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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:
foodtoorder · 04/01/2023 20:09

Sterimar saline spray 😀

Newnamefornewyear2023 · 04/01/2023 20:11

I only use them at night if I have a cold. One spray before I go to sleep so that I can breathe through my nose, and only for 3 days. Never in the day. Thanks for the warning!

Theopossumwasmeantforme · 04/01/2023 20:11

You can use cooled boiled water (body temp) with some salt and bicarb in a sports bottle with a squirty lid. It won’t work as well as the proper bottles etc but is effective.

StClare101 · 04/01/2023 20:12

My parents are both addicted to their prescription nose sprays, completely enabled by their GP.

My mum is also an alcoholic so clearly she has an addictive personality.

ThatshallotBaby · 04/01/2023 20:13

I am on a steroid nasal spray atm, I’ve had sinusitis and now vertigo for about 2 months, following covid. I think they are ok to use long term.
I know that Otrivine isn’t, it didn’t help at all anyway!

watchfulwishes · 04/01/2023 20:14

Woah, thank you for posting this OP, I had no idea. I always read leaflets when I buy meds but it is interesting what you learn from this place!

EmmaEmerald · 04/01/2023 20:16

OP how long did you use the Sudafed?

i have only ever used Sterimar saline spray, you just squirt it in and inhale it and it sorts of comes out...like irrigating with a neti pot. I only use it to stop a cold coming on.

if I get a cold, I used Otrivine but only for a couple of days.

spuddel · 04/01/2023 20:17

ThatshallotBaby · 04/01/2023 20:13

I am on a steroid nasal spray atm, I’ve had sinusitis and now vertigo for about 2 months, following covid. I think they are ok to use long term.
I know that Otrivine isn’t, it didn’t help at all anyway!

Same here, post covid the congestion in my sinuses just wouldnt drain. Severe vertigo. The steroid spray helped a bit but to be honest i found the Sterimar Saline spray worked better. I think I have a polyp in one nostril though.

Had no idea about those sprays though op, thanks for the info!

RomeoMcFlourish · 04/01/2023 20:18

I developed an addiction to nasal sprays, I was completely obsessed with when I would get a chance for my next spray, but the relief lessened each time as the rebound sinus problems worsened. I eventually went to see the GP as I was desperate to get off them before my wedding and he prescribed a steroid nasal spray to use as an alternative and it worked brilliantly and I was able to wean myself off quite easily really and then just stopped the steroid spray once I’d finished the recommended course without any problems.

bellac11 · 04/01/2023 20:20

Im on a steroid nasal spray which I have to use all the time, every day.

SabbatWheel · 04/01/2023 20:20

Pirinase (steroid based) is fine to use long term. I was also prescribed Avamys which is a different steroid prep and totally knocked my long term sinusitis on the head.

dementedpixie · 04/01/2023 20:21

Think it's the oxymetazoline and xylometazoline in the decongestant sprays that cause the issues. Corticosteroid sprays don't cause the same issues.

DipmeinChoc · 04/01/2023 20:21

Yes. I used Sudafed daily for over 10 years, it was rebound sinitis but as it was the only thing that fixed it I couldn't stop.

I'm currently on daily antihistamine tablet, cortisol steroid spray and saline spray, I've been on this for over 2yrs, my sinuses are swollen and I have constant drip, it is 50% blocked every day. I think they are fucked for life. I saw an ENT who advised I needed to lose weight and quit drinking. My next Avenue is to go private to see if they can recommend anything. It's frustrating as it is completely self inflicted.

nobird · 04/01/2023 20:24

I’m addicted to it too. The Sudafed one. Have also got hooked on Vicks and a few years back had steroid spray for polyps.

purpledalmation · 04/01/2023 20:25

It's not a true addiction, because that has an element of emotional dependency. You don't have the emotional withdrawal phase, but you do get rebound swelling and congestion. It's a physical dependency not an addiction.

nobird · 04/01/2023 20:25

Postnasal drip and cough at night too…

Taking regular antihistamines helps as does cutting down on dairy.

EmmaDilemma5 · 04/01/2023 20:26

This may sound stupid, but why don't people just breath through their mouths until their noses return to normal? I don't know why some are saying they'll be addicted forever?

verballyincompetent · 04/01/2023 20:28

I was addicted for years too, after a GP told me to use it when I went to see him about having a chronically blocked nose... he didn't warn me not to use it long term so just assumed the warnings wouldn't apply to me as the GP told me to use it, so figured it was ok. It got to the point where I had to use it several times a day, and buy multiple bottles if I was going ok holiday!!
In the end using steroid sprays helped (I got prescription strength ones) as well as using a saline spray which had menthol in it - found that much better than just the plain saline but was drug free.

Greencrocs · 04/01/2023 20:32

I had NO idea about this. Thank you for the warning!

whatwasIgoingtosay · 04/01/2023 20:33

I have also suffered with addiction to inhaler sprays. It's awful trying to come off them. Vicks do a steam inhaler which you feed with vapo pads infused with menthol - gives good temporary relief. Also, I use Olbas inhaler sticks (not a spray - just a nice smelling sniff up the nostrils) and Karvol capsules released into a hankie at bedtime, which I clutch over my nose as I go to sleep. I also find a hot cloth pressed over the sinuses brings relief. I had a bad bout of Covid recently and was desperate not to get dragged down into another addictive period, so I tried all of these and managed quite well, although I confess to using a spray lightly once a day in alternating nostrils, to tide me over. Good luck with the cold turkey, OP!

Gymmum82 · 04/01/2023 20:33

Yes!!! I was addicted to them for YEARS. probably about 5 years or more. I had no idea. But I have successfully stopped the addiction and can still use them but very carefully.
I started by mixing a small amount of saline in with a small amount of the decongestant solution. Then gradually increased the amount of saline so the decongestant was diluted. It meant I didn’t have to go through my nose being totally blocked for days or weeks if I went cold turkey and took probably a couple of months until I didn’t need it at all anymore. No lasting damage has been done

OnlyFannys · 04/01/2023 20:33

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…

Me too this thread has actually given me a bit of a kick up the arse reminder to try and kick it so thank you @prettyrainbows for posting!

katepilar · 04/01/2023 20:35

I would try salty water rinsing. Or at least sea water spray, there are types for just rinsing or types for a light cold.

rebekahnorris · 04/01/2023 20:36

Does this apply to saline sprays we use on kids like ' 'Sterimar' for kids which is a salt spray

FeedMeCoffeeOrGin · 04/01/2023 20:36

Had this problem with a Sinex spray. Slowly reduced using it but found not being able to breathe through my nose hard to ignore so used nasal strips at night. They're not medicated and I found they helped me breathe a little better so I could get some sleep! Might be worth a try!