I am addicted to Nasel Spray. How can I get off of it?????!
Question: I started using Nasel Sparay about 8 years ago when I Had a nasty flu but when the flu ended I started having to take Afrin to unstuff my nose always. I tried just not taking it for a week and it was horrible. It didn't get any better. I know it sounds silly but its getting really annoying....
Answers: I started using Nasel Sparay about 8 years ago when I Had a nasty flu but when the flu ended I started having to take Afrin to unstuff my nose always. I tried just not taking it for a week and it was horrible. It didn't get any better. I know it sounds silly but its getting really annoying....
What ur dealing with is called drug dependence, believe it or not. U took the nasal spray, at first, just temporarily to help w/ congestion. After awhile, ur nose got used 2 having that spray everyday, and kinda 'forgot' how 2 breathe w/o the spray's help.
Think of it like this: If u lay in bed for 8 YEARS STRAIGHT- then, all of a sudden, someone takes it away from u... ur gonna fall flat on ur face, right?? Why? Because ur muscles have lost their strength from not moving, right? The same thing goes 4 ur poor nose. It's gotta learn how 2 breathe on its own again.
As w/ ANY substance that ur body has become 'dependent' on- *whether it's prescribed, over-the-counter and/ or illegal*- when u stop taking it, ur body misses it- and BAM!!- ur body AND mind start going thru withdrawls. YIKES!! GROSS!! EEK!!
My mom was addicted to Afrin Nasal Spray and Unisom Sleep Gels for over 10 years. When she decided 2 stop, she just "quit cold turkey". That lasted about 4 days- cuz she couldn't breathe thru her nose- OR sleep AT ALL!!. What she finally did, was wean herself off the medication SLOWLY. That way, her body wasn't shocked by taking the drugs away so abruptly. Each day she cut down her use- a little bit at a time- so she wouldn't have 2 suffer withdrawls. It took her about a month till she completely stopped taking them both. But she feels SOOO much better w/o them. Now, if she gets stuffed up, or can't sleep, she uses herbal/ natural medicines, or toughs it out. I'm SO proud of her!!
I know how addiction/ drug dependence feels. So I wish u all the strength and patience u need 2 do it.. U CAN DO IT!! :)
Try some gum its always more addicting to me then that stuff try it it may help!!
switch to plain saline solution. you CAN be addicted to nasal spray. it's the same as Chapstick. it dries out your mucus membranes in your nasal passages, and then you think you need more. talk to your doctor. it's been 8 years too long.
Try using a Neti pot. Dr. Oz swears by it.
Yes, strong tasting gum may help, as it clears the nose.
When I saw this question, it reminded me of when Arthur gets hooked on nasal spray in an episode of King of Queens, which made me laugh, but it would be horrible to have a stuffy nose all the time.
Maybe ask your doctor or pharmacist the next time you see them. If you are embarrassed, just ask them if there is an alternative to nasal spray, you don't have to explain why.
the easiest way to get off it is to get a bottle vicks vapo rub. the same stuff you're mom put on your chest when you were a kid, take it and rub a little on the ends of you nostrils and up just a little, you'll figure it out. the menthol is a pretty natural way to clear up your head plus it will lubricate the inside of the passages. there is toxins in sprays, they feel good for a while but its like alcohol, eventually it will dry out whatever it touches.