I'm starting to cave, I cant resist the

[Nonny]

Feb 27, 2015 1:28:23 GMT -5 nicbreeful said:

Wait.. why would you want to resist the Afrin?

If you use Afrin for longer then about three days you become physically addicted to it, and then you get even worse rebound nasal swelling. It's helpful, nasty stuff.

[Nonny]

If you aren't still stuffed up, you are probably OK. The addictive swelling will eventually go away on its own, but it's not a fun process.

My ENT and allergist are both very against Afrin, unless you are about to have sinus surgery; then they make you take it at ridiculously high doses right before (something to do with restricting blood flow to reduce bleeding during/after surgery).

[Bernadine]

Can you try a nasal strip? The really help to open me up.

[starburst604]

As a pregnant person who formerly loved some Afrin during a cold, I've found Breathe Right strips to be the next best option. I've threatened to drown the next person who suggested saline spray to me (namely, my OB). I can only conclude that anyone who says they get this great relief from a spray of saltwater up the nose has never known true congestion.

[v]

Try a neti pot? (I like the squeeze bottle type)

[SwimDeep]

My H uses Simply Saline and in the past has encouraged me to use it...yeah, maybe I'm doing something wrong, but a blast of salt water up the sinuses did nothing to clear me out and help me breathe. I'll stick to decongestants in pill form, thank you very much.

[dirtyred]

Don't use Afrin according to the manufacturer's directions. Here's what you do: at night, spray in ONE nostril. Get a good night's sleep. Do not use during the day. Next night, spray in the other nostril. You'll be able to sleep and won't have to deal with rebound, plus you can use it longer than three days if you need to.

[panicked]

My dad is legit addicted to Afrin. Like, "can't sleep, will run out at midnight to get some" addicted. I haven't ever used it because I don't want to wind up with 50 empty Afrin bottles in my trash can.

[Kit]

I'm addicted to it. Come to the dark side.

[Shreddingbetty]

I love afrin but I only use it at night because I can handle stuffy during the day. I have used it for about 5-7 night in a row one time and didn't have a problem with rebound congestion. I only use it when I have a bad cold so maybe 1-2 x a year ( for a few nights each time). But rebound congestion is a real problem. Nasal steroids can help through the rebound congestion.
and saline is good to use to keep your sinuses rinsed out but it has never helped my with relieving the congestion long enough to actually be able to sleep. It should be a combo of saline washes and some sort of medicine 

[frozentoes]

I've been addicted to Afrin for probably about 15 years now. My mom for probably 30 years and same with my Aunt. It's just a part of life. None of us have ever had any related issues from it, other than the reoccurring stuffiness. I did try Flonase to try to get off of it and it didn't work at all.

[hocus2]

I use affrin very selectively. I find that if I mild issues sudafed dries me up enough to sleep. Sometimes I sleep elevated. Sometimes I alternate nights (so use it 3 times over 6 days).

[Deleted]

Feb 27, 2015 9:18:52 GMT -5 mofongo said:

Feb 27, 2015 7:14:14 GMT -5 v said:

Try a neti pot? (I like the squeeze bottle type)

I did this once, I was so blocked the water wouldn't go anywhere. lol. I had to let it back out:(

This happened to me a few weeks ago. Awful.

Also, neti pot users, make sure your pot is impeccably clean & use distilled water or you risk making your problem worse by putting more bacteria in your sinuses.