Let this be a lesson to follow prescriptions and instructions on OTC medications to the letter. Because its such a common problem, the wait might be long (6months to 3 years). Orange Flair: Advanced Degree Professionals. Even though some members of this subreddit are medical professionals, you are taking their advice AT YOUR OWN RISK. Definitely this. Edited by: Emma McLeod. Hey, just curious since it's been a few days since you posted this. It is important to note that nasal spray addiction is a consequence of using a decongestant nasal spray to relieve the symptoms of a previous sinus condition. It's a bad addiction that's costing almost as much as smoking at this point since the price keeps going up. The drug is an ingredient in prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medicines such as Sudafed, Decofed, … [S] 0 points1 point2 points 5 years ago (0 children). My advice would be to see a gp and make a referral to ENT. Oxymetazoline shouldn't be used for more than 3 days so I am going to say that Google search article is wrong.Could try OTC nasal steroids. The fact somebody even made a site about it is just insane. Since the sprays don't work really well for you, you might have to consider surgical options. I HATE having a stuffy nose so when I get a cold or sinus problem I inevitably get "addicted" to nasal spray. I just started full-time work and moved to a new location, I figured this is the perfect time to change my life for the better as well. If your nasal congestion is caused by allergens get onto Beconase (or similar) to replace the nasal decongestant, but remember such sprays take a few days to be fully effective. Doctors suspect that many thousands of people have become physically dependent on nasal decongestant sprays and that many are not even aware of their addiction or that they can do anything about it. I got addicted to nasal spray. This is an automated message posted on all submissions to r/Medical_Advice. 8 years of oxymetazoline, damn. But here's why some people claim you get "addicted" to it. I wish I could say that it's just an issue of willpower and that all it takes is to breathe through my mouth for a week or two until my sinuses finally heal on their own. The nasal formulation acts directly on the blood vessels in the nasal tissues. Close. That way each nostril only gets a single dose during the day. -1 points0 points1 point 5 years ago (0 children), Woops, thanks for correcting me. Has anyone gotten the ok to use Vick’s nasal decongestant while pregnant? You can become dependent on nasal spray, but not addicted to it. Diagnosis When evaluating you for rebound congestion, your physician will take a thorough medication usage history as well as perform a nasal exam. Both give the "rebound effect." Take advice from these users with caution. Most likely you won't need anything at all. Just looked up rhinitis medicamentosa and now I'm scared. Nasal decongestant and its side effects. Blue Flair: Doctorate Level Professionals. However, in fact, those who use them in excess may be putting their own health at risk. -2 points-1 points0 points 5 years ago (9 children). You should also use a nasal steroid spray as directed on a daily basis while you’re tapering off the nasal decongestant spray. I'm actually really worried now. This subreddit is not a replacement for a doctor. Afrin and other related nasal decongestant sprays are popular over-the-counter nasal sprays to treat nasal congestion as well as nasal obstruction due to sinusitis, upper respiratory infections, allergies, etc.. Any nasal sprays containing phenylephrine, neo-synephrine, oxymetazoline, and xylometazoline (look under the active ingredients) are considered nasal decongestants. This category may also include non-professional certificate holders, such as EMT-B's. How I Got Over My Nasal Spray Addiction By taking Zyrtec-D and diluting my Afrin nasal spray solution with saline, I was able to taper off Afrin. The types of physicians include, but not limited to: Internal Medicine, Pediatrician, Emergency Medicine, Dermatologist, Obstetrician/Gynecologist, Family Medicine, Gastroenterologist, ENT, Neurologist, etc. [–]autowikibotThis user has not yet been verified. Is there a scientific reason behind this? Rendered by PID 10489 on r2-app-0353993ae167e571b at 2021-02-07 20:00:14.685392+00:00 running 843aeaa country code: US. You can try one nostril at a time but honestly cold turkey is usually the only way, [–]Soap009This user has not yet been verified. Please Help (self.AskDocs). Addiction to decongestant nasal sprays: side effects and solutions. Use of nasal decongestants causes nasal receptors that respond to decongestants to down-regulate (reduce in numbers) which leads to congestion. (Related to antibody test results and lyme). Find out more about the different types of nasal spray and how to use them safely. If anyone can recommend anything to try that might help me overcome my addiction without irritating everyone in the room, I would greatly appreciate it. You have often written about nasal spray addiction. I started using 3 months ago when I caught a cold and my nose was blocked. That's what I did under the instruction of my doctor. This includes: names, contact information, ID Photos, certification numbers, etc... We want to protect the identity of our submitters by keeping them anonymous. [–]_bitchola_This user has not yet been verified. 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! I'm thinking it won't, but I just want to be sure. No Pain. Nasal decongestant. flair or no flair at all, they have not been verified as being a medical professional by the mod team OR they are not a medical professional at all. Nasal decongestant sprays are used to help reduce the symptoms of a blocked nose which occurs due to increased blood flow to the mucous membranes of the nasal passages. [–]throwawayacct715This user has not yet been verified. Constriction of the blood vessels in the nose and sinuses leads to a … I’ve had this rash since August. “When stopping a nasal spray, you may notice a return to your baseline of nasal congestion and return of other symptoms like sneezing and a runny or itchy nose,” Dr. Erdos said. Rhinitis medicamentosa (or RM) is a condition of rebound nasal congestion brought on by extended use of topical decongestants (e.g., oxymetazoline, phenylephrine, xylometazoline, and naphazoline nasal sprays) and certain oral medications (e.g., sympathomimetic amines and various 2-imidazolines) that constrict blood vessels in the lining of the nose. For those who don't know, this particular nasal decongestant is a bit of a double-edged sword. One reader found a solution. Get an ad-free experience with special benefits, and directly support Reddit. Remember the next time you use a decongestant nasal spray not to use it for longer than recommended - usually around 4 to 5 days. It works by constricting (shrinking) blood vessels (veins and arteries) in the body. You’ll use this cocktail for anywhere from 1 to 5 days depending on how many years you’ve been addicted. Propylhexedrine. Not to mention my nose is always leaking some watery substance, and if i blow my nose it comes back within a matter of seconds. Tolerance can lead to physical drug dependence, which is different than drug addiction. It was 1 uncomfortable week, but worth it. It's a bad addiction that's costing almost as much as smoking at this point since the price keeps going up. The statements of anonymous people on the internet are not a substitute for medical care, if your condition is worsening please go to your primary care provider, If you are having an emergency please go to the nearest hospital or call your location's emergency number (911) in the USA, (999) in Britain, (112) in most of the European union, (000) in Australia, and (111) in New Zealand.*. Unfortunately millions of people worldwide suffer from this medical condition. Please be sure to remove any identifying information from your verification document before submitting. 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