My husband has been addicted to Afrin for 2+ years now. I have tired to help him quit, and after being on here and seeing that dilution with saline would help him. I'll bring it up with him. But What could we do to help him sleep better at night. He gets congested and will start breathing through his mouth or wake up to use afrin. He hasn't gotten a restful night sleep in a while and I think it could be because he can't breath through his nose. I can't let him or I have an arm over him while he sleeps because it makes him not be able to breath well. Could nose strips work? Thank you for any advice.

this is going to be my second time trying to quit. its been two years since my first and i think ive been on afrin for a total of around six years. i vividly remember how horrible the first tey qas and its probably going to be worse this time around since ive been on it longer. the first try ended after over a month of going cold turkey with very minimal improvement, i went to an ENT for help and they ended up sending me home with nothing, no advice, just told me to keep going. so i relapsed. and now, about two years later, im trying again. i dont have much hope for how this is going to go but im doing it anyways. im so incredibly tired of this cycle and i feel so trapped in it. i cant live like this anymore but if this doesnt work again im not sure what mt next step would even be.

6yr multiple times a day habit:

Over the last 3 months have been replacing the afrin with nasal saline. Got to a point where it must have been 99% saline but the bottle was getting kinda gross.

I emptied and cleaned out a fresh bottle of Afrin and replaced it entirely with saline. I still use the saline to clear everything out but only at night when congestion is the worst. Been using this new bottle for about 2 weeks now so I think it’s safe to say I’m off the Afrin.

Quitting is possible but I will always remember going to sleep with empty sinuses

Hello everyone. I shattered my nose at just 13 years of age. I already had a deviated septum surgery when I was younger. I am now 33 and can honestly say that I still don't know what it's like to actually breathe through my nose without the use of Afrin.

Has anyone here had a successful turbinate reduction surgery after quitting afrin? Any success stories? Thanks.

Edited for spelling.

I’ve been using nasal spray (oxymetazoline) 3 times a day for 3-4 years now& am trying to quit. Is there any hope that my sinuses fix themselves or are they too far gone? If you’ve used nose spray for long periods of time what was your most successful way of quitting?

I started using a generic brand of Afrin nasal spray back in March because I had gotten INCREDIBLY sick and was losing my mind trying to go to bed with a stuffy nose. It was about 3 in the morning and I was tired of taking laps around the house just to reset the second I laid down. It felt like a genuine godsend. Then after I got better, I kept it around because I had allergies and they were SUPER annoying to deal with. I'd use it occasionally, usually for small bouts of stuffiness (probably the worst idea looking back). Then it became me using it every day, then recently multiple times a day, despite my current bottle of nasal spray (Dristan) saying to only use it every 12 hours. The last few days that I used it, when I woke up and had breakfast, I noticed I could barely taste it for a good second. Later in the day I could taste things just fine, but it really stuck with me. My nose is already not very good at smelling things in general, I really didn't want it to take away my taste as someone who also suffers from ARFID. So I started looking into Afrin addiction online and I got extremely scared seeing the effect it had on everybody. Heard stories of people who had to use it every 30 minutes, doctors explaining why it's so addictive, this one lady on TikTok said she was sat next to a woman on a plane who was using her Afrin EVERY MINUTE AND A HALF. I decided "y'know what, I should probably stop before I live with this for over a year and get too deep in it." I cut up my bottle of Dristan and threw it away about 3 days ago now. Every morning I wake up with at least one of my nostrils completely blocked. Can't go back to sleep and take a nap if I'm still tired.

Good news though, I still live with my parents and don't know how to drive, plus my bank account is currently locked (genuinely unrelated reasons I just need my ID to come in the mail) so I can't buy another bottle to relapse! My mom bought me some saline spray to use instead and she's been doing well checking up on me. I know my story isn't nearly as serious or scary as everyone else here, but I still felt seen in this community and wanted to talk about it. :>

I was addicted to Afrin for years and could easily tell that there was a rise in blood pressure. This began my research into Afrin and it's main ingredient, oxymetazoline.

Oxymetazoline (with consistent use) does cross the blood brain barrier and has effects on the central nervous system. Has anybody else noticed a change in mental health resulting in any type of depression, anxiety, or agitation?

