Nasal spray addiction (stuffy nose).. do corticoid sprays like Nasonex really help?

[omega3]

I'm already addicted for years to a fenylefrine OTC nasal spray, meaning that without my nose remains clogged.

This condition is called rhinitis medicamentosa, so I went to an ENT doctor who prescribed me Rhinocort, a corticosteriode nasal spray that is supposed to help you, however after i used it for a week it made my nose very dry giving nose bleeds and did not help at all with unblocking my nose.

Now another ENT doctor prescribed me Nasonex, which again is another corticosteroide nasal spray, so anybody who also was once addicted to OTC nasal sprays (or knows somebody) can tell me if something like Nasonex will really help and how long it takes?

Or what else can i do. I also read on wiki about oral prednisone being used for a week or something.

All advice is VERY welcome cause this is driving me crazy cause my nose it still blocked making me feel horrible. Thanks for all good advice!

 

[Ken g6]

They should eventually help. They take a few days to get going, though. If you get nosebleeds I'd say either you're using too many sprays per nostril, or you need more humidity in your environment. Or both.

As far as getting off nasal spray, I'd suggest using it on one side but not the other for awhile. Also, you don't mean oxymetazoline?

Edit: One more thing. Your nose is blocked because it's inflamed. A Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) might help. Such as asprin, ibuprofen, practically any OTC pain reliever except Tylenol (acetaminophen).

 

[iluvdeal]

I was using rx nasal spray for years as my nose was just clogged all the time, I was mouth breathing to sleep. One day I just told myself enough and I stopped using it as I knew if I didn't I'd be on it the rest of my life and who knows what it was doing to me long term?

When you first stop, it clogs really bad but that will dissipate. My nose was clogged but I could live with it. I forget when/how it happened, but the problem went away. If I have nasal problems now due to allergies, I use a neti pot and saline rinse which helps.

 

[pcgeek11]

The only thing that worked for me was cold turkey and yes I was one miserable bastard for a few weeks until I started to get over it.

I used to have a bottle of that crap everywhere in the car at work several at home and I carried one in my pocket. That stuff is very addictive.

Get some saline nasal spray which will give you some relief, but you will have to suffer through it rather than take bunches of other nasal crap...

Good luck, it will end.

 

[omega3]

They should eventually help. They take a few days to get going, though. If you get nosebleeds I'd say either you're using too many sprays per nostril, or you need more humidity in your environment. Or both.

As far as getting off nasal spray, I'd suggest using it on one side but not the other for awhile. Also, you don't mean oxymetazoline?

Edit: One more thing. Your nose is blocked because it's inflamed. A Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) might help. Such as asprin, ibuprofen, practically any OTC pain reliever except Tylenol (acetaminophen).

The nosebleeds seem to be a common side effect of corticoide nasal sprays as mentioned as such in its leaflef.. i also use saline sprays but i find them rather agressive to be honnest and they don't stop the potential nose bleeding from the corticoide nasal sprays.

 

[omega3]

I was using rx nasal spray for years as my nose was just clogged all the time, I was mouth breathing to sleep. One day I just told myself enough and I stopped using it as I knew if I didn't I'd be on it the rest of my life and who knows what it was doing to me long term?

When you first stop, it clogs really bad but that will dissipate. My nose was clogged but I could live with it. I forget when/how it happened, but the problem went away. If I have nasal problems now due to allergies, I use a neti pot and saline rinse which helps.

The only thing that worked for me was cold turkey and yes I was one miserable bastard for a few weeks until I started to get over it.

I used to have a bottle of that crap everywhere in the car at work several at home and I carried one in my pocket. That stuff is very addictive.

Get some saline nasal spray which will give you some relief, but you will have to suffer through it rather than take bunches of other nasal crap...

Good luck, it will end.

Since you say cold turkey was the only way that worked, what else did you try? Did your doctor also gave you a cortisone nasal spray like Rhinocort or Nasonex?

How long where you addicted to oxymetazoline (Afrin) or phenylefrine (same thing) and how long did it take for your nose to be unblocked again?

 

[Scarpozzi]

My wife had bad results with Nasonex and uses a steroid nasal spray daily.

She's an expert on this stuff because she prescribes a lot of it and knows what works for others. I can ask her about becoming dependent on them and see what she says.

 

[omega3]

My wife had bad results with Nasonex and uses a steroid nasal spray daily.

She's an expert on this stuff because she prescribes a lot of it and knows what works for others. I can ask her about becoming dependent on them and see what she says.

Nasonex IS a steroid nasal spray so are you sure that's the one your wife had bad experience with?

If your wife has lots of experience with this indeed ask her and let us know. Thanks.

 

[iluvdeal]

Since you say cold turkey was the only way that worked, what else did you try? Did your doctor also gave you a cortisone nasal spray like Rhinocort or Nasonex?

For me, I was on Flonase for like 3-4 years. After stopping I tried OTC saline nasal sprays. But I just stopped using sprays all together and lived with the congestion. Sorry I don't know remember how/when it totally stopped, I guess I just stopped paying so much attention to it and one day without even realizing it, it went away.

 

[smackababy]

Isn't one of the side effects that using these for awhile and stopping actually ends up worse than before?

 

[omega3]

For me, I was on Flonase for like 3-4 years. After stopping I tried OTC saline nasal sprays. But I just stopped using sprays all together and lived with the congestion. Sorry I don't know remember how/when it totally stopped, I guess I just stopped paying so much attention to it and one day without even realizing it, it went away.

So Flonase got you addicted??.. i believe you but it's kinda weird that these corticoseroide nasal sprays are actually being prescribed to HELP getting of nasal spray addiction like with Afrin, etc.. (= rhinitis medicamentosa see this wiki). I'm really confused now.

 

[sttubs]

Kaley Cuoco had the same problem: https://www.yahoo.com/health/kaley-cuoco-confessed-her-strange-addiction-on-107999734647.html
I'm not sure is oral steroids would be as effective as nasal steroids.

 

[pcgeek11]

Since you say cold turkey was the only way that worked, what else did you try? Did your doctor also gave you a cortisone nasal spray like Rhinocort or Nasonex?

How long where you addicted to oxymetazoline (Afrin) or phenylefrine (same thing) and how long did it take for your nose to be unblocked again?

No cold turkey is just that. No other drugs. I don't think drugs are a cure for drugs. I was using Afrin for years...

A few months and I was over it...

 

[Humpy]

Because of allergies I had overused Afrin to the point it wouldn't work and was given a bunch of Prednisone. Worked like a charm in reducing the inflammation. The Flonase type sprays did little for me.

The core issue was nasal polyps. After surgery to clean everything out I have been free of allergies or any other sinus issues.

 

[HeXen]

I use an all natural nasal spray Sinus Plumber and works really well for me. It's made from red peppers and you can use it as much as you want. After about a year of using it, I got to a point where my nose didn't clog up anymore.
My nose still runs a lot in the mornings, to a point where I can soak a paper towel before I finish breakfast but a shot of that and it all runs out at once and I'm good to go for the day.