Blocked nose sprays

[ShyPlumRobin]

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?

Yep, as others have said, this is because they’re not designed for long-term use. You’re only meant to use them for a day or two while you have a cold.

You’ll need to go cold turkey.

Wean yourself off one nostril at a time. I use a natural nasal spray followed by a steroid one at bedtime, then after a few days just the steroid spray. Same again in the other side a week or so later. I use the steroid sprays every night as I do suffer badly with sinus pain

Oh and I wouldn’t waste time seeing a GP for this, it’s easily managed by OTC sprays.

Chronic rhinitis sufferer here. Have recently seen an ENT (this is what you need to push for from your GP). Initially prescribed a month of steroids to take in a NeilMed rinse (Budensode), then moved me onto Dymista and a saline rinse twice a day once the inflammation had calmed down. As others have said, Sudafed will cause rebound congestion.

You also need to try and find out what's driving the inflammation if you can. I had pressure in my sinuses, post-nasal drip, constant sneezing and fatigue from fighting the inflammation 24/7. The treatment I am on has definitely helped, but this is a chronic condition so will need to always stay on top of it. Mine is caused by allergies to dust mites as well as tree pollen.

Sending sympathy - it's a constellation of symptoms which don't sound like much, but I've found it debilitating until finding a proper treatment plan.

Which spray do you recommend.

You’re experiencing rebound congestion. I was addicted to these sprays for a couple of years. The only way to break the cycle is to stop.

This was recommended to me and has been amazing. It’s a drug free spray that moisturises. A few sprays up each nostril will unblock you really quickly. I use it daily as a preventative too. Xylitol nasal spray.

I’ll give that a try. I’ve been to the doctors and the pharmacist before who just fob off or pills that don’t work. Even change doctors surgery and they are like 🤷🏻‍♀️

Been left a mouth breather most of my life due to a constantly stuffy/blocked nose it’s horrible.

Pirinase.
It used to be called Flixonase and was prescription only but they decided it was safe to be on general sale, so they renamed it Pirinase and you can get it in supermarkets. It’s a mild steroid and works well. I use it only when a bit stuffy, not every day, but it doesn’t cause rebound stuffiness like Sudafed.

It could be a structural problem. I had a balloon sinuplasty, septoplasty and turbinate reduction 5 years ago. I’ve been able to breathe normally ever since.

I was fortunate to have private health insurance at the time, I’m not sure how straightforward these things would be on the NHS. Haven’t seen your previous posts on the thread but I’d push them for ENT referral if you haven’t already.

They are notorious for being addictive & cause rebound congestion which can be worse than the original problem.

There isn't an easy way, you need to just stop using them & if you use them in the future then follow the instructions strictly (never more than 3 days)