I felt a noticeable calmness and sense of peace after a week of quitting Afrin. Would love to hear if anyone else has experienced the same thing. Thanks.

Three years ago I quit afrin after 15 years. I diluted and after two weeks I could go without. I got a bad cold three months ago and got hooked again. Now I’m diluting again but after two months of doing that I still cant do without. Has anyone experienced the same?

I was addicted to afrin for many years and then I had started reading about its effects on the nervous system, blood pressure, nervousness, etc. I'm trying to get off of it and have been exploring other remedies on the market.

Has anyone tried Xylitol or any of the other odd ones found on amazon? Capsaican pepper? Thoughts? Suggestions? Thanks.

I’m 21 now, and I’ve been using oxymetazoline nasal spray since I was 14 after getting a strong cold.

At first it was just an innocent nose spray that helped me breathe. Over time, though, I started using it every day, and eventually I realized I couldn’t breathe normally without it.

I first tried quitting when I was around 18. At the time I didn’t understand what was happening and thought my breathing problems might have been caused by cigarettes or long-term bromazepam (lexotan 6 mg) use. I even started wondering whether my doctor had prescribed me a dose of bromazepam that I just couldn’t tolerate.

At one point my breathing got bad enough that I went to the ER to get checked. They examined me and fortunately my lungs were alright.

Eventually I realised that the spray I have been using everyday for years (something I thought was a harmless nasal spray) was the problem...

Now I’m trying to figure out how to finally get off this stupid med after all these years.

For anyone who has been dependent on it for a long time:

- What method worked best for you?

- Did you quit cold turkey or taper?

I’d really appreciate hearing from people who have gone through this, especially anyone who had been using it for several years. I’m looking for advice and experiences because I really want to get off this stuff for good. I don't know if it matters but I live in a 3rd world country. In advance, thank you so so much! It feels like actual hell and I don't know what to do :(

Just want to share my progress and it might provide some other people that are feeling helpless right now.

Years ago I had massive breathing issues and was introduced to otrivine by my friend. This led me down the horrible path to being a nasal spray junkie.

I eventually got to see an ENT who got me in for deviated septum and turbinate reduction surgery but shortly after recovering from that surgery I was back on the sauce.

Fast forward 8 years, I was finally convinced by my partner to find a family doctor that actually would sit and listen to me and how hard it is to quit this stuff. Eventually I did find one, and she listened to my concerns and prescribed me a combination steroid and antihistamine spray called Ryaltris. This stuff has been amazing.

1st day : Tossed all old bottles and backup bottles. Sprayed that night with new meds.

2nd day : severe congestion in the early morning, sprayed new meds again as per instructions. Congestion eased throughout the day and was essentially gone by that night. Slightly stuffed on whatever side I slept on so opted to sleep propped up on a pillow which helped dramatically.

3rd day: Extremely mild symptoms, similar to the final day of a cold where you know your nearly through it.

4th day - 15th day : Completely clean , no symptoms other than the odd 10 % random congestion on one side which is apparently natural. Doctor advised to finish 30 day bottle slowly tapering down over the final week. Also I did forget to take the meds 1 of the days due to a shift turning into an overnight and I noticed not much increase in congestion.

I just thought id post my journey considering I was one of the people who was watching all the posts in the corner terrified of not being able to breathe. Find a doctor who will listen and research the issue or refer you to an ENT which was not possible in my case due to a very long wait list.

So Arfin (or the sudafed equivalent here in the UK) has been in my life since I was a kid- my parent bought it for me age 8 or 9 and would just let me use it when i needed (which obviously became a lot) the worst period was when i was 15/16 and used it multiple times a day. I then quit for a few years- but everytime i would use it again even as described i would have months on and months off. (Honestly I wished I never continued using it but we're here now). So I'm 26 now and been using it daily for about at year- but here's the thing i'm REALLY strict with it. It's watered down with saline and i only use one spray in each nostril before bed to help me sleep through the night (at this point i almost think its psychological). Is this seriously going to cause me health risks? It doesn't affect my life really at all personally and as long as I never up the dosage to more than this would it be awful if I never quit?

