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Original poster

Blocked Nose Nasal sprays - Be Aware!!

238 replies

prettyrainbows · 04/01/2023 19:13

I used Sudafed Blocked Nose spray over a year ago when I had a bad cold, but I obviously used it longer than I should have and now my nose is addicted to it 😬 and I have Rhinitis Medicamentosa (saw Dr this afternoon)
Basically I have to use it 3/4 times a day else my nasal passages are severely congested.
So, 2 points - has anyone else had this and how did you cure it (Dr said reduce down gradually- feel like a druggie 😳) I just wondered if anyone else had any other tips or had congestion issues from overuse of nasal decongestants.
And point 2 - please be vary wary if using these nose sprays as if used longer than a week your nose can be come dependant- as its cold/flu season I just wanted to warn others as I didn't even know this was a thing until now!!

OP posts:
Volkswagenitalia · 04/01/2023 19:48

Yes, DH got 'addicted' to Vicks and got rebound congestion - he went cold turkey and it seemed to solve the issue and he is able to still carefully use it now, so I don't think it was bad enough to have long term effects.

It's amazing stuff, I can't believe I went so many years without in when I had colds, but it's very powerful!

Original poster
prettyrainbows · 04/01/2023 19:49

CitronVert22 · 04/01/2023 19:47

I love those sprays though as they make a cold bearable. But I'm careful, and as the cold gets better maybe only use it in one nostril etc. Basically use as little as possible while still being able to breathe.

Yes, please be careful. They cause rebound congestion quite quickly whereby it becomes a vicious cycle.

OP posts:
Volkswagenitalia · 04/01/2023 19:49

PickledWilly · 04/01/2023 19:33

That glorious feeling though when the spray clears it all... ahhh

I know right - better than sex! Grin

NewHopeNow · 04/01/2023 19:50

I had never heard of it but I read about it on Mumsnet last year I think it was. It's good that you're warning people.

oakleaffy · 04/01/2023 19:52

@prettyrainbows Two GP's advised saline rinse sachets by Neil Med and a 'Nasal rinse' bottle for severe sinusitis/bunged up inner ear/nose..It really worked, and non habit forming.

Theopossumwasmeantforme · 04/01/2023 19:53

Beconase doesn’t cause the same thing. There are allergy ones that do but they’re basically the decongestant ones.

Switch to saline sprays and irrigation.

Themind · 04/01/2023 19:53

I'm totally addicted to them I'm nasal anyway but these alleviated the problem during my GCSEs. If I don't take them my nose gets so blocked I can't breathe.

ILoveeCakes · 04/01/2023 19:54

I've known this happen to swimmers who used a nasal spray/rinse before every swim to help decongest to and aid breathing

oakleaffy · 04/01/2023 19:56

Volkswagenitalia · 04/01/2023 19:49

I know right - better than sex! Grin

Show quote history

🤣
Neil Med saline rinse sachets and bottle may be a good ''Dildo'' replacement...They work soooo well.

Not as 'convenient' as a spray or drops, but so satisfying once you get used to them.
The saline really did help me get rid of horrid bunged up stuffy nose and ears.

silentpool · 04/01/2023 19:57

I use a saline rinse. Give it a go.

StrikeAwaymothercluckers · 04/01/2023 19:59

Yes, i've had this! I was addicted for a long time and eventually managed to start quitting. I started using the spray up one nostril whenever I needed to and slowly cut down that way. Now i just spray on one side each night so I can sleep- the other side has been spray free for a while now and is fine during the day but still blocks up at night! You'll have a horrible few days of congestion but its worth it! The rebound congestion was actually worse than the initial congestion- wish I had never bought one tbh!

KimberleyClark · 04/01/2023 20:01

I use Sterimar which is a plain seawater spray when necessary. Certainly not addicted to it.

TheWorstWeek · 04/01/2023 20:02

My DH had what essentially felt like an addiction to otravine after using it on and off for years for allergies and colds. I'm pretty sure that it was his doctor that suggested switching to beconase and using that when he really needed but essentially he had to go cold turkey on all nasal sprays for a while and suffer through feeling congested for a while until the over use of it wore off.
Now he uses beconase really really rarely after constantly needing nasal sprays. Hay fever season can be rough for him but even then he might use it once or twice a month.

Runworkeatsleeprepeat · 04/01/2023 20:03

Me too was prescribed the beconase one for hayfever when I was pregnant and have suffered with sinusitis ever since! I've seen a consultant and they never mentioned this being the cause!

ILoveAllRainbowsx · 04/01/2023 20:05

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

caravanbuckie · 04/01/2023 20:05

Runworkeatsleeprepeat · 04/01/2023 20:03

Me too was prescribed the beconase one for hayfever when I was pregnant and have suffered with sinusitis ever since! I've seen a consultant and they never mentioned this being the cause!

It's not the same thing, that's a different spray.

Theopossumwasmeantforme · 04/01/2023 20:06

oakleaffy · 04/01/2023 19:56

🤣
Neil Med saline rinse sachets and bottle may be a good ''Dildo'' replacement...They work soooo well.

Not as 'convenient' as a spray or drops, but so satisfying once you get used to them.
The saline really did help me get rid of horrid bunged up stuffy nose and ears.

Show quote history

You need to try the neilmed battery one 😂

Themind · 04/01/2023 20:06

It's the Oxymetazaline hydrochloride which causes problems.

foodtoorder · 04/01/2023 20:07

@prettyrainbows Yes I was addicted to them unwittingly after a really heavy cold a few years ago.
I substituted it with Sterimar spray starting off in the morning. It is just salty water so can be used as much as you like, the last dose I dropped was night time as that was when I really suffered. It took a few weeks but it worked and I do the same now when ever my sinuses are blocked.

MontageOfHeck · 04/01/2023 20:07

I’m completely addicted and have been for years. It’s terrible. I was fully aware of the risks, but I’m a terrible sleeper as it is, so I’ll do anything to help.

I intend to purchase a saline spray and wean myself off…

Hedjwitch · 04/01/2023 20:08

Has anyone tried nasal douching with a neti pot thingy? Have had persistent phlegm and catarrh for 3 months and am going to stop using the nasal sprays,even tho one was prescribed for long term!

Original poster
prettyrainbows · 04/01/2023 20:08

Sorry if this is a stupid question, but do you buy the saline rinses? Are they a spray? How does it work?

OP posts:
Original poster
prettyrainbows · 04/01/2023 20:08

oakleaffy · 04/01/2023 19:56

🤣
Neil Med saline rinse sachets and bottle may be a good ''Dildo'' replacement...They work soooo well.

Not as 'convenient' as a spray or drops, but so satisfying once you get used to them.
The saline really did help me get rid of horrid bunged up stuffy nose and ears.

Show quote history

How does saline work? Is it a spray?

OP posts:
Rainmakerof69 · 04/01/2023 20:09

When you feel you are becoming dependent on it, just stretch the time between using it. Then just use at night (or day whichever is the harder to live with the bunged nose). Then stop.
Other receommendations look interesting.