I'm still sick, just so you all know. This is the worst sinus infection I've ever had. I am taking a 2-in-one combination antibiotic and a prescription decongestant, but still feel bleh. My doctor even told me to use Afrin for more than the 3 recommended days if needed.

I hate using Afrin, having gone through an Afrin addiction that lasted several years. If you've ever used the stuff for too long, you can end up with a "rebound effect," where your nasal passages freak out and thwart all attempts to breathe when you stop the spray. Stopping cold turkey will give you worst sinus headache in the history of the world in addition to sealing your nasal passages shut anywhere from 12 hours to a week! This is an actual medical condition known as Rhinitis Medicamentosa.

It's pretty amazing the number of people who are, or who have been, addicted to Afrin. Some people have been addicted for more than 25 years!

The best way I found to get over the addiction is to mix saline spray with the Afrin, gradually increasing the amount of saline in the mixture until the mixture is essentially pure saline. You can continue to use the spray as often as needed, and you don't get the absolute misery that goes with quitting quickly. I believe I used Nostrate's kit to wean myself, leaving me free from my spray bottle after 30 days. They even offer a second kit free if you aren't free and clear with one. UPDATE 1/19/09: Nostrate is no longer available. Please see the bottom of this entry for Rhinostat information, which uses the same system to break the Afrin addiction.

I haven't used Afrin for 3 years, and currently I've been diluting it with saline spray in order to keep the concentration down. It seems to be working - my nasal passages aren't swollen and I only have to use a little bit of the stuff in the evenings. The rest of the day I'm blowing my nose constantly due to the infection (so pretty), but don't feel the need to use anything else.

I am prone to sinus problems, and the best thing I've found for daily use is the Neti Pot (hilarious demonstration video here). This was recommended by a pregnant friend who had a terrible cold but couldn't take any decongestants.

I had to send Frinklin into another room for the first few times I used the Neti Pot, as the process would make us laugh hysterically. But I became a believer after a couple of uses. It does take a few tries to find the right angle, but is quick and painless. Frinklin eventually started using the pot, and my 16 year-old brother is also a convert (if you thought Frinklin and I laughed, just try showing it to a teenage boy!). I've tried to get my Mom to try it, but she is completely freaked out by the whole idea. Your loss, Mom.

This is such a weird thing to be addicted to, and it might sound stupid if you've never been through it, but trust me - it's intense.

UPDATE 1/19/09: It appears that the nostrate website is no longer available. There is another website which offers the same general treatment system, and it's even something you can get free if your doctor orders it. If you want to order it yourself the kit is $35 plus shipping. It sounds expensive, but if you add up what you are paying for Afrin each month, it's really quite a deal! Good luck!

Posted by: Ensie at 02:18 PM | Comments (14) | Add Comment
Post contains 602 words, total size 4 kb.

1 Taking Afrin scares me. I try not to use it too much. After many recommendations from friends, I used the Neti pot for the first time last year and it really helped with clearing up a sinus infection. But now that I am better it has been hard for me to use. When I use it, the pressure really builds up and I feel like I am swimming underwater. I would still recommend it though.

Posted by: Stefani at May 26, 2007 09:19 PM (4aY2Q)

2 My Dad is addicted to Afrin right now. It's good to read other people's stories to pass along bits of wisdom to him. Also, I love my neti pot. I use it almost daily, and I'm convinced it pretty much got rid of my allergies. I used to get sinus infections all the time - no more!

Posted by: Noelle at June 12, 2007 09:04 PM (gvYLJ)

3 I have been using Afrin everyday sometimes 5=6 times a day for about 10 years. Last week I took a sinus pill containing pseudoephredrine. It helped with my congestion all day = no need to use Afrin. Maybe every other day I take the sinus pill and I only use the Afrin before bedtime. But for me the only sinus pill that works must contain the pseudoephredrine. Good luck to all of you.

Posted by: Paula at February 06, 2008 07:19 PM (bQbts)

4 The problem with using pseudoephedrine is that it isn't good for you, especially if you have a heart murmur, like I do. I inherited a mitrol valve prolapse from my mother, and she has the same sinus problems I have. She took a decongestant for several years that contained pseudoephedrine until she finally gave herself heart palpitations. Now she is careful not to take any decongestant that has pseudoephedrine in it. Get off both the Afrin and the pseudoephedrine if you can, talk to a doctor if you need to.