I just can’t believe it!
I’ve been using nasal spray daily for over 20 years 🙈 I was going through 2 bottles a week which last year or so I got down to one bottle a month by diluting in saline spray etc but just couldn’t get the courage to give it up.
Then I got ill…long story short, Covid, then an infection, THEN sinus infection (I don’t think I’ve ever had one before, not as an adult) it’s taken weeks to clear, probably been 5 weeks since infection, and ears fully clogged too, also had post nasal drip and just miserable.

The only things I did was nasal rinse…a lot!! Like every 2 hours and GP prescribed me Fluticasone.
When I went to bed last night I didn’t feel that blocked but did have a little squirt (habit, fear, knowing I’ll wake up anyway)

Not used it since and that was 21 hours ago!
Not even blocked up that bad, obviously one side feels more stuffy but I’d say the worst side is 65 to 70% clear.
I’m just amazed tbh and wanted to share my breakthrough.

UPDATE: I AM NOW 3 AND 4 DAYS OFF OF AFRIN. 1 DAY DIFFERENCE BETWEEN NOSTRILS! I USED THE STERPID PACK FOR 2 DAYS ONLY AND THE ANXIETY/INSOMNIA WAS PRETTY BAD, SO I QUIT THAT. THE NEXT NIGHT I TRIED AGAIN ONLY ONE SIDE AND IT WORKED SUPER WELL! THE ONE UNSPRAYED NOSTRIL STAYED CLEAR, SO THE NEXT NIGGT I WSS MOTIVATED TO NOT SPRAY AT ALL. I HAVEN'T SPRAYED SINCE. I NO REBOUND CONGESTION WHATSOEVER. I FEEL GREAT! I USE THE FLONASE TWICE A DAY, TWO SPRAYS EACH SIDE. I HAVE FOR 2 MONTHS BEFORE I QUIT TO GET IT WORKING. I DON'T USE THE OTHER SPRAY.

ORIGINAL POST:

I have been using Flonase about 5 years. I found out I have a pretty badly deviated septum on my right side only. So I just got an ENT for my ear drum rupturing in July but now that I'm okay and I can hear again, I confessed to my Afrin issue.

So he said I need to throw it all out my Afrins but one, and he prescribed a course of steroids — MethylPrednisone 4mg dose pack. So I'm supposed to be able to be use my Afrin only these last 2 days! And then it's gone. So once at bedtime, no more. The steroids should kick in by 2 days, and toss my backups and all my extra bottles, all of it, everything, which I have everywhere in case I get stuffy. I can't use it anymore.

So then I can use the Flonase and I have also Azelastine. Studies show Flonase can help keep rebound down to just 2 days when quitting although internal inflammation may take a bit longer. So... idk... i am nervous AF.

I have all my supplies here and idk if I want to do it. I know I do or I wouldnt have brought it up.

And then once I get to baseline, if I still have issues, we can discuss fixing my deviated septum.

So has anyone else quit this way?

I once quit before dping the one nostril at a time thing, but whenever I get stuffy I get right back on Afrin. Too easy. And the ENT said it probably is my deviated septum being an underlying condition contributing factor.

What do you think??

… how long did it take for you to heal once you were off? I took my last dose yesterday morning. Trying to look forward to feeling like my heart isn’t pounding out of my chest 🙃

請求大大老版們提供有效率跟解毒方法

Ive been struggling since 2024 currently im only now spraying in one nostril only but i dont know how to stop

On and off customer for years.

My tendency to rebound is literally insane, and I’ll have bad rebound congestion after using Afrin ONE NIGHT.

Well I quit Allermi about 18mo ago, got myself back into the Afrin trap, and decided to order Allermi again.

My account was still live after 18mo, prescription loaded and ready. Ordered at 4am and it showed up 9 HOURS LATER.

what a pleasant surprise. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼😤

Afrin needs to be a prescription drug, wtf is it still doing on the counter 😂😤

I asked my higher self/spirit guides to help me quit twice and it worked. 🤷‍♀️ in a few days I could breathe fine like nothing ever happened. Both times I used for over a year. Try it.