Nasal Spray Addiction - Open to All Other Health Topics Message Board

Harold2 · 09-19-2001, 11:54 AM

I have been using Vicks Sinex 12 hour nasal spray for about 8-9 years now. I have tried almost everything to try and get off the stuff. I snort the Sinex about 2-3 times an hour. At night I snort approx. 8-10 squirts in each nostril. Is there anything that I can do to get off the stuff? It's an expensive addiction that I need to quit. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Harold2

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Thanks, Harold2

wearesiamese · 09-19-2001, 12:34 PM

I've been through this many many times with Duration nose spray. The only thing you can do is resign yourself to the fact that you will have to "mouth breath" for a couple of days. Then after that, you should be able to breath through your nose. I've used Duration for about 12 years off and on. This is how it goes every time. Just pretend you have a cold. In fact, taking a cold medicine may help you breath while you are going off spray.

siouxzee · 09-19-2001, 01:54 PM

This is a hard habit to kick. If you are serious about this, seeing an ENT (ear nose throat doctor) is advised. Going cold turkey off of your over-the-counter decongestant spray will get you "unhooked" from the medication after about four to five days. This period will be much easier for you if they get help from your healthcare provider in the form of one of the prescription steroid sprays that can be started about three days before stopping the over-the-counter spray. Sometimes, a brief round (about 6 days) of oral steroids can also be useful.

Quitting yourself is possible also. Some tips are:

1)Quit one nostril at a time.
2)Use oral decongestant pills or syrup during the process for the bounceback congestion you'll get.
3)Use a nonmedical nasal spray as a substitute(such as a saline mist)
4)take up some other bad habit like smoking (ok just seeing if you're paying attention

)

Normal nasal function should resume within 7-21 days.
Good Luck

Angelwings · 09-19-2001, 07:56 PM

Yea me too!! I just need it at night. I panic if I don't have it at night. If I can't find my bottle I can't sleep. I'll go to the store at 2 or 3a.m. if I have to. Someone told me to use those nasel strips. I haven't yet but maybe one day.

Janice Hawley · 09-21-2001, 01:00 AM

I was addicted to nose sprays/drops for years and it was terrible. Finally found a Dr. (a D.O.) who put me on a schedule of decongestants and convinced me to go cold turkey off of the drops. It was misery for a least a week...but I made it and will never again put anything in my nose except a good saline spray.