Question:
Anyone

I've been using nose spray for maybe 14yrs. i have terrible sinus problem. the problem is, when my nose is stuffy i use the spray. but in turn the spray eventually causes my nose to rebound and become stuffy once more. it's an endless cycle. i've tried everything OTC, and prescription. i can't be in the hospital with a stuffy nose and trying to recover. has anyone ever had this problem, any suggestions on how to quit?    — Michelle R. (posted on September 13, 2003)

September 13, 2003
My husband was addicted to nose spray...I Swear! He was told to spray one nostril and not the other, of course the nostril "Not" sprayed will remain stopped up, but after 3-4 days it was fine. He then sprayed the other nostril and repeated process as before. After 1 week he was off nose spray and could breath again. Mind you he was on this spray for years. That was over 22 years ago and he never has had to use spray again! Give it a try. Good Luck! Lap RNY/2/11/03...250/155/03
   — Hazel S.

September 13, 2003
I have been using it for about 14 years as well, and took it to the hospital with me. I only had to use it once a day, but having it there kept me from worrying about it.
   — Happy I.

September 13, 2003
Can't speak the sinus problem because none of us here are doctors, but perhaps I can offer a suggestion for weaning yourself off the spray. To control nasal congestion, my allergist had me using a saline nasal spray, then blow my nose to clear it and repeat until the discharge was clear. Then use the nasal spray if I felt I still needed it. But the cleansing with the saline did the trick half the time.
   — Cathy S.

September 13, 2003
Michelle, I can also relate as I've had about four sinus infections a year for the past 20 years or more. My PCP thinks they are allergy related. My ENT wants me to get the sinus surgery, but after putting my oldest son through it, and talking to other people I know who've had it done, I've deicded not to since almost everyone I know has not had good success with it but did have a lot of pain. That being said, I used to use sprays a lot until my PCP told me about the rebound effect. So how did I get off them? Well I found something on the web a few years ago called the Dr. Grossan Sinus Irrigation system. It uses a Waterpic unit with a special nasal adapter on the end. You mix up a saline solution, turn the device onto the lowest setting, hold it against one nostirl, and let the unit slowly and gently pulse the saline through your sinuses until it runs out the other nostril. Then you repeat using the other nostril. It might sound yucky, but it's the same system used in many hospitals and it has cut down my infections a bit. It's amazing how many more things I can smell after using it. You don't have to buy the "waterpic unit" from his website. I just went to Walmart and bought one for about $30.00, and then bought the Dr.'s nasal tips and his special saline mix from his site. He also has an excellent book on sinus problems. Now I'm not endoring this product, but for me it really has helped and I no longer use the nasal sprays.
   — Robert Neff

September 14, 2003
Hi, I'm sorry you're having nasal problems. I do have a teacher who has the same problem. He used nasal spray for 11 years. He just had outpatient surgery to have his turbinate bone in his nose reduced. It was a procedure that he fully recovered from in just a weekend. He can breathe now!! You can visit your local ear, nose, and throat doctor and they can tell you if this is what you need. Thanks
   — Amber W.

September 14, 2003
I also used the nasal saline spray that Cathy suggested. It works great! I had some foreign matter lodged in my sinus for 3-4 years (I'd felt it go in after turning on a heat blower); my PCP thought I was nuts and didn't believe me but finally, after all those years and lots of antibiotics, suggested this spray. After a couple weeks of regular use it came out. GROSS!! But immediate relief and no more problems! The spray is in a little squeeze bottle that fits in your pocket and only costs $2-3.
   — Chris T.

September 14, 2003
Maybe you could try some saline spray like someone else suggested, along with a little dab of Vicks under your nose. Might be enough of an alternative to help you break the cycle. Good luck!
   — BellaMoon

September 14, 2003
I've suffered with sever nasal problems for decades. Two weeks ago, my doc put me on Nasonex, so far it's worked wonders for me. Prior to the nasonex, I did use globs of vicks rub, which helped but I had to constantly apply it. I looked like one big shiny nose all day long.
   — Rosa F.