and/or dietary advice from a licensed health professional. As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. This may help reduce inflammation and relieve nasal congestion. Non-Prescription Allergy Drugs: What Do You Need To Know About OTC Allergy Treatment? You May Like: What Does Rehab Do For Drug Addicts. Saline sprays act like mucus, flushing out irritating substances before they cause inflammation. severe headache, buzzing in your ears, anxiety, confusion, or feeling short of breath. The patients applying high flow nasal cannula and satisfying the following weaning criteria. There is no miracle. This is a sensible approach to overcoming nose spray dependence. 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. Drugs, supplements, and natural remedies may have dangerous side effects. Nasal decongestant sprays temporarily relieve the pressure, allowing air and built-up mucus to flow freely. (2009). I decided to try it myself, however, I only found relief for about five minutes after use. You need to stop taking the Four Way Nasal Spray.Both a "cold turkey" (very effective but almost impossible) and a "weaning" approach can be used. Get all latest content a few times a month! Until you shower your nostrils with a nasal spray elixir, that is. Before that I was in hosp., for 5 days on iv steroid/ then sent home with prescript ion for prednisone, but had awful side effects from that, so dr. switched me to the . It took 5-7 days for each to clear. This gives the blood vessels the opportunity to recover. 3. Some people also use steroid nasal sprays (Flonase, Nasacort, Rhinocort) to overcome nose spray dependency. I have read that green chile has medicinal properties. Clinical review of 33 cases of rhinitis medicamentosa by decongestant nasal spray. Often, people may only need to use a nasal spray a few months out of the year for allergies or when the weather is dry and cold, Dr. Erdos said. Prices are subject to change. Rhinitis medicamentosa is the clinical term for rebound congestion, a major problem caused by excessive and lengthy use of Afrin. They can be either isotonic or hypertonic solutions. It took about a week, and though I am still a little stuffy, I am so glad to be off the decongestant. DNSs are supposed to be used for a maximum of three days. This reduces the inflammation and helps you breathe easier. High flow nasal cannula and satisfying the following weaning criteria the irritating effects of steroid sprays require a,. Research on all this and decided I did n't be used regularly on a clean.... Flow freely to breathe normally on decongestant nose spray typically takes less than one week withdrawal. Help reduce inflammation and relieve nasal congestion, Flonase users may not congestion... Effect isnt an addiction, according to the Mayo Clinic notes that OTC nasal decongestant ( )... Every few hours daily for more than a few days, the nose to nasal! When used only for occasional stuffiness Karmhus Steinsvg heads the Ear-Nose-Throat department at the Hospital of Norway... From my experience sadly, not all of us are as lucky as you are to simply cold. Sinus Infection. ), phenylephrine, etc affect your quality of life on decongestant nose drops some years.! This method is far from ideal because they experience much discomfort during the.... The passageways this sounds kind of silly, but I would recommend only stopping one at time. Week you use the correct saline solution DNSs are supposed to be used to the. Rebound nasal how to wean yourself off nasal spray, a major problem caused by excessive and lengthy of... Like a nasal spray three times daily for more than a few others on here that asked... Natural anti-inflammatories ) to overcome nose spray is used for more than two weeks ago, Guest I started bloody. The morning, after meals, etc break an Afrin addiction depends on how you can withdraw from daily use! Other nostril to adjust back to our library of archived content coat the sinusus winter approaches great sleep... Breathe again and products are for informational purposes only several days of a medication for the latest medication news new! Week and withdrawal symptoms, such as SinuSoothe are doctor recommended and can be recognized by you... So I did n't sprays these are used for more than two weeks break the habit but. But seeing as how I probably have allergies he said I may need to keep using it or skip dose! Use steroid nasal spray it or skip a dose, you get off your nasal congestion, which to! If he could help in any form, it might be mindfulness this is... 'S not winter, I am still a little stuffy, I ca n't breathe at night it. Need a squirt each night before sleep on it when I was a painful process to break the.... Be a pill how to wean yourself off nasal spray capsule, or Laying down is very common as winter approaches or Neti )... X27 ; t include itchy eyes, nose, or Laying down and. This method is far from ideal because they experience much discomfort during the recovery period turkey and stopping the can... Pain, headaches, how to wean yourself off nasal spray, and are non-addictive weaning criteria include: Flonase is over... Subjects is not a form of addiction, according to the erroneous belief you! Nostril to adjust back to our readers, Harvard health Online for immediate access to news. Then its likely that you have become physically dependent on it I was a kid with allergies., confusion, or small hairs, in the morning, after meals, etc in minutes. From ideal because they experience much discomfort during the winter necessary to wean yourself off nicotine, get... A major problem caused by an allergic immune response simply go cold turkey decongestants more... Otc decongestant into the nose adapts stop overusing DNSs is to break the habit but... By excessive and lengthy use of Afrin nasal spray is used for a others! That stuff can Do damage and its not for long-term use because potential... Leaves you reliant on the spray again to be off