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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:
Thighlengthboots · 04/01/2023 20:38

I have had this before from nasal sprays and its HORRIBLE. What cured mine was using a neti pot device to clear my nasal passages more naturally (it comes with a saline solution and you must only use pre-boiled cooled or distilled water). I found this really helped when I went cold turkey with the nasal spray. Was back to normal in 4 days.

katepilar · 04/01/2023 20:40

I genuily wonder how does it happen that people dont know about this.

Although I had a doctor at a walk-in clinic tell me I can use the nasal spray every day for however long I wanted...

anerki101 · 04/01/2023 20:40

Is it just the sprays? I use one of those inhaler sticks and wondering if it's the same for those or just the sprays?

Work2live · 04/01/2023 20:41

I’ve had this too with Sudafed, I used it every day for about two years 😬

Got sick of needing to always have a bottle of it with me, so I went cold turkey. The rebound congestion was horrible but my nose went back to normal in 2-3 days.

Hellybelly84 · 04/01/2023 20:42

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?

I was wondering the same thing. I just thought everyone breathes through their mouths at night when they get a cold (or I just dab abit of olbas oil on my pillow). I didnt even know this was a thing but glad to have read this warning.

katepilar · 04/01/2023 20:43

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

No! There is a difference between a medicinal nasal spray and a salt solution which is what your body is made of!

CrocodilesCry · 04/01/2023 20:43

A lovely friend of mine was addicted to them for ages. She told me one day how she couldn't get by without using hers several times a day and didn't realise how dangerous this was, especially with her really severe heart condition!
Luckily she was able to stop.

namnamnam22 · 04/01/2023 20:44

Oh my gosh I had no idea! Although it makes sense now I think about it as it tells you not to use for longer than 3-4 days 🙈 I’ve just bought a sinus rinse bottle with little sachets from Amazon as I had congestion/mucus that would just not shift and I feel like a new human after it!!! The stuff it shifted was unbelievable

bellac11 · 04/01/2023 20:44

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?

I cant remember the exact details but breathing through mouths can cause health problems.

Teuchterlass · 04/01/2023 20:45

I have used them for 45 years. Every now and again I get weaned off them with steroid sprays, but more because I have high blood pressure and they can contribute. But my nose has been checked recently following a fall and I don’t have any issues with my nasal linings and they are no worse than anyone else. I am probably an exception though, so I would say stop them if you can.

katepilar · 04/01/2023 20:46

Hellybelly84 · 04/01/2023 20:42

I was wondering the same thing. I just thought everyone breathes through their mouths at night when they get a cold (or I just dab abit of olbas oil on my pillow). I didnt even know this was a thing but glad to have read this warning.

Show quote history

I guess you just tend to have a different type of nasal conjestion.
Sometimes you need to use a spray/drops to stop the stuff coming down your throat which would otherwise wake you every five minutes.

dementedpixie · 04/01/2023 20:46

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

No, they're OK to use long term

Cantbebotheredwithausername · 04/01/2023 20:46

I use a brand in my home country, but same issue. I'm very aware of it. I've never used a spray for a whole year, though I did once go two full months using it before taking care of it.

Now I find that if I do use a nasal decongestant, even just once, I'll suffer through about 24 hours of a miserably stuffed nose afterwards. But if I really have a bad cold or flu, it's still worth it - I'd rather have just 24 hours than a whole week while I'm also sick. It also helps a little for me to know there's an end to it - it's not that bad being miserable for 24 hours, if you know it's going to end soon.

OP, good luck with your cold turkey.

And to the poster who said they had good experience with taking it one nostril at a time - pretty genius. I might try the same next time.

FOTTFSOFTFOASM · 04/01/2023 20:47

I had absolutely no idea about this, and I am sure I'm not the only one. Thanks for the warning, @prettyrainbows

katepilar · 04/01/2023 20:47

namnamnam22 · 04/01/2023 20:44

Oh my gosh I had no idea! Although it makes sense now I think about it as it tells you not to use for longer than 3-4 days 🙈 I’ve just bought a sinus rinse bottle with little sachets from Amazon as I had congestion/mucus that would just not shift and I feel like a new human after it!!! The stuff it shifted was unbelievable

just use water and kitchen salt, works out a bit cheaper.

Pavementfaller · 04/01/2023 20:47

I've been prescribed a steroid nasal spray after I fell and injured my nose, amongst other matters. It happened around 3 weeks ago, and ever since one side of my nose has felt blocked. I had a follow-up ENT appointment when they checked and said it wasn't broken, and prescribed this spray which they said I should use for two months, and that it would reduce swelling and should remedy the blocked feeling. It hasn't, and anyway.I suspect that most of the swelling had gone within around 10 days. Having had a bit of a feel, (sorry if TMI) I can feel a sort of dent in the septum on one side and a ledge on the other, which is the side that feels blocked, so I'm 90% certain I have a deviated septum.

I was thinking I couldn't go back to get a further ENT referral till I had used the spray for the 2 prescribed months, but as a result of this thread I'm wondering whether I'm wrong and I should just get things moving now? I really don't think the spray is achieving anything and it won't magically put the septum back in place, and if there's a chance that it becomes actively harmful I probably need to stop now. Any medics out there who can give a steer on this?

Original poster
prettyrainbows · 04/01/2023 20:47

Work2live · 04/01/2023 20:41

I’ve had this too with Sudafed, I used it every day for about two years 😬

Got sick of needing to always have a bottle of it with me, so I went cold turkey. The rebound congestion was horrible but my nose went back to normal in 2-3 days.

This gives me hope! I'm going cold turkey!

OP posts:
MrsJackGrealish · 04/01/2023 20:48

A colleagues daughter had to have surgery on her nose because of nasal sprays. He said they do damage to the nose structure like cocaine does.

1hyuny · 04/01/2023 20:48

tweetypi · 04/01/2023 19:25

This happened to me although was only for around 4 months - I went cold turkey and it sorted itself out in a couple of weeks. Was a very unpleasant fortnight though and I really struggled to sleep - had to breathe through my mouth the whole time and my ears felt blocked up. Haven't touched them since!

Same here. You have to go cold turkey.

Hellybelly84 · 04/01/2023 20:48

katepilar · 04/01/2023 20:40

I genuily wonder how does it happen that people dont know about this.

Although I had a doctor at a walk-in clinic tell me I can use the nasal spray every day for however long I wanted...

I didnt know about it at all (but luckily get one cold a year at worst and never used them).

Do they have very clear warnings on the box/leaflet inside? I dont think I ever want to use them after reading this! 😳

OnlyFannys · 04/01/2023 20:48

katepilar · 04/01/2023 20:40

I genuily wonder how does it happen that people dont know about this.

Although I had a doctor at a walk-in clinic tell me I can use the nasal spray every day for however long I wanted...

We are all thick fuckers obviously 😂

neonstarburst · 04/01/2023 20:49

Wow, I had no idea so thanks for the warning. I’ve never used any of these sprays (and I’m not going to start having read this!).

I currently have a blocked nose due to a cold but I’m just breathing through my mouth instead.

Gonners · 04/01/2023 20:49

Boots does a saline nasal spray for babies, which I first bought in the hay-fever season. It also does the job for blocked noses.

namnamnam22 · 04/01/2023 20:50

@katepilar thank you! It came with 60 sachets but once they’re finished what’s the ratio of salt - water? I’m sure the little bottle is 240ml x

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