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Original poster

Blocked nose sprays

36 replies

ShyPlumRobin · 13/04/2025 18:21

Hi, I have been using sudafed decongestant spray for a long time now. The problem is that once it wears off my nose feels very stuffy and congested and can't breathe . I have been looking for a kinder option. I tried sterimar congestion spray but it doesn't do anything for me at all. I am waking up in the night now feeling congested and very restless with the sudafed spray. Can anyone suggest an alternative please?

OP posts:
JamTartLover · 13/04/2025 19:20

I agree re. nasal rinses, they are the only thing that clears the feeling of a blocked nose

mambojambodothetango · 13/04/2025 19:17

Definitely stop using the spray- they are not for long term use. I also recommend the NeilMed sinus rinses, twice a day works for me.

JackGrealishsCalves · 13/04/2025 18:36

My husband was using Sterimar daily and it wasn't really doing much.
Went to a private GP who had a proper look and he's been told he will need an operation, something to do with the structure of the nasal bones.
He also used Dymista.
It's worth getting it looked at

Hilly87 · 13/04/2025 18:31

Also might be worth seeing if you can see the GP, you may have an underlying cause such as chronic sinusitis. I was prescribed 2 different steroid sprays, it was only Dymista that worked. I think GP’s don’t prescribe this often as it’s the more expensive one but it was the only one that kept the sinusitis away prior to surgery

SabbatWheel · 13/04/2025 18:31

Use Pirinase for a week or so. It's steroid based and is very effective. A lot of sprays cause rebound stuffiness and shouldn't be used long term.

Eggsboxedandmelting · 13/04/2025 18:28

Becanase is the one that works for me. Once had a sneezing episode lasting 2 weeks! Dr prescribed this and it actually worked!

Rattai · 13/04/2025 18:28

You do get addicted to these quickly.
You use them more ...need then more.. use them more etc

Hilly87 · 13/04/2025 18:27

Have you tried a sinus rinse like NeilMed? When I suffered with sinusitis frequently, Sterimar would barely touch the sides but I would reach for it if it was all I had available.
Nothing beats the sinus rinse for me following sinus surgery. On bad days, I can do the rinse a good few times and feel instant relief. I would also do it just before I go to bed which helped. Also a BreatheRight strip on my nose after the rinse before bed to lessen the congested feeling.
https://amzn.eu/d/iE1YWGu

Tooty78 · 13/04/2025 18:26

Check out the Neti pots on Amazon

modgepodge · 13/04/2025 18:24

I’ve read you can become addicted to these in an extremely short while (3/4 days). Your body gets used to having them and you feel congested without. You basically need to go cold turkey for a week to let your body get back to normal.

UndermyShoeJoe · 13/04/2025 18:22

I’ve been trying Otrivine spray for the last week and it seems pretty good so far.

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