Posted by: ensie at February 06, 2008 08:14 PM (6We+3)

5 I have been on Afrin for years. When I get bad sinus infections and get antibiotics I can get off the Afrin for a while but I always go back. I started taking Claritin-D and it helps me not use the Afrin as much. Last week I got the worse sinus infection ever and could not breathe. I was using the Afrin constantly and only got a little relief. I realize I have a problem and scheduled an appointment with a doctor to help me get off the Afrin. I realized I had a problem when I asked myself one day what if I was in jail or something and couldn't get my Afrin what would I do! Sounds crazy but true. Not sure where the being in jail thing came from. Wish me luck and if you're a Afrin user like me, seek help. Good luck!

Posted by: VThomas at March 25, 2008 01:25 PM (vqwRC)

6 Beware the addiction to nasal sprays. They are about self perpetuating..EVen if you had normal sinuses before being exposed to nasal sprays, after a while you CAN'T get off of them cuz of the rebound. Some side effect people on nasal sprays can get include: PALPITATIONS, HEART ARRYTHMIAS, which may be serious and intolerable,ANXIETY, GLAUCOMA, PROTRATE TROUBLE,KIDNEY DAMAGE, LOTSA AND LOTSA PROBLEMS!! Google it! This stuff IS absorbed into your body. Neo-synephrine IS an actual heart medication. Afrin is similar to adrenaline, another heartmed-style nasal spray. Flonase IS A STEROID which wreaks havoc with your blood sugar, your bones, can cause moon face and rounded abdomens and weight gain, decreases ability to fight infections or heal, a real night mare. This stuff is way more dangerous and ADDICTIVE than people realize......good luck.

Posted by: Deb's Friend! at March 28, 2008 02:49 AM (Yzcoh)

7 Hi! A National Morning Show is looking for somebody who has been addicted to nasal sprays for many years and has been unable to break their addiction. We will be offering help from an expert on how to end the cycle! You will be needed tomorrow (4/25) as well as Monday morning (4/2 . Please email me at Robyn.factor@gmail.com asap if interested!

Posted by: Robyn at April 24, 2008 09:48 AM (hofQL)

8 My husband used Afrin for 15 years, but he did get over it. I have been so sick for 2 months so I used it for 5 days, and already there are signs of that rebound effect today. My husband warned me, so I am going to stop taking it now before it gets worse. Thanks for posting this.

Posted by: Chrissy at July 23, 2008 01:54 PM (ikwmF)

9 So many addictions and dont know how people will survive in the future.

Posted by: adiction at September 10, 2008 02:37 AM (i1Chk)

10 Well i used Afrin the last 3 years..and im starting to see blood in the mornigns...and also i feel the taste of blood...i dont know how to quit..

Posted by: Alexandra at January 14, 2009 09:50 AM (xeDYH)

11 If you are addicted to Afrin I suggest diluting it with saline drops. Like half and half at least and them maybe dilute it more in time. Use less, like 1 squirt per nostril. Also, take an allergy med nightly, like Zyrtec. At first I also took a Sudafed too. It helped me quit in around a month and a half. I knew it would be a slow process. I was tired of the way it was messing with me!!

Posted by: Missy at February 24, 2009 10:56 AM (w27Yw)

12 I've been using it for about 3 months now. I decided to stop...a second ago. Haha my mom threw away my bottle once she started reading stuff like this. Even if you use the 12 hour stuff, once you abuse it so much it seems like your body forces you to start 2 doses a day, that's what I have been going through.

Posted by: Moe at March 14, 2009 05:15 PM (ad6yY)

13 Hi. only used afrin for maybe a month. started to use 4-5 times a day. Haven't used it for almost 24 hours, and it's been a tough 24 hours. I feel like I snorted to marbles, and they are stuck at the bridge of my nose. They are blocking anything from coming in or out. I just took a small amount of air in through one nostril, and I'm hoping that's the light at the end of the tunnell. Can't wait to be off this crap for good!

Posted by: Jaron at May 04, 2009 08:23 PM (kcwsy)

14 its not that bad.... ive been using afrin for two years now, and its the best ive ever been! before i was plugged, did not know how bad until i found afrin. now it seems to have plateaued at 2 times per day, sometimes one. just control yourself, and dont use it in excess. let yourself get stuffed up a little before squirting again. ive gotten it where i only wake up in the middle of the night once or twice a month. Happy!!

Posted by: jeff riecken at May 19, 2009 07:11 PM (qSS+p)

Hide Comments | Add Comment