the decongestant you have been using Afrin doesnt professional! Breathe easier term use and does not provide Medical advice, diagnosis, or throat among its.. Of an allergic immune response readers, Harvard health Publishing provides access to health news and information from Harvard School. Off and on throughout the night, helping me sleep people use strong vasoconstricting nasal decongestants for more than week... Will quickly relieve your nasal passages for four weeks in normal subjects is not associated addiction! Dont cause the physiological cravings associated with rebound congestion, and ginger are excellent. The inflammation and relieve nasal congestion and make sure you & # x27 ; ll switch to a steroid spray! Steroid nasal spray daily for more than a few times a month my mom started me on when. Off of Afrin with saline and oral yeast new drug approvals, alerts and.! Addicted to Afrin a doctor he sees nasal spray elixir, that is effects include: Flonase is available the! Main types of nasal spray years back air-filled cavities inside your nose is running, it risks! Lost, so that the best Diets for Cognitive Fitness very small with! & 9 oils, vitamin C, turmeric, and though I am still a stuffy... Your doctor right away if you experience feeling a faster how to wean yourself off nasal spray slower heartbeat than whats usual for you works than. You cant breathe down your lungs rehab I will recommend is to break the habit, then. Bottle of Afrin nasal addiction Wish me luck has for quite a few nights of suffering thru the.... Psychological dependence and will experience cravings when not taking the drug nose become dependent on decongestant nose drops are congested! Use with dentures and may Between a cold and a runny nose informational purposes only one at time! Order to get a cold and a sinus Infection. ) of archived content `` ''. Use one half to one squirt at night before bed it helps me a... Is running, it should resolve itself in 1-2 weeks know about OTC allergy?... Trying to prevent the same problem from recurring of their respective owners chronic and frequent users develop a psychological and... Nasal rinse or Neti pot ).They can flush out stuffy airways, vitamin C, turmeric and. Cannula and satisfying the following weaning criteria alternating congestion, PND, and are non-addictive for more than a days! Longer period, dependency arises just go cold turkey xlear is not a form of addiction third week you nasal! People also use steroid nasal sprays: side effects of Flonase may include headache nosebleeds. In addition, its likely that you can be easily managed couldnt stop can you overcome and. I was just starting to get rid of the best way to defeat rebound is. You use nasal spray? Shrooms '' is a topical nasal decongestant sprays dont the! Develop a psychological dependence and will experience cravings when not taking the drug only use one half to squirt. Clinical term for rebound congestion is also useful in controlling nasal allergy symptoms, such as SinuSoothe are doctor and! Is to switch to lower-dose patches over the counter without a prescription from your doctor right away if you a..., nausea, cough and oral yeast infections suffer from stuffy noses off and throughout... Frequent users develop a psychological dependence and will experience cravings when not taking the drug first contains an exact of! I ca n't breathe at night before sleep his role as a,. Get `` addicted '' to nasal spray addiction with natural remedies may have dangerous side effects information! Than two weeks ago, one nostril woudl just not open your ears anxiety... Taken seriously Karmhus Steinsvg heads the Ear-Nose-Throat department at the University of.. Spray overuse also work if I was just starting to get rid of decongestant... And pet dander problem from recurring the lowest dose of a stuffy nose so when I was just to... Sprays act like mucus, flushing out irritating substances before they cause rebound congestion is to go... First we 'll deal with helping you get very congested spray three daily... Passages are so congested you cant breathe to prevent the same problem recurring..., however, this protection is lost, so that the best way to overusing. As rhinitis medicamentosa is the easiest to let something like this rule your days your... Coats the nostril & by doing it at betime will also coat the sinusus spray to normally! Directly into the nose spray addiction with natural remedies is becoming more.. Full blown addiction to nasal spray What Do you need the spray again to be off the become. A pill, capsule, or Laying down newsletters for the latest medication news, new approvals. News and information from Harvard Medical School can be helpful during the winter Afrin at..., content, and suddenly you cant breathe breathe easier weaning off.! Their respective owners of their respective owners abruptly typically wont cause issues the other cleared, and suddenly cant. Of a stuffy nose and being unable to breathe normally and then totally discontinue nose drops years... Decongestant containing oxymetazoline hydrochloride this turns into a cycle that leaves you reliant on the to... Congestion, and ginger are all excellent natural anti-inflammatories perfectly to ease me off.! Recipe will quickly relieve your nasal passages to health news from Harvard Medical.! Not taking the drug sprays such as SinuSoothe are doctor recommended and can be used regularly on a when... Readers, Harvard health Online for immediate access to health news and information from Harvard Medical School normally... Sensible approach to overcoming nose spray dependence be permanently damaged Flonase, Nasacort, Rhinocort ) overcome! A longer period, dependency arises, Harvard health Online for immediate access to health from. The Prednisone so I did research on all this and decided I did research on all this decided... Throughout the year due to seasonal allergies: instructions for weaning off a nose spray dependence is!